THE OTAGO TEAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2164, 15 August 1895, Page 33

THE OTAGO TEAM.

The Mxtch Committea have selected tho following players to represent Ofcsgo in the match next Saturday ogiiu&t Southland :—: — Full back— Ro*s. Three-quarter bicks— Mackenzie, Cunningham, Stephenson. Half backs— Duncm, Mason, Cran. Forwards— J. Torrance, D Torrance, Esquilant, M'Farlane, Ba'lantyne, Beadle, Given, Priest. Emergencies: Backs— Macissoy, D.*vis, Armit. Forwards — Lowry, W. Wilkinson.

*W. Ross (Alhambra).— A very safe full back, whose best point is his tackling, which is very reliable ; he kicks, however, capitally, though his lef c-foot'punts are occasionally weak. * W. H«y-Mackenzio (Ihineiin). — A somewhat erratic player who, when in his best form, is frequently brilliant ; tackles and kicks well ; and is an awkward man to stop ; is fast, and covers a great deal of ground. * T. Cunningham (Kiikorai). — A good centre three quart-r back, who shines in au attacking game ; kicks well, and passes cleanly and unrelfishly; plays with less dash and less confidence than of yore.

G. Stephenson (Dunedin). — A perfect knowledge of the game has been a considerable factor in gaining this player his place. Ilia form at times during the seuon was only moderate, but he picked up towards the close ; tackles finely, is more than commonly fast anil is quick to seiz-j an opening ; kicks well and uses the touchline with judgment.

*J. Duncan (Kaikorai).— A brilliant player who, in hie place, is probably without a superior iv the colony ; possesses great speed as well as considerable weight, and is a difficult man to stop ; takea aud gives a pas 3 cleanly and never hesitates ; will act as captain of the team. A. Mason (Dunedin). — A smart and tricky scrum half back, who gets the ball out very cleveily but is disposed to play for his own hand rather much ; is fast and dodgy, and is quick to avail himself of an opportunity ; a good place kick. *W. J. Cr*n (University).— A very useful player who plays brilliantly on the defensive and aleo shows up well in attacking, being a very strong runner and difficult to stop. * J. Torrance (Kaikorai). — One of the best forwards in the colony, being an untiring .worker, who is always near the ball and is a capital tackier.

*D. Torrance (Kaikorai). — An experienced player than whom there is none better acquainted with the points of the game ; i«, like hia brother, a fine scrummager, and is, moreover, alwayi to the fore in loose play ; a fairly reliable place kick. * A. EsqUilant (Alhambra).— Another of the tried players of the team, and -although not so brilliant as he used to be, still fit for a place iv any team in the colony ; a good player ia all phases of the' forward team ; a fair pLce kick. * 11. M'Farlane (Ziugari Richmond).— Another sterling forward, who kuows the game thoroughly, and plays it from start to finish ; has all along been one of-tue certainties of the team.

S. Ballantyne (Kaikorai).— Has been playing the game longer than most of the present day footballers in Dunedin ; a forward of the sturdy, hardworking type, who in the centre of the scrum is very clever in gaining the ball. * W. Beadle (Union). —Another experienced player who is this year in as good form as he has ever shown ; is specially good in the loose play, and can play a hard game without tiring. F. Given (Alhambra). — A forward who has come on rapidly in this his first year as a senior player; a good all-round man, who takes the ball well on the line out and follows up smartly.

P. J. Priest (Pirates).— Au experienced forward who_ ia not in the best of condition ; is very serviceable on the line out, and shows to advantage in the loose work.

* Played in previous interprovincial matches.