JUNIOR FLAG MATCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2167, 5 September 1895, Page 33

JUNIOR FLAG MATCHES.

TAIERI V. WARBHOCSEMEN.

The above match wat played at Bishopsoonrfc in the presence of tome 500 spectators, who exhibited the keenest interest in the game. Both teams were confident of winning, but those "in the know" supported the Taieri, who wtre known to have their full strength in the field, while tho Warehousemen had at the last moment to fall back on one of their reserve forwards, and were consequently expected to just get beaten. The local team, however, by dint of good play, won a hard-fought game by 1 try to nothing. Taieri won the lo^s and elected to play down hill. Reid kicked off, and, Flvon mulling the ball, the Reds swooped down on the Blaea' quarter*, where a chance of Scoring wm lost by oTer-e»gernes»» The Blues

cleared their lines, and good kicking by their backs put the R-Ai on the defence, when some good opportunities to Bcore were lost by bad passing. A loag kiok by Sam6on relieved the Rtd^, and the forwards, with a splendid ru^h, carried the ball to theic opponents' line, where M«nu saved bid aide, and a free kick being awarded the Blue*, pay oentred. The Reds, however, were not to be denied, and again invaded their opponents' quarters, but reckless patshig nullified their efforts to tcoTe. A free kick to Taieri for picking out of the icrum relieved the pre«»ure, and Campbell mulling, the Blues pemed him near his own line. Some hot work here ensued, but the tackling of the Taieri backs, which was greatly admired, was very snre, and the ball was gradually worked up the field, where Mann again saved his side, and wriggling through the opposing backs was looking dangerous, when he was well graved by Reid. Half time was now called, with the ball in the Reds' quarters. The opening of the second spell was marked by a succession of long kicks between the backs. Eventually Reid got the ball out to Dredge, who made a bee-line for the Bluee' goal, but was collared just in time. The R<<ds continued the pressure, but mulling by thiir backs spoilt wbat chance they had of scoring, and the Blues' forwards, playing well together, carried the ball to the Reds' line, where some h«-t work ensued. bub efforts to score were nullified by the splendid tackling of the Warehousemen. A free kick cleared th« Rods' line*, and their forwards, following np well, had the Blues in difficulties. Some exciting play was now witnessed. A sc-uaa was formed on the Taieri line, whose backs n* glecbed to watch Dredge, and the latter, getting a good past from Reid, dashed over the Hue The kick at goal was fruitless. This reverse put the Bluet ou thair met4le, and they tried hard to equalise matters, but the dt f t-nco wa» very strong, and good kicki ng amongst the R*c\s' backs again had the Taieci defending, and had W. Hutchison t*k«u a pass he mast have scored. The Blue*, however, cleared thm - Hues aud swept up ike fUld, and Campbell mulln g nearly cost th« Red* a try, for M 'Donald (letting the bill ran to within a few feat of the )i r e, where R-id overtook bim. MD nald, how«-vcr, was quick enough to pass to FlynD, but the latter apparently did not want the leather, and an appeal being made for a koockoo a scrum was formed. The efforts of the Blue* to score were fruibltM, and the ball was quickly worked down the field, where Elder stvod. The remaining play calls for oo oommen*;, and the whistle Bounded time with the play in mid-field, and the More then stood : Waiehousemen... 3 points Taieri Nil

Tfce match, wbich wm playsd in th« most friendly spirit, was generally »dmiW*d to b« the best expositi.n of th» game aeen this se*«oa among juniors. It was fart a*d epeo, not une force down being recorded during baa ga-mt* — s rare occurrence. The tacklwg of the winters' bi«ck<i was splendid. Sarueon, Reid, and Drtdrfa beirg very prominent in this respect, whilst the kicking ail round waj very sure. It would be ha*d U pick out any of the forwards as being particularly preuainenfc, but Williams, Murray, and Hutcbitoa rwe dvaecring of special mention. GtM*t work«d v«ry nurd all through for the Taieri forwa<da, of whom also Bringar.a a&d Qibton did good serrice. Behind lh« scrum the Taieri showed to advantage, R. Eld*r, MDoaald, and Mann being particularly promiuenk, th« tatter's running being a source of annoyanc* to the opposing team. Mr R. M. Falconer controlled the g*iue.

GREEN ISLAND T. WRATHS SHCOXD. The Pir±te* S*oond having withdrawn from the contest, \kv Greea Island won by default.