THE RUGBY GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 35

THE RUGBY GAME.

The .match between .the Kaikorai and Union teams, whidh was played on the North ground, .attracted an immense gathering. The .game resnlted in a win for the Ks-ikorai team by 3 points (a try) to nothing. Mr,A. Downes controlled the ,game. The Kaikorai winning the toss, elected to play up bill, and vthe Maroons kicking off play was immediately located in mid-field, where it remained, for the first 10 or 15 minutes. The Kftikorai forwards then succeeded in pressing their opponents well down within their twentyfive, and for some time the Union's lines were in considerable danger. Off-side play on the part of a Kaikor&i back gave tbe Marosns a free kick, aud relieved the pressure. A good

daal of close play ensued, after which the hill men once again invaded tho Union's quarters.' Torrance secured a frea kick right in front of the goal posts. Luckily for the Maroons, however, the batl web charged down. Some good kicking on both sidea followed, aud the Maroons by a good forward rash then carried tbe | leather into the Kaikorai twenty-five, where they were awarded a penalty kick. M 'Donald j made a splendid attempt at goal, the ball just j falling sboxt of the bar. Half a minute had scarcely elapsed after the commencement of the second spell when Davis secured the ball j in mid field and, after running some nine or 10 yards, transferred to Duncan, who mado a splendid dodgy ran and touched down. Torronco took tho kick, which was not an easy one, bub failed to enhance the score. From this oat the KaikorM had much the bast of the game. For a considerable time play waa never paßt mid-field. A lose forward rush and some judicious kicking, with fnsfc following up, brought the ball to within a few yards of the Maroons' lines, aud after s, sharp struggle a force down resulted. Tha Kaikorai full back kicking a "gcubbor" enabled tho Union bo locate the game within their opponents' tweutyfive, but the advantage was only momeut&ry, for the Blueß speedily invadiag the. opposite quarters a score was only averted by dint of hard play. At the call of time the score wai : Kaikorai ... 3 points Union Nil The match between the Dunedin and Pirates Clubs waiT played ab Carmbrook. The Blues had a strong sun at their backs iv the first half, and had, on the whole, the advantage in the spell, which ended, however, without any score to either side, although Mackenzie sacrificed a splendid chance shortly "before half time through neglecting to pass. The second spell was well advanced before any snore waa recorded, and then the ice was broken by Maton placing a penalty goal, one of the Pirates forwards haring lifted his foot iv a scrum right in fronb of the goal. The Blacks then ntUcked vigorously, and a smart mark by SSacdunald on a line out gave Priest a kick ab goal, 'which resulted, however, in a poster. The venue was then shifted, Mackenzie running in to a lineout and breaking away with the ball, which was rushed across the Pirates' line, where, a ohauce to kick it dead being thrown away, Johnstone dropped on it, obtaining a try which Mason failed to convert!. Time wss nearly exhausted, but the Pirates pluyed up with auoh spirit after this that tho Blues had a, score registsred against them, Priest dashing aoross and obtaining a try. Mabho?on took the kick at goul, and the ball rolling and the opposing forwards oha'g'ng down, ba showed a distinct strain of originality by picking up and dropping »t goal. The Bl«oks were again attacking when time ir&t called by Mr Foster, the referee, tho score being : Dunedin „. 6 points Pirate 3 ... 3 points Ooly a few persons attended at Tahuna Park on Saturcky afternoon to witness the match between tho University and Zmgari-Richraond teanw. Cran kicked off for the 'Varsity, who lost tha services of Simmers through his meeting with aa accident a few minutes after play started. . Tho 'Varsity players almost ab once invaded their opponents' territory, but a piece of goad passing was the means of shifting the ball down the field again. The pl»y was of a give-and-fcaka order until Stephens scoured the leather and waa only stopped close to the Colours' goal lino. A sorieß of scrums followed, in wbioh the Zingari had a decided advantage, and they gradually cleared their lines ; but Gcan getting posseision made a good rVo, ending with a kick, which Gregg followed up* and was thus able to soore near tho corusr flag. O'Shea made a good attsmpt from an awkward angle, but did not improve the try. M'P&tlane was prominent in ft passing rush for the Zingari team, but half time sounded without any further score being recorded. For the first few minutes of the second spoil play was oonfiued to the 'Varsity quarter*. M'Farlane was again conspicuous, making a capital run, and taking theb*ll well down towards the 'Varsity's line. O'Shea, M'Ara, Cran, and Stephens by good p»aring relieved. A free kick awarded to the Zingari was taken by Polloofe, bat though well within kicking distance he failed to improve. Later the 'Varsity men had a good ohance of scoring, but tbe chance was lost by a knock on by Cran. Marks had a shot at the 'Varsity goal from a mark, but was unsuccessful ; and Macdonala'D attempt at the Zingari-Richinoud goal, also from a mark, was also ineffectual. The game thus ended : University ... 3 points Zingari ... ... Nil. , The match Cavenham Second v. Alhambra Second was not played owing to the latter ■ failing to put in an appearance. The Warehousemen Second failed to meet the Cavorsham Third ad Montecillo. The Pacific met the Port Chalmers atTahuna Park, and after a faofc and interesting ,gamo victory rested with the Paoiflc by one try (3 points) to nobbing. The match Union Second v. Kaikorai Second, played at Binhopccourt, resulted in a win for the K&ikorai by a goal from a mark to a goal from a penalty kick (4 points to 3). The University Second defeated the ZingariRichmond Second by .19 points to nothing. The match High School First v. Star First resulted in a draw (one try each side). Armour scored for the Sohool. The High School Second won their match again&t the Star Second by default, owing to the latter team nob<putbing in «n appearance. A weak te'im of the Warehousemen journeyed to Mosgiel and met the West Taieri, whom they defeated by % penalty .goal (kicked by R. Hutchison) to nothing. The Albany street School defeated the Caver»ham School by 29 points to nothing, Cook scoring nine tries. - The High School Juniors Fkat defeated.bhe Union s:reot School Fir«t by 68 points to nothing ' The" High School Juniors Second were defeated by Port Chalmerj by 10 points to nothing. The Pacific Second met and defeated the Porb Chalmers Second ab Porb on Saturday by 6 points (two tries) to nothing. Waugh and Johnston scared, Mr JQowry made an efficient referee.