RUGBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 35

RUGBY.

The return match betweeu tbe Kaikorai and Pirate* Club', played on Saturday on ran Biehopscaurt ground, wßich was .in capital order, attracted a fair attendance' of spectators. The Pirates for the, first .spell played up-hill,' and had tbe assistance 6f . a lighb "breeze. ■'. Ear . about 20 minutes the BUcka held their own and something more, the home team being forced down once or twice early in the. game, but then the Blues invaded their quarters and almost immediately afterwards Wood successfully potted at the Pirates goal. The game had hardly been resumed when Canningbam sprinted through to the Pirates' full back and then passed to Fountain, who must have icored had he nob missed the ball, and tho play gradually went buck to neutral ground. The | Kaikorai returned to the attack, and Macarthur first fumbling the ball on the line and then failiDg to secure it Murphy scored a try, bnt Wood failed with the kick. Immediatly afterwards Sinclair made an opening at the oentre and passed to D. M'Laren, ' who finished a strong run, in which l he was absolutely untouched, by scoring behind the posts, and Wood this time converted. Jmt before the spell closed Duncan dribbled over tho Pirates' line, and being undoubtedly obstructed by Macarthur almosb under the posts, hi# side were awarded a freo kick, and Wood placed a goal. The play of the Pirates had "so far been very tame, bub in tho second spell their forwards buckled to in earnest;, and the Kaikorai were treated to a severe turn at defending. For 20 minutes the play was rarely out of tbe Bines' half of tho ground and was frequently in their quarters, bat then the home team rushed the ball to the Blacks' end, and the Pirates' defonce was again tested, and theic opponents' score was increwed through Cunningham, who should have been grassed on receiving the ball, potting a goal. Nothing daunted by the 18 points which had been registered against them, the Pirates again strongly invaded the Kaikorai's quarters, and eventually their energy was rewarded, Prieit picking up in a loose scrum and after a strong run for about 15 yards scoring near the corner flag. Matheson failed with the kick at goal,.and tbe few mioutefl remaining for play were uucveutful, the game, which was controlled by Mr A. Downes, resulting : Kaikorai ... 19 points Pirates ... 3 points

The Dunedin-Univeraity match was plajed ! on the Caledonian ground in the presence of a j fairly large number of footbill lovers, and re- '< pulled, rather unexpectedly, in a win for 'Var-ity by 7 points (a try and potted goal) to no'h'mg. The ground was nob in tbe best of condition for playing upon, bub it was nob co bad as might naturally have been anticipated ! after the r. cent heavy rains. In the first ipell i the 'VaraitV played against the southerly wind, which, although light, was no advantage to them. Nevertheless for the greater patt of the .spell they managed to keep their opponents penned in their own quattsrs. In fact, tho Dunedin team were very hard pressed at times, being forced no less than three times within five minutes. In the second spell the game was more even, but the Dunedin representatives were frequently penalised for off-eido play. On one occasion, however, the D&rk Blue 3 looked like scoring. Mason gob the ball away and oluded the watchful Sale. The leather wa« then transferred to Stohr, who got into close proximity to the 'Varsity lines before he was grassed by O'Shea. The Dunedin men, however, ehortly afterwards forced their opponents. The 'Varsity next carried the leather, to midfield, and after somo loose play O'Neill, by a oapital run, was instru* mental in shifting the game to the corner flag, where, after a short, sharp struggle, Macdontld oronsed the line. Tho kick at goal was a failure. The Lignfc Blues again made a vigorous attaok on the Dunedin lines, and after a very few minutes had elapted Stephana potted a pretty goal amidst cheeis. No other eoore resulting, the game thus stood : University ... 7 points Dunedin Ml

The match between the Dunedin and University Second Fifteens was played at Tahuna Park. Mr W. H. Mackenzie acted efficiently as ttSerce, Tbe ground oa one side for almost its

whole length was under water, of which the players ware careless after being once wet. In the first spell the play was fairly even, both sides being compelled to force down an equal number of times, and when the three-quattero of an hour had elapsed there was no Boore on either eide. Notwithstanding the state of the ground it was decided to continue the game, 2nd aleo to play full time. The Dunedin were the first to score, although the 'Vartity were playing bard and were having if anything the beßt ofit. Mitohall took the ball from twenfcyflre to twenty-fivo by means of & fast dribble, -which Johnston continued on over the line.Having 5 points against them much determination waa notioeable in the 'Varsity's subsequent play, and it wa* not long before one of their number managed to struggle over the line from % loose scrum, a goal being placed from the try. ■The 'Varsity continued to press, and two other tries were subsequently placed Co their credit by Hofcop and Gregg, the last being obtained jurt on the call of time, when it we« almost too d&rk to see the ball. The kioks afc goal failed.

The Padflo Second met tho Caverahom /Third nfc Tahuna Perk, and hud a rather easy ■win by 16 points to nothing 1 . Tries were scored jby 'Waagh, Duncan, Pepperil, and Harris, $wo of which were converted. The match High School v. Caversham Seoond was won by the former by 6 point b to nothing. Bartleman and Holmes scored for the Sohool.

The match Melrose v. Warehousemen was not played on Saturday on account of the Warehousemen failing to pat & team in the field. A Wellington telegram states that in the Benior football matches Poneke beat Wellington by 4 points to 3, and the Athletic beat Petone by 13 to 3.

' THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

The match between the Kaitangata and tjoeen's Park was pls>ed on the Reclaimed ground on Saturday before a large and enthusiastio crowd of spectators. Flay eommenoed at 2 o'clcek, to enable the visitors to return home by the 4.20 train. Almost immediately -after tbe bsll was kicked off K&itangata prested, but play was qu ; cWy 6hifted to the centre, and soon after that the visitors' goal was aes&ulted. J. H&ynes made a quick shot, and scored. A series of rushes up and down Jfcbe ground followed, during which a large number of the players were sent sprawling on the very muddy field, to the great amusement of the onlookers, and play again reached the Eaitangata goal, where a big sorimmskge took place, mnd, players, and ball being heaped up together, while the spectators simply roared with laughter. The Park, however, finally managed to get tho leather through. Reid kicked off, and the Lome team came away immediately with a fine paesiDgrush, A. Hajnos this time getting the nooour. Good play was now out of the question, for the ground had been rapidly getting from. If a player made a hurried kick at the ball he invariably went flying on his baok, to his own oomteruation and the spectators'enjoyment: Still play continued to hover in close proximity to the visitors' goal,' and H 'Donald made a neat shot and -sooted: . No further score wife lettered in tho first spell. ' On resuming* the Park, who evidently. .had. the upper band, at one© prtßsed and continued to do so for some time', «ooring two >-'nVore goals;- ' Waby and Bpraggpnßot getting anything to do commenced ekylirWng, and Kaltattfftta 'breaking suddenly away oame down the field at top speed, and Reid, taking a long shot, scored amidst loud applause. The ball was put in motion again, and travelled up and down the field several times, the Kaitangata boys making Borne fine dribbling rushes, but the opposing backs proved coo' good for them, and time was called with the ecore ttandiDg : Quetn'B Park... 6 goals Kaitangata ... 1 goal