SATURDAY'S MATCHES. THE RUGBY GAME. Kaikorai v. Cavesham.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 41

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. THE RUGBY GAME. Kaikorai v. Cavesham.

The ref-urn match between the Caversham and the Kiikorai was played at Bishopscourb. The home team winning the toss took advantage of a strong wind that was blowing down the fi'-ld, and at once set their opponents defending. After some give-and-take play the Kuikorai j?ot on a good forward rush, which euded in Williamson scoring, but Wood failed to convert. Toe visitors carried the ball well down the fisld and Wood relieved with a good kick. A capital piece of passing between Wood, Cunningham, and Kerr looked like produciDg a score, but the last-named was sent into touch-in-goal by Lawry. The Kaikorai kept up the attack, and from a loose rush Murphy scored. Torrance was entrusted with the kick and placed a neat goal. Wna'.eo, Olson, and Lang then took the ball into Kaikor&i quartet?, and the home team were kept defending for fome time. Urquhart put in some good work, bub excellent defence saved the Blues' line, and play was at the centre when the whistle blew. In the second spell the hill team did not have things all their own way. Cavanagh, Whalen, and Spfenc3 broke away, and carried the oval to within a few yards of the line. Jackson relieved with a kick, and the Kaikorai gradually wore their opponen's down, and after a lot of loose play Sinclair gob possession, and scored near the posts. A Vood failed to convert. Shortly after this the Kaikoni were' awarded a free kick, and Torr&nce sent the ball over the bar. The Caversham rallied and gave a good account of themselves, forcing their opponents. From a scrum Burges3 passed to Sioap*OD, who dodged 'through the Kaikorai backs, and was only grassed when within aa ace of scoring, The

home forwards got on some splendid loote rushes, bub were met with stubborn defence, and when time was called by the referee (Mr H. Smeaton) the play was in the Kaikorai's twenty-five, the game ending : Kaikorai ... 14 points Civersham „. Nil. Dunedin v. University. The return match between these teams was played on the Caledonian ground. The rain held off during the match, but the ground was in a very slippery conditioD. The Dunedin winning the tons elected to play with the wind. Gregg kicked off, the ball going into touch in Dunedin territory. Williams marked and kicked to Fell, who, following up a long return, tackled the Dunedin full back, and soon afterwards almost ecored from a fine run. A scrum being formed on tha Dunedin line, Turton passed to J. G. Macdonald. who scored at the corner. O'Shaa's kick wns fruitless. After the kick oub play was chiefly in the University territory, and a free kick was awarded the Dunedin under the visitors' goal, bub William3's kick went wide, the University being forced. After the kick oub play again ensued on the University line, bub Macdonald relieved by a good kick. After some kicking between the backs the University forwards dribbled to their ! opponents' twenty-five, but Mackenzie replied ! with a fine kick. Mason made a good run, which he spoiled by not passing in time. He ', was collared near the University line From the ecrum Mackenzie almost scored, as did Stepheuson immediately afterwards, the latter being < finely collared on the line by O'Shea. A free ; kick to the Dunedin was again fruitless, and M'Farland dribbled to the centre. A rush of ; University forwards was finely ' stopped by Eagles, who kicked into touch ; at the centre, the Dunedin forwards : following \jp the advantage by dribbling to the Univereity line. Shand kicked to the centre, and by following up he spoiled Fißh's return. O'Shea nude a good run, and passed to Fell, who spoiled a certain score by knocking on, and a free kick to Dunedia took the ball to i the centre. M'Farlane and Sale showed up in a fine dribble, but the Dunedin forwards replied by carrying the ball up to the visitors' lines, ' where Sfcephonson naetowiy missed scoring. Another free kick to the Dirk Blues wss fruitlfas, though in a good positiou Shortly afterwards Williams placed «, goal from a mark, but the ball had touched Gregg's hand in transit. Williams mulled tho kick-out, aud Mules carried the ball t j the centre. A passing rush started by Mulea ended by Feil beu>£ collared on the Dunedin line. Another fine run was put in by this player, aft-r which half -time wss called. Ou resuming-, kickiug ensued between the backs, after which FeU beat the Dunedin three-quarter backs, but was collared on the line by Fish. O'Shea h&d two fruitless attempts at goal. Martin relieved the pressure by a good run, which no one backed up ; after which Mason put in a, good run, a«id a soruin wa« formed under th,o University posts, when Mason spoilt a fine chance by potting, the ball failing to rice. After x the kick-out G. Sate dribbled right down the fieM to the Dunedin line, and J. G. Macddn&lil, obtaining the ball from a scram, ran round, scoring between the posts. O'Shea's kick hit the post. Another good run by Macdonald was stopped by Fish, bufc immediately afterwards Fell out-paced all the Dunedin backs and scored, O'Shea convert- ! iog. After the kick-off M'Ara showed up with a fin*} tun, the chance being lost by a pass forward. Fish relieved, but the University backa replied with some more passing, all their opponents running out to collar Fell, who did no!;, however, get the ball, O'Shea running in unopposed and scoring a try, which he himself converted. Shortly after this time was called by Mr A. Downes (the referee), the score being : University ... 16 points Dunedin ... Nil Pirates v. Zingari-Richmond. The above match was played at Montecillo on Saturday. The ground was in a very greasy condition, but a pretty fast game was played throughout. Although the Pirates had rather the best of the play iv the flrafc spell, both sides were forced down two or three time 3, and the spoil ended without any score being made on either side. After fche teams crossed over the Pirates warmed thoroughly to their work, and for the greater part of the time kept the ball in their opponents' territory. Macasgey was the first to sore, succeeding in getting over the Zingari lines from a good dribbling rush on the part of the Bkcks. The kfck afc goal was taken by Matheson, who piloted the leather over the bar. Another dribbling rush subsequently by the Pirates resulted in Moller obtaining a try near the goal post, Matheson again successfully converting. Some little time afterwards Ziu^ari rushed the ball down the field, and looked as if they were going to fccore, bub they failed in this, and when the whistle was blown no further score had been made. ; The game thus ended :—: — ' Pirates ... 10 points Zingavi-Richinond Nil Othkr Matches. ' ] The High School First beat the Ravensbourno j Firsb by 7 points to 3. For the winners, Broad potted a goal and Bartltman scored a iry? Tae White Ro.se defeated Albion on the | former's grouud afc Kaikorai by 9 points to nothing. Trips were obtained for the winners by Bagshasv, Hadiee, aud Connolly. Meighan, ' Connolly, Bagshaw, and Gordon played best for the winners. I