FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 36

FOOTBALL.

BTOTES BY FOBWARD.

The Northern Football Club will apply to the Otago Rugby Union for admission at the annual meeting of the latter body on Saturday next. I hear also that a club has again been formed at Palmerston, and that it will goin the union.

It has been suggested that the Otago Union should send a delegate from Dunodin to attend the annual meeting of the New Zealand /Union along with other delegates resident in (Wellington. It is clear that much important [business is to be brought forward at the meeting — so much, indeed, that it is quite likely that one night will not be sufficient to get it through.

The business at the annual meeting of the •New Zealand Union will include the coneideration of a petition signed by members of the Ne\v_ Zealand team of last year in favour of removing the disqualifications imposed upon threo of its members. A revised set of Jby-laws will be submitted, and there, will be Wo proposals regarding the .headquarters of the union — one emanating from Canterbury, lo the effect that the time has arrived when tho headquarters should be removed from iWcllington, and the other, to be submitted by -!the Marlborough Union, affirming that the ' headquarters should be affirmed every threo ■ years from one affiliated union to another. ' Tho impraoticablo to send a Now ■ Zealand team to England will also be re- ' vived.

The annual report of the New- Zealand Union's Management Committee contains : tho following clause: — "The committee con- ■ gratulato affiliated unions on tho good management displayed by them in promoting the welfare of the game and in endeavouring -to exercise proper control over it." This clause is most offensive, for two reasons— • first, that it is curiously out of place for the New Zealand Union, v/liich is notorious for Sts bad management, to patronisingly pat (affiliated union's on the back for their good management; and, second, for the suggestion that the affiliated unions only endeavour to exercise, but do not succeed in exercising 1 , 'proper control over the game. It is only the New Zealand Union which doe 3 not exercise 'pioper control over the game.

A Nottingham correspondent of the Athletic News employs a junior clerk, who is secretary of a football club close to that city. He [received the following communication recently, which for originality of expression will take some beating. John Bright, of honoured ■memory, could scarcely have embodied more solid facts in fewer words: — "Dear Sir, — (We cannot play our match on the date arranged, as we have got no club. We have poshed up the money, fought over the goalposts, and couldn't agree who was to have the :ball, so cut it up, and each took a piece. — {Yours faithfully, &c."

. At the- annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union it was resolved — " (1) That in the matter of a petition to the New Zealand .(Union praying for the disqualification passed upon three members of the New Zealand' .team which toured Australia last season, this jUnion requests the colonial body to take it "into its most* favourable consideration ; (2) .that a deputation from the Wellington "Union ]oi five delegates selected by the meeting wait upon the New ' Zealand Union in support of '■the reinstatement of the disqualified players." "It was decided also that the Wellington ;IJnion repommend the New Zealand Union to send a team to England.

With the establishment of another association club in the sputh end of Dunedin and the pioposed formation of a club in Wakari, it is evident that an attempt is to be made to boom tho "Socker" game this season. 'Apropos of this I may mention thai the Football Association has issued instructions on the rule relating to the penalty, which should be carefully studied. The instructions are: —

The penalty kick can only be awarded for the following five offences, committed by a player of the defending side within 12yds from iis own goal line : — 1. Intentionally tripping an opponent. 2. Intentionally charging an opponent from iieliind. 8. Intentionally pushing an opponent.

4. Intentionally holding an opponent,

S. Wilfully handling the ball. If, iv the opinion of tho referee, the tripping of an opponent or handling of the ball within the 12yds line is not intentional there is no breach of tbe law.

Cases of pushing, holding an opponent, or charging an opponent from behind may so bappen as to be considered unintentional, and alihoiigh cornmittod within tbe 12yds line would Only be a breaoh of Law 10, for which the referee could award a fie© kick.

It is the duty of a referee to see that tbe penalty kick is proporly taken, with the players in their proper positions according to Law 14.

The Second Fifteens oE the lnvercargill Pirates and the Ziugari-Riehmond Clubs met jon the Caledonian ground on Saturday, the match resulting in an easy victory for the visitors, who scored 17 points (2 goals and 3 krys) to nothing. J?ice weather prevailed and there was a fairly good attendance. Smith, who captaiued the luvercargili team, won the toss and kicked off against the wind. After a few minutes' play the ball was taken into the Pirates' territory, and for a time their lines were in great danger. They, however, managed eventually to transfer the leather into fcheir opponents' quarters. Some give-and-take play then ensued until Weir got possession near the Pirates' twenty-five flag, and making a good run down the field, passed cleverly' to Depley, who scored. W. Organ took tbe kick, but nothing cttme of it. A splendid passing rush in which Foster, Cook, Weir, and Thomson were prominent subsequently ensued, the last-mentioned succeeding in getting over the Zineari Hoes. W. Orgau was again unsuccessful with the kick. Halt-time was called almost immediately afterwards. When the teams crossed over the ball was soon taken into the Zingari territory. Weir then got possession from behind the scram, c.nd obtained a try, which he converted. Almost immediately (ifterwards the leather was rushed down fcbe field to the Pirates' quarters, where the Colours got a free kick for an infringement of the rules. Nothing, however, came of it. Play subsequently oscillated for uome time, but eventually Mitchell got possession in the Colouro' territory and passed to W. Organ, who managed to cross the opposing lines. Weir tried to convert, but his attempt proved abortive. The Pirates were subsequently awarded ft free kick for an infringement of the rules, and Weir put the leather over the bar. Time pras called shortly afterwards, without any farther Ecore being msde. A mixed team from the Pirates Club journeyed to Lawrence on Good Friday, and a match witk the local club in the lafternoon. The weather was rather warm for (football, and the ground somewhat hard. The game was fairly even in the first spell. The 'Lawrence forwards by good dribbling rushes threatened the Pirates' lines, and on odo cccasion actually got over, but the Pirates full back touched clown jnst in time. Almost as JBoon as the second spell started Kingston scored pear the cornet flag after a good run, bub

Matheson failed with the kick. After some lively play M'Doiaald got possession near the centre, and, passing the leather to Kingston, this player again succeeded in crossing the Colours' line. The try was not enhanced. Shortly after this Ah Wing, one of the Lawrence forwards, had the misfortune to slip and dislocate his kneecap. Towards the end of the spell the Colours made strenuous efforts to score, but they were unable to make any impression on their opponents, who finished up with 6 points to the good.

A Wellington telegram statea that the football match between the Wellington and Christchurch Clubs ended in a draw, each aide having scored 8 points. Melroee (Wellington) defeated Sydenham by 17 points lo nothing, and P.etone defeated Wanganui by 14 points to nothing.

A match at Inverc&rgiil on Good Friday between the Dunedin and InvercargiH Star juniors was won by the former by seven tries to nofchiDg, two of which were got in the first spell. The scorers were U. Bennett (3), T. Bennett, Dey, J. M'Queeu, and C. Eyre, The visitors simply ran over their opponents.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Dunedin Football Club was held in the City Hotel. Mr S. Solomon presided, and there was a good attendance. After a brief discussion a resolution that the club should continue to exist was carried unanimously. It was stated that a deputation had waited upon the Star Club with a view to their amalgamation with the Dunedin Club, but the former could not see its way to acquiesce to the proposition. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with, and the following were elected : — President, Mr S. Solomon (re-elected) ; vicepresidenti — Messrs J. Blaney, R. D. Isaacs, and W. Mills ; secretaries, Messrs E. Stohr and J. Isaacs ; treasurer, Mr S. Driver ; committee — Messrs Sise, Mackenzie, Dunne, Williams, Dicksod, Mason, jun., and Rice ; Match Committea — Mr Stohr, the captain, and deputy-captain ; delegates to the 0.K.F.U., Messrs WilHama and Mackenzie; auditor, Mr J. Dickson. Several new members were elected. It waa decided to reduce the annual subscription from 10s to 53. Messrs Solomon, Dickson, and Turton were appointed a committee to wait upon the Caledonian Society to negotiate for a reduction of rent.

A meeting for the purpose of forming an Association football club in South Dunedin was attended by a large cumber of intending members. It waa resolved that a club bs formed, and called the Southern Association Football Club. The following cfDce-bearero were then elected : — President, Mr T. S. Culling ; vice-presidents — Messrs W. Bennett, T. Cole, J. Shacklock, J. Moucrseff, and Rtv. T. G. Brooke ; captain, Mr T. Ashton ; deputy-captain, Mr R. Nagle ; secretary, Mr R. Nagle ; assistant eeoretary, Mr A. T. M'lndoe; treasurer, Mr J. O'Connor; auditors — Mensrs Cameron and J. Nagle ; Management Committee— Messrs W. Sparrow, A. T. M'lndoe, J. A?hton, J. Holland, J. O'Connor, captain, and secretary ; Selection Committee — Captain, deputy-captain, and Mr W. Sparrow ; delegates to O.F.A. — Messrs T. Ashton and A. T. M'lndoe. It was decided that the colours of the club be red and black.

' . * The seventh annual meeting of the Rangers Association Football Cinb was held on tho 4th inst. The President (Rev. A. North) occupied the chair, and there wa« a good attendance of members." Tha Secretary (Mr D. J. Calder) read the annual report, showing that the club had again maintained its position in the field' during the 1897 season, being " runner-np " for the Charity Banner. The First Eleven played 11 matches, winning six, drawing two, losing three ; 23 goals for, 12 against. The Second Eleven played eight matches, winning four, losing one, drawing three. The balance aheet, showing a credit lalanc3 of £2 5? 9J, was read and adopted. The following officers wers elected for the ensuing season :—President, Rev. A. Ncrth (re-elected) ; vice-preei-dents — Messrs J. Simon, T. A. Maitland, J. M'Laren, R. O'Connor, Rev. J. J. North (all re-elected), and 'Mr C. E. Beckingsale ; captain, Mr A. Sligo ; deputy-captain, Mr P. W. Peters ; secretary and treasurer, Mr P. W. Peters ; assistant secretary, Mr C. Harrop ; Match Committee — Mr J. Gilbert, captain, and secretary ; General Committee — Messrs Harrop, Gilbert, North, Middlemiss, A. Peters, captain, and secretary ; auditors, Messrs A. North and C. E. Beekicgsale (re-elecled) ; delegates to Ctago Football Association, Messrs A. Sligo &nd A. W. North.

The match between Linwood (Christchurch) and Union (Dunedin), played at Chrietchurch last Saturday, resulted in a win for Linwood by 17 points (a goal from a try and four tries) to 8 points (a goal from a try and one try). Linwood maintained a decided advantage in the first spell, though the visitors, by good forward play, gave their opponents some trouble before the end was reached. The first try was obtained by Orraacdy from a clean pass by Fanning. Passing among the backs and runs by J. O'Brien and Orchard ended in the lastnamed touching down. E. O'Brien converted. The Maroon forwards now put in some serviceable work. From the line-out R., J. Stewart got the ball and scored. The attempt at goal was good bub unsuccessful, the ball striking the crossbar and rebounding into the field of play. In the second apell Liuwood assumed aggressive tactics, and O. chard fini&hed a fine run with a try, which E. O'Brion failed to convert. Orchard's success was emulated by L. Fanning, who icored from a throw-in, and J. O'Brien ended a fine run from the centre by touching down near the corner. The Maroons made a very determined attempt 'o redoes the margin, but met with such stubborn resistance that they only managed to get a goal, which Lumb placed from a try Stalker secured as the result of a rapid rush from the line-out.

The match between the Alhambra (Dunedtn) and Merivale (Christchurch), played at Christchurch last Saturday, resulted iv a win for Merivale by 6 points (two tries) to nothing. Alhambra kicked off against the wind, and for a few minutes play was carried on in neutral territory. The Blue (Merivale) forwards then asserted themselves, and the ball was taken to the Alhambra goal line, the visitors being forced down by a kick at go&l by Eraser. Stepbenson kicked out for the Alhambra, but the ball was quickly returned to their twenty- five. After a scries of scrummages another force down was effected. On tha ball being kicked out it was soon returned to the Alhambra tweuiy-flve, but by good tackling they prevented a score." At length Bird, the Merivale half-back, obtained possession, and, feinting to pass, ran in and scored a try between the posts. Voyce was entrusted with the kick, and sent the ball over the crossbar, but, as it touched an Alhambra man in transit, tho goal was not allowed. DuriDg the remainder of the spell the Merivale had conisiderably the best of the play, but they did not add to their Score. On changing ends the home team continued in the aggressive, and the ball was dribbled to the Alhambra line, where Marriner scored, Brooker failing to convert. The then held their own for a time, bub Merivale agaTn asserted themselves. Bird had a fruitless shot at goal from a free kick, Alhambra being forced. Even play followed. The Alhambra forwards carried the ball to Memale'a twenty-five, the latter beiDg forced

by a fruitless shot at goal by Mason, The home team rallied, and from a good passing run Menzies all but scored, but was tackled in time. A corresponding rush by the visitors ended in Merivale being forced. Even play in neutral territory ensued until the call of time.