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

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 36

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

Ihe "Kaikorai and University teams met at, Bishopsconrt' on Saturday, and, gf ter one of the best games witnessed in Dunedsn this season, the Light Blues ('Varsity) succeeded in inflicting defeat on the wearers of the Blue and Black colours. Gregg winning the teas irom M'Laren, Kaikorai kicked off, the ball being well returned to the centre. The Kaikorai forwards rnslied the leather into the 'Varsity twenty-five, where they threw away some splendid opportunities of scoring, bad passing and a tendency to hang to the ball being the principal failing. Shand At last relieved with it fine kick. 'Varsity n.ow had » turn at attacking, and were within an ace iof scoring on several occasions, paining by Shand, 99'Ara, Hunter, and M'Donald nearly ' letting the latter, in, but he waß stopped by Johnstone, who collared his man in splendid *tyle. Eaikorai made some splendid forward rathei, but the 'Varsity backs relieved with long kicks, which neutralised their opponents' efforts. The first spell ended with- ' cut a score being registered by either side. i)n changing over the game, became even more interesting, as, although playing up hill, the 'Varsity men made some good dribbling rushes, ' and also got on pausing runs among their - backs, which enabled them to attack on several occasions. From a loose rush Fenwick dashed over the line and scored a try for the University *ndHnnter converted. After this reverse the K-ai- ■ korai seemed ,to waken, up somewhat, and pressed their opponents ; but, try as ttiey would, .they were unable to cross the line. The Light ■ Bluesgmanaged to clear their, lines, and were J>u»y attacking whenthe whistle blow. Score : t7 5 noiuta Kaikorai Nil

niversity ..

"'» . AtHAMBRA V. PIKATES. The first match of the sea-son between the -Alhtunbra. and Pirates Clubs was played at Carisbrook under the control of Mr D. Torrance. . The Pirates kicked off for the first 6pell from the Cargill road end, and at the outset . attacked vigorously, this being due to the combination displayed by their forwards, whose > dribbliDg rushes proved very effective. The Rede, however, defended stubbornly, and as the I spell wore on removed to play to Dentral territorry. The forwards on both sides worked w«ll, . aud rush was - followed by rueb, the ball travelling rapidly up and down the field. When the spell w»b aboutbalf through, Roderick, : backed up by Hobson, made a dash along the jtouch line from the centre, and the ball want, 'but alongside the Pirates' corner flag. It was promptly thrown in and secured by Watson, i Who drew first blood by dropping over^the line with it. The Pirates returned to the attack, bat come hard fighting in the Reds' quarters produced the barren result of * touch down, and towards the end of the spell -the Blacks had a narrow escape from an adverse score, a forward msb taking the ball over their line, where it . was Low's .superior Bpeed that prevented » try being registered against them. When the' teams crossed over the Reds h*d scored 3 points to nothing, but so far the play had raged more mt the Albambra than at the Pirates end, It ■was not so, however, in the second spell, in which the Alhambra held a general advantage. Still, there was no addition to the score until the spell was well advanced, and then for » •while the Blacks fell to pieces. A free look to the Reds was well followed up by J. Cunningliam, wfat>, geoaring the bull, evaded opposition and scored a try, which Given did not improve, 4 and ahortly afterwards good passing on the part of the Reds' hacks gave the ball to King, who dodged across the line and scored behind ' the posts, Mason registering, a goal from the try. There was so further score, and the match resulted\ Alhambra.. 11 points Pirates „, ... Nil: Dunedin v. Union. The first match of the season between the above teana* was played on the Caledonian ground on Saturday. Williams (Dunedin) won the tos!>, and Minn (Union) kicked off. For ! the first parb of the spell the play wag of a give* and-take nature until a good passing rush : tetween Mason, Ward, Stephenson, and Mac- : benzie resulted in the last-named scoring near the corner flag. The kick at goal was resultless. After the kick-out the Union forwards carried the play into the Dunedin quarters, and Beadle was collared just oo the line. The Dunediu backs carried the play to the centre, and from a loose rush Williams scored. He took fche kick himself, bub' failed to improre the try. From the kick-out the ball was carried to the Dunediu twenty-five, and from a. scrum the ball was heeled out to Armstrong and passed \fco Stalker, who scored. R. Stewart made a poor 'attempt at goal. Half time was called shortly afterwards. The second spell opened with a rusfr of Union forwards, aud the Dunedin backs had their work cat out to prevent a score. The Union .continued the attack, and after some fierce play on the Dunedin line Mason (Union) secured the ball and dashed -aorcis the line. A passing rush by Dtinedin backs carried the ball to the Union -quarters, only bo 'be carried back again by the Union forwards, who were playing splen--didly and fairly walking over tbeir opponents. *• They were securing bhe ball id the scrnra, and •it was only the good defence of the Dunedin backs that prevented a score. Ward in particular showing ap prominently iv this respect. Play continued In the Dunedin twenty-five, and they we're forced down three times in quick succession. From a scrum on the Dunedin line Beadle secured the ball and so red close to the posts. Lumb took the kick and regifl- ' tered the major point;. After the kick-oub play ' Was in the centre of the field, and a high kick, "" well followed up by Stepbenson, carried the plur to the Union line. Beadle relieved the

pressure by a good kick to the centre, and time was then called. Scores t Union.,. ... 11 points Dunedia ... 6 points

CaVEKSHAM V. ZINGARI-RIOHMOND,

The Caversham-Zingari-Riohmond match* took place at Montecillo on Saturday afternoon. There was a fairly numerous gathering of spectator*. Mr A. Millar was referee. The Zingari • Richmond kicked off with bhe sun in their eyes, and after the return kick invaded their opponents' quarters. Fast forward piny ensued, and when the ball was shifted to neutral territory the Caversham commenced aggressive tactics. Milburn made, a good run,' and was «hoved out near the corner flag by the Zingari-Richmond full back. The home team after the throw-out were placed on the defensive, and with considerable difficulty they cleared their lines. After some loose' play in midfield the ball was carried well down the ground by a forward rush. A. Fordyce threw the the ball in, bnt before it could be picked up again he dashed after it, and got across just near the corner flag. The kick wa* at a difficult angle, and M'Farlane made a good attempt bub failed. After some short, sharp forward play in midfield half-time was called. The second spell waa started by Cavanagh, and good passing by Burgesa, Urquhart, and Wilkins nearly enabled Casey to score, bub he was bhrown oub by Fordyce in good sby le. M 'Farlane, Spiers, and Abbott then got on a forward rush, which ended in Gregory scoring under the posts. M,' Farlane kicked the goal. -The Cavei'sham were nob to be denied, and a good, loose, dribbling rush by Cavanagb, and Spence ended in the ball going to Milburn, who made a good run, but was collared when becoming dangerous.- From the scrum A. Fordyce passed to Smith, who transferred to Reid, and after a good run he returned to H. Smith, who scored between the posts. M'Fai-lane again piloted the ball correctly. Lawry kicked out, and good passing by the Colours backs ended in R. Fordyce (who had gone up from full back) scoring. M'Farlane made a good kick, but the ball went a little wide. Time was then called, the game thus resulting : — Zingari-Richmond 16 points Caversham.,. Nil.