NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2320, 18 August 1898, Page 36

NOTES BY FORWARD.

A Palmerston North telegram states that Wellington defeated Manawatu by 10 points to 3. The game, though evenly contested, was but a poor exhibition of representative football.

Telegraphic communication with the ISorfch having been interrupted at the end of last week, no particulars have been received in the couth concerning the Auckland and Taranaki match beyond the meagre information that it resulted in a draw.

A good story (says an Auckland writer) is at present going tho rounds of an up-country town, which shows clearly that referees are sometimes appointed who are not suitable for the position. It appears that a player ieceived a pass from one of his team and punted towards his own goal line. The ball went outside the posts, and a player appealed for a goal. The referee gave it a goal, stating that as his back was turned away from the player at the time the kick was taken, he was not in a po&itiou to state whether it was correct or not, but having a doubt in his mind he would award a goal ! The Auckland Football Association have de cided to enter a team for the New Zealand tournament, the expense of the trip south to be defrayed by subscription. A team of drapers met a team from the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company, the game resulting in a draw. For the drapers Gilroy scored two tries, and for the other side Knowles and Pellewe.

The first of the Otago Football Association's trial matches was played on the Caledonian ground on Saturday between teams representing Blues and Colours. The play throughout was very slow and uninteresting, there being few, if any, who showed anything like representative form. Both sides scored two goals, the game thus ending in a draw.

The first of the Otago Rugby Union's trial matches for this season was held on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday afternoon. The conditions were anything but favourable to a godd display, the ground being exceedinglysoft after recent rains, and cutting up very much in some places ; but notwithstanding this a really good and interesting exposition was provided, the formation of scrummages being the only noticeably weak point in the play. Given and Shand, of whom the former was suffering from indisposition, were absent from the Blues' side as chosen, their places being filled by Hobbs and Fisher; and the absence of Ronald and M'Leod let Farquharson and M'Farlane into the Colours' team. The Blues' team held a general advantage all through the game, and obtained five tries, each one of which was the direct, outcome of some neat passing in the back division, in the management of which Duncan displayed such capital generalship as to make it matter for considerable regret if, as is understood, he will be unable to make the northern trip with the representative team. The first try was secured shortly after the kick-off by Armit, and it was followed by one that was produced by a passing bout that carried the ball for three-quarters of the length of the field, Mason, Sinclair, Cunningham, and Mackenzie (who scored) handling it. The third try was neatly gained by Cunningham, who tricked Ross, the Colours' full back, into the belief that he was about to pass to Armit, and then went over himself. From one of these tries a goal was kicked by Armit, and this completed the scoring in the firsfc spell. In the second half Mackenzie and Fisher added tries for the Blues, and as the Colours did not score the latter were defeated by 17 points to nothing. The Star and Caversham Second met at Frascr's paddock, where the pools of watei that were lying over the field made the game anything but pleasant. A large crowd of spectators witnessed the match, as it was generally thought that the Caversham, with a strong team" playing, would give a good account of themselves. From a scrum at the half-way King broke away, and, running to the Caversham full back, passed to W. Elder, who scored, R. Bennet converting. Passing rushes let H. Bennett over twice, and R. Bennet scored behind the posts, and, taking the kick, placed an easy goal. In the second spell M 'Queen was the first to score, and shortly afterwards T. Elder broke away, and tho Caversham, all waiting for the pass, he ran in unopposed, but neither kick was successful. From a scrum at the halfway the Star backs got on a splendid passing rush, which resulted in Dey scoring, R. Bennet being successful with the kick. Another passing rush gave Dey possession, and, kicking over the line, hi beat everybody in the race for the ball, an>l scored in a good position, but the kick wont wide. There was nc further score, the Star's superior combina tion landing them winners by 30 points tc nothing. Mr West gave every satisfaction at reforce.

Tho Pirates Second defeated the Pacific on Saturday by 6 points lo 3. Hay lucked a penalty goal and Bragg secured a try for the winners. M'Kay scorod a try for the Pacific. The game was very fast and open, and was wiinensed by a large crowd of spectators. Mr W. 11. Haydon gave every satisfaction as reforoe.

Ravensbourne mot and defeated Port Chalmars on tho laltcr's ground by 10 points to 3. For the wineis F. Webber and George scored tries., both of which were converted by Eer-

gusson, while Facor scored for the losers. Mr Spenee made an excellent refereo.