NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 2321, 25 August 1898, Page 39

NOTES BY FORWARD.

The proposed risit of tke St. Bathans Club to Dunedin this season has been abandoned.

"Eleven matches have been played between Auckland and Taranaki. Of these Auckland has won five and Taranaki three, three having been drawn.

The disqualification by the Otago Union of H. Stalker for having accepted an unauthorised presentation has been endorsed by the New Zealand Union and made general throughout the colony.

At a special meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union it was decided to federate with the Wellington Union, and allow them to draw players from the Manawatu Union for infcerprovincial matches. The bylaws of the Wellington Union, however, do not at present permit of players from other unions being chosen to play for Wellington. Meanwhile, the Wanganui and Wairarapa Unions are not . '"taking- any" of the federation proposals j Thus " Lynx "in the New Zealand Herald : i " It has often been considered strange that Taranaki, with its comparatively small population, should be able to put teams into the field unsurpassed by any from Auckland to the Bluff; but the footballers of Taranaki, diawn as they are from the farms which stud the fertile slopes of the great volcano Egmont, have fighting blood in their veins. Their lathers knew what it was to go out with riflo and sword to defend their homes against ! hordes of Maori warriors ; they learned to face hardship and danger in the deadly struggle with savage enemies with the same dauntlos«! .spirit that they afterwards brought to the work of felling dense forests, and carving homes out of the wilderuf^, and it is this spirit and the splendid physique, inherited ! from tho finest body of settlers in tie coloivy, I that gives the second generation of Taranaki J men their strength and vigoui and boundless i energy on tho football field."

Regarding the play in tho malch last Saturday between Auckland and Taranaki the same writer says: " tfoi a we I day the handling of the ball by both sides wps a perteet treat, while tlu dasbing all-round play and sound tockling must stamp tho game on the memories of the Auckland football public as or-o of the finest seen on tho Auckland ground for years past— truly a brilliant exhibition of footl-all under the eirfunntanpc*. In point of physique there was little or nothing to choose between (he opposing teams, the visitors, if a ivy tiling, leaving a trifle the best of the weight, 'their books being somewhat heavier, taken all round, than those of the homo side. Summing up the play of the two back divisions, it may be said that on tho whole the Auckland three-quarters proved themsalvea slightly stronger in attack than tho Taranaldilea, and possessed of greatei fleetness of foot, this advantage, however, being counteracted by the sterling defence— an implacable barrier — set up by the opposing side nad their line kicking, those strong punts, for which the players of Taranaki hn.ro »lwa,ys been noted, seldom failing to find the touch line, and both rolienng and gaining much ground ion the

toam — a lesson to the Aucklanders in tha judicious use of the feet. The forwards were wonderfully well matched, both vanguards showing great dash in the open, collaringin grand style, and working like Trojans in closo quarters — the combination of tho Aucklanders in the loose open rushes being better than thab of the Taranakiiles." At last week's meeting of the Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union " a member of tho representative team which recently visited the North asked to be refunded a sum of 10s 6d incurred for medicine. It was decided to reply that under the rules as to professionalism the union had no power to refund the sum a&ked for. It was decided to hold an inquiry in regard to certain allegations as to tho illness of a member of the representative team which had toured the North."

The Canterbury Rugby Union has taken up a matter to which attention was drawn by me in this page a few weeks ago. At a meeting of the Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union last week, a letter was received from the Canterbury Union stating : (1) That in a recent representative game a player was ordered off the field, but another had been allowed to take his place, and ifc was asked whether this was permissible. It did not think such a courso should be allowed, even though the opposing side offered no objection. (2) Stating that ifc had been reported that a player ordered off the field by the referee was allowed to plajr until his case had been, dealt with, and it was quoted that such was done under an English ruling. The union desired to know if such was tho case, as it considered a player so dealt with was under suspension until his case was heard and that he could not play. (3) Requesting tho New Zealand Union to writo to the English Union in reference to the duty of touch judges to enable them to report to the referees any oaa© of rc*ugh or unfair play that may com© under their notice." As there was so much dobateable matter contained under these heads, it was decided by th« New Zealand Union to I defer consideration of them until a larger ! meeting of tho committee. The selection of the Otago representatives ! who are to play against Southland on the 31st ' inst. and thereafter to proceed to Christchurch ! and Wellington, with other play"? yefcto be ', selected, has afforded as much satisfaction as any selection can reasonably b« oxptebed to meet with. Tho choica that has been made of tha forwards hag met with almoefe ganwal approval, the attack being levelled entirely at the backs. Thus, it is complained that Mackenaia is a three-quarter back and that to h»v» selected him as full back in praforence to players who have played a« full backs for their clubs is discouraging and unfair to the latter ; it is said also that Stephenson has not earned his plac» and that, in fact, both Duncan and he have been chosen upon past reputations; ifc is alleged that Mason has done nothing during tho season to warrant his selection, and that, in any case, he is too light ; and it is deolared that tho selection of Cunningham is a mistake. Taking the last of these objections first, T am free to admit that Cunningham doe 3 not by any means fill the bill adequately as a centre three-quarter back. Perjosally I havo never been enamoured of his pl*y, but Ido not forget that three years ago when I found fault with his selection I had to acknowledge afterwards that he had dona exceedingly well. If by any stretch of imagination it coi'Wiic supposed that tho Otago players were going to romp over their opponents in _ the forthcoming- matches there would be littlo objection raisod to Cunningham's inclusion in tho team, but it is the prospect of the Blues having a good deal of defensive work to perform that makes one so uncomfortable about his being in the team, for no one will venture to a-ssert that much reliance is to bo placed on Cunningham as a defensive player. On tho other hand ifc may be said that Cunningham is the best player available for tho position. That may unfortunately be true, but I am not altogether satisfied that by a judicious adjustment a stronger man could not b» obtained in Cunningham's place without impairing tho efficiency of tha team in other respects. I take it that O'Shea will be among the additional players chosen to go north — as a gaaera] utility player ho should come in handy — and if he goes it may be found advantageous to utilise -his services in both of the northern matches.

As to Mason's right to be in the team there is only this to bo said, that in the trial matches he outplayed Armstrong, of the Union Club, who was oppo a ed to him. On one occasion on Saturday last he very cleverly b«*t both Duncan and Stephenson when they wero playing opposite him, and this was not the o*ly gleam of brilliancy that was revealed in his play. It is perfectly truo that his performances in interclub matches during tho_ year gave no promise of tho altogether different form that he showed in tho trial mftfeehca, for solfishne&j frequently marked his play for his club. It will be remembered that the saoie thing happened last year, and he was omittod in consequence from the team that opposed Southland, but was subsequently choeou to play against Wellington, and in that match showed no trace of tho fault that had cost him a place in the previous interprovinci*! match. That one would pr»f«.r him if ha ware not so light does not require to b© said but if with lull his lack of weight ho is tho smartest scrum half back ure have, should not his clorerneris turn the scale in his favour? At tho same tima I think there can be little doubt that, if available, Armstrong, of the University, would have been picked bofore him. It would, I am satisfied, have been a mistake to have excluded Duncan from the toam. Unless any of the matches that are to take placo should have to ba played on hard ground there can be little question that his doubtful leg will stand th» strain perfectly well, and ha h playing in very nearly his old form,

■while the benefit to the team of having him at its head is not to be lightly regarded. Until last Saturday's trial match was half over Stephenson's chance of a place in the team looked very hopeless, but he played himself into it in the second spell, when he was given « trial on the Blues' side and when of three tries credited to him two were gamed byhim. through his running across the field and backing up Armit. Thero is a danger in play of this description— the danger of leaving one s own Hiring unprotected— but it is play that would bo justified more frequently than it is attempted. I should be more reconciled to Stephenson's appearance in the team if his condition was better than I believe it to be, and, while I concede that there is no player in the whole team who plays so much with his head, I have no hesitation in saying that the three-quarter back line would be stronger if Mackenzie were playing in it instead of Stephenson. Then arises the question, should Mackenzie have been chosen as full back? 'lhe position the Match Committee have taken up must be assumed to be this : "We are charged with the duty of picking the best possible team out of the material that is available. In order that we may do this it may be necessary for us to select a three-quarter back as full back, but that is a course we will only adopt when the said three-quarter back is superior as a full back, to any of the ordinary full backs and when his selection as a full back does not involve the inclusion of a weak player as three-quarter back." It seems to me that this is unanswerable. The full back occupies the most responsible position on the field, and it is important that that position should be filled by a player in whom confidence can be reposed. Mackenzie is such a player. A good kick with either foot and a reliable tackier he has capital qualifications for the post. The only pity is that he should have to be removed from his proper place as a three-quarter back, where, on present form, he would be nearly as valuable a member of the team as Armit will prove. The forward team is, I am inclined to think, the strongest, as well as the heaviest, that has for some years been chosen to do duty f° r Otago. The players composing it are' All scrummagers and in last Saturday's trial match they had plenty of scrummaging practice. There ate other departments of forward work which, I hope, will not be neglected by them. It would be a mistake to overlook the possibility of the team being beaten in lineout work, and I would specially urge on the authorities of the local union that the team should be completely schooled in screwing the scrummage. The Otago team will, lam glad to say, have no wing forwards in it, and I am sanguine enough to believe that, if they go the right way about it in the matches in which the opposing sides will include wing forwards, the Otago forwards are strong enough to deal a death blow to wing forward play in New Zealand. To that end, however, it is necessary that they should be expert in wheeling tactics and in swift footwork, and that these should not be ignored for heelingout and for the passing game, which, however, attractive to watch, is not always the most effective.

Apropos of the question of wing forward play, it is instructive to note that the Nelson Kugby Union practically lays the rough play that marred the Canterbury-Nelson match at the door of the wing forward players. A subcommittee of the Nelson Union appointed to inquire into the matter found that in the second spell " the limits of fair football were at times exceeded," and recommended :

(1) Thai Nesbitt (a Nelson player) is severely censured for his conduct, and informed that had the referee seen and reported the occurrence he would have been suspended. (2) That in the interests of the players of both teams, and of those spectators that pay for admission, all male spectators at representative matches be kept outside the rails. In the match last Monday, although the officials of the union did all in their power to keep the ground clear, yet the spectators persisted m obstructing the field of play, and at times incited the players to acts of violence.

(3) That, without casting any reflection on the wing forwards of either team, the.Jlflson Union join with the Otago Union in urging some revision of the rules with regard to wing play. (4; That every effort be made to return .the visit of the Canterbury Union next season.

The itit<-rpr<jvii cia football match JSortb. t Ofcago v South Catii eioury was played at Waif mate last Thursday before a large crowd of ; spectators. Tue wentner was splendid, aud the ground in very fair order. South Canterbury j won by one goal and oue try (8 points') to one J try (3 points). For South Canterbury Thomas' scored after a very good passing ran with Sfa-irt-cHffe, *nd F«x scored from a dribbling rush, Goldstone converting. For N<Ttb Otogo Craw- ' shaw scored, after a good passing ranh. The game was very fast and open, and was played vi e^fd spirit. Mr N. M'Robie was referee.

There was a good attendance at the t-ial match on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday, and the spectators were treated to a fast, open game. The fact that 54 points were were soored during the afternoon may be perl-a]}} held by some to point to a weakness ii defence — for, though the Blues won handsomely, yet the Colours scored four tries, — but does it not rather point to excellence in passing? As line-out play was entirely discarded, the ball on every occasion of its going into touch being brought back into play by means of a scrummage, the game furnished a very severe test of condition, and there were a forward or two on the Colours' side who, before the finish, showed signs of puncture. The match opened with a score to the Colours, M'Farlane getting a try, but Mackenzie (after a good run) and Given successively scored shortly afterwards for the Blues, and Mason converted his clubmate's try. Then one of the Colours' forwards scored, and before the close of the spell Smith gained a try for the Blues and Lawry kicked a splendid goal from near the touch line. At half-time the Blues led by 13 points to 6. In the secoud spell various changes were maxle in the disposition of the teams. Lumb and Ross supplanted Lawry and -;o}>nstone as full backs for the Blues and Colours respectively, and Duncan and Stephenson, who had been playing for the Colours, changed sides with O'Shea and Mackenzie. The bcoring in this spell was very rapid. Stephenson scored two tries, on each occasion on the opposite wing from that on which ho was playing, Arrnit passing to him near the line; and Sinclair, Hobbs, and Armit each gained one for the Blues, and Annit and Mason each kicked a goal. Then Fisher scored for the Colours and O'Shea registered a goal ; Stephenson got his third try and Mason converted it; and Mackenzie obtained a good try for the Colours, fie game ending in favour of tho Blues by 40 points to H. The Zingari-Eichmoml Second and Pirates Second played a friendly game at Montecillo on Saturday, which resulted in a win for tho Zingari team by 15 points to 6. Both teams were playing two or three of their first fifteens. In the first spell, after a splendid run by Bragg, Mitchell bcorod, and laier on Tlav kicked a penalty goal. In Hie second spell tho Zingari team pressed tlioir opponents very bard, Stewart scoring two tries and Fish one,

J. Cornish converting one, besides kicking a goal from a mark. Mr A. Restieaux gave complete satisfaction to both teams as referee. The match Caversham Second v. Dunedin Second, played at Tahuna Park, resulted in a victory for the former by five tries to nil. Paris, Allen, Burgess, Russell, and Hunter each scored a tiy. Oi' the Dunedin players, Young, Harley, and Black showed the best form. . The Northern met and defeated the Union Second on the North ground by 15 points to 6. For the Northern tries were obtained by Pollock and G. Thomson, the last of which Uttley converted. Peake potted a splendid aoal, while Trownson kicked a penalty Roal. Harris and Mitchell each scored a try for the Union. Mr Broadfoot gave general satisfaction as referee. A very enjoyable match took place on the Northern Association ground on Saturday between the Cordial Manufacturers and the Union and Red Lion Breweries combined. After a very exciting time, in which the Brewers had all the best of it, victory rested with them by one try (scoied by Miscall) to nothing. The North-East Valley Band were in attendance, and rendered selections during the afternoon. A mixed team from the Pacific met the Alhambra Second at Opoho, and after a fast and exciting game succeeded in defeating them but a try (obtained by W. Elder) to nil. Mr Spence made an impartial referee. The annual match between the firms of Bing, Harris, and Co. and Sargood, Son, and Ewen took place on the Caledonian ground on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the Arrow Brand by 9 points to 5. Driver won the toss for the Arrows, and decided to take advantage of the wind. After pressing the Standards for a long time Clarke obtained a mark, from which Marks registered a goal, and shortly after, from a fast rush, M'Nair scored a try, from which Marks again kicked a splendid goal. In the second spell Sargood's team made strenuous efforts to score, and at last were awarded by Sparrow securing a try after a good run, from which Thomson kicked a goal. Shortly afiei the whistle sounded for time, leaving Buig, Harris, and Co.'s team winners as aWse stated. Mr Mason made a very efficient referee.

The Northern Second claim their match against Alhambra Third by default. Ravensbourne claim the match against Kaikorai Second by default." The Otago Football Association held their second trial match on Saturday on the, Caledonian ground, and after a fairly fast game, of which the Blues had somewhat the best, the match was declared drawn, the scores being: Colours, two goals; Blues, two goals. The play was a slight improvement on that shown the previous week, but there is still much to be desired in all departments of the play.