NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 43

NOTES BY F ORWAR D.

. .At a meeting, of the Northern .Football •• Club to discuss the decision of the' O.R.F.U; .'to establish three, grades .of football, it was j .unanimously decided that the club remain -a junior team. The Auckland Rugby Union realised a profit of £518 14s Id On,' last year's transactions. — The eighteenth of the series of matches under the Association code between" Ireland and Wales was played at Belfast on March 4. The Irish 'Football Association made a new • departure in connection with this fixture in ' introducing Irishmen playing for English cliibs into their' team, which was not generally . considered to a step' in the right direction. . Irelarffi gained a victory in the end by M.he narrowest possible margin of one goal to no- , thing., Of the 17 previous matches Wales . had won nine and Ireland ' five, three being rfrawri. "' " . After four 'postponements on account of frost the international match undei Rugby rules between Scotland and Wales was played at Monteith, Edinburgh, on March 4, and was won by Scotland by 21 points (two dropped goals, a goal front " a mark, and three tries) to 10 points two goals). The Field says: "To the Scotch forwards the pri. cipal credit of the •\ ictory belongs. They played in similar style to their Irish conquerors on the same ground a fortnight previous, awd gave the Welsh hacks little room for their clevei evolutions. They proved to demonstration that the typical Scotcli and Irish forward game is prc- • eminent still, and that, with forwards unable to hold their own, even the passing of 'such ,: masters of the art as the Welslimeu is of little . avail with forwards pweeping down on them - as- the Scotchmen did." The Auckland Union's annual report "re- . corded victories against Wellington, Canter- . bury, and Hawke s Bay, and a draw with with Taranaki. It is stated that there is a proposal tq send a team through the colony tins season. £300 was added to the ground fund, which is now £1687, the total to credit beiner ' £:927.

A gentleman who visited Christchurch at Easter - has informed a Wellington • writer that Geo. Stephenson, the Otago three-quar-ter, contemplates a visit to England in October, with the idea of entering upon a stage profession. I fear there has been some romancing.

The assertion is made by a Wairarapa paper that " Wellington clubs are again offering inducements to some of the best ■Wairarapa players to work in that city during the football season. It is fully time the unions put some kind of a check on such proceedings, as the good old game will be ruined -,in thus leading up to professionalism."

Our Auckland correspondent wires: The annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union- was held on Friday evening last when the statement of accounts furnished showed "that body to be in a most enviable position as far as finances are concerned. The receipts for the year after placing a substantial amount of the previous season s takings to ground trust account were shown as £1532 2s 2d including balance brought forward of £20 15s od and expenditure £992 12s sd, leaving a credit balance of £539 9s 9d, of which amount £518 14s Id has been cleared on the outgoing season's transactions. In addition to the above the union has £1387 18s 3d to "tho credit of the Ground Trust fund, thus swelling itß total cash credit to £1927 10s Bd. 'Beyond the Cup matches and the probable yisit of tho English team, the prospects of iwhich appear very slender, there will be little ov nothing of note on the local field this •season, and the principal interest will centre On the southern tour of the Auckland representatives. Ab far as can be gathered at present the team will play matches with Eawke's Bay, Tar&naki, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otagq. It has not been thought

desirable to work the Reps, to too great an extent by arranging a,' heavy programme. There will, judging by -"resent indications, be no dearth of players to make up a strong contingent, and it is expected that there will bo a keen strangle for inclusion in the touring team. About the only man from outside who appears to have a prospect of wearing a-Rep. cap for Auckland this year is Phil Jacobs the speedy ex-Taranaki wing three-quarter-back, who has now settled in our midst, while .beyond George Smith, who on ths last visit of the New Zealand team to New South Wales earned the sobriquet of "The New Zealand Greyhound," all the old players who so worthily upheld the reputation of the province last year appear likely to don the jersey again. Smith has retired permanently from the winter game and is devoting his sole attention to sprinting and hurdling.

At the annual meeting of the Southland Rugby Union, it was stated that there was a credit balance of £7. The carnival had netted £202. The following were elected officebearers: — President. Mr G. R. George; vicepresidents — Messrs A. F. Hawke, J. E. "Watson, H. Royds, and A. Marten (Gore) ; General Committee — Messrs C. Todd, J. Manson, R. Donaldson, I. Jenkins, F. Mussen, and A. Morton ; Match Committee — Messrs H. Royds, J. Manson, and R. Galbraith ; Postponement Committee — General Committee ; hon. secretary *and treasurer — Mr R. Galbraith; editor of annual, Mr G. R. George; auditors — Messrs T. F. Smvth and A. Farquhar^on ; delegate to N.Z.R.U. , Mr J. Wesney. ■fhe secretary was voted £10 10s in recognition of the valuable services rendered by him in the interests of Southland football. It was decided to record on the' minutes the union's appreciation of tho services rendered by Messrs Northcote and Tapper, and regret at their departure from our midst. Xt a meeting of the Northern Football 'Club held in the Union street Hall last evening to discuss the decision of the O.R.F.U. to establish three grades of football, it was unanimously decided that tho club remain a junior .team. In view of the above, a practice match will be held as usual on the club's ground on Saturday next. The following are „the teams: — First— J. Gow. W. Thomson, ?Stuart» Peake: -Uttley, G. Thomson, Trown-fon.-D. Stuart, Russell, Omand, Corbett, Scales, J. Thomson, O'Driscoll, G. MTDouald. Second — W. Boyd, Coventry, Wyatt, Sparrow, Cable, Morgan, A. M'Donald, Scurr, Foote, Mason, Towsey, Harlow, Cameron. Patrick, Watt, Shang. All members and intending members whose names are not mentioned are invited to, attend.'

The rules that hayc # been drawn up for the 0.K..F.U. Flag matches provide that iii eacli of the three grades three rounds of matches shall be played — preliminary, semi-final, and €fcyd. The Flag Committee \vill arrange matches and dates for the preliminary round, and the secretaries of clubs will be required to meet and settle the grounds, but the Flag Committee will arrange as to the grounds, as well as dates, for tjip matches in the semifinal and final rounds. The matches are to commence on April 29, and entries have fo be made a week earlier. The Star Club has decided to disband, in consequence of tLo resolution of the 0.1t.F.U. to , place junioy clubs" in a grade by f themselves in the Flag, contests. It is believed a^so that the Caversham Club may disband • .this season.-

A special general meeting of the Rangers Association" Club "was held on Friday evening, Mr J. Simon (vice-president) occupying "the rhair. The meeting was called to discuss the advisability of disbanding the club, owing to the lack, of a ground. The committee reported trying ''for various grounds; the" Exhibition ground, which the club have used for the last seven years, being quite unplayable. After discussion. Mr Sligo (captain of the club) moved, and Mr Harrop "seconded — " That the Rangers A.F.C. disband for the lime being, owing to lack of a ground. Should a, suitable ground be available, the club to be re-formed." Considerable regret was expressed, but under the circumstances no second course could be adopted, and the motion was carried. Mr A. W. North moved, and Mr G. Middleman -seconded — " That it be. a recommendation to the playing members to join the Northern Club." This was also agreed to, most of the members signifying their intention of playing with the Northern. Tt was also decided that the credit balance be left in the treasurer's hands, with instructions that, should the club fail to re-form next season, the funds be handed over to the O.F.A.

. Northern (Association) helß a practice match on Saturday. Sides were chosen by A. Sligo _ and W. Morrison. After a very interesting and even game, Morrison's side were \iclorious by three goals to two. Most of the members showed good form, particularly Irvine, Morrison, Sligo, Middlemas, Harvey, Bolton, aiid Wyatt.

The Zingari-Richmond held a practice at Mcntecillo on Saturday between sides chosen by the Captain and Deputy-captain. There was a good muster of players.' and the ground was in capital order. After a fast, open game victory rested with the Captain's Bide by 14 points to notliing. Fish (2) M'Vicar, and Cornish scored tries, Fish converting one. Good form was shown by several of the new players, notably Fish, Henderson, Casey, Mitchell, Marks, and Churchill.

There was a large attendance of the members of the Alhambra Club at Opoho Park, where a full-time practice match was indulged in. Sides were chosen on the ground, and the game proved to be fast and interesting, the younger members especially showing good form. Tries were scored by R. Bennett, T Elder, J. King. A. Hobson, D. MTiaren, and F. Given. J. Johnston and T. Elder were the mo&t successful at goalkicking.

The Pirates held their second practice at Carisbrook, when there was a good attendance of members, despite the state of the ground. The Black team proved to be too strong for their opponents, eventually winning by 17 points to 5. The backs on the winning bide indulged in some very effective passing at times, D. H. Thomson, Buchanan, and Sutton all showing to advantage in this department. Of the forward? E. Thomson, Burt, Mathewson, and Jacobsen were about the pick

The Kaikorai Club held a very satisfactory practice at Bishopseourt, about 40 players taking part in the game. Some of the players showed good form, but the majority of members, who have put on weight during the summer, will have to go through a course of training before they are fit to take part in a hard came.

There_ was a good attendance of players at the Union Club's practice match, and a very satisfactory game resulted. Sides were chosen by Minn and D. Munro, that captained by the former being victorious by 16 points to nil. Bennett secured four tries, ana Harris one, from which D. Forsyth placed two goals.

The Dunedin team held a practice on the Caledonian ground, when a fast and open game resulted in a victory for Stephenson's team by 24 points to 19, scored by Mackenzie's side. For the winners Stalker, Stgfi-

henson. Alien, Ward, M'Ewan, and another scored. Ward converting three of them; while for tho losers Sherriffs, Pringle, Wardrop, and three others scored, two of them being converted by Masou.

The Northern held a practice on the Clear, good form being shown by several of the playerß. The Wakari Association Football Club held their second practice match on Saturday, sides being chosen by the Captain and Deputycaptain. _The ground was in good playing condition. After a very even and pleasant game, the match resulted in a draw, each side scoring two goals. Most of the younger members showed very good form, W. Spiers, K. Mcore, G. Arlidge, and H. Morrison specially distinguishing themselves. The Roslyn Association Club held a very successful practice match, over 30 players taking part in the game. Some of the new membeis showed splendid form and tho Match Committee will have considerable difficulty in picking the teams this season.