SENIOR FLAG MATCHES. Alhambra v. Kaikorai. OTHER MATCHES,

Otago Witness, Issue 2358, 4 May 1899, Page 43

SENIOR FLAG MATCHES. Alhambra v. Kaikorai.

OTHER MATCHES,

The Alhambra and Kaikorai football teams met to try conclusions at Kaikorai on Saturday. There was a very large attendance, and a &reat d©4 of interest. KM mauifeetedj^tho

match. Tho Alhambra won the toss, and played with a light wind in their favour. About three minutes after the start Pimm, the Alhambra full back, in kicking near his own goal line, sent the leather against two Kaikorai forwards, and the ball rebounding over the line, Murphy fell on it near the corner flag. Adamson failed with the kick at goal. During the remainder of the first spell Alhambra made several vigorous attacks on the Kaikorai lines, and forced them down twice. In the second spell the black-and-reds opened out aggressively, especially towards the latter pavt of the game, when they made things merry for their opponents. On several occasions Alhambra were within an ace of scoring, but the wild passing and the weakness of the wing three-quarters repeatedly spoilt their chances, and the spell ended without improving the position of either side. Scores : — Kaikorai .. 3 points. Alhambra .. nil.

ZINGAM-RICHHOND V. PIRATES,

The Zingari-Richinond and Pirates match was played at the Carisbrook ground, and resulted in a win for the Pirates by 8 points to nil. There was only a moderate attendance o[ spectators. The Pirates, winning the toss, played from the pavilion end, with the wind and sun at their backs. M 'Far lane kicked off, and play centred in the Pirates' twenty -five. By some good scrum work, however, the Pirates took the ball to the Zingari lines. Here a acrum was formed, which ended in .Austin breaking away and carrying the ball well past the centre. After some slow work the Pirates again renewed their attack, and the Zingari quarters were " invaded for some minutes. Priest picked up . the ball, which Marks failed to take, and smartly dropped across the line. He took tlie kick himself, and safely piloted the ball between the posts. Play was in neutral territory for a while, after which the Pirates again got into their opponents' quarters, and a neat bit of dribbling resulted in Salmond scoring. The kick at goal was a failure. In the second spell, on several occasions the Zingari pressed their opponents hard, and looked like scoring, but the Pirates' defence was very strong, and each time 'the danger was successfully averted. The" good kicking and tackling of the Pirates' backs -were especially serviceable. Towards the close the game became very slow, and it was evident that both teams were out of condition. No further score resulting, the game ended as below : — Pirates .. 3 points. Zingari-Eichmond nil.

Southern V; University.

This 'match was -played on the Southern ! ground at Fraser's pacldock, Caversham. The I UnWevsity captain won the toss, and ob- j tamed the advantage of a fairly strong wind. For the first few minutes play was in the Blues' territory, Duncan and Bennet being instrumental in taking it there. Wi Repa marked, and gained ground tor the 'Varsity ; and shortly atterwards, through Peate's kick being charged down, the Southern had to defend their line. The Blues' backs fumbled a lot, and their opponents' forwards following up smartly and playing with considerable dash, took the ball to the" other end of the field, and after some loose play there Paris scored for the Black-and- Whiles amidst great cheering. Bennet failed with the kick at goal. Play had not long been resumed when Macdonald, who was playing really well for .the Blues, got away, cleverly from a scrum and passed to Allen, who, however, hung on to the ball too long, and a good chance to score was lost. Good work by Lawry and Chambers resulted in play being removed -to the 'Varsity's twenty-five, but Wi Repa, pxuiting.. -nicely, sent the ball to midfield. The Colours' forwards, with a capital rush, succeeded in bringing it back again, when half-time was called. The first piece of noteworthy play in the second spell was a passing rush by the Southern backs, Bennet being thrown out when close to the University's line. Cavanagh gained further ground with a dribble, and Chamber made a bold bid to score, but unfortunately lost the ball. A good kick by Wi Repa gave relief to the Blues,j and L J eate fumbling, the Southern were puPon Uie defensive. A nice passing rush, started by Duncan, was carried on by Lawry and Bennet, the later kicking and following up fast, but Gibson, the Blues' full back, got in his return kick.- Scrums followed, and from one of them Burgess sent the ball to Duncan, who made a fine opening, and then sent the ball to Bennet, who crossed the Blues' line but was thrown into touch-in-goal. The 'Varsity forwards now livened up, and a good kick by White, followed by a strong run by Wi Repa took the ball to the Colours' end, where the Blues set up a strong attack. Their forwards were now getting the ball in the scrums with regularity, but the passing of the backs was weak. Gregg was noticeable with a good run, and then smart foot work by Allen and other Southern forwards resulted in the ball being taken to the 'Varsity's twenty-five, where Neil got over, but was ruled off-side. Time was called soon afterwards, and the match thus ended: Southern .. 3 points. 'Varsity «. .. nil.

Ukiox v. Duxedin.

The above teams met on the North ground, which was in good condition considering the heavy^rain which had fallen in the early part of the week. Mr A. Downes, as referee, showed that he had lost none of his ability, ond gave very general satisfaction. The Union (Maroons*) kicked off with a slight wind at their backs, but with the hill against them. Give-and-lako play ensued for some minutes, but the home team gradually invaded the Blues' quarters, and from a scrum near the line Armstrong secured the ball, and, cleverly eluding the opposing half-backs, Fcored in a favourable position. Doig easily converted. The Dunedin were not long in equalising matters, for after a few minutefc' play the visitors' backs effected some nice passing, and Mackenzie, by a dashing run, grounded the ball in a good position. M'Kay was entrusted with the kick, and sent the leather nicely over the bar, thus making the scores 5 points each. A dangerous passing rush by the Maroons' backs was well stopped by Drumni, who effectively tackled Bennett. The home team, however, who were pressing the Blues, again indulged in some passing, and this time the outcome was successful, for Doig, alter a strong run, scored near the posts, and the same player enhanced the score. The visitors were not long in a minority, for M'Kay, after a nice run down the centre of the field, passed to Mackenzie, and that player grounded the leather near the corner. Mackay upheld his reputation as a good kick by placing a magnificent goal. Half - time was soon called, with the scores 10 points each. On resuming, the Maroons were forced down by an injudicious kick, but from this out the visitors had a good deal the worst of the play, and from a scrum in the Blues' twentyfive the ball passed through the hands of the whole of tho Maroons' backs, and Doig again scored (near the corner), but that player's kick at goal was unsuccessful. After some minutes' play in neutral territory, Ward got clean away, with xmly the full-back in front of him ; but he showed bad judgment, and by a little punt enabled Adams to return into touch. TJie next noteworthy feature wag some naod

passing among the Maroon forwards, by which' a good deal of ground was gained. The home team continued to press, and Doig, after some effective passing, scored hib third try, but no goal resulted. Shortly afterwards Walker ran in behind the posts, but Doig's kick went under the bar. The Maroons continued to press, but there was no further score, and the game ended : — Union .. 19 points. Dunedin. .. 10 points.

SECOND GRADE FLAG MATCHES.

The Alhambra and Zingari-Richmond Second Fifteens met at Montecillo, the game resulting in a win for the Alhambra by two tries to nil. White and Queen were responsible for the scores. The Alhambra forward division proved to be too strong for their opponents. M'Culloch, Caulton, Taylor, Dey, and Larkins were conspicuous by their good play. Peake received an injury to his leg early in the game, and was compelled to retire.

The University Second Fifteen beat the Dunedin Second Fifteen by 18 points to 3. The following players scored tries for the winners : — Purnell, Hotop, W. Fisher (2), and Goyen potted a goal. Mr Alexander as referee gave every satisfaction. Union C met and defeated Port Chalmers, on the latter's ground, which was in very fair order. Union won the toss, and elected to play with a slight breeze. In the first spell W.- Harlow scored a try for the Union, but Stuart's attempt at goal was fruitless. The Fcore at half-time was: Union 3, Port Chalmers nil. Shortly after the commencement of the second spell, as the result of a passing rush, G. Thomson scored between the .posts, but failed in the attempt at goal.. From, a mark near the half-way flag, T. MT'Queen placed a magnificent goal. Shortly after time was called: As referee, Mr F. H. Campbell gave general satisfaction.

The Pirates' A team defeated the Ravensbourne on Saturday, by 7 points' to nil. The game was very fast and open, the Pirates especially giving a fine exhibition. Hay potted a neat goal, and Clark scored a very tricky try for the winners. Mr Ritchie had control of the game, and his decisions gave every satisfaction to both teams. , The match Union A v. Southern was won by tne former by 6 points to nil. For. the winners Duthie-and Brown scored tries. The Kaikorai defeated the Union B by 31 points. The latter team mustered only 10 players, including two or three picked up on the ground. '

The Southern Third met and defeated the High School at St. Hilda by 15 tries (45 points) to nothing. Mr James Pedam controlled the game.

The Southern (Association) Club held the final practice match 'on Saturday last, Probables v. Possibles, resulting in a win for the Probables, after a fast and interesting game, by 4 goals to 1. Much improvement was shown on the play of the previous Saturday, the forwards especially, playing with good combination, and the team is fast getting into form.

The Northern Association Football Club held their final practice match on Saturday., ! there being a fair attendance of members. Sides were picked by Sligo-'and Chadwick, and after a splendid game Sligo's side sue-, ceeded in winning by 4 goals to 3. The Wakari (Association) Football Club held their last practice match on Saturday, the Captain's side winning by 3 goals to 1. The game .was rather slow and uninteresting," .though some of the younger members- were showing good form, more especially R. Wright, O. Adams, and W. Morrison.