Wakari v. Nouthern.

Otago Witness, Issue 2359, 11 May 1899, Page 43

Wakari v. Nouthern.

The Wakari (last year's Charity Banner holders) opened the season with a match against the Northern at Wakari Park. The weather was all that could be desired, but the ground was rather heavy. It wa^ pretty certain at the start that the game would be very even, as the Wakari fell the absence of P. M'Millan very much, and the Northern were strengthened with the pick of the old Ranger players. The .Wakari captain (J. M'Millan) won the toss and elected to play from the town c-nd. Immediately after tho kick off the Wakari, with a pretty bit of passing, in which Arlidge, D. M'Millan, and Wright showed prominently, brought tho ball right up the field, and missed an easy chance of scoring by D. M'Millan shooting across the line. From this till near the end of the first spell the game was fast and furious, first one side gaining the advantage and then the other, till at last the Northern forwards, headed by Sligo (their captain) and Chad wick, put in some- good work, and Sligo scored first blood with a beau.tiful shot. Soon after this the whistle sounded for half-time. As the Wakari had only one goal against them it was thought that they would be able to pull through when they changed ends, a-s the ground and a slight wind which had arisen were in their favour. But the Northern forwards started from the jump, and Sligo had registered another goal before the Wakari knew where they were. This seemed to liven them up a bit, and for the next quarter of an hour they were plugging away at their opponents' goal, till at last D. M'Millnn fehot the first goal. Twine at full back, Middlemiss at centre half, and Young in goal were playing a grand defensive game, Young especially saving time after time. The Wakari continued on tho aggressive, and from a scramble D. M'Millan registered his second goal as time was called, thus making a draw of it (2 goals all). Mr R. N. Adams, jun., gave every satibfaction as referee, and Messrs J. Wilson and H. Brickell officialed as line umpires. Scores: — Wakari . . 2 goals. Northern . . 2 goals.

The Northern Second met the Wakari Second at North-East Valley, and proved victorious by 4 goals to 2. For the Wakari Wright, Webster, and Wilson played well, while all the Northern seemed in good form.

SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

High street School defeated Union street at Montecillo by 29 points to nil. D. Stalker (3), J. Reid (?), C. Perrhnan (2), were the chief pcorers for the winners.

The George street School defeated the Albany street by 3 noints to <*•. For the winners Morton and M'Taggart scored, and Mills converted. Ingram potted a goal for the Albany.