NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 42

NOTES BY FORWARD.

The following table shows the present positions of the senior clubs in the First-grade Flag Competition : —

The clubs are much incensed at the arrangement -that the Flag Committee of the O.R.F.U. shall at their discretion le-arrange the grdunds for the Flag matches for the rest of the season. Ido not wonder at it, but if the clubs consider the matter fairly they must recognise that they have only themselves to thank for the turn that events have taken. They objected strongly to the arrangement under which there would have been a semi-final round and a final. It was only reasonable if the Flag Committee gave way on this matter when the terms of a compromise were being settled that they should expect a quid pro quo. This they obtained in the concession made by the clubs that the Flag Committee should have the right to re-arrange the grounds. If the clubs reckoned on this concession not being acted upon by the Flag Committee they should not have offered it. It was not honest of them to make a concession which they thought would be a nominal concession only and treated as an actual concession. The Flag Committee, on the other hand, have strong justification for re-arranging the grounds so as to bring the most attractive fixtures on to the grounds controlled by the union. The conception they made to the dissentient clubs involved a heavy pecuniary sacrifice by the union, and they are acting strictly in the interests of the union by discounting that sacrifice to the full extent •f their ability so long as they keep honourably within the terms of the compact. It cannot be said that they are not doing that. So long [ as the compact is observed it is quite unavailing for the clubs to protest. It is useless their kicking against the pricks. They have made their own thorny bed. The two clubs which legitimately have a grievance are the Dunedin and Pirates, which are sub-tenants of the Rugby Union for the Caledonian and Carisbrook grounda respectively-»«nd which now find that they are to be disturbed in their tenancies. They are certainly entitled to some allowance in respect of their rentals. The Naseby Prospectors will probably send a team to town to play the Dunedin Club on the 14th inst.

The Flag Committee of the O.R.F.U. have not re-arranged any grounds for Saturday next. There is reason, however, to believe that on Saturday week the Kaikorai team, 4 whose members have with a modesty which I cannot sufficiently admire, combined, perhaps, with a stern determination to avoid the temptation that would beset them were they to play outside a prohibition area, bo far immured themselves in the secluded regions of their native fastnesses, will be required to visit the Caripbrook ground for their return match with the Alhambra.

The following remarks, which appeared in Sporting Life, apply with as much force in Otago: — " Our style of forward" play in England has got into such a degenerate condition that it will take some time to repair it, but the first lesson, and this will do a very great deal, which captains of our clubs can impress on their forwards is (1) that forwards are the pivot of the game ; (2) that with anything like an equality of talent clever footwork by forwards is bound to beat the best back division conceivable ; (3) and lastly, that the first injunction to the forwards should be — (a) work your very utmost; (b) nevei let the ball Btopj. (c) focus all your muscularity

on it in th© tight; (d) learn the art of dribbling; and (c) W. E. Maclagan's great dictum^ ' Let the forwards play their own game; let the backs make their chances for themselves.' England was the father of this game, and for years had a long lead in victories. We have traced our period of decadence, and it began — a fact which anybody can derive from statistics — with our imitation of the Welsh three-quarter game, and our abandonment of an old style for an artificial one of forward play, which crumbles to bits when opposed to a very much more tJhorou^n one. What we have to do in England is to remodel our style ; to henceforth play on the lines of the Scottish schools and the Irishmen, who regard forward play as quite as important as that of the back division, and do not degrade their forwards to the mechanism of automata. You never hear in Scotlftid or Ireland halves or three-quarters screaming for possession of the ball."

The great source of attraction last Saturday was the match between the Union and Alhambra Clubs which, by direction of the Flag Committee, was played on the Carisbrook ground. So great was the interest in the match that over £31 was taken at the gate in sixpences. The ground was heavy but otherwise in good order, and there was nothing in its condition to prevent a thorough exposition of the game. The weather was perfectly calm and a type of a fine midwinter day, a haze settling over the ground early in the afternoon, while it was freezing before the second spell commenced. As is so frequently the case when two well-matched teams meet the play was for the greater part of the afternoon of a distinctly disappointing character. Each side played very keenly and the tackling was determined and sure, and occasionally unorthodox. The play was, however, too close to be interesting, and yet with pen- i dulumlike swing it went from one end to the other. Both teams exhibited a strong defence and neither was very powerful in attack. So the game progressed, neither side gaining any advantage, although the Union seemed to be gradually wearing their opponents down until, about a quarter of an hour before the finish, | the play suddenly opened out and the match became at once unexpectedly exciting. The ball travelled up and down the field at a great rate-, each side profiting to good purposethrough mistakes made by the opposing team while the latter were attacking, but although both went close to scoring neither could do the trick. The nearest approach to a score during the afternoon was the Alhambra's from j a penalty kick in the Union quarters, the ball j passing outside the goal post. j

The tactics adopted during the game by the | Alhambra backs were not calculated to win I the match, unless they assumed the opppsing rearguard were quite unable to take the ball I and return the kicks which were sent to ! them. Perhaps the effective tackling of W. Beadle, who donned the jersey in the absence of Duthie, caused some of the players to go in for more kicking than was justified. Elder, had seyeral opportunities of passing to his centre, but almost invariably kicked when he got possession, and as the Maroons nearly always returned the leather, nothing much was gained by these tactics. The Alhambra backs handled the leather very well, but were unable to gain much—ground by passing, indeed, those of the spectators who had not previously seen the Alhambra play this season must have been rather disappointed at their display. The forwards seemed pretty evenly matched, though the Maroons, perhapß, got possession of the leather in the scrums more often than the Colours. M'Laren, at full back, kicked splendidly, but was noi quite reliable in taking the ball. Day, on the wing, is fast, and would be dangerous under circumstances that rarely occur in a game nowadaysT Bennet, at centre, handled the ball well, and is a good kick, but his play on the whole was decidedly disappointing. Ross played his first game this season, and though he did fairly well in the first spell, his play deteriorated as the game progressed. Elder's forte is kicking, wbile King, the scrum half, was too slow. Johnston was the most useful of the half backs. The forwards are a willing lot of workers, the most prominent of whom was Watson. Adams, the Union full back, was not at his best, though he got through his work pretty well ; and the same may be said of Walker. Doig, and BennetL were °afe. W. Beadle taokled well and stopped several rushes. G. Thomson, a recruit from one of the junior teams, made a very creditable first appearance in senior football. He is a strong defensive player, and with mere experience should develop into a good attacker. Armstiong outshone any back on the field. His play, both in attack an?l defence, was excellent. Of the forwards A. Beadle, Gilchrist, and Minn were the pick. The play in the Kaikorai-Pirates matoh was fairly fast and exciting at times. The Kaikorai forwards were superior in the scrums, and got the ball out to their backs very smartly, but in the loose play the Pirates outshone the hill men. The Blacks also tackled in fine style. There is no doubt the Knikorai team owe their victory to the splendid passing of their backs, who did all the scoring for them. Murphy, at full back, played well, his kicks into touch being a great help to his side. All the three-quarters gave a good account of themselves. Armit made one or two good runs. Wood took the ball well, his running and passing being also very neat. Sims, on {he other wing, showed that he is a very fast man. Duncan, as usual, played a brilliant game, being responsible for three of the tries scored by hia side. Sinclair did a lot of work, and got the ball away from the scrum very smartly, while H. Davie, Ronald, and Cross were, perhaps, the best of an even lot of forwards. The Pirates' backs kicked well, but their display on the attack was somewhat weak. M. Priest, at full back, tackled in good style, and saved his side on several occasions. Denny and Bragg had not much to do, but what they did was done effectively. Both should keep in their places, and not get too close up to their forwards. Buchanan was a trifle slow, but generally managed to get his kick in. Thomson stood out prominently, and did a lot of saving work. Burt and Rattray gained ground by their long kicks, the former also collaring capitally. All the forwaids worked hard in the loose, the most conspicuous being Priest, Farquharson, and I M'Leod.

The University-Zingari-Richmond game on the whole was a splendid one from a spectator:* point of view, the passing of the 'Varsity backs being a treat to witness. They made the game fast and open from the start, and had it not been for the sure tackling of the Zingari backs they would have scored on many occasions. As it was, they had the best of the play. ~one and all worked together, and Macdonald, behind the scrum, was a tower of strength to his side. Armstrong, Wi Repa, O'Shea, and Orbell all did good work, but special mention should be made of White's play at wing three-quarter, his kicking and running being splendid. The forwards were a powerful lot, and held their own in the scrum, but were beaten in loose and line play. N. Fisher, Gregg, and Fenwick wera the

pick. On the Zingari side Fordyce, at full back, played his usual safe game, and was ably assisted by the two Smiths and Austin. The wing three-quarters were hardly up to the mark, preferring to take the ball on the bounce instead of on the fly. The Smith brothers, Hobbs, and Caradus were the best of the forwards. Mr. J. Croxford, referee, must be congratulated on the success of his efforts, his rulings never being questioned by either side.

The match on- the Caledonian Ground was a fast and exciting game, and although Dunedin had the best of the game, the Southern deserve to be commended for their fine defence. Although their forwards were beaten, they showed any amount of dash, their loose play being mur-h superior to that of the Blues. They, however, seemed to tire towards the finish, whereas the Dunedin vanguard in the last 10 minutes warmed to their work, and, copying the Southern tactics, carried everything before them. The Southern backs apparently relied upon their forwards, and were content in most cases with kicking the ball out of bounds. Quite the reverse was the case with Dunedin, whose forwards invariably secured the ball in the scrum, thus giving their backs! opportunity to show their passing abilities, which were, however, only of a mediocre character. Time after time good rushes were spoilt by some player hanging on to the ball too long. M'Donald waa the chief offender, while M'Kay also deserves some censure. Mackenzie was always there when wanted ; his kicking and collaring being of a high standard. The same might be said of Stephenson, who, lost several good chances by his repeated appeals for offside play. Ward showea well at full back, while Connor was the pick of the halves. The forwards all worked well, Dunne, Whelan, and Eyre being perhaps the pick. Of the Southern bac\s Burgees was far and away the best, beating the opposing halves on several occasions. He passed with good judgment, and was well backed up by Chambers, Lawry, Bennet, and Goodman. Of a fast and even lot of forwards Kavauagh, Spence, Olson, and Neil were the best. Mr Downes, as referee, gave every satisfaction.

It rained at Christchurch on Saturday, but the weather cleared up in time for football contests, the grounds, being, however, very heavy. In the Senior matches Sydenham 5 beat Merivale nil, Linwood 17 beat Albion nil, Christchurch 11 beat Kaiapoi 5.

The weekly meeting of the committee of the Otago Rugby Union, held on Monday, was attended by -vlessrs Gallaway (president), Morris, Campbell, Duncan, Payne, Strong, Young, and Hutchison. A letter was read from the New Zealand Union asking, in the event of the English team visiting this colony, what sum the Otago Union would be prepared to guarantee in the event of a match being arranged at Dunedin, and what sum if no match can be arranged at Dunedin. It was resolved to guarantee £200 in the event of a match being played in Dunedin on a . Saturday afternoon, but the Committtee declined to guarantee any sum for a match out of Dunedin. The Flag Committee reported that the Dunedin Club had forfeited the second-grade match, Dunedin v. Southern, in consequence of a first-grade player haying played in its team without having received a transfer, and that the match was accordingly awar-led to the Southern Club.

In response to invitation the captains of six of the local senior clubs met the committee of the O.R.F.U. on Monday»afternoon in conference to discuss the question of tne repression of the tendency to rough play in club matches. One captain, who was unable to attend, sent a representative, and the only captain who was neither present in person nor by proxy, forwarded an apology for his absence. The President, of the Union _ (Mr Gallaway), addressing the captains, pointed out that although tho committee of the O.R.F.U. ostensibly controlled the game, it was the captains of the teams which really had the matter in their own hands. The captains of the clubs did not deny that there was a tendency to roughness, but the opinion was expressed by two or three of them that in the matches in which this had been noticeable it might have been cheeked by the referees at the early stages of the game. It was suggested by members of the committee that the captains of the clubs might speak to their teams before' the matches, and impress on them the undcsirability of anything approaching rough play, and also that, if the play should prove rcagh, the captains should at the close take the responsibility of omitting from their teams, for at least a Saturday, the players who had been responsible for it. Tho subject was discussed for half an hour, after which the president, who explained that the committee wished to be backed up by the captains in their efforts to stamp out all suspicion of rough play, thanked the captains for their attendance.

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