KAIKORAI v. ALHAMBRA. KAIKORAI WINS THE FLAG.

Otago Witness, Issue 2371, 10 August 1899, Page 43

KAIKORAI v. ALHAMBRA. KAIKORAI WINS THE FLAG.

The final contest for the Senior Flag was played off on Saturday afternoon on the Caledonian ground between the Kaikorai and the Alhambra clubs. The meritorious win of the University Club against the hill team left these two teams even as regarded flag points, so that a match to decide which club should be the first to have its name inscribed on the flag was necessary. The Kaikorai were the favourites all along, and few outside the cir6lo of ardent Alhambra supporters ever enter tamed the opinion that the Red and Black colours would come out on top. Still, the match was certain to be a well-contested one, and in the expectation of seeing a good game 5000 spectators surrounded the cycling track and the grand stand. Th*> weather was perfect, and the ground in good order. Both teams were cheered as they passed out on to the ground, and the pro sence of Duncan and Murphy, who were unable to play for their province against Wellington on Wednesday, was noted with approval by the Kaikorai supporters. ' W« F. H. Campbell controlled the game,

and Messrs G. M'Laren and C. Purdue acted as touch judges. I Alhambra won the toss, although this ga*,e but little advantage, seeing that there was ao wind. Hobsbn elected to play from the Kensington end. iiennet returned the kick-off by kicking into touch about half way, and for the first few minutes the play stayed near tl>e middle of the ground. The Kaikorai backs then got the ball, and Sinclair started a passing rush, in which Dunca"*), Mason, Wood, and Sim took part, and gained a good bit of ground. Alhambra worked the ball back, and from a scrum midfield their backs got the ball and gained a little more. From a throw in the Reds came on again, and the ball went out within 10 yards of the Blues* line?. A scrum followed the throw in, and Watson got possession, and made a dash, but was collared on the line. Another serum followed, and the Blues got the ball out, but it was fumbled by the backs, and Given picked it up and scored. King made a good attempt at goal. Alhambri, 3 points ; Kaikorai, nil. Give-and-take play followed up and down the field, and again the Alhambra, had the Blues on the defensive. The Kaikorai relieved with a good passing rush, and then as the result of a scramble ftobson got a kick on the head, which bled profusely, and the game was stopped while a handkerchief was procured to bind up the cut. On resuming, Duncan got the ball from a scrum and gained ground by a good kick. Ross returned into touch. From the throw in the Alhambra forwards rushed the ball down to Kerr, who, with a long kick, sent the ball out near, the corner. A scrum followed the throw in, and fine paso-ing by the Blues' backs very nearly lesulted in a score, Armit being collared by King just in time. The bnll came back, and Sim, on the other wing, looked dangerous, but the fine tackling by the Alhambra backs made their defence very hard to get through. By good combined play the Reds worked the play down to safer ground. The Kaikorai, however, were not to be denied, and, coming on "again, shifted the play to the Alhambra twenty-five. Here Duncan got away, and. passing to Mason, that player sent the ball on to Wood, who dodged through and scored a creditable try about 'three minutes before half-time. Mason was entrusted with the kick, but failed to add to the score, which svas now even. Half-time was then called. Taylor, who had hurt his ankle, retired at this stage of the game, and, to the surprise of the spectators, Lawrie, who was hurt in the Wellington match, replaced him. Hobson kicked off, and Mason returned into touch near the twenty-five flag. Even play lasted for a few minutes, and then the Blues' superiority began to assert itself. Sim kicked into touch about 10 yards from the Redo' line, and when the ball came in good passing between Duncan, Mason, Wood, Armit, and back to Mason very nearly resulted in a score. A scrum was formed just inside the twenty five line, and when it broke up Duncan went right through and scored a splendid try, while the Alhambra men wero standing wondering ', how it was done. The kick at goal was an j easy one, and Mason brought the score up to | B—3.8 — 3. On continuing, play centred for 10 I minutes. For off-side play the Blues got a ' free kick, and following ifc up the ball was kicked over the line, where Ross fprced. Soon after this Mason came down heavily and broke • his collar-bone. He was assisted off the field, and Williamson replaced him. The new comer soon got to work, and intercepted cleverly a pass, enabling him, with Duncan's ' assistance, to take the play to the Reds' lines. ] A free kick, however, relieved pressure, and the Alhambra worked the ball well down the field. A minute later it was back again, and W. Day relieved with a serviceable kick. The Reds then rushed the ba.ll down to the Kaikorai Iweniy-fiye, and Dey, King, and Bennet were conspicuous in a passing rush. The ball went into touch, and from the throw in the Blues broke away, but were well slopped by King. The Kaikorai were on the defensive when time was called. Final score : Kaikorai . . 8 points Alhambra ... 3 points Tho game, although an interesting one, was not overflowing with incident. The splendid tackling of the Alhambra backs was the best feature of their play, and their strength in this department of the game saved them from being scored against several times. The Kaikorai 'iad the advantage in the serums, and consequently showed to much better advantage in passing rushes. It is safe to sxy that they gof, the ball in two out of every three scrums. Ross, at full back for the Reds, played very steadily, and kicked with great judgment. King and W. Dey excelled in tackling, and in this they were well supported by the rest of tho backs, whose play left little to be desired. In the forwards Watson, Given, and Dobson did good work. For the Blues Kerr was nearly as sate us Ross. Sim. and Armit were the best of the three-quarters, and Sinclair, who played scrum half, was very good. Mason was very quick, and Duncan — well, he was just Duncan — unexcelled. In the forwards the two Torrances, Murphy, Cross, and Ronald were always on the ball. The referee, Mr Campbell, kept a tight rein on the name, ; and the salutary mannor in which he dealt with j the objectionable wing-forward play called forth general approval. Porteous and Watson were the worst sinners in this respect, especi- ; ally the former, and they were round the scrum nearly every time. The result was that j free kicks were very frequent during the match.