Dunedin Town v. Country.

Otago Witness, Issue 2413, 31 May 1900, Page 48

Dunedin Town v. Country.

A WIN FOR THE COUNTRY.

A writer m the February Dravtghts World says "'the game of draughts, like the violin, is the same to-day as re -was yesterday — the some yesterday as it was centimes ago—beraitiful, marvellous, inexhaustible." The gathering in Dunedin on Friday evening, the 25th inst., was a sinking illustration of the truth of these v/ords. Old veterans of many battles and the law leermt, with every grade between were all drawn by the never-failing charm and magnetism of the game. The gathering was the largest for a good many years. Kepre- j seatatives were present from as far north as Oamaiu, and as far south as Woodlands, and a. glance down the list of names roadeit quite j evident to one having a little knowledge ot ] the players that the country was about to score I a decisive victory. Fifty-six players tooK pt'rt ] in the contest, but had Dunedin mustered all ] that were expected, there should have been j 86 — 43 a-side. The country players are to be \ congratulated on the manner in which they ; prepared, and the lcsult clearly indicates the possibilities for the future, when a larger hall and yet larger gathering should be the result. The country should easily muster 50 or CO players, and allow Dunedin to include players along the railway line as Jar as Port Chalmers. In the match under notice Dunedin lost the services, from vpiious causes of Messrs D. A. Brodie, J. A. Lucas, G-. Foreman, Marshall, and others, in con&equence of which 15 country players were compuisoiy onlookers instead of contestants. As this number included some who had entered early, the secretary feels that an apology is due to them ; but, ol" covusc, before play, the names were handed over to the managers of the Country team, and were dealt with by them as best they could, the Town committee having nothing whatever to do with their disposition. Messrs Montgomery and Hornby, Port Chalmers, and Mr Watson, Waitahuna, were unavoidably absent fiom the Country team, otherwise the result of the match must have been most disastrous for Dunedin. At the conclusion of the match a first-class light refreshment was laid out by Mr Lean and his able assistants. Jtistice haying been done thereto, Mr Abernethy, captain of the Town team, announce! the result of the match as — Country 39, Town 35, drawn 21. After complimenting the visitors on their success, and calling for three cheers for the visitors, which was heartily responded to, Mr Boreham, Country captain, sxiitably replied. Owing to the lateness of the hour, and many of the players having to leave, the musical programme provided by Messrs A. King and A. G-. Leech had to be almost entirely dispensed with. On the motion o£ Mr J. "VV. Patter&on (Henley) and Mr G-. Patterson (Otcpopo), votes of thanks were passed to the respective captains, to Messrs King and Leech, and to the secretary, Mr Hilliker. The gathering then dispersed after heartily singing "Auld Tang syne." The following are the individual scores: — Duxedin. Country. Wins. Djaws Win 3 0 J. Leggatt ... 2 J. Gardiner, Go:c ... 0 2 F. Lsngston 1 J. Borehum, Oam aru ... 0 2 J. Hutton ... 0 J Duncan. Kweburn ... 0 1 F. Hilliker... 1 J. Sim. Highcliff ... 0 2 G. Rankin ... 2 J. W. Parlane, Milton 0 1 J. Abernethy 1 L. Burn, Milton ... 0 2 C. Gunthorpe 2 J". Kiddell, IFgbc'iff ... 0 4 J. Shore ... 0 J. Inglis, Highcliff ... 0 2 J. Cleary ... 1 D. M'Kiimon, Milton... 1 1 S Lean ... 1 W. Bobertson, P'm'ston 1 2 J. Conceit ... 1 D. Edwards, Highcliff 1 1 F.Butteifield 1 G. Peterson, Otepopo 2 3 K. Mnir .. 0 T. Henderson, Otepopo 1 2 J. P. Beck... 0 A. Walker, Wynrlhani () 0 P. M'Kenzie 1 L. Bldw t uds,sen,N.E.H. 2 0 J Young ... 1 J-W. Patterson, Henley 3 1 (I Burton ... 0 — Alma, Wyndham ... 3 1 J. T\fe ... 1 J. Hult, Evveburn ... 1 3 J. Muir ... 1 J. Fairbairn, Highcliff 0 1 B. Winlock 1 J. Forrester, Ewebura 1 1 W. Onnoiid 0 1). M'Gill, jun , Milton 2 2 L. Edwatds 1 D. Murdoch, Taieri ... 1 0 H. Uuttre33 0 J. Burn, Milton 4 0 D. Champion 0 J. K. Ciaig, Otepopo ... 4 0 J. Jl'Kay ... 1 D. Hendeis&n, Otepopo 2 1 A. Tilt man... 1 L. Edwards, juo., ISfEH 2 0 A. G. Lseca 0 Jamei Allan, Taieri ... 4 0 A. Tily ... 0 -R. Smi'h, Oamaru ... 4