NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Volume 26, Issue 2419, 26 July 1900, Page 46

NOTES BY FORWARD.

The following table shows the positions of th.? various senior clubs to date in the contest for the O.R.F.U. banner: —

i The following table shows, so far as can be ascertained, the" positions of the teams engaged in the contest for the O.K.F.U. second grade

i The following table shows the positions of tha - teams engaged " in ■' the contest for • the OfR.F:TJ.' third grade banner: —

* '".jKV"- Mason '(" Scrummy ")~ has returned to Dunedin/ and was one of the spectators of t las! ,-. Saturday's match on, -the Caledonian /"ground:- ■ .-' .'The ; championship contest in .Auckland „was finished on Saturday last, when' tte . City ' team carried off the Cup after - - ; p," < close*"match with Newton. Had the latter j4eam won they 'would have been equal with ithe, City'in the championship contest, and it 'seemed at one time as if the teams would have ,to meet again "before the Cup was won. Five Wnutes before time Newton was leading by 2 points, but the City got a try A winning the match by 13 points to 12. In Wellington the senior matches last Saturday resulted as follows:—Melrose beat Wellington by' 9 points to 5, Ath- . letic beat Poneke by 7 points to 3, Oriental ibjbat Old Boys' by 5 points to nil. Melrose ;wins the championship, with -the Athletic as 'srunnere-up. - - # • m. •j. "' " There were • no, senior matches at Ghristfcaurch last Saturday/ The final match between Sydenham and Ghristchurch to decide ■ the winner -is to be playecl next Saturday. ' 'They seem to be not free from football scandals, or at any rate rumours of football Scandals, in Auckland. - "Lynx" writes in the New' Zealand-Herald : " The Newton district^ first fifteen are evidently not a very happy family. Only a few days back one of -their best forwards- was accused of having ' "been a party to selling a match in which the ""blub had played, and rumours were rife that "other members of the club were also implicated".' 'i'he allegation has since been with'drawh, but I fear that- we have not heard the last of the matter, and that .there is, another sideto the -question." s , • .." - An' unfortunate incident occurred "at Gore c;last^week just before the call of time in a ~ matclu-betweeii" the local Star Club and- the Second fifteen of the Invercargill Pirates Club. .T. he Ensign says: "The referee (Mr K. - ~Oameron), who .was thoroughly impartial -throughout,' had occasion to rebuke one of "the spectators for " misconduct, and at the same time ordered the Star captain off the ground" for alleged interference with the referee in the discharge of his duties. The Star captain called his" team off the field, and this they- complied with, although several of the players were strongly against this step, recog- - vising that Mr Cameron -was perfectly within -.his rights, and that bis decisions had given satisfaction." " The third match of the season at Inver- - tJUrgill between- 'the Staf ' and Pirates Clubs '^as played last week, and resulted- in. a drstw,--neither side ;seoring. Referring Xo the, play "'];he '^Southland' Times says- . "Ji is with some -that > it-no w .becomes a duty to express regret that the. friendly games^so long ~ witnessed and, appreciated by. the people of Xnvßrcargill ore, to a great extent, things v "of 'the past, and instead, patrons of the game ate frequently treated to an exhibition of Ovhat is commonly termed scragging. The -Referees' Association ' should certainly take "this matter up and insist on appointing those to control -matches who will have- the courage of theirs opinion and immediately stop this ■unsportsmanlike conduct. The rough eleTnent is gradually growing, and this match was no 'exception. A "majority of local authori- , ties, however, seem to be in accord with the - - dictum of some northern unions, that hard ■ ' play! is mistaken for roughness, but if that opinion is 'to prevail, brute strength and bul-3ooking-~wiil ere long "triumph over all scienv tific. displays." . . ;.'•*. ' - • .Neither the> Alhambra nor' the Pirates used %o advantage "the gale bf'wind that was blow- ■^ ing on the Caledonian ground on Saturday. 'Obviously- -the course for the side to adopt - Which had the'benefit of the wind' was to keep the-ballaliW, ljut- instead, of that both- teams * .used'" the -touch-line as, -though tKe game was /being- played under conditions that were fa,*f yourable to "the opponent "who received the' r~" tall making a good return kick,' As a mat-

ter of fact, it was a risky proceeding on Saturday to kick against the wind at all. Many a time wae the ball blown .over the kicker's head. Both teams erring in this matter, there was not much to choose between them, otherwise. Considering the heavy state of the ground the game was fast and interesting, especially towards the finish, when the Alhambra were pressing the Blacks very hard, but the latter, by determined tackling and judicious kicking, managed to clear their lines time after time. The backs on both sides had a good deal to do, the Alhambra's kicking and passing being first-class. Wallace was by no means sure in his handling of the ball, but he gained lots of ground by his long punts. He, however, should not run across the field so much, but go straight. Dey, at full back, had not much to do, but what he had He did well. Bennet and Knowles were the best of the others, the latter being very smart behind the scrum. King and Stephenson did not have much to do. On the Pirates' side Mirams, who played full back instead of Priest, did well, and saved his side on several occasions. Denny, Sutton, and Hislop were the pick of the other backs. In the forward division the Alhambra repeatedly beat their oppoj nents in the scrum, but the Pirates were far ahead of ths Reds in the open and line-out work. Hobson, M'Kewen, and Whinham were about the most conspicuous of the_Al-_ | hambra, while Burt, Priest, Gordon, and Kirkcaldy did good work for the Pirates. The match between Kaikorai 'and University was, on the whole, of an uninteresting character, and calls for little or no comment. There was a lack of striking individual play, this being, as a matter of fact, out of the question owing to the strong southerly gale which swept the ground from end to end. Neither Sinclair nor Duncan were seen at anything like their best, but Booth at times showed fine form, and put in a lot of useful work. Cross and Porteous, as usual, were prominent amongst the forwards, all of whom played a really hard game. "White and M'Ara were the pick of the University backs, these two doing the major portion of the | work. But ail round the University backs failed in taking the ball and in picking -it up. j The forwards in the tight scrums held their own against their opponents, and are to be commended on the good fight they made against somewhat heavy odds. Mr Isaacs acted as referee. | Owing to the wet state of the North ground the game between the Union and Dunedin was almost entirely a forward one, and the Blues' front division acquitted themselves very well, considering the strong team_ arrayed against them. There was very little to choose between them in scrum and line work, but the winning team were slightly superior in the loose. The Maroons were, by the way, weakened by the absence of Beadle and Ritchie, their places being filled by Melville and Gibson. Passing, so far as the Dunedin were concerned, was conspicuous by its absence, and although the Union backs essayed a few passing rushes their efforts in that direction were not attended with a great measure of success; but this was only to be expected considering the slate of the ground and ball. Adams, the Union full back, played a safe game;""hvit was. not so quick as usual at getting in his kicks. "White and .Walker put in a lot of serviceable work, but the former was inclined to get out of his place now and again. Bennett did not- have a great deal to do, bu€ he did his work well. The halves were all in good form, -and were of -immense service to their side. Duthie's passing showed a great improvement, while Thomson did not hang to the ball at all, as is_ usual with him. The forwards played well in the opsn, but on some occasions hesitated too much, thus allowing their opponents to get the ball away. Gow (whose following up was a feature of his play), Munro, Rowlatt, Harlis. and Gilchrist were about the pick. M'Kay, the Dunedin full back, was a bit uncertain at fielding the ball, but his kicking was excellent. Mackenzie and Bragg' were Hie pick of the three-quarters, the fielding of the | former being especially good. Morgan was the best of the othei backs, and did really good service to his side, stopping numerous lushes of the opposing vanguard. The forwards played a good game, and were about equal to their opponents in all-round play, Dunne, Williams, Watt, White, and Bremner being about the best of an even lofo. Mr Restieaux controlled the game, and appeared to give satisfaction to all concerned. The play in the match Zingari-Richmond v. Southern was completely spoiled by the high wind -which blew straight across the ground. Play was chiefly confined to the forwards, who were very evenly matched. Neither team was fully represented, several players of both teams being absent. The Zingari forwards invariably secured the ball in the scrums, and had they kepi it there instead of heeling out to the backs, the result -of the game might have been different. Casey was distinctly the best of the" Southern backs, collaring and kicking splendidly. Chambers also played safely, getting in some very smart kicks. Amongst the forwards Willett, Le Brun, Leydon, and Olson were about the best. Marks, the Zingari full back, was none too safe. 'Smith was the best of the threequarters, his long kicks gaining a deal of ground. Fordyee, behind the scrum, gave a. really good display, and Bolt, a recent acquisition to 'the ranks of the Zingari, showed splendid form, both on attack and defence. Mitchell, Abbott, arid the two Smiths were most conspicuous amongst the forwards. Mr H. Harris had control of the game, and carried out his duties to the satisfaction of both players and spectators. A large number of spectators assembled at Tahuna Park to witness the contest between the second grade teams of the Alhambra and Ravensbourne Clubs. As far as back plajr was concerned^ a poor exhibition, was given, but this was caused chiefly by the very strong wind "which swept the field of play. The Alhambra recognising that their opponents would probably make a hard struggle to win, and also that if Ravensbourne defeated them their chances of holding the banner for another year would be rather remote, put a very strong team in the field, several of the players having done battle for the Alhambra First Fifteen last year, while no less than 11 ot their team have played in senior football. The result of the match makes Alhambra and Ravensbourne level for premier -nosition in the competition with 18 points each. Roslyn seem to have a mortgage on the Association Charity Banner, having now held it for the five years out of the six years it has been played for, die Wakari having it in their possession for a year. For the winners, Fawcett, in goal, played a good game. Both backs were sound in their defence. A. Dobson -and Dodd, at half, are abnost .certain to get in the representative team, their play being of a high order. W. Dobson was none too sure with his kicks. The forwards r>layed a great game. "Steve" Brown was decidedly the best forward on the ground. R. Brown played a hard game, and had the honour of scoring the two goals. C. Stables, in centre, played with good -judgment, feeding hisjwinccs to "advantage. Arlidge and Robertson played well together. The Southern goalkeeper was

none too safe, but Ashton and Rowlands, at back; kicked splendidly. R. Nagle was the pick of the halves. Of the forwards, Paton, J. Nagle, and Holland worked hard, but the opposing backs were too strong for them. Fleming, on the right wing, was decidedly offcolour, his shooting being very poor. Mr G. M'Millan was a most impartial referee, his decisions giving every satisfaction. R. Cowan (Green Island) and J. M'Millan (Wakari) officiated as line irmpires. An interesting communication on the subject of the lifting of the foot in a scrummage and of the deletion from the laws of the game of the penalty for lifting the foot before the ball has been put into the scrummage has been addressed to "Lynx," or the New Zealand Herald, by Mr F. J. Ohlson, chairman of the Auckland R.efere9s' Association. Mr Ohlson says : "The English Rugby Union has deleted sub-section 1, law 11, of last year's rules, which inflicted a penalty for lifting the foot in a scrummage, but in the glossary still retains under the heading of Scrummage the words, 'when the ball is put down between players who have closed round on their respective sides, and who must have both feet on the ground.' In the annuals issued respectively by the Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland Unions the last clause has been omitted. Now, according to the English laws, I take it that the compulsory penalty alone is meant to be taken away, but the ball must still not be .put in tintil the feet are down, otherwise it is not in a scrummage. If the players persist in lifting the feet, tho referee has the power of penalising under sub-section m for wilful loss of time, etc."

There is something in Mr Ohlson's contention. What seems to me to tell against it is the fact that the words "and who must have both feet on the ground" were added to the definition of a scrummage at the same time that the penalty for lifting a foot was imposed. The penalty is now removed, but the definition remains unaltered. It seems to me that the particular penalty would not be abolished if it were the intention of the English Union to forbid the lifting of the foot. The solution "of the -problem which the eircumsianees create is, I fancy, that the necessity for altering the definition was overlooked when the decision to abolish the penalty was arrived at. There is certainly a conflict at the present time. The definition of a scrummage, which is contained in the three annuals mentioned by Mr Ohlson, is in my opinion the definition which _ the English Union wished to restore. But it is not the definition in the English annual. In the return football match New South •Wales defeated Queensland by 11 points to 9.

The following team has been picked to represent Wellington against Wairarapa next Saturday: — Full back, Hales; three-quarters — "Braid, Roberts, De Vere; three-eighth, Wood ; half, Meredith ; wings, Pritchard (captain) and M'Grath ; forwards — J. Spencer, M'Anally, Calnan, O'Brien, Hefferman, Wylie, Dodd, and August.

The Auckland correspondent of this paper wires that the City Club, which this year carries off the honours in. Auckland fcr 'the first time since the inauguration of the district scheme ' in 1892, won nine of' the 10 matches played, and scored 101 points as against the 45 of the opposing teams, while the club boasts the unique record of ha-ving won first, second, and third grade championships this season — the first occasion on which such a performance has been put up by any one club in the Auckland district.

The probable composition of the team that will represent Canterbury against Otago next month is foreshadowed by the selection of the following team to play for Canterbury against South Canterbury this week: — Fuil back, C. Burrell ; three-quarter backs — E. Harper, T. E. Parry, and D. M'Gregor ; fiveeighths, A. E. Phillips and L. W. Forbes; half-back, J. Weston; forwards, H. Frost, M. Lynskey, B. Fanning, R. Crosbie, A. We^t, A. Brunsden, H. Ayers, and W. Drake.

Inasmuch as the Otago representative team will be visiting Auckland next month, the following notes from the Auckland sporting correspondent of the Witness are of special interest: — Taken all through the club football in Auckland has not been • quite up to the ■standard this season, the- principal weakness being in the back play, where there has been a want of combination and system, but as far as the forwards are concerned there are plenty of men fit for any representative team, and no difficulty should be experienced in selecting a vanguard quite equal to that which did battle for the province in the south last year. At the same time it must be said that while the town backs have not been up to the mark as a whole, no great difficulty should be experienced in filling any vacancies by drawing on players from the country unions, such as Thames, Waihi, and Qhinemuri. For instance, R. M'Gregor, of the Thames, who was last year a member of our travelling threequarter division, is this season in better form than ever, while M'Pike and Harrison, both country 'boys, who figured in last season's back team, are also shaping well, and will, in all probability, again represent the province 'against southern invasions, while Gerrard, of the North Shore, who nearly gained his cap last season, may also prove very hard to beat for a place in our back division. Then as five-eighth, we have O. Riley, who is one of the best men that has played for us in the position for many a long 'day, but Avho was unable to go south with our representatives last year, while the chances are that Kiernan, late of Wanganui, or Woods, an exChristchurch player, will probably be selected as oiir half-back, and strengthen us in this respect. At the present stage I should be-in-clined to say that tKe back team, will como from the following: — Full-back,- H. Smith (an ex-represeiitativej, Donovan, or W. M'Lean; three-quarters— R. M'Gregdr, Harrison, > M'Pike, .-.and' Gerrard ; > five-eighth — '■ o.' Riley; lialf-back— Kiernan oi Woods. D. Gallagher is sure to be one of the wings, and Doran, a new aspirant for representative honours, who is very clever with his feet, but perhaps a trifle light, may be the other, while the forward selection may come from the following: J. Gillett, -A. Wilson, Cunningham, R. Handcock, Wilpon, G. Tvler, Irvine (all last_ -"-ear's representatives), Rod. M'Gregor, Smith, and two or three other new men who have been shaping well this year.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph says: "It is imfortmiate, for intercolonial football's sak'}. that the New Zealand "Rugby Union has had to abandon negotiations for a New South Wales team to tour the iolony this season. It would seem that the affiliated New Zealand unions do not work quite hanoily together or with the central body. When tho last team of English players was in Australia the New Zealand unions could not make an acceptable offei to the combination to visit it, but one of the provincial unions independently proposed terms, which would have been accepted if the 'union here had not felt that it would be a breach of etiquette to deal with a provincial body. Now. the affiliated unions are unable to give a sufficient guarantee for

a New South Wales team, probably again because the various associations are not as united as they might be. Unless they take a different stand in the future, this will mean abandonment by New Zealand of intercolonial Rugby matches, which would be a pity, inso far as it would necessarily decrease interest in an invigorating- and enjoyable pastime."

Whether it is unfortunate, apart from intercolonial football's sake, New Zealand is not this year to have a visit from a New South Wales team, Ido not profess to say. Unhesitatingly, however, I do say that the public of this colony are not enamoured of these intercolonial football contests. They are far more interested in the interprovincial contests. And intercolonial football only interferes with interprovincial football. The district Rugby Unions in this colony are not indifferent to the feelings of the public in this matter, and I do not believe there was a single one among them that was at all keen about securing a visit from a New South Wales team. On the other hand, there waspractical unanimity among them that it is desirable that in future each colony should finance its own tours. The alleged insiifficiency of the guarantees received by the New Zealand Union is, therefore, if the views of the district unions on the financial question are accepted, no impediment to a tour of this colony by a New South Wales team. But I venture to say that the New Zealand Union could have succeeded, with proper management, in making the guarantee suffice. The Sydney Daily Telegraph is quite in error in supposing that the affiliated unions in this colony_ do not work happily together. As to their relations with the central body, that is another question. I should imagine that their experience of the New Zealand Union for the past few years should be convincing them at last that the central body/ is a useless institution. It has done nothing for years. It is doing nothing- now. The weekly meeting of the O.R.F.U. Committee was held on Monday. There were present — Messrs Wilson (president), Morris, Duncan, Harris, Hutchison, Isaacs, M'Laren, and Campbell. The Secretary of the Kai: korai Club wrote stating that his committee had decided not to return to the O.R.F.U. tbe senior flag won by the Kaikorai First Fifteen in 1895. It was decided that the matter be referred to a special meeting of delegates", to be held on Saturday, August 11. Permission was granted the University First Fifteen to visit Christchurch to play the Canterbury College team on Thursday next, and Mr C. G. White was approved as manager. The Secretary of the Wanganui Union wroteasking that the Otago team should play at Wanganui during their northern tour. It was decided that the matter be referred to a subcommittee to draw up a final report in connection with the tour. It was agreed, on the request of the Dunedin Amateur Ground Company, to hand over the Carisbrook ground to tho company to allow drainage operations to be carried on The Ravensbourne Club wrote protesting against the match Alhambra Second v. Ravensbourne being awarded to the former club on the ground that a player named Roddick, a member of a South Canterbury club. had played for the Alhambra Club without having obtained a transfer from the 0.R.F..U.' It was decided to refer the letter to the Alhambra Club. The Secretary of the Dunedin Amateur Ground Company wrote stating that the sum of £200 would be required to put the Carisbrook ground in good playing order, and that the company had so far received support to the omouut of £115. It was decided to refer the matter to the special meeting of delegates to be held on August 11. The Captain of the Pirates Third reported that the Ravensbourne Second had failed to put in an appearance -last Saturday, although the match was to be played at Ravensbourne. It was decided to refer the letter to the Ravensbourne Club. Mr Finnegan. referee in the match Southern Second v. Zingari-Richmond Second, reported that the former team had foiled to put. in an appearance, and it was decided to refer the letter to the Southern Club.

Port ~ Chalmers .. 7 QUhambra .. .. 7 /Pirates 7 j Southern .. .. 6 Zirigari - Richmond 7 _~!'Dimedin ■, ±.. '.. - 8 'Bavensbourne '.. -8 - High School •.. 8 7 5 5 4 4 2-. 2 0 0 0-109 - 9*. 14 2 0 91 18 10 2 .0 .35 31 8 2 ' 0 '86 '17 8 3 0 90" 40 8 6 - 0; 15-89 . 4 6 0 55 55 4 8 0 3 225 0

panner : — " -.. ..10 9 1 VRaverisbourrie ..10 '9 1 -Kaikorai .. ..10 7 2 KDunedin .. ..10 6 3 'Port Chalmers ..10 6 3 ■Pirates. .. ..10 4 6 (University ■'.. „10 ..4 ' 6 (Union' 7. .. ..10 3^6 •High School ..10 2 8 JZingari - Richmond 10 2 8 Southern .. .. 10 . 0 8 0 133 23 13 0 105 27 18 1 59 19 15 1 35 42 13 1 46 27 13 0 33 57 8 0 34 25-8 1 40 61 ' 7 0 35 87 4 0 22 55 4 2 3 122 2

Points. , _ ; Club. 1 & 'Alhanibra . . ..11 ■Kaikorai " . . ..11 [TTr:ioh 11 Zingari - Eiclimond 11 •Pirates .. „ .. 11 Sc-uthern . . ..11 ~ iTTniversity .. ..11 Dunedin . . . . 11 $ 8 6 6 5 5 3 4 2 ■S SriS ri -S SJ.S o !-< o be m o p p p=( <! F=-P* -1 2 98 34 18 2 3 67 23 15 3 2 67 19 14 5 1 21 69 11 6 ' 0 44 38 10 6 2 29 55 S 7 0 69 67 8 9 0 30 120 4