THE RUGBY GAME. SENIOR FLAG MATCHES.-UNION V. PIRATES.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 50

THE RUGBY GAME. SENIOR FLAG MATCHES.UNION V. PIRATES.

The return match between the Union and Pirates was played on the Caledonian ground on Saturday. There was only a fair attendance of the public. The Pirates won the toss, and the Union kicked off from the harbour end. The Blacks almost" immediately set up a strong attack, the Maroons forcing down. The Pirates kept up the attack, and from a free kick near the Union, twenty-five Fisher had an unsuccessful shot at goal. The ' Union, breaking away, took the ball right to their opponents' line, where a series of scrums took place, but the Blacks soon removed x the clanger. Play was even for some time, till the Pirate 3 again got away, and were only stopped on the Union line. Fairclough had a pot at goal, but without success. The Blacks still pressed, and were near scoring on two or three occasions, the ball "eventually going into touch in goal. The Union backs started a passing rush near the Pirates' twenty-five, but bad passing let Denny (Pirates) away, and, running from his own twenty-five without opposition till he came to the Union full back, he kicked the ball over the line, but White was toe fast for him and 'prevented a score. Towards the end of the spell the Maroons set up an attack on the Pirates' goal, but touch in goal was the only result. Half-time was sounded without any score on either side. The second spell was faster than the first, both sides making desperate efforts to score. After a lot-of fast open play- the Pirates had a shot at goal from a mark near the Union twentyfive, but Fisher's kick went .wide. The Maroons then shifted play to the other end, but the Blacks saved a score by forcing. Towards the end of the game White made a good run from his own territory and then^passed to Walker, who sent the leather on. to Bennett, this, player being stopped close to the Pirates' line. The Union tried hard to get over, and on one occasion Bennett did get across the line, but lost the ball, and a force down was recorded. Just before the call of time the Blacks made a strong attack on the Union line, but the defence of the Maroons was equal to the strain, and when the whistle was blown for time the game stood U

nion Nil Pirates .„ .„ Nil

ALHAMBEA V. SOTJTHEEN,

A fair number of spectators assembled at lahuna Park to witness the return match between these clubs. Southern kicked off, and Alhambra returned play to the half-way, where even "play ensued for 10 minutes. Alhambra started a passing rush among their backs, but a good chance was spoiled by a bad pass from King to Bennet. Southern broke a.way with a fine forward rush to AlhambraV bne, and the latter eventually forced. Alhambra shortly afterwards got on another passing rush, resulting in Wallace scoring a neat try, his own attempt to convert being a failure. Southern were again very aggressivej and their forwards broke away with another dribbling- rush to Alhambra' s twenty-five, but, kicking too hard, sppilt their chance of scoring,- for W. Dey forced again for Alhambra. The Red and Blacks' continued making use of their backs,! but several good rushes eventuated, but were frequently spoiled by bad passing, King especially being an offender. No further score was registered at half-time. On changing ends Southern acrain broke away, but Stephenson relieved with a good kick to .half-way, where a lot of uninteresting play occurred. A dribbling rush by Alhambra was nicely stopped by Lawry. Southern were here awarded a series of free kicks for infringements, " but no advantage was gained, the Alhambra backs returning well. Alhambra carried play to Southern's line, where the latter team were again awarded a free kick, from which Whinham secured a mark, and Wallace placed a, fine goal. Alhambra now became very aggressive, and from a back rush Stephenson broke away, but was collared at the twenty-five flag. Another Alhambra rush, headed by M'Kewen and Hobson, resulted in the former scoring betweeii the posts. The attempt to convert was a failure. The Southern were kept busy defending until the call of time, when the score stood: Alhambra ... ,10 points. Southern r . Nil.

DUNEDUST V. KAIKOBAI.

The above match was ulayed at -Bishopscourt on Saturday, a fair number of spectators being present. The game was not 'a particularly interesting one. For the first few minutes Dunedin made matters pretty warm for their opponents, but they afterwards fell awar, and were mainly on the defensive for the "rest of the game. Shortly after the game commenced the ball was passed out from the scrum from Williamson to Wilkinson, who scored an easy try. Not long afterwards Booth kicked a penalty goal, but no further score resulted during the remainder of the spell. Almost immediately after the teams changed ends Porteous scrambled over the line from a loose rush, and Booth' kicked a goal. Mackenzie subsequently got possp^i'on, and made a splendid- vim, carrying*.n g*. the leather the greater length of-the ground, and succeeding in getting over the line iusb, as he was grounded. M'Kay topk the kick, ,and was successful in registering the major points, this being the first score made for Dunedin. Not long before the t>ell ended Spiers dribbled the ball over the Dunedin line and fell on it. Booth took the kick, but nothing came of it. and when the whistle blew the scores stood Kaikorai..." 14- Tjoint-C * Dnnedln ... 5 noints.

ZINGABI-RICHMOND V. UNIVERSITY.

The match Zingari-Richmond v. University was not played, the latter being unable to put a team in the field, owing to the nonarrival of several of their players from Christchurch. The match goes to the Zingari-Rich-mond by default.