WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. WELLINGTON, September 3.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 50

WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. WELLINGTON, September 3.

The following team will represent Wellington against Otago next Saturday : — Fullback, Hales ; three-quarters — Brodie, Roberts, and Johnston ; five-eighth, Wood ; half, Meredith j wing forwards — Kelly and Gallagher ; forwards— Wylie, M'Anally, Coady, Calnan, O'Brien, J. Spencer, and M'Quirk. De Vere has broken a finger, and cannot play. SOUTH OTAGO v. NORTH OTAGO. This fixture, which practically initiates the tour of the second representative team chosen"" : by the Otago Rugby Union to visit Central Otago, was played on the, Caledonian ground under conditions most unfavourable for a good display of scientific football, the ground nearly approaching a swamp, by reason of a week's heavy rain. The day was showery, bitterly cold, and decidedly unpleasant for spectators, who turned out in fairly large i numbers. Play was confined for the most •part to- the forwards, who, under adverse ■conditions, displayed considerable dash in loose play. Back play, however, was quite dufc of the question, and the Blues found this out during the first quarter, several certain scores being iost through inability to 'handle the greasy' ball. Bond (Alhambra) ' replaced A!bbott in the Blue team, ~tlie latter Suffering from slight indisposition. Sinclair won the toss from M'lntosh, and elected to defend the northern goal, thus gaining the advantage of whatever wind there was, and having the drizzling rain at his back. Play settled down in the North Otago (Colours)" twenty-five, the* ball finding its way to Sinclair, who gave Bennet a clean pas?, which enabled the latter to score a soft try 10 minute? after the kick-off. Bennet again distinguished himself by dribbling nicely to the Colours' line, where Mullins stopped his nrogre-^s in good style. Hard kicking by Munro forced the northern men, and this was repeated five or six times in as many minutes, owing to the Blue backs being unable to find touch. Ronald, however, successfully drove the leather out near — 'the corner flag, and from the throw-in G. Smith scrambled over. Olson's attempt at goel was poor in both instances. Rowlatt, Smith, and Bond swept down to the Colours' line without opposition, until Townsend was encountered, that player picking up smartly and finding touch with a well-directed kick. Not to be denied, however, Hislop, Sinclair, and Bennet swept back to the attack, the latter missing a score by knocking on. There ■ was little or no relief for the Colours, a rush by the Otago backs allowing King to get -over. The score was disallowed ■ for infringing the rule?. No sooner was the ball in motion than Hislop snapped it up ond crossed tho line ; no good resulting from ' Olson'-s third attempt. .Headed by Forsyth,, • Tempero, and M'Gee, the venue was changed to the other end ot the field, the Oiago full-, .back being called on to defend his line.' .Returning to the charge, the North Otago men again macld an effort to score, Gibb, Tempero, and M'lntosh doing good service ■for their side, ihe former cutting in smartly on one occasion and gaining a long stretch 'of ground. The assault was not maintained, and King, with a long kick, forced the Colours. Pressure was maintained by the local men until half-time, although they were xinable to score, the whisile sounding with the score : Otago 9 points ; North Otago, nil. _ i With wind and rain in their favour, the visitors were expected to do much better in the s-eeqnd spell. Rowlatt was instrumental in assailing the Colours' line, Courtney stopping his progress. Clever work by Gibb carried play to the centre, and his forwards coming to his assistance, they displayed considerable dash in some open play, wliich kept the Blues busy in their twenty-five. The j •ball was gradually worked into the northern territory, where G. Smith, charging down I .Courtney's kick, obtained control, and, dribbling quickly and accurately, scored the ! prettiest try of the match, for which he gained a round of applause. Casey was no more successful with his kick than was 1-asi clubmate, the score standing : Otago, 12 points; North Otago, nil. A long kick by Courtney from his own twenty-five forced the Blue's for the first time. Buckling to their work, the Colours asserted themselves in a lot of loose work, and save their opponents some trouble, until Casey cleared the danger by driving the ball out at the 'centre. Not to" be denied, the visitors again kivaded the local men's territory, a force resulting. Smart work by Munro (who was handling the wet ball with accuracy) carried play well past the centre, and Ronald, ulaying ofT-?ide, gave the Colotu-s a free kick, from, which nothing was gained, the ball going out af ihe Otago quarter-flag:. G. Smith carried play to the centre, wherp_ Courtney marked. Give-and-take play saw Holmes mark at thr centre, and. taking a drop at goal, placed an unmistakable score To \"^e credit of his side, for which he was loudly applauded by the spectators, who were evidently pleaded at the northerner's play during this spell. For the remainder of the spell play was fairly even, Holmes having an unsuccessful shot at goal from the centre. No further score was registered, the score standing : O J ago ... 12 points North Otago 4 points There was nothing of note in the visitors' play, excepting when the game was* loose, and in this department during the second spell they fairly held their own. The- l-acks, s.s was only to be expected, were absolutely rievoicl of any idea of passing or combination. Thif, indeed w is not to be wondered at. seeing that the members of the team had not previously pla:ved together. Given the earhe opportunity of nlaying together as the , 'Dunedin men will have during the npxt week or so, it is not unreasonable to asserc that they would be little inferior to their opponents. This is a maiter that the Rugby 'Union might well consider when sending a team on tour through the goldfieldp. Such an action would be certainly v.o -more than the- northern men deserve, and would assift in materially popularising the e,ame in that; part of ihe province. "For.'vth, Tempero, 'Al'Gee 'forwards), Gibb, M'Tntosh. and •, Holmes - '-^ were perhaps the pick of the visitors. i By their play on Saturday the second le.prosentativo team chosen by tho O.R.F.U. promise to give a good account of themselves during the oountry tour. Casey, at full foack, was not called upon often for an effort, but what he did do was performed so creditably as to confirm the opinion that he is a full-back of more than average merit. M»a*o "8M the mainstay of the backs, he

being quite at home in the mud. His fielding and kicking were of a high order. Sinclair also played up to his usual form. Of the forwards G. Smith was undoubtedly the best on the ground ; while Harris, Bond, j liowlatt, and Ronald lent him valuable help, j Mr A. Downes was referee, and, as usual, won the esteem of both teams, the Oamaru men expressing their pleasure at playing under hid direction. Messrs J. West and W. Mahone (members of the Otago Referees' Association) acted as touchline judges. Sutton being unable to accompany the team, W. Dey (Alhambra) takes his place.