BRUCE GAELIC ISSOCIATIOS'S SPORTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 42

BRUCE GAELIC ASSOCIATION'S SPORTS.

Owing to the unsettled weather and the late hour of starting, a number of the events on the programme of the above sports had to be cut out. The following concludes our report : —

Wrestling (list and under), Cumberland and Catch-as-catch-can. First 30s, second 15s. — Balloch, 6 ponts, 1 ; P. Casserly, 4 points, 2. Also wrestled P. Caiman, J. Casserley, and P. Keogh. Half-mile Handicap. First 203, 3econd 10s.— Rennick 1. No second prize. T. and D. Dodds also competed. Rennick won this race very easily. Step Dancing (Irish jig). First 20s.— J. Powley 1, 0. Murtagh 2. Both competitors gained equal points, and they " tossed" for the prize instead of dividing, with the above result.

Tug-of-war (Irish v. the World). Prize, big block of wood (? Woods's ale). — The Irishmen were the heaviest team, but lacked st.imina, and were pulled over the hue.

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Two teams of 12 mea each. Puze^: £5 ?nd Messrs Bri3coe and Co.'s. challenge cup, valued £5, to bo won twice fcuccossn ely to bscoine the property of any one team. Present holders, Milton team. — Dunedm team L. Clancy (captiin), M., P., and J. Casey, P. Bouikc, M. O'Connell, S. Mcuoit, P. M'Dermott, V. T . Ku-by, P. "MoLin, P. Hinds, and B. HeaVy. Milton team S. Calvey (captain), M. Dooloy, Scanlan, John and Julius Plover, P. Fox, P. and J. Coleman, H. Graham, J. Quirke, and J. Calvey. Referee, Mr P. Welch; time-keeper, Rev. Father O'Neill.

The game was played in two spells of 20 minutes each, about an hour between each spell. Milton won the toss, and elected to play with the wind. Once the game started the Dunedin forwards, or leaders, combined for a fine, and after some pretty dribbling (or its equivalent in hurling) threatened the Milton goal. Their backs, however, completely turned the scale, and Coleman, taking charge of the ball, dribbled it half way down the field, lost it, caught it up again, and secured the first goal — Milton 1, Dunedin 0. The game was very level for some tune, Clancy, well backed up, making some splendid rushes. At last O'Connell led on the wm^ and secured the first honours for the visitors — Milton 1, Dunedin 1. The Dunedin goal was then often in danger, but the veteran Bourke, who has played for 40 years, was too cunning, and was a safe goalkeeper. The attack was then if the hands of the visitors, and although Dooley did his best O'Connell once more placed the ball between the po3ts — Dunedin 2, Milton 1. Shortly after this, through Colernan'<3 mistake, there was a short lull. On lesuming J Powley shewed some brilliant diibbhng and following up, but the Dunedin men, who were well organised, beat them off until the time-kee^ei's =tentoiian voice was heard The 'rccid '-pell, which was not commenced until Lite in the afternoon, was not so brilliant a 3 the first, probably owing to the fact that a laige number of huilers had been wrestling and competing in othev events. Milton every now and ac;ai'i made brilliant rushes, and although the* Dunedin' s game was a defensive one, the visitors showed moie skill and combination than their opponents. There being no further score, Dunedin won by 2 points to 1, and have another chance of securing the challenge cup. Hearty cheers for both the winning and losing tcsms concluded a game which was, especially m the first spell, very interesting, and was played m excellent '•Dint and good humour. For the winners Clancy, O'Connell, J Casey, and Healey especially distinguished themselves, whilst Coleman, Dooley, Powley, and Calvey were the most prominent of the Milton team. Refereemg at hurling is harder work than at football, for the refeiee not only has his own particular work to do but has also to thiow m fiom both sides, and Mr "Welch throughout deserved the congratulations which were showered on him at the end of the game.

A few- months at>o (says the Kawakawa Luminary) one of our settlers had his third finger on the loft hand poisoned He proceeded to Auckland, and was admitted to the hospital. Then it was rumoured that he had his arm amputated and had died from the effects. His friends, whose accounts were not settled with, conscientiously believing this to be a fact, made straight to the homestead and seized what they thought would realise the debts which were owing. Later on the unfortunate settler arrived back from the hospital with the third finger amputated, looking quite well again,.