NOTES BY FULL BACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 52

NOTES BY FULL BACK.

'The Canterbury junior representative team 4.0 play the Otfego juniors on August 50 Heave Christchurch for Dunedin on August 28. Mr Scott accompanies the team a* manager. . Th« first rnterprovincial match of the seaeon is now history, and how the game was pfton and loet is widely known. The display given by the local fifteen was decidedly dis^ Srpointing; at no on© stage of the. play did ey rise to even a medium standard of cxcel'lence-. The team lacked the combination »nd dash of their opponents, who were playing * vigorous attacking game for the best part of the two 45min f.pell&. The Blue forwards were looked upon as the pride and strength of the Otago team, but their pride &nd strength were humbled in the turf, and although they were .^et down as the heavier combination, the Southland vanguard carried the scrums at will, and peeured the iball on the majority of occasions. No one 'save the loc-k man could tell who was putjting weight in the serums, hut from the •way the Southlrmders lifted and carried ball and players along in front of them, very 'few on the Otago side were pushing r pound. The feebleness of the Otago pTay ,vra» probably more noticable on the jine-out anywhere else. Time and" again they allowed tkeir opponents to break, through .iwrith the ball at their feet, making little or no attempt to bar their progress. Nor wa* l*he attack of the Blue forwards any better ,ihan their defence. When they should have com© away in a body with the* ball at toe. ;.*hey straggled' and strung out in ones and rtwo's — frequently only in ones. If two did ("happen to get a rush on, one almost •n variably got in the other's road. I "With the forwards beaten -ai every department of tho game, and the opposing stele "■crewing the scrum* and -securing the ball, jprhat could the backs do? The half back t dmsion, really the mainstay of the team, jivere kept defending for their very Hyps, and (the three-quarter backs, not brilliant at jbtest, accustomed to the heeliug-out process, unable to make any play for themselves. Much has been made out of the Weakness of the Otago three-quarters, but snore." should be said against the forwards, for when the vanguard is beaten, bucks, no ■natter how brilliant (and Otago's threp-quar-ittfr line cannot be accused of a great degree jof brilliancy), »re almost helpless. What ,Otago wanted on Saturday against Southland, and what the team will require on the northern tour, were a few forwards of the Gilrajr and Portecjus stamp — men ivho get fright off the mark and play the gam-e. vigorously to the call of time. Forwards who 'cannot carry their own weight are of no t iise. They must be hard and fast, and infuse plenty of dash into their play. Booth, at full back, had a good deal of iwork to do, and though playing a eaiegame, he was by no means brilliant. The threequarters (a mediocre lot at best) were handiicapped by the forwards failing to secure the ball in the scrums; but when the bnll did come their direction, they failed to make use of it, and were more or less in trouble all 'day. Baxter alone did what little came in ibis direction with any degree of club form, and even he seemed to grow careless towards the close of the game. The half back division — Duncan, Mmiro, *nd Knowles — saved an utter rout. These players were in the thick of th-e play all through a hard game, and were doing their own share of defence and that which ehould have been- spread" over eight forwards. Duncan was all over the field, doing the woik of half a dozen ordinary men, and certainly receiving the knocking about which should Save been shared by that number. His performance on Saturday clearly showed that he is far from finished with yet. He was the only player on the Blues' side who did any real following up. The forwards, as already stated, faikd to show wbat they wore dciijg in interprovincial company. Ghen, Adamscn. and Stewart were occasionally prominent in a forward rush, but it was of the one-man order, and was never effective. In view of the match against Canterbury at Cliristchurch, next Saturday tho Selection Committee should consider tlio advisability of including Roddick, Porteous, and Mat hew* - «on in place of three of the prcsont pack. Mr F. T. Evans, of Chiit-tchuich. will act as roferee in the Southland Wrllii-gtcm match at Hip Atbie-tic Park. WelVnpton, on September 3, and in the Ota-jo Wellington match on Saturday. Soptrmber 6 The committee of the New Zealand T\mrl>>XTnion has selected the Rpv C Cekridse Harper, of Palmcrston Nonii. to a< t a= referee in tho North v South I*lai:d mntcli, to be played on the Athletic Park, Welling ton. on 33th Rept^rr.bc-. Th'> Southland re-pir- nta".\e team U ft frr the nnril) by the i<\.p-n-- <'.i Mnmbv nu-u-in? The otFeiaK of the OH F V ami a largo nniibrr of football rnthuM >sts> a-- m bled at the- «tntiO'> and «a n tl-e> Sm.tl landers throe rmpmir ch^f r* s>« the train mc-vod off "Thr-H- chctrt? foi Otairo, wtii' giv^n in i<^p '" - p Phil. J.iro 1)*.1 )*. tho Southland ard >>'« /."a land rep thH-rr.-.^rtf"- back. i« only 2* year-. Of uge, Iwni '-wn in M.-irtrn iN-rth Jslaml) in 18"R and Wrn hi« football m Wnnynnui mi 1899 Jarob« pere* was a w.-il known foutbalW in h-e t'ay and neneiatn • > Iriving capUmeJ a Warganui Uvr:!. Two publuans in tho North I<-\i.id wore mulcted in tlir sum of £ 4 5^ each fc- ro fusing accommodation to Piham?, a native mombor of the Tar.inaki ro-i,-"S"ntati%c To. tball tpam.

Tno ox Otj?o rcpr"« 'tive footba'U r and Scottish International, Nolon Fell, has lucoegsiuUy fa-seed tb.* M.B. aud Clv 13. de~

' grees at the medical and surgical examinations held at Edinburgh. Another ex-Otago University player in P. H. Mules has also passed the MB. and Cb. B. degrees. The successful students are old Nelson College boys.

The Southland representative team do not play Canterbury on their way north, but proceed direct to Napier, playing their second match of the tour agir.st Hawke's Btt/ on Saturday next, August 30. Apropos of my rc-mark= two we*^ks ago re the adoption of white knickers by the Otago representative team, "Touchlino." in a Wellington paper, says : '"Full Back," ia advocating white pants for the Otago representative- team. From Wellington's experience, the adoption by Otago of this

change in the uniform will add considerably to the dressy appearance of the team, "and I hope my confrere' 6 suggestion will be adopted.

The following team has been selected to

represent Maniototo County in the matches to be played against a Dunedin team, and al=o against a Vincent County te-am :—Fullback, T. Read : three-quarters. R. Allison, Moran, Moore, M'K. Marshall ; five-eighth?, D. Marshall, J. Hore ; half, G. Smith; forward* — Joe Hore, Beatlie, M. Hanrahan, Muir, Hansen, P. Hanrahan, and R Ha-g; emergency, Halpip. The following playors have been selected

by Vincent County to play an Otago team in Dunedin, and also to play Maniototo County: — King, Campbell, Burnside, Meecham, Cameron, Cahill, Harming, Wrightson, Holden, Partridge, Thomas, Marslin, Morgan, Wheeler, Wat*on, and Crabbe. The Vincent County team will reach Dnn<»dm on Friday, Septeml>er 5. Th«.y will play a Dunedin team on Saturday, September 6, and will meet tlie Maniototo representative* on the following Monday.

Tho New South Wales Rugby Union has sent £50 for immediate diFtribution amongst the widows and orphans in need through the Kembla disaster. The Metropolitan T'mor.'s

donation of £50 is given to the fund iv Sydney.

Walingford Mendelson. whos^ death was reported from Durban, South Africa, the other day, wae an all-roy I stthiete. While he lived in Canterbury -.ibA Otago he toofa an active interest in all branches of athletics, particularly football, cricket, and field games. As a footballer, he played in the three- ' quarter !in*» of Canterbury's representative team in 1892 and 1893. At Cambridge University he gained his "blue." and did much for the j;?me in South Canterbury in later year*. Mondclson wan a first-class hurdler, but it was as a long-jumper that he was most famous, having rrnresented Cambridge University on more than one occasion, and in 1893 won the Long-jump Championship of New Zealand, creating a record. His death at the early ago of 29 will be severely felt by his many friends. " Offside Mac " tolli an experience he had the other day up Cai-terton way, during the progress of a scratch game amongst tlie local residents. Mac happened to be on the _ ground, and was tempted to kick the leather, j He entered the field in all the glory ©f a , white shirt and the usual wear of civilisa- j tion. After 10 minutes play he had lost his shirt, hopelessly burst his boote, broken ( his braces, scored a try, and, covered with j mud and gore and glory, left the scene, f looking like a disreputable sundowner. I A method of bringing the lxill into play , after it has gone into touch not generally , known by footballers in Dunedin, and eer- | tainly never practised, is by the player to . whose side the bail belongs throwing it cut so as to alight at right angles to the touch-lino, and there catching it himself, run or luck without waiting for his own or j the opposing side to come up. Frequently one see 6 a player up at the spot where the ball hag gone into touch waiting for some of Ins own side to come up. that he may throw the ball out t. thtm: or, again, he bounces the ball in t'.ie field of play at right angles to the tosich-line, but in doing =o forgets that he mu*.t have both feet in the field of play when taking tl.e baM This , latter method has been tried many times throughout the season, but seldom with succe^. If when a player finds that his own forwards are not up to the spot where the ball went our, and that he can make an opening, all he has to do is to throw tha Kill out at right angle* to the touch line lun in and catch it, and start the pla>. This plan was adopted with a dcqtve of success by the- Aucklandera in the match against Canterbury, and was indirectly the means of the northern team scoring two tries. Canterbury, profiting liy their ex- | pt-rience in Auckland, brought it off against | Wellington, but the effect was marred by the line umpire holding up his flag, think- j ing that the ball had not been brought | into play in the proper manner. When the referee heard the version he promptly j o\er-ruled the line umpire. The point ifc one- well worth considering by the Otago ( lepre-sentativee on tour, for of a surety Canterbury and Wellington will play it ] against them, and Otago may be left wait- , ing for the wh^tlo while a try is being , scored. ' I

Fred. Midlane. the ex Wc-11-Mjtton rep. cricketer now on the Australian side, writes "Touchhne" a newsy lcttter from >S\dney. He scuds kind roincmhraiK e» to all Wellington and New Zpaland footballers and cruki-ttri. Midlane i^ not playing the wmtor game, t'.e lole of spectator satisfying him th>« eca^on. A ie'.wd from outside tho touch hn<\ ln«- ipipro^sion? of Now South Wales forwards oomincp him that

thoy are not a p^rch mi the variety bred in New Zealand. "The much taiked-of New Smuli Wales back play.' Fieddy goes on to <->iv "is nothing marvciloiif I don't think too much of the four thico quarter name. It !•- all nijht foT the two centres, but the <<ne>- on the wiaig generally get cramped o l their respective touch line c Finley is I'' lying \rry v.ell tbi* t-eaion, especially in big i".a(rhi's. \\h<M'e ')(>• «.oem« to shine out head and =)ujuldf is :ilx)\f the other-. "Row is not olcivmg up to 'he foim he showed in \\ e-lliu<ton \\ iLKuam is playing well, hut fir an a'! lounil j!..'n o;i\e iii» Spragjf,

without doubt, *i

<>l Ijiioi n-la:ul. hi.'j. l-

l^ocd uni' The pi i c '-weLing o\or here in t;ood. M-ry giwd i > < ! e i < I ; and this is the only do-pai tui'.iit of the gsine, in mv opinion, wl e>e th"j i an give New Zealand a punt or tn'i." Dear Full Bi-ek,— Aftpr Southland* vietoiv over Otago lasi Satin dav, I tlunk it w .mid be ad\ i»ablp for the latter to change 'heir t^ain for the northern tour. Tlie ; rwent tean>, judging by the form slio<vn i/i Saturday, plaj mg ugan.Rt euliei Or.nter i >.iy or Wilhr.pion would be outt'at-si-d m „!1 departii'i:' of the gain". The ui»dk in ttvh v r'.r\\.i:d-ir '.r\\.i:d-i :- undoubtedly RonaKl, .v tie f. out r<iv. Tlu-> plavcr wa= included -.<lp'y f<T !:,- Iv^tins: power:, but the few " rtuiou= on which Oi.'ljo ol'fji.iipd posses-

"•ion in tho •.( nim» va> dn° f o SpioiF

thewson (de-pite the- fact that a daily paper 1 states tiut lie cau consider luiufieJl lucky.

in being selected as a reserve) ehouhd be included before the Kaikorai man. He is just as good a hooker, and plays wirh far more dash in the open. Otago wants more players of the dashing type, such as Porteous and Gilray. for their northern tour. I feel sure that had the two last named been included against Southland the result would have been different. [Improved the team. — Fuix Baok.J The three-quarter line can also do with improvement. Stalker has no de-fence whatever, and Bennet is very little better. Although Booth plays a fine game at full back, he should be put on the wing in place of Stalker, and Adams should play in the centre in place of Rennet This arrangement would prove beneficial, and also produce a fine defensive line, Baxter, Adams, and Booth being fine defensive player-3 and Fpleudid kicks. Altogether the pre«eut team i= very weak, and totally unfit for a haid defensive game — or, in fact, for any sort of game. Such player* as Adam-, Pcrtcous, and Matthewson being r^frve' to the present combination is absi and well-nigh incredible — Tottchlixe

[My correspondent i« not very wide of the mark. Ihe inclusion of Matthewson for Ronald in the front row would be an improvement, not so much by re-ason of the fact that the Kaikorai man did not hook the ball against Southland (for it must have> been a hard matter to stand en one leg and hook when the opposing Side were putting all their weight — and more — into the ecnun, while the Blues appeared to be =imply le aliing up agaiust it), but because besides being a hooker, Matthewson plays with a great deal of dash, and follows up in splendid style. This paper strongly advocated the inclusion of Adams and Gilra-y for the Southland match. — Ft'LL Back.]

During the recent tour of the Csiaterbuiy representative team M'Gregor, tho wm.j three-quarter back, scored in every match, and Morrey Wood won the toss in the <-ix matches played. Three records were obtained by the Red-and-black team by beating Wellington on their own ground for the first time in 26 years, drawing with Taranaki, which ha* beaten Cawterbury on every previous occasion, and by scoring more points against Wairarapa than any other team has eve-r done.

The Auckland Rugby football reps, played their third and last interprovincial match of the season on Saturday last, wires my Auckland correspondent, when they defeated Taranaki by 21 points to 3, bringing the total points scored in the three foreign matches played to 58 against the 11 points of the three opposing teams — Canterbury 3, Wellington 5, Taranaki 3. The Taranaki m«n were a pretty weighty lot, and willing; but not clever. Their forwards got on Game hard, determined forward rushes, but were outclassed in serum tactics and lineout work by the local men. who had matters pretty well their own way throughout the greater part of the second half; while their backs, though good stoppers and superior to Auckland in hne-kickint, did not seem very dangerous on the attack. The Selection Committee of +he O.R.F.U. met on Thursday, and selected the following players as reserves to make the northern tout with the Otago tsam • — Adirus, Hisiop, Rodclick, Porteous, and Matthewson.

Adams, the University three-quarter back, being unable to go north, the Match Committee of the O.R.F.U. have picked M. Casey (Southern) to fill his place in the Otago touring team.

A Hawera telegram says: — The- Wanga-nui-Taranaki football match, played at Hawera. was won by Taranaki by 2 1 points to nil. Six tries were scored, three of them being converted. Wamganui was at the> mercy of Taranaki in the second spell. A Wauganui telegram states that the football match Wanganui Collegiate, School v. Christchurch Gollea(& was won by Wanganui by 25 points to nil. Ihe weather was wet and the ball grea.sy.

The Wanganni representative team defeated Rangitikei at Marton by 9 point« to nil.

ASSOCIATION NOTES Bt Sockerist.

The five aside tournament was brought to a conclusion last Saturday, when Wakuri No. 4- averted their superiority, and thus won the junior contest from Unity No. 1. Mr J. J. Roberts, the sole selector of the Wellington re-p. team, journeys to Dunedin in the capacity of manager. His selection of the northern team has met with general approval, and if all those member B selected can undertake the tour, Utago mil lia\e a very hard team to beat.

Morrison, ex-Otago rep , fills the position of mniT left wing forward, iv company with Hathaway, on the- extreme. The latter mu=t be con u id^red a. formidable opponent whc?n ho can displace Morrison on the left wing.

The Otago team will not be made known until S.uurday night. The selectors have a hard task in front of them choosing the team.

It is with extreme regret that I have to chronicle tho fact that tie ever-popular

"Monty" Chadwic has played Ins last gajuo this season through tho accident lie received in tho five-aside tournajnent two Saturdays ago. That Otago has suffered a se-.oro blow vi hib lose is acknowledged on all side*. It mubt be admitted tli.tt lv» place in this year's reps, cannot be< filled by anyone approaching Chadwick's calibre. Both Wei lington and Auckland have reason U> know of the prowess of one who must be dubbed Otago't, champion forward. CJhadwick has represented this province on no le»s than three occasions. Those who have played with and against him acknowledge that a moie woithy opponent could not be found — a thorough sport, and a '"white" man. I voice the sentiments of a large circle of admireis who wish "Monty' a speedy recovery.

Arrangements are being mado by the Wellington team to play a match in Christchurch on the Tuofday following the OtagoWellingion rnalch. With the enthusiasm shown in the game by the recontly-fornicd Seottith Society in ChristcLurch, there seems to bo no doubt that a fair))- good team could bo formed. It i« to bo «m< eroly hoped that tlie venture will prove a foundation to our bfluved pastime in the Cathedral City. Locally, a great deal of interest will be taken iv the contest.

"Half Back" forwards the names of an. Otago team which he thinks cannot be betteiu.l. He placea the- team:— Haynes (goal), Dobscn, Sparrow (full backs), Middlema&s, D. M'MilUn, Kilgour (half backs), Irvine, (i. M'Millan, Siedeberg, Robertson, Brown (foruaids). My correspondent says he will bo disappointed if Robertson is not selected.

"Ceut.-e Forward," in Free Lance, criti-<i«<-s the Wellington representative team aa follows : —

The back division of the team is strong enough to withstand the most determined atUttk* Jli SU4 SiuUietfi 9X22^^l and this ie*r t

tLere seems to b"e a plethora of good players m that most important division. The halves should give a good account of themselves.

Fitzgerald, m goal, will be called upon to do a great deal, and from his Cup performances snd his representative experience of last year, coupled with that redeeming feature, coolness, which should be found in every goalkeeper, his defence of tho uprights will be worth ye tching.

White (right full ba<:k) had no opponent of any merit in this position. His play during recent Cup fixtures entitled him to consideration iv the selection. He clears well and neatly, and is a fairly strong kick.

Rer.ai (right lialf) is one of the best and most promising half backs in Wellington. His style of pay is pretty and effective, and he is a fairly food shot. He is persistent on the attack, and is a "snag" on the defence.

Xagle (centre liplf) uses great tact and judgment in his play, and is hard to elude by a dribbling opponent. He passes the ball well to his forwards, ard is a fairly strong kick. Tnylor (left half). — For this position I gave Reynolds preference, and still adhere to my oDiiuon. Taylor did not come anywhere near his previous form on Saturday, and may, now h? is selected, get ofi colour m Dunedin, and upset the calculations we are reckoning on. our helves to do.

Brodie centre forward). — -For this very important position the candidates were few. Asbury, who m»y have been reckoned on to work well with v. good set of forwards, is at present, I am led to believe, m Auckland. Philips, it may bo said, is the only opponent Brodie had, and, owiilg to tho very indifferent style of play of Philips, the lot fell to Brcdie, who certainly deserved recognition alter last Saturday's exposition. Wells <cuts:de right).— Tlie filling of this position could not bs bettered. Froser, the other applicant, is faft losing his old form, though still playing' somo very good games. "Wells's play is very consistent. He gave a good acccunt of himself at Auckland last year. A repetition of his last year's form is expected from him.

Smelhe (inside right). — A pretty p!ayer when in going order, and ussb his head with gTeat advantage. He is also consistent, and works wcli when the gam? is at it 3 height. Hathaway (outside riaht) — One of the best fcrvvaTds wo have in Wellington at the present time. Centres well, and is a stiff shot.

Morrison (inside left). — Although made for an outside man, he must give way to Hathaway as tho outside man. If not, ha must bo excluded from the team ; but their wing should give any amount of trouble to the Otago ught hall.

Frank Doherty, the hero of the "charity" final, has already got into harness in the Empire City. Playing for Swifts against Quoen's Park last Saturday, in which the former won by 5 goals to nil, he waa responsible for two goals. Doherty played inside right.

The North-East Valley School team have played nine mate-lies, won 6, "drawn 2, lost 1, which gives them 14- points, and places them second on the list.

The following school teams have been awarded their matches by default: — Kailoorai defeated George' Street, Mornington defeated Union Street, Wa'-ari defeated Forbury Road, Kensington defeated Albany Street/ Nortli-East Valley defeated Christian Brothers. Green Island defeated High Street by 5 goals to nil. Spectators at the five-aside, tournament^ on Saturday were much disappointed with Unity's display in the final. This plucky little team's performance during 'the whole tourney was of a .very high standard, and easily surpassed all others? 'but when- it .came to the crucial point, they were found wanting. Although in the opinion of jnost onlookers Unity was tho better team, Wakari ceitamly deserved their win, in the final. They played a very stubborn game, and fan-lv wore the Light Blues down. Seniors had an opportunity on Saturday of forming an idea of the prowess on the fic'id of the junior players, and judging from the form shown by a large number of them, tho Association Efamo bids fair to maintain its prcent high standard for a number of years to come. The Selection Committee would have found their task a vory difficult one had they had to choose a representative team on the form displayed in last Saturday's trial match. The game could not be taken a.s a fair cvito-rion. as the ground, situated on a slope up it it>, became so grensy that it was almost impossible for the players to keep their feet and kick tho ball with any degree of certainty. 1 should like to see next Saturday'^ trial played on the Asylum Ground. Although Haj-nes let three out of the four goals M-oied through, hi? display, considering the greasy nature of both ground and ball, was a very creditable one. Two of the proa Is were got from scrambles in front of goal, while the third camo from tke head of S. Brown, who just happened to be in the right place to receive the ball on Hayiies fistmg out a hard shot by Sicdcberg.

Sparrow's display was disappointing in the second spell, probably to be accounted for by tho absence of buttons from his boot 5 , and unless he shows considerable- improvement next trial ins chances of inclusion in tlie team will bo materially lessened

Wet ball and greasy ground made not much difference to Dob&on, whose excellent kicking and tkilfnl footwoik were up to his usual standard. D. M'Millan, at centre half, was also in great form, and displayed his usual judgment in placing the ball to his forwards, while his heading was as good as ever it was. Kilgour, at right half, had a lot of work to do in holding Robertson and Moreland in check, and manfully kept his end up right through the game. He's a rattling kick and can got his kick in where any other man would never dream of attempting one.

G. MiddlCmogs played left half for the Blues, and showed that he is still one of the most reliable backs hereabouts. He's a regular draught horse for hard work, and it's almost impossible for an opposing wing to get the ball past him, while he exercises conHiderable judgment in placing. Siedeberg played a hard game at centre forward for Blues.and put in several rattling bhots. On Saturday he neglected his left wing somewhat, and in the second spell especially was apt to get too far out towards his right wing. Ferguson, of Kaitangata fame, playing inside right, is a splendid shot, »nd is not afraid of hard work. On Saturday he waa rather inclined to run his wingman too close to the hue before passing, leaving him no room to work. S. Brown, on the right wing, has been seen to greater advantage. His centring was decidedly weak on Saturday, but tli ia was mainly due to the adverse climatic conditions already mentioned. G. M'Millan, at inside /eft, played the best forward game for the Blues, his passing being clean and sure, and his shooting hard and straight. Irvine was out of his place on the loft wing, but nevertheless gave a fairly good exhibition of wing play. He had few chancoß in the second spell, but managed to £ut iv aevcraj yjrjr good fltttttth

The Colours' forwards had no ohanc* against the Blues' backs, and their combination was considerably weakened when R. Brown was forced to retire. Hilford, in the centre, and Robertson At inside left, were the most conspicuous The three half backs, Adams in the centre, Gilroy on the right, and Nagle on the left, played veiy well indeed, and gave a very good account of themselves against the Blues' vanguard. Ashton played a really good game at left full back. He tackled and kicked quite in hia old style, and opened the ©yes of one or two who considered he'd had his day. M'Nair, at right back, had a fairly strong wing to deal with, but managed to hold up his end. and got his side out of several corners with hia fine kicking. Murray had practically - nothing to do in the first spoil, but in the second spell, against the Blues' forwards, he had to keep continually on tho alort. He hadn't many actual shots to stop, but those that came his way he negotiated aafely, with the exception of the- one the goal was scored from. The following Ikh been sent to me as a, possible team: — Goal. Haynes; backs, Dobeon and Ashton : halves, Kilgour, Middlemass. Gilroy, or Kearney ; forward* — G. M'Millan, Ferguson, D. M'Millan, Siedeberg, S. Brown.

CANTERBURY v. OTAGO. The following is the team choseft to represent Canterbury aprainat Otago:— S. Turtill, D. M'Gregor, E. Harper, E. Rice. M.' Wood (captain), G. Ormandy. P. Harvey, W. Duggan, Mahoney, B. Fanning, R. Cooke. W. Drake, T. Cross, A. Bninsdeu, and G. Mathews.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE TEAM.

The following players have been picked to represent Otago against Canterbury in the junior representative match next Saturday:—Full back, Smcaton (Taieri Rover 3 ); three-quarter backs — Murdoch (Taieri Rovers), Stuart (Alhambra), Little (Ra.venßbourne); five-eighths— Saunders (Pirates), Choo Quee (Alhambra) ; scrum half, Anderson (Taieri Rovere) ; forw ards — M 'Donald (Taieri Rovers), M'Culloch (Alhambra). Patterson (Zingari-Riohmond), Stuart (Alhambra), Sayers (Alhambra), Fraser (Kaikorai), Abrim (Alhambra), Low (Ravensbourne). Emergencies : Back, Jaeloon (Kaikorai) ; forwards— Watt (Zingari-Riclrmond), Johnston (Alhambra). The above players are requested to meet at the Agricultural Hall on Monday and Thursday evenings at 7.30.

OTAGO RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION.

The weekly meeting of the committee, held on Monday, was attended by Messrs Hutchison (president), Campbell, Macdonald, Macassey, Harris, Priest, Duncan, Wilkinson, Munro, Rosa, and Smith. It was resolved to refund the sum of £5 to James T. Gibson, being the amount of his deposit towards the expenses of the 1887 team. The following resolution was passed with reference to the death of Mr J. P. Maitland^— "The committee records its sincere regret at the death of Mr J. P. Maitland, .who was president of the Otago Rugby Football Union for the first cix year 3 of 'its existence, and who placed it tinder a heavy debt of gratitude by the generous devotion of time and counsel to the service of the \mion."

It was resolved to hold sevcn-a-«ide tourn?ment» for junior and senior players on September 26 and 27.

SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOL v. OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL.

Encouraged by their success last season over a second fifteen of the local High School, whom they defeated by 11 points to ml, the Southland High School Fifteen decided this year to meet foetnen more worthy of their steel, and accordingly flung down the gauntlet to the Otago High School's senior fifteen. The match took place on the Caiisbrook Ground on Friday afternoon in the presence of a mere handful of spectators. The 'turf was in excellent order, and a fast and open game was anticipated. The realisation of the fast and open game was, however, on one side only. The local fifteen-, who had the advantage of weight, combinzi'tiou. and experience, outclassed the Southland boys in every department of the game, and inflicted a defeat of 43 points to nil. In the first spell, although the Otago School, boys put up 13 points, the play was fairly even, and the tackling of the Southlanders came in for special conimrndation. On changing, ends, however, they were quickly placed on the defensive, but their efforts in. the earlier stages of the game seemed to have greatly exhausted them, for their tackling was not characterised by any degree of doadliness, the local boys breaking over time and again, and scoring 30 points in the second =p?ll. Gilray and A. C. Thomson, the latter of whom captained the local team, were tlio heroes of tho match, the former scoring five tries and thp latter, beside^ scoring throe tries in succession, landed throe goal 3. No small feature of the game was the admirable way in which de Lantour. the midget serum lialf of the local fifteen, handled the ball and passed out to his backs, and the large number of trios stored was in ji grsafc measure due to the little fellow's judgment and olovprness. The forwards on the High School side played vigorously, but standing out more prominently than their feJlowa were Paterson and Fletcher. The Southland boys had taken on a bigfijer contract than they anticipated. Nevertheless, they played pluckily to tbe -end, while try after try wa? being recorded against them. George, the full back, had a lot of work to do, nnd came out with a good deal of credit. Acheson and Delargey were the pick of the three-quartcra, and Taylor showed to most advantage as a half back. The forwards foupht desperately an uphill game, and are to be congratulated on their showing in Jueh an unequal contest. Mr D. Cameron held the whistle, and gave general satisfaction.

Mohaffey, who captained the Southland schoolboys, won the toss, and the local fifteen kicked off, with the sun in their eyes. Bad passing by Otago boys let Southland away, but A. C. Thomson quicldy brought the play up to within a few yards of the Southland line. De Lautouv secured! the ball and passed out to T. B. Thomson, who sent a long pass to Gilray, the school wing three-quarter dashing over tlie lino and scoring the first try for the local team. A. C. Thomson took the kick and landed; a fine goal After the kick-off the Southland forwards worked the play to the local-twenty-five flag, but a trio of Otago forwards dribbled it back right up to the Southland line, where de Lautour again, secured the ball, passed out to T. B. Thornsoj^ vyliu raced over and. sowed the «9«0b4

try. Hay toot the luck and added the major points. Otago High School, 10 points; Southland High Sohool, nil. Good play by Delargey and Lindsay followed the kick-off, and play was taken to Otago quarters, but a trio of Blues came to the rescue •nd dribbled up to Southland's twenty-five, where Hay snapped up the ball and raced over the line. The kick at goal wag charged down. Otago High School, 13 points; Southland High School, nil. Shortly after resuming play Aoheson made a splendid run on behalf of Southland from his own twentyfive to within a few yards of the Otago line, •where a certain score was lost through Lindsay failing to take the pass. Continuing the attack Southland compelled Otago to force down. Nothing of interest occurred after the drop out, the whistle sounding for half-time with the play in midfield. On changing ends Mehaffey kicked-off for Southland, Hay returning with a good kick to centre. The Otago forwards, headed by A. C. Thomson, invaded Southland's twenty-five, and trouble commenced for the visitors. Gilray securing a good pass from Borrie dashed over the line. Hay made a good attempt from a difficult angle, the ball going wide. Otago 16 points. Southland nil. An interchange of kicks amongst the back 9 saw Gilray again with tho bail and racing <lown the touch-line. Reaching the full back <lilray dodged, and scored behind the posts. Hay was successful with the kicb. Otago 21 points, Southland nil. Play had but ■ started again when Gilray secured the ball _ 4 third time and dashed over, George, the Southland full back, making a, good attempt to collar him, but the local High School boy, who possesses the Mine dash as his elder brother, bowled the full back over and scored. Hay failed with the kick. Otago 2A point?, Southland nil. Taylor was in- . strumental in taking the ball into Otago's territory by a good kick, but Gilray shifted the play with a good "run to the visitors' line. From a serum de Lautour secured the ball, and, beating his opponents, scored a try. A. C. Thomson kicked a good goa l Otago 29 points, Southland nil. Good passing by de Lautour, T. B. Thomson, and Borrie after the kick-out let Gilray oway for another try. Taking the kick) himself, the ball just grazed the posts. Otago 32 points. Southland nil. At this stage the Southland schoolboys were feeling the effects of the protracted struggle, and could not keep out th© strong opposition, A. C. Thomson scoring three tries in rapid succession. From the first try he kicked a goal, bringing 37 points up. Gilray had the seoond attempt, but the ball went wide, and for the third A. C. Thomson took the kick, the ball striking the upright and bounding into the field of play. Nothing of interest occurred after this, and the whistle sounded for time •with tho play in naidfield, leaving the Otago High School winners by 43 points to nil.