NOTES ON SATURDAY'S PLAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 52

NOTES ON SATURDAY'S PLAY.

The Kaikorai team found formidable opponents in the Dunedin combination on Saturday. The Dark Blues made strenuous efforts to keep the game amongst the forwards, and in large measure succeeded. The result was that the spectators were treated an ring the first spell to a fierco scramble between the opposing forwards, which took the form of a series of tight scrummages, mostly in the Dunedin territory. The Colours did their best to get the bail out, but for once found their match, and were beaten by the vigour and dash of their opponents. In the second spell they succeeded better, and then the weakness of the Kaikorai combi nation became painfully apparent. The backs, instead of making use of their, chances when tho ball came their way, handled it in a manner scarcely worthy of a second fifteen. On the other hand, the Dunedin tacklingwas effective, and went a long way towards spoiling the openings made by Duncan. Infringements were frequent all the way through, both sides being equally to blame, and Referee Priest had no light task. Churchill was the most prominent of tho Dunodin forwards, and played a great game; but every man in the pack did his share, and, looked at from a purely defensive point of view, their performance was a decidedly good one. Don and B. Wat?on were about the pick of the backs. Tho Blues' forward lacked combination, and Adamson was one of the best, playing, as he usually does, a hard game from start to finish. Duncan and Sinclair held the backs together as far as it was possible to do so, and Smith, the ex-Naseby player, when he learns a little more about the game, will beone of the best in the team.

The score in the match between the Southern and Zingari-Richmond was fairly indicative of the relative merits of the two teams. The Southern forwards played splendidly, and to them is chiefly due the honour of winning the match. In the matter of weight they had a decided advantage over their opponents, and consequently they had almost complete control in the scrums, getting the ball out to their backs nearly every time, and also pushing the ZingariRichmond all over the field. The ZingariRichmond were handicapped on account of tho absence of Spiers, one of their frontrow men, and J. Caradus. As regards following up and dribbling rushes, tho forwards on both sides put in some very good work at times, but the Southern had a little better combination than the Zingari-Rich-mond, and consequently their efforts were more sustained. The Southern backs had infinitely more chances than thoso on the other side, and though, thpy made good use of the ball the Zingari-Richmond showed up to rather better advantage, and if the latter team's forwards could have given their backa a few more opportunities a score would in all probability have been registered against the winners.

Clark, the Southern full back, was not pressed much, but he got through his work very well. Chambers was about the best of the three-quarters, but Harley and Bennet put in a lot of good work, the speed of the last-named enabling him to be very serviceable at times. Casey, at five-eighths, was, as usual, a tower of strength to his side, and his play all through was of a very high order. The forwards, one and all, played hard from start to finish— Taylor, Leyden, Casey, and Goodman being the most prominent. Thompson, the Zingari-Richmond full back, made no mistakes and did all that could be expected of him. The wins: threa-

quarters suffered from lack of opportunities, and did not therefore appear at their best. Pißh, in the centre, however, played very ■well, being undoubtedly the best back on his side. He made good use of his speed, and. also extricated his side from several difficulties. He is really a wing threequarter, however, and were he put in his proper place would no doubt acquit himself still more creditably. The halves all played •well, but Bolt was rather better than Collie and Anderson. Of the forwards the most prominent were Abbott, Stewart, and Caradus. Mr A. Downes had control of the game, and his decisions left no room for adverse criticism. . Only a handful of spectators witnessed the uninteresting contest between the Alhambra and the Union on the Bi.'hopscourt Ground. The gamo was practically without merit from beginning to end, and towards the close, when the valley was extremely cold, the majority of the spectators went away, and very few waiteel to see the end. The Alhambra were much heavier than their opponents, and carried everything before them. Once or twice the winners put in some excellent passing runs. Knowles stood out of the Alhambra, and his place as scrum halfback was taken by J. King.' At halftime M'Kay, of the Alhambra, had to retire, the vacancy being filled by Given, Easton taking the latter's place among the forwards. King, Johnston, Bennet, Connell, and Abrim were conspicuous on the side of the- victors ,and Clarke, Rowlatt, Sullivan, Munro, Green, and Duthie worei the most active in an uphill fight for the , Union; Mr W. Wilkinson gave every satisfaction as referee. The feature of the match Pirates v. University at Tahuna Park was its uninteresting nature. Both teame gave a poor exhibition of football, for which the lumpy state of the ground was by no means wholly responsible. The teams were evenly matched, a slight superiority in the Pirates' vanguard being counteracted by a slight superiority in the 'Varsity back team. The display by the backs of both teams was, however, indifferent, and passing either conspicuously absent or of the poorest description. On both sides the scrum halves hung tenaciously to the ball. 'Varsity's following up was the better, but the team were minus the valuable assistance of Hunter behind the ecrum, and the back team was utterly •without combination. Adam* at centre, did a lot of useful work, and Fairclough and O'Kano were also conspicuous. The forwards worked well together, and seem a good lot. Hislop was a tower of strength behind the Pirates' scrum, and was ably BPconded by Saundere. The full back (Miller) was very safe. The forwards, to •whom the game wae chiefly confined, all worked hard. Mr J. Alexander's decisions as referee gave every satisfaction. CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. CHRISTCHURCH, May 5. The Canterbury Rugby Union is writing to Dun*din and Invercargill suggesting that rc-presentaitive matches be played before the New Zealand team visits Australia. The union suggests Empire Day as a suitable date for the South Canterbury mat(?h at Temuka, and ie eommun.ica-ting with Auckland in the hope of arranging for a Sa-tur- - day gamo in Chrbtchurch when the Auckland team is on tour. The delegates decided that not more than £1 per week be paid to disabled players. The delegates' fees were reduced from 10a 6d to ss. FOOTBALLERS' ACCIDENT RESERVE FUND. At a meeting of the Committee of the* Footballers' Accident Reserve Fund, held on tho 6th inst., it was decided to strictly adhere to the regulations. It was also decided that no claim would be recog"'6ed if arising after July 1, unless the club subscription of the applicant for the current eeason was paid on or before that date. It waii further decided that the secretaries of elub3 must forward to the hon. secretary of the fund, by July 4, a list of the financial members participating in the fund. From the above any member covered under the fund will see that his club subscription must be paid before July 1. If any accident should befall him after that date and his club subscription be not paid he will, in consequence of not being financial, forfeit his claim upon the fund. OTAGO RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION. The weekly meeting of the committee was held on Monday; present — Mr J. Hutchison (president), Dr Hunter, Messrs Wilkinson, Munro, Cameron, MLaren, Priest, Macassey, Campbell, Ross, Harris, Cavanagh, Hanlon,, and Smith. The. sum of £5 was voted to the Referees' Association for expenses. A letter was received from the Canterbury Union asking for the views of the committee re playing this season's representative match before the New Zealand team leaves for Australia. The secretary was instructed to reply that the Otago Union would prefer to play the match after the return of the team from Australia. It was resolved, in accordance with the reqvest of tho Schools' Football Union, to approach tho Canterbury Rugby Union with a view to the inauguration of interprovincial school matches between Canterbury and Otago, the first match to be played this year at Christchurch. The High School Club notified that their B team would ba unable to fulfil their Third Grade fixtures for May 9, 16, and 23. The following ruling wn3 received from the •secretary of the English Union through the New Zealand Union: — "My committee is of opinion that the player is not permitted to run into the field after the ball and play it before it has been properly bounczd or another player has touched it." OTAGO UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL CLUB. The annual meeting of the Otago University Football Club was held on the 6th. About 40 persons were present. Dr Black ocoupied the chair. The report was unanimously adopted on the motion of Mr Friedlander. The Chairman, in the course of a few remarks, expressed his pleasure at having been associated with the club as president during the last seven years, and intimated his intention of not standing ag-ain for the office. He expressed the hope that an •inter-faculty match would be arranged, and the names of the winners enrolled. The election of office-bearers wa3 then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: — President, Dr Maepherson ; vice-presidents — Professors Gilray, Gibbons, Park, Drs Black, Brown, Bamebt, Soott, Shand, Marshall, Sale, Hotop, S. Allen, M'Ara, Messrs Pearce, Gregg, Orbell, and Uttley ; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. H. Ulrich ; assistant secretary, Mr 0. A. Friedlander : com-

mittee I—Slessra1 — Slessra A. Adams, Gi-bson, Hunter, Buck, Shand, Crawford ; Match Committee —Captain and deputy captain and Mr Hunter; delegates to the O.R.F.U.— Messrs G. H. Ulrich anel A. A. Adams; delegate to the Athletic Prote-ction Association, Mr G. H. Ulrich ; auditor, Mr F. H. Campbell. The Secretary reporteel with reference to the proposed match between teams representing Sydney universities and New Zealand universities. Mr Buck also reported on the matter, and from their ' remarks it appeared that there is no possibility of the match eventuating this year. A vote of thanks to Dr Black for the services he had rendered while occupying the position of president during the past seven yeans was carried with acclamation. Dr Black briefly acknowledged the vote, and the meeting then closed. THE NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. WELLINGTON, May ?. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met to-night. The removals of disqualifications Irom players by tho Auckland and Wanganui Unions were endorsed. The Nelson Union's application for the removal of disqualifications from two players was refused. The following were appointed to pick the New Zealand representative team for the New South Wales and Queensland tour : Messrs F. Murray (Auckland), G. C. Fache (Wellington), F. T. Evans (Christchurch), and the sole selector to be next week appointed by the Otago Rugby Union. The selectors are to meet (in Wellington) not later than the 20th of June to pick the team, which will leave for Australia on the 11th of July. This team io to play a match in Wellington on the same day that they depart for Sydney. It was decided to suggest to the New South Wales Union that the last match of the tour be> played at Sydney on Tuesday, August 18, the team to leave for home from Sydney, via Auckland, on Wednesday, August 19. It was unanimously resolved that the North v. South Island match be played at Auckland on Weelnesday, August 26, the teams to be selected by the aforesaid selectors for their respective islands. Mr A. C Norris was unanimously elected to be manager of the New Zealand team on its tour cf Australia. A sub-committee collecting of Messrs Fache and Dixon was appointed to revise- the by-laws of the union and report to the committee before the end of July. SENIOR GRADE— RUGBY. Kaikorai v. Duxedin. The followers of the Rugby game on Saturday ovidently looked to the KaikoraiDunedin match to afford the chief football attraction of the afternoon, for they turned up in fairly large numbers at the Caledonian Ground. The turf was in excellent order, and there was every reason to anticipate a good game from a spectator's point of view. Events, however, turned out otherwise, and the match wa= a dreary one to watch, and examples of clever open play were few and far between. The Dunedin, playing with the wind, were on the defensive for the greater part of the first spell. The game was largely confined to the forwards, and a succession of tight indecisive scrummages followed the kick-off. Apparently tho tactics of the Dunedin were to make the game as tight as possible, and their strong forward combination prevented the Kaikorai pack from getting the ball oftencr than about once" out of every four scrums. Shortly after starting the Kaikorai got a gooel chance to score from a penalty kick, but Wilkinson, who was given the kick, made a poor attempt. Once Booth and Baxter relieved the monotony by breaking away with a run that covered half the ground, and just before half-time Teesdale made a great run that shifted play from his own twenty-five to near the Kaikorai line. When the bell went at half-time neither side hael scored. On crossing over, the Kaikorai, with the wind behind them, fared better, and held their own in the scrums. The ball came out oftener, but was very badly handled, and two or three chances to score were lost. Several shots at goal from marks and free kicks gave each side opportunities in turn, but in no case was any advantage gained, the place-kicking being sadly at fault. The Dunedin were perilously near the Kaikorai line on one occasion, when but for a forward pass a certain try would have been scored clo?e to the corner flag. The ball was brought back, and, after some hardfought scrums within a few yards of the line, the Colours worked their way down the the field out of danger. On the other hand, the Kaikorai repeatedly assailed their opponents' goal line, and on several occasions wnre almost scoring. Four or five times the Dunedin sought refuge in a force, but their splendid defence was impregnable, and the game ended in a draw : Kaikorai ... ... Nil. Dunodin ... ... Nil. SoUTriteUN V. ZIXG.VEI-RICUMOKD. The match .between tho Southern and the Zingari-Richmond was played at Carishrook on Saturday under favourable condition.x, the weather beinp: excellent and the ground in good order. The Southern won tho toss, and defended tho pavilion end for the first half of the game. Almost immediately after starting tho Zingari-Richmond became aggressive, and, mainly through the instrumentality of Bolt, who put in a very Hood kiok. the baW was taken over the Southern line ; but a force down was the only result. The Southern then worked their way clown past their opponents' twenty-five, where they were awarded a free kick. The ball was placed for Casey, but nothing came of the kick. For the next quarter of an hour the Southern had a good deal tho best of the game, and the Zingari-Richmond had their hands fluite full at times in keeping their line clear. The Southern were not to bo denied, howover, and, after a numbsr of scrums close to the Zintrari-Richinond line, Casey clashed over near the posts, scoring what proved to be tho only try of the match. Bonnet took the kick, and converted without any difficulty. In the latter part of the spell the Zingari-Richmond got the ball out to their backs much better than previously, and the game was a good deal livelier. Shortly before half-time the Southern were penalised near the halfway, and Caradus made a very good, though ineffectual, attempt to kick a goal, the ball going a few feet outside the post. The Southern then broke away, and took the ball right down to their opponents' line, but Abbott, by a good run, immediately shifted play to the Southern end of the field. The Southern, however, set up another attack, and before half-time they "were awarded a free kick outside the Ziugari-Richmond twenty-five. Goodman had a shot at goal, but nothing came of it, ! though Bennet, by fast following up, placed the Zingari-Richmond in a tight corner.

On resuming after half-time the game was fairly oven for a quarter of an hour, but from this until halfway through the spell the Zingari-Richmond were attacking. The Southern forwarels eventually broke away with an excellent dribbling rush, anel took the ball from their own twenty-five over the Zingari-Richmond line ; but a force down was the only outcome. Towards the end of the gamo pay became very fast, and the ball travelled up and down the field very rapidly, first one side and then the other being placed on the defensive, though the Zingari-Rich-mond had a little the better of tho exchanges. About five minutes before time was called, Clark, the Southern full back, twisted his ankle in stopping a rush of Zingari-Richmond forwards, and had to retire. Nothing further of moment occurred, and when the whistle was blown for time the score was : Southern ... 5 points. ZingariRichmond Nil. PIKATES V. UxiVEKSirV. The above teams met at Tahuna Park on Saturday afternoon before a sprinkling of spectators. The first spell was of a most uninteresting nature. Pirates won the to»i, and had the assistance of the wind. They had rather the better of the spell, and forceel their opponents down once, while two place kicks at 'Varsity's goal, luckily for the "Blues, proved resultleas. During the spell neither side was particularly near scoring at any iiaie. On changing over both teams played with more dash, and the- game became more interesting. The Blues more than held their own, and kept ho Pirates mainly on the defensive. 'Varsity, on resumption of play, attacked vigorously, and Blackie nearly got over. Fairclough ('Varsity) was next conspicuous for a pretty pot at goal that just went outside the post. From a mark by Thomson, Adams had a shot at goal, but without success. From a free kick award the same player shortly afterwards made another excellent but unsuccessful attempt to pilot the ball over the bar. Aelams was next conspicuous for a fine run into the Blacks' twenty-five, and after that the Pirates were twice forced down. The Blacks' then once more invaded 'Varsity's territory, and looked like scoring, but the defence was sound, and the ball came back to midfield. where tho game ended as under : Pirates Nil. University ... Nil. ALHAMIiKA V. UXIO.W The match between the Alhambra and the Union was played on the Bishopscourt Ground. In the first spell the play was fairly even for 25 minutes. M'Kay scored first blood for Alhambra by scoring a try after the ball had gone through several hands. Jeffs, of the Union, secured a mark in a good position, and Munro, making an excellent kick, safely piloteel the ball bet; sen the costs. Thereafter the game was greatly in favour of the Red-and-blacks, fotir tries being scored before half-time. M'Kay got two, Heenan one, and Abrim one, but the efforts of M'Kay and Bennet to place goals were unsuccessful. At the end of che first 6pell the score was : Alhambra, 12 points ; Union, 4 points. In the second spell the bulk of the play was in tho Union ground, and Alhambra scored four more tries. Connell, Johnston, W. Dey, and Given got over the line, and Bennet was Fiieer*?sful with the three kicks entrusted to him, Dey failing with the other. This brought the Alhambra ecore up to 30 points, and as the remainder of the play was uneventful the game ended : Alhambra... 30 points Union ... 4 points SECOND GRADE. The Zingari-Richmond met and defeated Ravensbourne at Mohtecillo by 3 points to nil, W. Wilson scoring. Kaikorai defeated the University at Tahuna Park by 6 points to 4. For Kaikorai Smith scored a try and Jackson kicked a penalty goal. Parata, for University, potted a goal. The Southern met the West Taieri at Outram, anel after a very fast and exciting game defeated them by 12 points to nil. Tho score was made up of a penalty coal by Bailey, a try by Scott (converted by Bailey), and Eckhold a potted goal. Mr F. Harris was referee. The Southern speak highly of the hospitality shown by the West Taieri, they having conveyances to meet the visitors at Mosgiel to take them to and from the match, and also providing them with dinner after the game, and in even way making the Southern's trip enjoyable. The Southern take this opportunity of tendering their thanks to the West Taieri Club. The Pirates journeyeel to Green Island and suffered defeat from the local club by 3 points to nil. A. Donaldron scored a splendid try for Green Island. Donaldson (2), King, and Sloan played well for the Greens, a? did Pryde and Wyinks for the Pirates. The Dunedin and Union match was played on the North Ground in a most friendly Bnirit and uneler favourable circumstances. About halfway through tho first spell an opening offpred itself, and Morrison (Dunedin) securing the leather scored the ' first try, the attempt at goal failing. In the second spe-11 Dunedin had things their own way, tries being scored by Garden and Morrison. Morgan being successful in botli attempts at goal. C. Bond swelled tho score by pottinii a goal. The cjamo thus ended in favour of Dunedin by 17 points to nil. Mr M'Ritchie had control of the game. Good individual play was shown by some of the members of both teams. For Dunedin, Gollan snel C. Bond put in some good work at three-quarters, nnd Morg-m and Garden, playing five-eighths, showed niiifh dash. Of the forwards, ,f. Morrison, both on Dip line-out and in the loose, provr-d liiinp?lf superior to any forward on the field, and was ably supported by Sloan, Scarf «\ and Harris. Puller, full back for the Union, was a decided success. Thomson, Brown, Clark, and Forbes also rendereel great assistance. THIRD GRADF. ! Zingari-Richmond and Alhambra A played a drawn game at Opoho, reither side scorine. The High School A defeated the Union by 27 pointp t-o 6. j The Piratea met and defeated Alhambra ; B by 6 points to nil. Tries were scored by ; M'Douald and Lo^an, bul. neither waa converted. The Pirates proved tuperior, especially in the loose, to their opponents, and should they hold together this season ■ will acquit themselves creditably The match Ravensbourne v. Hieh School B was won by Ravensbourne by default.