SENIOR RUGBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 60

SENIOR RUGBY.

Kaikohai v. Alhambba.

The second round of inter-olub fixtures began on Saturday afternoon, and the attraction of the day was the Kaikorai-Alhambra match on the Caledonian Ground, which waa keenly watohed to its drawn conclusion by some 5000 spectators. Both teams suffered from alterations, particularly the Alhambra. Dey and Patterson were absent, leressitating th« following disposition of the rearguard: — Full back, Hogg ; three-quarters — M'Kay, Bennet, and Hocnan ; halves — Knowles, King, and Johnston. D. M'Kewen also reappeared in the front rank of the scrum, where he did excellent service. Kaikorai were without Spierp, who was unwell, and his absence in the scrum was felt. M'Kay kicked off for the Reds, who were about 15 minutes in getting warmed up, but once they got into their "stride" the Kaikorai had all they could do to keep them out. The first incident of note was a bit of passing between the Alhambra baoks, which ended up with a brilliant run by M'Kay, who almost scored. The Reds' forwards then attacked fiercely, and but for the stubborn defence of the Blues, among whom Duncan was ever prominent, the Reds must havo got over. Relief came to th« Kaikorai by a forcedown. but the Reds returned to the charge, and kept the Blues defending for nearly the whole of the spell. M'Kayhad four or five attempts to place goala from marks and penalty kicks, all of which were ineffectual, and the spell ended with no «coro either way. Early in . the second spell Duncan made a beautiful opening from near his own twenty-five, and after a, fine run tlirew the ball to Baxter, and the speedy centre waa only stopped by Hogg at the corner flag. Hard scrummaging ensued, out of which Duncan got the ball, and, outtinj: in, passed to Quin, who grounded the ball aoross the Hno amid the great enthusiasm of the Kaikorai supporters. Wilkinson, failed to convert the try. The Alhambra. pulled themselves together after Ihis reverse, and, mainly through another of M'Kay'a sensational runs, shifted the play up to the Kaikorai linos. The Blues worked their way out, and the forwards, with Omand in front, got into thp Alhambra twenty-five. Porteoua charged down a return from the Alhambra full back, and for a minute the Reda were in. d-eep wat^r. Pcrummasring followed in the Redo' tupruyfU" Wit tho defenders escaped with a force. Tlic Alhambra then invaded; tho Kaikorai quarters and penned them right up on tho lino under the goal. Duncan getting the ball, essayed to kick out. but was charged by Knowles, and the ball wont back over the Kaikorai line. Heenau got there first and scored. M'Kay's kick at goal proved a failure, and honours wore oven. Shortly after thi= Duncan ?ot a Wk on tho hp-ad, remain? blood to flow, and for the fiist time wit' in our rerollpction had '•• be carried off the field. Evoryone was relieved to hoar that although the veteran w; a somewhat '•tunned the injury was not dangerous Nothing further of CTPat intPrf^fc occurred before lime « ;^ rallrd nml tiiP game en(Vd. as so many ot'ir : -. lia-.o di.no tliip tpafon. in a drau — Kaikoiax ... 3 pojiiia. Aliiarubia. 3 poiuta.