SENIOR. NORTHERN V. WaKARI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 61

SENIOR. NORTHERN V. WaKARI.

This match was played at Forbury on Saturday. Ideal weather prevailed, but the ground is sorely in need of a heavy roller being put over it. A keen contest was expected, but the game proved to be rather of a tame order all through, caused, no doubt, by Northern's too marked superiority, Both teams were practically at full strength, and Mr Smith officiated as referee. Northern, winning the toss, played towards the stand goal, and G. M'Alijlan started play. A run by Wakari's left was abruptly stopped by prompt tackling by G. Clark, who gave Irvine possession. Aided by Siedeberg, this player smartly worked down tho right, and his centre waa taken by Morrison, who beat Ryan with a soft shot. Returning to the attack, Irvine rounded Adams and M'Ne^sh in finished style and placed a fast centre to Riley, who had no difficulty in getting the ball past Ryan. Wakan responded to some purpose, but M'Millan's shot was just a trifle wide. Immediately after Webster al«5o headed past the wrong side of the upright. Haynes transferred play to Wakari'g end with a nice drive, and Northern gained a corner, which Adams cleared. Nice 'play by Northern's wingers proved profitable, as Ohadwick, lying in a handy position, accepted the pass and scored with a very easy shot. A foul close in against Northern for handling the ball seemed a chance for Wakari redeeming themselves, but Siedeberg headed out from goal. Northern changed the venue of attack, and taxed Wakari's defence severely. Kearney supplied temporary relief by shooting over the bar. Wakari were next dangerous, but Haynes and Warrington cleared in turn. Chadwick and Morrison carried play to Wakari quartern, but Siedeberg shot past. A minute later Armit saved a gocd try by the same player at the expense of n corner. Nothing resulted from the kirk, and Kilgour stopped a smart run by Webster and Mcikle on the right. Riley gained possession and passed out to Irvine, who beat Ryan with a cross phot. Wakari now shaped well, but were met with a very solid and steady lefence. Up to the initenal play was confined to midfield. At half-time tho 6core was : Northern, 4 goals ; Wakari, nil. Northern started tho second spell with a nice run, but Adams sent them back. Haynes treated Wakari in similar* fashion with timely kicking. Twice in quick succession Ryan saved, and then Morrison just missed a nice chance. Irvine beat Adams in a tackling bout, and, dribbling to tho goal-line, centred to Chadwick, who cannoned a fast shot off both backs past Ryan. Two fouls against Northern for handling the ball see-mod promising for Wakari, but H. Clark cleared both. Both team/s pressed in turn, and erratic shooting spoiled opportunities to both sides. Irvino forced a corner, which came to nothing. This was followed by Siedeberg sending in a faEt shot, which Ryan held. Then Riloy threw the ball hard aerainst M'Neieh, and Irvine, taking the rebound, beat Rvan with an oblique shot. This spurred Wakari to determined efforts, and Morrison, Webster, and G. M'Millan essayed shots at goal ; but Warrington was on the alert, and saved smartly. H. Clark and Haynes were prominent with sound tackling. Northern forwardi< now brightened up a little, and maintained a strong pressure on Wakari's goal. Exceptionally erratic shooting was the general order among all the forwards, and consequently much splendid play in the open was spoiled by weak play in front of goal. Adams was repeatedly conspicuous in smashing up the combination of Irvine and SiedebeTg. From a sound piece of play by Adams the ball was sent across to Webster, who dodged tho backs and beat Warrington with a good shot. Northern assumed the aggressive, and W<=pt play around Wakari'g back division : but poor still prevailed, each of the forwards landing the ball to any place but the right one. On different occasions Wakari seemrd like scoring, but H. Clark and Havnns were successful in thwarting their cffoits. In the closing stages Northern had tho best of matters, and the qaino ended with Northern pressing. Northern ... 6 goal?. Wakari . 1 goal.

Morninoton- v. Southern-

The above mat<h was played at Foibuiy, tho ground being in a fairly pood condition. Ashton won the toss for Southern, and Hilford set the ball in motion for Mornington. Tho ball was at onne taken up to the Southern's 'oal, and Rowland';, in attempting to sd.«>, conceded a p> mlty, which Farquhar=on, with a quick ehot, eafely

piloted through the goal. Morningtco, 1 ) Southern, ml. Morningcon again got away, with the ball, but timely kioking by Ashton. put the ball into midfield, and the Southern forward, getting possession, took the ball up to Mornington's goal, and Lang scored with a quick shot, thus equalising: matters. Some fast play now took place, bub the Mornington forwards, who were in really gcod form, were not to be beaten, and Southern conceded a corner. From the kick the ball went out to Martin on the wing, who with a well-judged shot easily beat the Southern goalkeeper. Mornington etill attacking again had the Southern becks in; trouble. Smart passing between Hilford aud Boucher ended in the latter player adding another 6core against Southern. The whistle was blown shortly after for half* time, the scores then being Mornington if. Southern 1. On changing erads the Southern livened up considerably, and gave the Momington backs some very hard work, andi Litolft", in goal, had every opportunity o% proving himself the right man in the right plciee, saving some very good shots. Towards the end of the game the Mornington. again assumed the aggressive, and by keep ling the ball well in Southern's territory managed to add another three goals to their credit, Hilford, Boucher, aoid Grey being iDsponsiWe. For the Southern, Ashton did three men's work, and was well supported by Allen. Lang plays a good forward game. The right wing man was in good form, but is rather wea<k in his screw kicks. For. Mornington, Litolff, ia goal, played a brilliant game, and Alexander and Sparrow were safe. Farquhareon, at left' half, is shaping well, and will certainly be a success in hie new position. Clarke played his usual dashing game. Boucher played a good individual game, but ie somewhat inclined ta be selfish Mr Wilson officiated as referee, rr.id gave every satisfaction. The game ended : Mornington . 6 goals. Southern ... 1 goal.

SECOND GRADE.

The match Mornington v. Roslyn was played at Mornington on a good ground, and! the large number of spectators witnessed a' Very interesting game. Gardiner kioked-off, and play was in tho centre for a spell, until the Roslyn forwards, who were in excellent form, managed to beat the Morningfcoa goalkeeper. Mornington rallied, and after excellent passing by the forward* took tho ball close to Roslym's goal, and, from a scramble, managed to equalise the eoores. In the second spell the backs on both sides had a lot of work to do, but undoubtedly Sparrow was the best man on the fieUx. The Mornington forwards are a well-choseni lot. Stabk«, for ifcoslyn, is a very likely player, and not afraid of hard work. Tha game ended : Roelyn, 2 goals ; Mornington, „ 2 goals. Mr Watson very capably controlled the game. The. Sawyers' Bay-Unity match, played at Sawyers' Bay, resulted in a win for the Bay by 6 goals to 2. Goals were scored for the Bay by M'Cormick (3), Angus, Miller, and Capetick. The ground was very heavy, and in no email defree accounted for the very poor display that was shown. Glaister, at; centre forward, played well, and with a little more support from his halves would be very" * dangerous. The rest were % very even lot. The Bay evidently could do with a little more training. The match Green Island v. Southern waj won by Green Island by default, Southern being unable to raise a team.