NOTES BY FULL BACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2668, 3 May 1905, Page 57

NOTES BY FULL BACK.

The latest addition -to the New Zealand team for Great Britain is the Otago front-ranker, Stephen Casey. His going is, like that of others, subject to medical test and continued form.

Trifling Injuries.— Football Player (feebly) : "Did we win?" Sympathising Comrade: "We did, old fellow.".. Football Player (excitedly) : "Never mind that dislocated thigh, doctor. Take these broken teeth out of my mouth so that I can holler."

An instance of unusual scoring is reported to have taken place in a match in England recently. All the ways possible of scoring were followed — a goal from a try, a dropped goal, a goal from a mark, a penalty goal, and a try. It may interest footballers and football legislators. to. know. that at a- special meeting of the International Board of Rugby football in England, it was decided to alter the mode of scoring by reducing the .value of the mark goal from four points to three, and abolishing the field goal. Commenting on the foregoing, an Eng>< lish writer says : Although nothing is ever done to rationalise the rules of Rugby football, the process of patching them is ■unceasing. Last Saturday's meeting of the International Board brought about a fresh revision of the scale of points by which is determined *ke relative value of goals «f different kinds to each ottxer and to tries. In- future a goal kicked from the field — i.e., neither placed nor dropped, is not to fee counted, and a goal kicked from a mark is to score three points instead of four, being thus made equivalent tc a iry. The oft-threatened dropped goal has had another reprieve, and still retains its four points. These moderate reforms are \%ot likely to cause much' dissatisfaction.

ri T The field goa-1 will not be regretted. It was f j a thing very rarely attempted, end hardly jr ! ever achieved within the memory of man. c ' By common consent the attempt was not worthy of encouragement. But the infinitesimal probability of a field goal being kicked made its abolition or retention almost immaterial. Its use in the Rugby system was to obviate the raising of an awkward question whenever a player kicked the ball over the bar by a feat which does not quite fulfil the definition of a dropkick. Barely a month ago a player, having allowed the ball to bounce from his hands to the height of his shoulders or thereabouts, succeeded in kicking it backwards over his own head and the bar. Some doubt arose as to the category in which the goal should be reckoned. Henceforth such a problem will be well-nigh insoluble unless the definition of a drop-kick is modified. The goal from a mark does not reflect great credit on the side that gains it, but it is 'indispensable as a penalty on rash or inaccurate play by the other side. We may hope that the dropped goal — much as it is condemned by a large number of players— will' long retain its present status, since with a reduced value it would rarely be playe3 for, and this would undoubtedly make for monotony of tactics. Its enemies "appear to be incapable of perceiving that, while. luck has often much to do with the dropping of goals, it certainly enters into the gaining of many more tries in the course of, each sea-son. \ George W. Smith, , "the greyhound" of ,the %!97 New Zealand team which toured Australia, -and, who shortly afterwards retired - from i;he game (says an Auckland writer), took part in the practice on a recent Saturday. He did some useful sprinting., and kicking, while his handling and fielding of the ball showed that, despite his . long absence from the game, he still retains- -much of his old ability. Although in very good form forthe beginning of the season, he showed signs of fatigue long before the game was over, which was only to be expected. It is no secret tbat George is donning tHe jersey this season in view o£ the - visit of a New Zealand team to England^. Acknowledged with thanks from the editor (Mr W. Garrard) copy of the Canterbury Rusrby Union's Annual for 1905. First in the field, this compact publication, f ulj' as it is 'of statistical matter, is'"Bovx*il" to the footballer. W. T. Ritchie, of Dunedin and Cambridge Univeirsity, was picked at the las* moment as one of the Scottish three^eHiaE-te-rs for the match against England 1 at Richmond recently, and played a very sound game. It is probable that another New Zealander would have been in the Scottish team — Stewart, of Wanganui and Edinburgh University — had hot this"young player met with a- severe accident on the football field some few , weeks ago, after showing brillianf^form throughout the s-eason. .The injury sustained' by ¥. C. Hulme, the English International half back, in a club game, was worse than at first anticipated^ but there is every chance that he will be- thoroughly sound within the next few days. Special treatment is pulling him round nicely.-,"- • The question of persons < ther 1 than the referee reportiisig, players for rough play was discussed at "a meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union. One delegate remarked "that if he saw a case of rough play dui*ing the ccmiiig season he intended re porting the maticr to the union as r test - case. Other speakers contended thai •this was contrary to the laws of the •garnet. Mr M'Kenzie thought the laws oi the game should be altered, and it was time the New Zealand Union started tc provida lay? for itself in keeping witli local conditions. No action could now be taken if anyono other than the refe<re« reports a player for rough play. At the recent conference of the union and the Referees' Association the matter of betting on games was touched on. This mattei was broueht up, and it was decided "tc write to the Inspector of Police asking foi his assistance in putting down the evil, and to reqi.est members of thei committee ro do all jn their power to detect offenders and bring the names of persons encouraging betting before the union with a view tc action lbeing taken. The Kaikorai-Union match served to attract a, large attendance to the North Ground on Saturday, but the game was brilliant in patches only, and was for the moist part a rather uninteresting exhibition. Probably this may be Accounted for by the fact that the learns have not shaken down to the season's business of Rugby football. Whatever the. cause, ther» was -certainly a lack.. of_ combination on both sidefl. Individually some of the men played well, but "there was nothing of the "well-oiled machinery" about the teams rfs a whole. More training— sprinting, not long-distance running, and as much outdoor work as possible — will lick the men into shape and get the team going together. Speaking of individual play Kaikorai's weakness lies behind the pack. The half back is not sufficiently clever for the position and does not get the ball away smartly enough. A three-quarter line like that claimed by Kaikorai may ralay themselves sick for all the good they will do without .the ball. It should be dinned into the half back — not the Kaikorai ecrum rnaai in particular, but all the half backs— that the ball alone is wanted, and in every case it should be marked "urgent." Of the Eaikorai three-quarter line Booth was probabiy tLo best. Apart from the brilliant run from halfway to over the Union line, the feature of his play was his tackling, which was of the deadly order. Hard and low Booth went at his man, bringing him down with certainty. Quite a number of intelligent persons hold the opinion, based on last year's form, that Booth is lucky to be selected in the New Zealand team for England. The Kaikorai back has only to play a few more games like last Saturday to convince the sceptics that he is entitled to selection. Since last season Booth lias improved greatly, and as he is in excellent condition and playing to kc&p his plaie in the New Zealand team, we may look for something extra special from him every time he puts en a jersey. " Armit did not get much of the ball on the wing of the three-quarter line — certainly not as. much as this speedy player should, — but when the ball did' find a resting place in the arms of the Kaikorai three-quarter that worthy made several bold dashes with it towaids the enemy's goal. Armit is a player who should be fed all day, for, possessing plenty of pace and dash, he is ahyays a most likely man to score. Dobson^ played five-eighth on Saturday, and albeit a good enough man in that position I adhere to the belief that he is

out o f his place and should be in the three-quarter line. Possib.y it was the slow lob passes received from his half back which prevented him showing to the best advantage in the position. Given a quick, resourceful man behind the scrum, Dobson would -make a deal of play for the three-quarter hne Duncan is still in a class by himself as a five-eighth, and on Saturday showed that not only does he know the game, beginning, end, and middle, but what is more to the point, is still able to play it. As liis team was for the most part on the attack Str&ng, the Kaikorai full baclc did no.t T have a great deal to do. He fielded the ball with certainty, and playod to the touch-line with his kicks. It was noticed that Straiig frequently followed up his own kick, leaving his goal unprotected. This style of play is nob to be encouraged, for in the event of the ball being returned smartly a biggap in the defence is left. It should alweys be the practice of one of the threequarters to drop back when the full back is following up his own kick. _ While they shone in the loose, I noticed that one or two of the Kaikorai forwards did not appear too fond of scrum toil. There were others, however, who were doing their share in the hurly-burly and in the dribbling* work. M'Donald. Adamson, -Omand. and! Thomson were conspicuous tor good play throughout. The former was the best all-round forward on his side. The appearance of James Duncan,' oneseason retired footballer and hero of a hundred Rugby battles, clad in the blaek-and-blue hooped jersey of the Kaikorai Club, was the signal for cheering by the. multitude on the North Ground on Saturday. The "Old Man" turned out in place of Don, the Dunedin back, who has not yet been granted' a transfer from his old club to that of Kaikorai, which he desdres to join. In Coomber, the Union full back, do I recognise a player from Milton who was once picked for a trial match in Dunedin a couple or three seasons ago? Playing against Kaikorai on Saturday Coomber showed that he has some knowledge of the game, but as a full back he does not quite come up to the standard. He gets to the ball quickly, and invariably finds the touch-line>, but there js no power behind, and his kick's pain little ground for his side. Coomber did not cut a very good figure on defence — Booth beat him badly on on© occasion — but he may reasonably b* expected to improve as the reason goes on. The Union three-quarters, young and | somewhat inexperienced as they are, shaped fairly well on the whole. Reid, ■who kicked _ the Association ball last year, was the pick of the three-quarter line. This player has all the qualifications for a three-quarter hack, and when he gains experience shoulJ develor) into a useful man in that position. Littlejohn played well, until meeting with an injury to his thigh, Mhich handicapped 'rim somewhat for later offorts. Bennott appeared to be nervous and anxious to get rid of the ball. He might have made a great deal more use of his pace, of which he possesses a fair share. Bennett has played many better games. Directly behind ' and close up to the j scrummage there is a weakness which must bo remedied if the Union hope to win ! many matches this season. I . refer particularly to the half back, who has not quite grasped . bis position — the most important on the field when a back game is being playod. It does not matter how clever your front- rankers* are in hooking the ball if your half baok does not get it away smartly. This is wherein the weakness of the Union man lies. He, like several oihers I have in mind, approaches the job the -wrong way. My friend crouches down directly behind the scrummage — a common mistake with nine out of ten half backs. Taking up such a stand he not only leaves two sides open where the enemy can pour round and smother him. but. he loses precious time — the fraction of a second may be, and crten is, -too late, — by bavins? to turn round to pass the ball out. Let him take a stand side on to the serum — to th<> blind or open — just as it is intended to work the game. When the ball comes out he is moving with it, . and in one action should scoop the ball out 1 smartly to the five-eighths, whoso position he is able to see all the while (the other way the half would need to have eyes in the back of his head to ascertain the position of his five-eighths). Moreover, should the opposite side happen to play wingforwards, tha half back, if he turns side on to take the ball from the scrum, is able to shield the ball — which is the object — from the one winger, and, seeing, the other coming, should be smart enough to v>ass it over his head to the five-eighths. The half back which we often refer to as being 'too slow" brings this condemnation upon Himself by the incorrect attitude he takes up behind the pack. Take in the position of the five-eighths while the scrum is r b&ing formed, turn side on to the scrum, so that the man you are about to pass to is in your gaze all the time ; make the pass one i.etion. Practise this, and' you will realise thj advantages over the old system of rivetMng- a pair of eyes to the back row of a scrummage. Munro stood up to a lot of hard, defensive work — and we know whgt that means with the Union back. It is a thousand pities this solid player is not a bit faster. The Union forwards are a light but fast lot, who play till the whistle blows. The Maroons' vanguard put in several foose dribbling rushes on Saturday. In following up they burst through at top speed. With a little more tonnage they would be hard to beat. A mixed team from the Pirates Club journeyed to Matakanui at Easter, and after a very fast and interesting game were successful in defeating the home team by 12 points to 8. The game was of a very friendly nature, and the Matakanui team showed by their exhibition that, with a little coaching, they would be a very hard team to beat. The forwards played a dashing game throughout, and it would be hard to single out any particular one for special mention. Of the backs, Moran, Harley, and Thompson were the most conspicuous, the former especially playing a brilliant .game at centre three-quarter. The Pirates speak very highly indeed of the treatment received at the hands of the Matakanui people, and the whole team are unanimous in their opinion that it was the most enjoyable trip they have ever experienced. The recent opinion of the Welsh Football Union reversing tTie decision of the referee in the Swansea-Leicester match (remarks the Athletic News of January 2) directs attention to th c anomaly of a dis-

puted try. The referee, a member of the Welsh. Football Union, and one of the most capable referees, disallowed a try claimed by Braithwaite, tho Leicester half back, who dived into a scrummage on the Swansea goal-line, and touched the ball down. The referee disregarded the claim, and ordered another scrummage outside. From this scrummage Leicester gained a try, which was awarded, and kicked a goal. This was in the last few minutes of the game, which ended in Swansea winning by a goal and a try to a goal. Appealed to by the Leicester secretary, the referee readily gave his reasons for disallowing the try claimed by Braithwaite, the said reasons being that the half back contravened the law by handling in the scrummage, and expressed his readiness to state the case for tho English and Welsh Unions. The Welsh Union decided that the referee was wrong, a« was apparent from the first to those who understood the rules. Once the ball in a 'scrummage touches the goal-line, or is over the line, the penalties attaching to informalities in scrummage play do not apply, and any forward, half back, or any player may touch down, and if such player be of the attacking side a try is scored, while if of th c defending side then a touch-down should be awarded. It must be understood that this is only an expression of opinion of the Welsh Football Union, and that the point has been referred for final ruling and decision to th© International Board. There need be no doubt as to what the decision will be, and the only pity is that the point of Leicester's second try cannot be considered. At a meeting of the London Rugby Union Society of Referees, it was decided to submit a number of amendments in the laws to the annual meeting of the English Union" next; month. In dealing with the mode of play, the rule now stands "If a player, while holding or running with the ball, be tackled, and*- the ball fairly held, he must at once put it fairly drawn, between him and his opponents' goal-line." The revised rule reads, "If a player, while holding or running with the ball, be' fairly held, he .must at once put it down between himself and his opponents' goal-line." The word "fairly" is expunged from "down." With regard to penalties the law now reads, "Free kicks by, way of penalties shall be awarded if any player, being in the scrummiage. lift a foot from the ground before the ball has been put into such a scrummage." The revisers propose to insert as a marginal note to the above, " When the ball has passed the first forward it. is in the scrummage." This excited some discussion, but it was eventually agreed to adhere to the suggestion, and leave further discussion to the Rugby Union. Forty thousand spectato-s witnessed the match at Swansea between Wales and Ireland. Shamrock was the favourite adornment of the button-holes. Cork sent a lively contingent, and the young blood were as horsey as riding-breeches and leggings could make them. The following table shows the position of the International Championship for the season 1905 :

Quite a fai- proportion of the 2000 end odd spectators who foregathered at ti.e Caledonian Ground oh Saturday became wildly excited over the Ri gby tussle between the chosen of Alhambra and that of Southern. Last year's premiers were favourites, and enjoyed the confidence of the multitude of "rooters" who yelled " Ake! ake!" or words to that effect, in good plain Southern. A feature of tho game, which was exciting enough to try the voice of the mosthardened harracker, was the dashing play of the Southern forwards, who from the kick-off to the^ call of time kept pounding away at the Alhambra citadel. The Southern front-rankers easily beat the Alhambra pair for the ball, but the efforts of the Southern backs, particularly the half and five-eighths division, when the leather came out to them, were for the most part deplorable. It frequently happened that the good work done by those Trojans in the forward brigade was thrown away by the erratic passing of the backs- When it came to real Rugby intelligence in the passing game the Southern backs', with one or two exceptions, showed themselves to be in the first primer. The forwards, as previously stated, played a hard game of the no-man-standing order. The while I did not notice any intentional rough play, neither side stopped to beg th^ otfter's pardou. The Alhambra. backs rarely handled the ball. But the fault vas not with them. Hence the "compliments" that were flying round were not altogether deserved. Beaton for the ball forward, the fifteen good men and tiue on the Alhambra side could only hc.pe to be up and doing when the other side by their reckless passing allowed the Reds' flying brigade in amongst them. And speaking of this, it struck me that Alhambra did not make enough of the mistakes by their opponents. On the iine the Red 3 stood out clear-cut against the enemy. The few glimpses of effective passing shown during the game by the Alhambra backs came from the line.

Unfortunately for AJhambra, Hobson, the captain, met with au. injury which necessitated his going off the field, and as the referee ruled that an injured player could not; be replaced, the team played for the whole of the second spell with only 14- men. It might be wondered if it were not the means of spurring the team on, for each man played with the energy of two after this, and at one tim« it appeared as if they were going to burst through the Southern defence lifce through a paper hoop. The Alhambra backs without exception played a sound, useful game, and had they been able to secure the ball more frequently would have giyen a. good exhibition of the passing game." Dobson, the full back, fielded the ball surety, and kicked well, making good use of the touch-line. Of the three-quarters Bennett, albeit making a few mistakes at the outset in fielding the ball, retrieved himself as the game wore on, and to the finish^played well. Slattery, the exWellington representative, made a good first appeaian^e. He is very quick off the mark, and runs with all his weight, which is considerable. Alhambra's first try was scored by the new-comer after a fast sprint over the lino. Sllatt?ry was also indirectly responsible for scoring the Reds' seeon! try by heading a dribbling rush, taking tbia ball .o.v,av the Southern line, where

M'Leod came fast at the right moment, and, falling on the ball, scored 3 poinrs. Coulter, the half back, got the ball away smartly on the few oppoirunities he Lad ghen him by tha forwards, while King End M'Ltod both played well at five-eighths. The latter is, I understand, the amateur runner, which explains his undeniable pace on the football field. Of the forward Johnston stood out by himself, bein^ eas-ily the best on his side. Hobson played ha i*d up to tho time of his injury. One or two of the vanguard were evidently not on speaking ter ns with xhe scrums, for it was noticed they did not go too near to do any damage.

Of the Southern bucks, Kii.dley. Ecfchold, and Harley were the pick. The former a( full back played a really sound game, uniricrred by a single error. At i.ll timf* he took the ball well, and was not at all bustled by the opposing forwards charging down upon him. Kindley kicked well. n^aJdng good use of the toich-line. Ilis collaring-, too, was quite fir?t class, the way ho brought Slattery down on one occasion bting as solid a piece of tackling as tht. wiiter has seen Harley did a lot of sound work, but he did not meet with much support. Eokhold is the most promising of all ths Southern backs. Moreover. 1 will say this for him. that he shows the rr»«st intelligence in the game, and whsn lie gains more experience will be quite one of, the best wing three-quarters — and beinfc pc&sessed of plenty of pace, is n dangerous n.an near tho goal-line. The five-eighthj and half back, considering the forwardi were heeling out the ball to them, plavac degrees below standard. The half was "tec slow in getting the ball away, and the five-eighth was collared frequently befora he made a move. The forwards "aie probably the finest pack in Dunedin. They have excellent combination, and infused plenty of dash into their play. Isaac was conspicuous througlxmt a hard same, wh'ie Casey, Leydeu, Allen, Olsen, and Sheehao also did good work Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs: "The question of rough play in football i stiL engaging the attention of the Rugfr authorities here. At a meeting last nichi the advisability of persons other than tin referee reporting players for rough play wa» discussed.. One delegate remarked that i! he saw a, case of rough play during the comjng season he intended reporting t-ne msttei to the uinion as a test ease. Other speakers contended that this was contrary to the laws of the game. Mr M'Ke*hzie thought the laws should be altered, and it was time the Kew Zealand Union started out for itself, nnd gave New Zealand laws oi the game im keeping with local conditions. No action, oculd be taken now if anyone other than.\ the referee reported- a player for z-ougb, play."

A Christchurch telegram states that in the Rugby Union football competitions, which! commencGid an Saturday in fine warm weather, Albion, 11 points (a goal from a mark, a potted goal, and a try), beat Linwood, 10 points (two goals from tries) ;i Sydenhani, 11 points (a goal from a try and two tries), beat Merivale, 3 points (a try); Christchurch, 18 points (three goals from tries and one fry), beat Old Boys, 6 points (two tries).

Wales Ireland Scotland* England Pts. Pis. For Agnst. Plyd. Wn. Dm. liost. G. T. G. T. A 3300 4 7 0 2 ..3 2 C 1 27 31 ..3 1 0 2 22 14 ..3 0 0 3 01 4 10 * Champions 1903-4. I