NOTES ON SATURDAY'S PLAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 56

NOTES ON SATURDAY'S PLAY.

There was a pretty general consensus of opinion that the match between the Alhambra and Kaikorai would result in a rather easy victory for the Blue-and-blacks; but that anticipation was not realised, and there is no gainsaying the fact that the better team on the day's play won. The Alhambra played with more science than did their opponents. This was particularly noticeable in the first half of the game, the Reds' forwards screwing the scrums in fine style, and, getting away with the ball at their toes, gained lots of ground and were difficult to stop. Indeed, Given's try was the result of play of this nature, and well merited the general applause which it drew forth. Then again in the second spell Bennet's excellent kioking with the wind behind him helped "his side considerably. The Alhambra forwards had the mastery in the scrums and, in the second spell especially, got the ball out to their backs, but it was noticeable that it seldom, if ever, got to the wing threequarters, Bennet being content with kicking, he, apparently, not having much faith in either Harrhy or M'Leod, the latter of whom played in place of Slattery, who was unable to take part in the game. Coulter's work behind the scrum was an improvement on some of his efforts earlier in the season, though he several times kicked when he should have passed. King, as is usual with him, played with sound judgment. Dey has yet to learn that, having made an opening, it is the proper thing to send the ball on to one in a better position than himself. In this respect he -was much at fault in the second spell. Bennet's work was neat and effective, taking the ball and kicking" finely. Dobson was safe, and put in some fine kicks. Johnston stood out among his fellows in the forwards, Given being the most prominent of the others, but the whole pack played well. Strang, the Kaikorai full back, was not sound in his work, and should have prevented Given sooring. Both G. Armit and Dobson, on the wings, did well, especially the former, while the latter's kicking was both pretty and effective. M'Hardy had not much to do, but showed improved form Duncan and Booth were always in the thick of it, and put in some useful work. Smith, the scrum half, was far too slow in passing, with the result that the five-eighths were much handicapped. Of the forwards M'Donald again showed fine form as an allround forward, while in J. Armit the Kaikorai have secured a. young player who should with more experience make a name for himself. Alhambra 8 points. Kaikorai 6 points. Taking a line through previous games, it was anticipated that when Southern and Zingari met a fast and open match would eventuate; but the contest was by no means remarkable for hiffh-gra.de Rugby. A deplorable feature of the first spell was the series of tight scrums and close line work. The treacherous turf, upon which the players found great difficulty in securing a foothold, explains in a measure the scrummages. No sooner had the forwards formed up than one pack or the other would fall, and in falling would bring down the whole construction. "When the contesting: sides were not beguiling the moments in thie manner they were playing the close lineout game. Occasionally the Southern forwards broke away in a dribbling rush, but there was absent that shoulder-to-shoulder combination for which they are noted Play improved in the second spell, and the game was made fast and open. Both teams tried passing, but Zingari, beating Southern for the ball, were the more successful in this department. After the first 15 minutes of the second half, during which time Southern had the Colours on the defensive, Zingari held the upper hand, and kept up a persistent attack on the Black-and-whites' line. Kindley, the Southern full back, had a deal of defensive work to do and, albeit occasionally caught with the ball, he generally managed to extricate himself from the . trouble. The three-quarters rarely handled the ball, and when they did it was mostly on the defensive, when a quick punt sent it into touoh. Chambers made a couple of dashes for the line, but he had little chance to get through, as he. was blocked on the touch. Harley got himself out of troubla by punting to the touchline. M. Casey, who played on the wing in place of Bennet, did not get many opportunities. Had he been faster a try might have been scored in the first spell from a pass by Eckhold. Getting little of the ball, Sutherland and Eckhold at five-eighths and Grant at Half baok played moderately well. The forwards lacked the dash and combination I exhibited in previous matches. Prominent in individual play were Simpson, S. Casey, Sheehan, an>d Isaac. The Zingari full back did his work well, but was at times inclined to get up too close to the three-quarters. Wilkinson, on the wing, played a sound game and made several strong dashes for the line. He should try the centre kick when blocked. Smith, at centre* excelled at rush-stopping. As the Zingari forwards heeled the ball out smartly Collie was able to put in a lot of useful work behind the scrum. He started the majority of the passing rushes. Bolt made several good openings, but th-e feature of his play Was his high punting. Of a. useful lot of forwards C. Stewart and A. Low were the pick. Mr W. J. Wilson, was referee, and kept the players well in. hand. Zingari-Richmond Nil. Southern ... Nil.

The University put up the highest senior score for the season in their match at Bishopscourt against the Pirates. During the greater part of the- first- spell the game was a fairly even one, although it soon became < apparent - that the Pirates' were overmatched in- the serum and in passing by their opponents, and some erratic passing by the Pirates' backs indicated that there was also a weakness in this quarter. It was,, therefore, no surprise when towards the end of the first • spell the University, although the sun and incline were against them, put vp '6. score of 8 poiirhs, and that the Blacks failed to make the most of winning the toss. It was generally expected, also, that when" the University had the incline of the ground in their favour

and the sun at their backs they would add considerably to their score ; but it was not expected that they would romp over the Blacks in the manner they did. The Pirates played to some extent without combination, although the individual play in some instances was very good. The weaknesses of the Pirates, however, were on the whole only weaknesses on the day's play as compared with the excellent open game played by the Blues, whose passing rushes were well-nigh irresistible. Adams, Wi Repa, Macphereon, Harrison, and Heale were conspicuous throughout in the University team. Kirkoaldv and Denniston were the best of the Pirates' forwards, and Nicolson and Fairclough did good service at three-quarter, while Ooben played a most reliable game at full back. The refereeing of Mr H. M'Farlane gave entire satisfaction. University ... 30 pts. Pirates 3 pts.

The Union-Dunedin match, played at the North Ground, was fairly interesting, not least so for the manner in which the Maroons asserted themselves towards the close of the game and achieved their first win this season —Harris's goal from his own try a few minutes from the call of time turning a probable defeat into a victory. There was little or nothing to choose between the teams. Except in the latter part of the second spell the Dunedin forwards showed a superiority and their backs had more opportunities than those opposed to them. Inasmuch as the Union forwards were getting the worse in the loose for some time, it would have paid the team to have given more play to the backs. The passing of the Union backs when they got the ball was, however, far from sound. Fitzpatrick's try for Dunedin in the first spell was the result of a really m-ettv piece of play, whi'e Union's try was the outcome of a great effort on the vart of their forwards. For the' winners. Munro. Reid. Grant. liittle■john. and the full back (Gray) all plaEyed a solid erame behind the scrum, Green at three-quarter being erratic. The forwards rjlaved their •usual Tjluckv same. Wat=on was about the best of the Dunedin backs, and Kellev showed himself a reliable five1 eighths. Teesdale miocht have been given more opportunities. Amo-nsr the forwards, iJSReid. Dunne, Fitzoatriek. and Paton were> ill conspicuous. As usual, the specta+ors oneroaclied rather much on the ground. ! The srame was srenprallv fast, and was controlled by Mr F. Foster. Union ... 5 points. Dunedin ... 3 points.