NOTES ON SATURDAY" S PLAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 56

NOTES ON SATURDAY" S PLAY

Play in x the University-Alhambra match tv&S never uninteresting, despite the fact that the heavy hail shower which fell some 20 minutes aher- the commencement of the game rendered the ground sufficiently wet to make the going exceedingly heavy, and both teams were obviously much fatigued before time was called. Under these circumstances the game did not perhaps constitute as good an exhibition of football as is usually given by either of the teams, but it was, full of exciting incident, especially inxthe second- spell. The forwards of both teams, played good games, -but the University ' were eminently superior in the back division, and if the ground had been in a better condition there can bo little doubt that' they would hav^r compiled a- big acore. The University were decidedly unfortunate. Playing against a solid wind in the first spell, they had in the second, when the wind died down considerably, to top their opponents' score in very heavy turf. On the other hand, the Alhambra were weakened by the absense of John«on and M'Kenzie. The day was a good test of the stamina of any team, and tho win was a meritorious one under the circumstances. The winning team's first try was the result of smart following up by Lang 1 , who took full advantage of the opportunity when the ball in bouncing deceived the Alhambra full back. Wi Repa's achievement was the cleverest thing seen during the match. Save for a i*encontre wilh one of tho Alhambra backs, the player appeared to make way for himself through the entire team, and it was not until the player had touched dowrt that the crowd fully realised what ha/1 happened. Wi Repa and Adams were perhaps the most prominent backs on the ground The former /handled the wet ball with confidence, and ran well ; while Adams did yeoman service in every department, his kicking being especially good. Gilray was sound on defence. and played a fine game. Dansey and Lorn as were ■ not afforded many chances, and were watched closely, the former in particular. The forwards all' played well, Foote being conspicuous by reason of his excellent work on tho live-out. For the losers, Kuowles played well, but, although Alhambra got the ball from most of the scrums, he did not usually get it away in time. Bennet. King, and M'Leod wcro the beat of the other backs, but lacked combination. The forwards worked well together, and were quite a match for the victors. The tackling of both teams was excellent. Mr W. M'Donald controlled the game in a impartial manner. University 9 Alhambra 5 points.

The Kaikorai-Southern match did not attract a large attendance, and the game as a whole was not up to the standard previously shown by the teams engaged. On the day's play the Southern team <k served their win. their combined foiward play being much tuperior to that of the Kaikorai, although had full advantage been taken of all the opportunities the i-core should have- been much increased. "Tho play of the Kaikoiai' team almost throughout was fitful, and the <Ja=h which usually characterises th-eir performances was noticeably absent. The passing by both teams was frequently erratic, and in all the other departments of the game the play was slow, but individual players relieved the game to some extent from its tendency to monotony. S. ,and M. Casey, P. Sheehan, and Edwards were the best. of fhe Southern forwards, and Eekho'd played a good game in the l>aek division. For "the Kaikoraj, the bulk of tho forward work was done by M'Donajd and Porteou*. while Dobson. Armit, and Booth did t 1 c principal share of the work in the back division. Mr D. Munro officiated as referee. Southern . » 8 points. Kaikorai . . 3 iK>int*.

In! the Dunedin-Pirates match the horn' 1 team, as is customary when these clubs meet, discarded thsir regulation black jersies and played in colours. The heavy hailstorm did not interrupt tho play. In the back division Dunedin were superior. but the forward honours must be awarded to Pirates, though, of course, neither side ihowed to true advantage. Clarke, Gollan, toad M'Phail wer« the most prominent

amongst the Blues' backs, and Reid. Fitzpatrick. and Paton amongst the forwards. Of the Pirates' rearguard, Cramond and Clark were easily the pick, but G. Nicol«on also deserves mention. In the forwards Fenwick, Wilkinson, and Denniston wore usually conspicuous when work was to be dene. Wilkinson had hard luck once towards the end of the game. He seemed to have a score at his option, but, when following up, was interfered with, the infringement escaping the notice of the referee. Dunedin ... 3 points. Pirates Nil. The play in the match between the Zin-gari-Richmond and Union was decidedly uninteresting, and the few spectators saw nothing to cause excitement. From the start it could be ecen that the Zingari were the superior team, ancl. as subsequent events proved, they had no difficulty in winning. Their score would probably hava been larger had the players exerted themselves in the second spell. Neither team was playing full strength, the Union being the chief sufferers in this respect., Bond, the Union full back, played very well indeed, and wae ably assisted by Gray. M'Leiman, and Littlejohn (while he was on the ground). This player sustained an accident some weeks ago. but donned the jersey on Saturday, with the result that he had again to leave tho field, the old injury being the cause of his 6O doing. The Union forwards played a hard uphill game against their weightier -opponents, the pick being Mackenzie, Thomson, and Taylor. Low was the best of tho Zingari backs, and Collie. Rpddington, Barr, and Graham also played well. Stewart, Spiers, Abbott, and Rice wero the best of the forwards. Mr Facer controlled the game in a most satisfactory manner. Zingari-Richmond 17 points. Union 3 points.

SECOND GRADE. The Second Grade match between the AlhamiH^. and Dunedin created a good deal of interest. These teams were leading for tho premiership in that grade, each ha-ving 20 points to its credit, and which ever won Saturday's game was almost assured of winning- the banner. There was, therefore, quite' a number present to witness the game. In the fir^t" spell the Dunedin had the advantage of the wind and the 'un at their backs, and made fairly good use of (.heir opportunities, scoring 11 '"points to their op'xmente' 7. In the first half a quite attractive display was given by both sides, but the heavy hail .shower which fell towards half-time caused the play to c7etoriorats considerably, as the ball became very difficult to handle accurately. The Blues were the hotter side in the first spell, but during the last half were kept on tha defensive most of the time, with an occasional encroachment into the Alhambra's quarters, during one of which they succoedad in scoring a try. Tho Alhambra forwards are of finer physique than their opponents, but the Blues had the advantage from a scientific point of view, though the weieht of the Reds told during the second spell, and they were getting the ball in the scrums much more frequently t.hanihe Blues.- The Alhambra- forwards are a pretty evoJi lot, but Johnston. Flannagan, and Garvey were, perhaps, the pick of them. Among the backs Marsdon, tfce centre three-quarter. «-tood out fvs oasilv the best. Drvden, the midget scrum half back, lacks nothing of plupk and dash, and handles the ball well, Lut he would be more successful if he varied his play. Among the Dunedin backs. Bond was noticeable for his safe play. He took the greasy ball exceedingly well, and kicked with iudgment. Morgan stopped innumerable forward rushes, a ooinl of th© came which has always been hi.s forte. Churchill, on tho wing, made tho mistake in the second epell of keeping too closo to the serum, thereby leaving a his? gao in the field. Snow kicked well, but h ; s play in other respects was poor. M'Taggiirt. Milne, and Burton w>iv tho best of th? forward-. Mr H. M'Farlanc oontrolk'd tl.e game efficiently. Dunedin . 14 points. Alhambra 10 pcints.

The- match Taieri Rovers v. Ravonsbourne was played at Mosgiel. and resulted in a win for the former by 11 point- to 6. For the winnei* M'lntvro scored and con verted a. try and kicked a penalty goal, and Turnbull scored a try.

THIRD GRADE

Zingari-Richmond defeated Kaikorai by 56 points to nil. FOURTH GRADE.

The match Alhambra \. Port ChaWrwas won by the former by 12 points to 3. Southern defeated Dunedin A by 6 po.nts to 3. Zingari-Richmond defeated Piratfs at Forbury by 6 points to nil. Breet-e and. M'Laughlan scored tries. Kaikorai claim a win against Ravensbourne by default.