NOTES ON SATURDAY'S PLAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2735, 15 August 1906, Page 56

NOTES ON SATURDAY'S PLAY.

Though it was perhaps unfortunate for the University that they Bhould be defeated in the last inter-club match of the season, no one who witnessed the content between thorn and the Dunedin could fairly claim that the latter team did not deeervo their victory. Tho Dunedin played with splendid combination, and invariably made the best use of their weight and »poed, with the result that their opponents rarely became aggressive. Tho University did not look like winning at any stage of tho game, and on tho day's play they were perhaps a little fortunate in escaping with such a small margin of points against them. The Dunedin backs played a good game, but the real strength of the winning team was in tho forwards, who kept on the ball from start to finish, and who followed up so well and tackled so effectively that the University^ backs were unable to indulge in any of their brilliant pacing bout*, which have proved so disastious to other teams this season. The Duucdin had a good dcai the best of the rcrum work, generally getting the ball, and thus (jiving their backs opportunities and at the same time hanoicapping the other side. As a matter of fact, the winners held th© mastery so effectively that they were able to play the game that suited themselves, and they plajed it re-

markably well. Of oourse, mistakes were frequently made, but these are inseparable from a game of football. Kelly, the .Dunedin full back, was not overworked, but he did what was required of him in his usual smart and accurate way. Of the three-quarters, Gollan, who put in a lot of useful work, was the best, and Turnbull generally turned his opportunities to good advantage, but Teesdale was decidedly weak and erratic. Ryan, M'Phail, and Clarke played exceptionally well, the lastnamed being probably the best of the trio. Of a fine, hard-working set of forwards Fitzpatrick, Whelan, and MTaggart (who has been promoted from the Second Grade team) appeared to be the most conspicuous. The University backs were not so accurate as usual in fielding and passing, but this was no doubt due to the close attention paid to them by the opposing team. Adams, however, played splendidly on defence, and invariably came to the rescue of his side when danger threatened. Gilray also showed up well at times, but the others did not come up to their usual form. The University forwards were not a match fo r their opponents, and their play suffered in consequence. Mr J. Miller controlled the game in a manner that gave satisfaction to all. Dunedin ... 8 points. University 6,.points. The Opoho Ground was in splcndkl order on Saturday, but th-e Alhambra a.n<J TJnion were very unequally matched. The Union had four Second Gr-ade men playing, and for the best part of the second spell had only 14 men, Wise having left the field. Knowles,* of the Alhambra, had his foot hurt early in the first spoil, and at halftime was replaced by Bannatyne. The Red-and-blaeks hardly gave their light opponents a look-in. Both backs and forwards showed any amount of dash. Tho passing of the backs was capital, and the whoio of the rear division played a sterling game, and it would be invidious to single out anyone for special mention. Amongst a fine lot of forwards, Given showed out very prominently. It was his day out, and he played a great game. Wise, Bond, and Kellan (of the backs.) and Mariley, Dryden, and Taylor (forwards) were the pick of the Union players. Wise, in especial, showed to advantage, but he had not sufficient support. Mr Austin controlled the game. Alhambra ... 26 points. Union Nil. The exposition of the game as given by th© Port Chalmers and Kaikorai teams was of a mediocre description, and calls for little comment. The Port had the advantage of the slope of the ground in the first s^ell, and had the better of the game, hut failed to take advantage of their rather numerous opportunities, the absence of W. Dougherty being much felt. In the second spell, especially towards the close of the game, the Kaikorai had the advantage, and succeeded in 6coring 8 points, though their backs also missed many chances of adding to the total. The Blues' backs, as at present constituted, show a lamentable lack of the art of attack, Booth and G. Armit, the latter of whom was the best back on his skle, being the only exceptions. Dobson was noticeable for good fielding and excellent kicking. M'Donald played splendidly, and was well supported by Porteoua and the Morrison brothers. The best feature of the Port backs' play was their line kicking, Corcoran being particularly noticeable in that respect, though Dougherty was a serviceable member of the team. Of the forwards, Connor's line play was above th© ordinary, and he was conspicuous also in other classes of work. Hunter was also prominent at times. Mr J. Williams controlled the play excellently. Kaikorai 11 points. Port Chalmers Nil. The game between the Pirates and Zin-gari-Riohmond teams was interesting from start to finish, and the result was in doubt right up; to the call of time. The forwards on both sides worked well, but the heavy going told a tale on the majority before time waa called. Graham, the Zingari full back, fielded the ball and kicked spl-endidly, saving his side on several occasions. Reddington was the best of the three-quarters, but got very little to do. The try secured by Collie was the outcome of clever dribbling by Reddington. Low and Collie played up to form, but the ball very seldom came out from the scrum half (Barr). who was shifted to the three-quarter line in the second spell. Spiera, Abbott, Stewart, and Low were the best of the~forwards. Wyinke, the Pirates full back, kicked in his usual style, and gained a lot of ground for his side. C'ramond was the best of the other backs, but Clark, behind the scrum, was responsible for a lot of hard work. Fenwick, Denniston, Logan and Wilkinson were the beot of the forwards. Mr Gallaway made an efficient referee. Zingari-Richmond 6 pts. Pirates 3 pts. SECOND GRADE. The Alhambra defeated Ravensbourne at Montecillo by 8 points to 3. Sutherland 6cored for Alhambra, and M'Kenzie converted and also kicked a penalty Koal. O'Donnell scored for Ravensbourne the kick at goal being a noor attempt.- The game was very fast and willing, and good form was shown by both sides. Perhaps Marston. Dryden, and Andrews, for Alhambra, ard Harridge and Mathieson, for Ravensbourne. were tho most prominent. This match leavc'3 Alhambra 2 points behind Dunedin and 4 points ahead of RavensbouTiie for the Second Grade flag. The match Taieri Rovers v. Dunedin, which was to ha>e taken place on Ta-huna Park, was not played owing to the firstnamed team not putting in an appearance. A wire was sent on Saturday mornine stating that the Rovers could not muster a team, and as tho default ad-ded 2 points to the Dunedin score, that club becomes the winner of the banner. FOURTH GRADE. The match Southern v. Port Chalmers was won by tho former by 9 points to nil. Zingaii-Richmond and Alhambra played a drawn game, each side scoring 3 points. OTHER MATCHES. The Wakari Cadets defeated the Knox Church Bible Class by 9 points to nil. Higgins, Mowat, and M'Leod scored for the Cadets. An enjoyable game was played between tho Married and Single men of PortobfHo, Broad Bay, and Kaifc on Mr A. North's ground (kindly lent for the occasion), victory resting with the Single men by 10 points to 8. For the winners tries were scored by W. Die-k and T. Weir, both being converted by W. Pearce : and for the losers S. Broadley and G. Taiaroa scored, the former conyertinsf one. Mr R. Dry as referee cave entire satisfaction. At the invita-tiou of the married men, both teanit, met at the bchoolhouse, Portobello, a pleasant social evening being spent. Mr J Taidion acted as chairman. Afcer several sons 11 , recitations, etc . had Keen k' v< -'", refreshments were handed lovmd. Mr T. Ryan, in leturn-

ing thanks on behalf of the single men; stated that a return match would be played in a few weeks.