NOTES BY FULL BACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 60

NOTES BY FULL BACK.

. Tk« following table wowt the positions of %m respective teams encaged ia tke first Irtele eonteit:-~

A high compliment to the standard of play in Dunedin at the present time is the fact that Otago has 6ix representatives jn the New Zealand team for Australia. Af the outcome *of the accident to Alan 'Adams, of the 'Varsity, Given, the Alhambra captain and Otago representative forward, threatens to retire permanently from football. Congratulations to Ernie Booth on his inclusion in the New Zealand team for Australia. The "All Black" should considerably strengthen the defence of the colonial combination. The reason for Booth's non-inclusion in )he original selection of the New Zealand team for Australia was owing to tho weakness of hie kicking. The Kaikorai man is certainly not a phenomenal kick, but he is very certain, and his tackling leaves no room for doubt. "V. Meredith, the ex-Wellington representative, who has been coaching the Pirates team in this city;, left Dunedin by th© ©xpress on Thursday last on his return to whither he has been transferred. Reports from the country are encouraging as regards "Country Week." A desire Jias been expressed to hold the carnival earlier this season. A sub-committee has been set up to make the necessary arrangements. There is nothing fresh to chronicle at riiis end in respect to the proposed projfeesional team for England. The opinion •j*s been expressed in well-informed quarters that the tour will not eventuate. Paton, the Dunedin forward, who has m. place in the New Zealand team for §xsJia, was originally a three-quarter- „ la that position, be was * failure, put up amongst the forwards he quickly c a name lor himself. Psion's eiperishould prove valuable to others. R. Beanet. ibe one-time brilliant Otago hentre three^quarter, appears to have gone right off the g*me this wtuon, and is almost

unrecognisable as the player oi a - couple of years ago. "Booth is a fine defensive player, but lacks originality in attack. Eckhold and Dansey's play suffered by comparison with that of Hunter and Mynott." — Christchurch comment on Otago backs in the interisland match. The appointment of Edgar Wylie as manager of the New Zealand tea-m for Australia has given great satisfaction. It was generally anticipated that the appointment would fall to the lot of the ex-secrc-t&ry of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The New Zealand team plays its first match in Sydney on July 13. The team will leave Wellington on July 6 for the Australian side. Otago is well represented in the New Zealand team for Australia. In addition to the players mentioned last week, Booth has now been chosen in place of Dive, of Taranaki, who, it«is undeistood, is suffering from an injured leg. "I saw Johnston and M'Donald a few • times in the forward attempts, but the play was spasmodic, and there was a total ' absence of determination so characteristic jof the North Island vanguard."— A signifii cant Chvistchurch comment of the forwards in the inter-island match. A country scribe, commenting on the New Zealand team, wants to know why Mynott and Dive came to be selected when such i players as Deans, M'Gregor, and Dansey wero available? What a great team it ; would be, says he, if it included Adams, ' Gilray, and Smith ! j Aucklanders cannot understand why ! George Smith has been loft cut of the team for Australia. On the form shown this season he is at the very zenith cf his career. The "man at the corner," says an Auckland scribe, is of opinion that Smith has been 1 overlooked because he was stated to be the mouthpiece of the Aucklanders for the professional team. In an interview George Smith stated he was not in any way connected with the proposed professional tour. ! and had never received a letter or telegram in connection therewith. Despite the fact that the Caledonian Ground was covered with snow to the depth of 2in on Saturday morning, the playing area was cleared of its white mantle by noon, and the field in fairly good condition ! for the 'Varsity-Southern match by the afternoon. In their match against Southern on Saturday University was weakened in the forwards by the absence of Tansey, one of tho j best forwards in the Royal Blues. ! Macpherson's dashes up the touch-line against Southern on Saturday was reminis cent of a player in the early nineties, who was generally recognised as one of the best wing three-quarters Otago e^ver produced. I 'Varsity had several geed opportunities of I scoring in the second spell, but Chambers 1 was drhing tho pas&ing straight across tho ! field. Had Lamas beaten his man before passing, the 'Varsity centre and wmg would haw had a chance of penetrating | Southern's defence. ' Nuku, tho elusive 'Varsity five oiphth. 1 should learn to make all his transfers when lon the run. Several times on Saturday he ' L stood to give a passi The work of the 'Varsity forwards on the f line-out suffers through the development of I the knock-back. Rarely decs one see a clean eatoh made on the line out by the Royal Blues. _i The element of hick ia th« Southern-

University match was about equally divided. O'Kan* had a pot at goal which 6truek one of the uprights and rebounded into the field of play, while Eekhold had a place-kick which struck the cross-bar and rolled underneath.

The cold drove an enthusiastic Southern supporter into the press-box on Saturday, from the elevated position of which he gave much good-natured advice to the Black -and-whites.

Harrison is suffering the penalty of fame. The previous Saturday the 'Varsity man kicked five goals out of five attempts. There were seme unreasonable people at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday who were disappointed that he did not repeat the performance. There was a record gate for the season at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday, and the crowd has been variously estimated at from 6000 to 8000. "What the attendance would have been had the climatic conditions been more favourable one can only conjecture, but certain it is there would have been a great gathering.

Considering the conditions, the match between University and Southern was an excellent exhibition of the Rugby game, and not a few of the delighted spectators ventured the opinion that it was the best game they had witnessed this season. The play was fast and exciting and full of incident from kick-off to call of time. The ball travelled up and down the field at a great pace, and had the teams not been well trained it would have been a case ol "bellows to mend."

The 'Varsity backs threw the ball about with delightful abandon, and at all times made for the spectacular. Herein lies the secret of 'Varsity's popularity.

The Royal Blues played up to the axiom, Attack the best defence, while Southern relied more on their stopping than attacking. On the run of the play a draw about indicates tlie merit of the contesting teams, although 'Varsity were at all times more likely to score than their opponents. Forward the sides were evenly matched, but the 'Varsity backs were superior to the rear division of the opposition, and had they takcu full advantage of the opportunities must have won the game. There was something uncertain about the plaj of Scannell at full back for 'Vareity on "Saturday. This player is, as a rule, so 'uve in his movements that one is compelled to east around for an explanation. Probably tho treacherous turf and greasy ball had something to do with it. Whatever the reason, ttcannell did not convey that feeling \>f security that be generally doe 3in matches in winch his team is engaged. Scaiuiell made no eerious mistakes, but he was slow in getting to the ball, and instead of gaining some ground bj running preferred to kick to the touch-line. When closely pressed the University full back's fielding was uncertain.^ The three-quarter line was a goodly trio. O'Kane, on the left wing, who is regarded, and rightly so, as the flyer of the team, gave occasional glimpses of his pace, and in one run in. the first spell showed a particularly clean pair of heels for about 30 yards, When he was brought up, all stand ing, by a solid tackle. In the second half O'Kane did not show up to any advantage, and was invariably accounted for by Chambers before he got far towards the enemy* goal., As a defensive player O'Kane is not to be relied upon, some of his efforta in this direction against Southern being extremely weak. Considering he was somewhat new to the position, Gilray, in the centre, played well, and gave a good display of clean football. He look the ball with some degree of certrinty and made several good openings for his wings. GiLray ie a powerful runner, and takes gome bringing down; wherefore it was surprising to see one or two of the Southern playors tackling the Rhodes scholar round the neck. _ Macpherson played one of his best games this, seavin, and early in the first spell was a veritable thorn in the flesh of the opposifon. Macpherson fielded the ball with great certainty, and his dashes up the touch-line were delightfully thrilling. A player full of resolution, Macpherson recognises no opposition until it comes m the form of a tackle ;6 determined as hi 6 own run. At five-eighths Xuku again displayed his elusiventse. He ie as quick as the wind off the mark, but does not run with a great amount of judgment. Nuku possesses qualifications which go to a five-eighth in tho making, but he has much to learn. He has no liking for stubborn defence, and must plead guilty to not getting down to rushes. Lomas v.as only in fair form on Saturday. He fielded the ball well, but instead of beating his man before passing he allowed himself to be driven across to the centre three-quarter, with the result that Oiiray was frequently tackled by the Southern fiv-eightb in waiting, and the rush crippled in irs opening etagte. Immediately behind tH- ecrum Dansey exhibited hie charac (eristic animation. The 'Varsity half got the ball away smartly, but it was probably his defence punting— -something cif an acrobatic feat— which drew the plaudits of tho public. Daneey's defence has greatly iirproved, and he now goee down to forward rushes with almost reckless abandon. The 'Varsity forwards played well, particularly in the loose, and there were 6 e\ era l" flashes of good individual dribbling rushes. In the heavy play Foote and Lang worked hard, while in the open Hartgill and Harrison were prominent. Kindley delighted the critics with a fine display at full back. He ran to me.et the ba'l on the full, and fielded it with great certainty, while his kicking was at all timos powerful, and he made excellent use of the touchline. The feature of Kindley c display, however, was his tackling, and this for sheer resolution would take come beatibe manner in which Kindley tackled Macpherson when that player was making repeated dashes for the line was dehgrhtiul to lock upon. The 'Varsity man, however beat the Southern full back at the third

att-cmpt. The Southern three-quarters do not form a brilliant line, and are not above the average as attacking players. ? Against 'Varsity on Saturday they never attempted to develop the attacking game, taking up for the moM part the defensive attitude. Brnn-ot, who is the reputed fast man of the Blaek-and-wlutce three-quarter division, did not get an opportunity of .«howuik his speed, but hie defence was fairly well tested. Harley, in the centre, was prominent only _on rare oca-ions. He got doTen to the "Vur-ity rushes fearlessly, and for this the Southern centre is highly commended, but bis kickinst w»» »eak, and he

diJ not find the line when the run of the game made it profitable to do so. Goldsmith was inclined to wander out of his place, particularly in the first spell, and Macpherson waa frequently left unmarked by the Southern three-quarter. The strength of the Southern back division lay in its five-eighth and half back, and too much praise cannot be given to these players for the work they did during the day. One is safe in asserting that but for the excellent defence, rush-stopping and line-kicking of the two five-eighthe and the scrum half, Southern would have had occasion many times to run up the danger signal. The term brilliant cannot be applied to Eckhold, but he is one of the most consistent players in town. On Saturday he stopped rushes like a Trojan, took the ball accurately, and lucked with sood judgment. Chambers, who te one of our siraightrunning five-eighths, had few opportunities to show up on attack, but he was conspicuous throughout a fast game in defence. Chambers frequently came across to the assistance of hie wing three-quarter when that worthy waa in trouble, and relieved him of the -esponsibihty of collaring his man. There is nothing half-hearted about Charobers's tackle, and the man is brought down with great despatch. Behind the ecrum Fullarton is developing possibilities, and one day may be called a. first-class half back. The time is "not vet, bus Saturday's display po'ijj* to ■ stage nearer. Against 'Varsity FulJarton extricated his side from several awkward positions by his timely punting to the toucnThe Southern forwards played with good combination, but they were not successful in keeping the ball from the 'Varsity backs. The Black-a-nd-whites' vanguard were better in the tight work than their opponents, but their scrum formation left Toom ic* considerable improvement. Of a hard-wort-ing set of forwards, Edwards, Casey, and Sheehan were prominent for good play. Port Chalmers effected a surprise on Saturday by defeating Dunedin on the Sawyers' Bay Ground. The match was not Kether uninteresting, but the Condons of the playing area rendered reliable back play almost out of the question. Port won because of their ability to turn to account a mistake made by the opposition. M'Kenzie, the Port full back, did not haVea great deal to do. He was fairly safe but his kicks were not over-powerful, and he was at times somewhat slow in getting to the ball. . , Kelly, on the wing, was the pick of the three-quarters. He played a sterling game, and rendered no end of service to his side. The ex-Dunedin player was quick to take advantage of the mistakes made by fte opposition. Kelly extricated his side from eeveral tight corners in the latter stages of the game. , Slattery, whose usual place is on the wine, was tried in the centre of the line, and appeared to batter advantage than in previous games. .The ex-Alhambra playeT nas not got, over, his weakness of overrunning the ball, and frequently misses excellent chances of scoring by being too anxious to get away. G. Dougherty was not over-prominent, and did not come much under notice in the general run of the play W. Dougherty and Graham bore the burden of the day at five-eighths. As the game was chiefly confined to the forwards there were few attempts at passing rushes. Dougherty made several openings, but owing to tip celerity with which the Dunedin forwards clme down on the ball the movements were choked It the outset. Dougherty is.deserving of some credit for scoring the only iry in the match, winning the game for behind the soruni Hart gave a rather colourless display AhWJ > « » rule the Dunedin forwards beat Port tor the ball, there were tunes when it was secured by the Port front-rankers. On S occasions Hart did not get the ball away with any degree of celerity, and his player, and is certain to show improved form in subsequent matches The Port forwards played with a good deal of dash. They were quick to get on to tho balL and did not aIW the game to let much out of hand. In the first epell t*hey eae v held their own. but hung out, signal* of distress towards the finish. Port were weak en the line-out, and vrere not verY successful in the scrums but were prominent in the loose The pick of a useful lot v.ere Perry, Hay, Connor, Olaiis, '"Jt^ulf iS for Dunedin Stalker, though bT~ no means brilliant, played a sound game Owing to the heavy ball h» kick* were not powerful, but he made certain of finding the touch-line. The Dunedin three-quarter line were more in evidence on defence than attack. Morrison, on the wing, waa uncertain, and at times caiurd his side some anxiety Worger in the centre, showed occasional flashes of good play, but his judgment was at fault in tho second half when he attempted to cut across in front of his own •roai culminating in a mivkick, which pave Port Chalmers the opportunity of scoring a. try. which they were quick to avail ihemseKes of. . . ... . M'Abster, on the ngnt winy, <lid not ha*e n. preut deal io do, and it might be tascl that he was not too well tested in the matter of passing. „. At five-eighths, Churchill and 0 bull i van put in a good deal of work, Churchill especially, who had a roving commission, playing * jrreat spoiling and attacking game. This player, however, while being commended for his dash, has a tendency to indulge in unnecessary tackling. In the early stages of the game Olarke played we-!] on defence, getting his side out of difficulty by well-judged line-kicking, but in the second half, when the Dunedin forwards had worked the ball down to within striking distance of the Port line, the Dunedin scrum half sacrificed several good chancc6 of scoring by attempting to break through a stonewall defence feingle-ha-nded. The Dunedin forwards, who are generally recognised as the be-it pack in town, were probably imbued with the idea that the match was an easy one, for it waa not until late, in the game that they awoke to their responsibilities, and pave Port a tasto of their quality. Tho sting of defeat was in the air, for after Port bad scored the Dark Blues swept all before them, and kept Port hemmed in on their own luie throughout the remainder of the game. All the Dunodin forwards played we!]. Paton, Fitzpatiick. M'Taggart, Crif-p, and Reid being partuulailv prominent for Found play. Clarke, th^ Dunedin ecrum half, ha« not jc; overcome Ins tendency to plaj the role

of the "individual" footballer. A clever player enough, this habit of going on, his own ofttimes proves the undoing of his team. It did so in the later stages in the match against Port on Saturday. The first spell of the match Taieri Rovers v. Kaikorai was devoid of much interest. Taieri, playing against the wind, were successful in preventing a large score being run up against them, their opponents only securing one try in this spell. To the disappointment of the spectators, Taieri did not do too well with the wind, which had freshened considerably, in their fa-vour, and for the most part were on the defensive. On the winners' side, Booth in the first spell was the only back who was at all prominent. The "All-Black's" kicking and tackling were of She highest order. In the second spell Ussher and Couiier were prominent in some pretty combined play. Ussher, who is new to the Rugby game, has a future before him as five-eighth. Hia one fault at present is his inability to give a good pass. He scored a pretty try, taking the ball from the foot of the opposing player. Amongst the forwards, M'Donald played his usual ha/d game. This player's tackling is a treat to witness, being low and hard. Johnston was not far behind his captain in all-round play, and promises to develop into a really brilliant forward. Bryant was more conspicuous for offside play than anything else, his lapses in this respect costing his side * lot of free-kicks. Adam* son, on the wing, played his best game this season. He is probably the best player in this position at present playing in the competition. Of the Taieri forwards, Thomson was undoubtedly head and shoulders above his comrades. This player should about win interprovtneial honours this year. Barnes and Cuthiil are both of the useful stamp of forward, being on the ball from she start to the finish. Barnes was suffering from an injured leg, and did not intend to play prior to the match ; but his team being •hort, he stripped off. _. Amonget the backs, Anderson was easily the best. Watson and Mehalski did * tremendous amount of work in the second spelL The Taieri full back got through a he*,vy afternoon's work in good style. Th:« player might with advantage make more use of the l<ne in his kicking. Mr Facer's refereeing gave satisfaction, although on two occasions his decisions respecting tries appeared rather peculiar to the Kaiko-ai captain. There were several absentees from the match Zingari-Union on Saturday. Union were without the servicts of Littlejohn, one of the best backs in the Maroons; while Collie, Thompson, Spiers, Cmradus, and R. Abbott were absent from the ranks of Zingari. The match was fought out amongst the forwards, the ball being in too bad a state to permit of any passing by the backs of either side. The Union full back played well, but his fielding left room for improvement. M'Lennan was the best back on his side. This player set an excellent example to the other backs in tackling and rush-stop-ping. Don and Duthie were in fair form, but their tackling was weak. If Union hope to win matches they will have to show considerable improvement on attack and* strengthen their defence. Of a hardworking set of forwards, Mauley, M'Millan, Dry, *nd M'Kenzie wore the pick. Davidson, who plays full back for Zingari, was shifted up to second five-eighth owing to Collie being absent, and, although strange to the position, was undoubtedly the best back on the ground. His rusheropping, tackling, and running were of a high order. By his good work the Zingari were able to get out of many a tight corner. Reddington showed fair form, as also did M'Laughlin, but if fcho former would only use his speed a little more when he has the bail he would be of greater value to his side. Smart, a Second Grade player, showed good form for his first Senior match. The Zingari forwards played one of their best games. Patterson, A. Abbott, Low, and Watt were going all the game, and it 1 waa mainly by their efforts that Zingari i won by 12 points. C. Stewart and A. Rice, both old mem- ! bers of Zingari, turned out for their club i last Saturday, and showed very good form. It was thought by Pirates supporters ! that, meeting Alhambra with several recruits from their Junior teams, the Blacks would have no difficulty in winning tho mttoh, but the "new blood" were very willing, and although Alhambra only scored i in tho Ust part of the game, they were j continually on the attack, and had they lost 1 the match it would have come under the j heading- of hard luck. I The backs in both teams, with tho exefjJtion of Jenkins, did not handle tfie snow-covered ball with any degree of I certainty. Bennet and Marston gave a fair exhibitinn, and Matheson, a rpcruit from the i Third Fifteen, was very safe at full back. I Of the forwards, Harridge was easily the. bc*t. Ho was continually on tho ball. J Nelson and Morrison were also seen to advantage. I Among the Piraies* backs Jenkins was easily the best, his rush-stopping and line- . kickinar being excellent. Wyinks, at centre, did what little work he had to do well. j Of the Pirates' forwards, Duncan played J a hard game. He ie the stamp of forward , who goes from start to finish. Kirkcaldy i was always in the thick of it. "Nat" is • playing better this year than ever. | Apropos of the proposed professional team for England, the cheapest "gates" in i the Northern Union 7ere 6d ; at other ' places 9d was charged, and Is extra for the stands. Forwards were paid from 15s to £1 a week, and backs from £2 10a. to £3. Work was always found for tho player*. "and after they have finished they are always sure of a ' poob.' '' Snow at Tahuna Park was the subject of comment at the Rugby Union meeting on Monday evening. A veteran footballer and an O.R.F.U. committeeman remarked that the ground was unfit for football, and! that the ball assumed great dimensions after it had been kicked about in the enow ; also that players had the utmost difficulty in moving owing to tho snow clogging under their feet. This committeeman was of opinion that if one ground was ewepfc clear of the snow the other jgrounds should 1 havo been similarly treated. An appreciation of Roberts, the Xew Zealand scrum half in tho inter-inland match : "But the Star' back of the game was Roberta. I saw him play before he left for England, and he appeared an ordinary every-day half back. After hie return I also saw him play a lew games, and wondered

where lie got his re|mta€ton. "flu's was last year. Early last month I saw him playing for his club, and I wondered no longer. After his game for the North Island one can easily understand how. he started off the back division in England. I have only seen two faster passers from, the scrum — the late Alf Cook and O. Crawford, of Dunedin, — but Rdberte's general play is far in advance of these two players. He appeared, too, to play a scrupulously fair game. The way lie gets the ball away from the feet of opposing forwards by passing right off the ground, is something novel, *nd moet profitable when it is known to whom the leather is going, and promptly turns defence into attack." The Newtown District Rugby Club (Sydney) has had * unique honour conferred upon it, Australia* favourite actress, Miss Nellie Stewart, having accepted the position of lady patron. A copy of the letter accepting the position is: — "The Australia, Sydney, M»y 31, 1907. To the Newtown District Rugby Football Club. Gentlemen, — I am very much pleased to accept the. position of first lady patron to your club, to which you have bo kindly elected me, and I 'sincerely trust 1 may prove a mascotte to you.' My loyalty to my native land, and my love for all Australian-born, may assist the earnest wish of my heart to bring you good luck and God's blessing.— Faithfully (signed), NuiLi* Stbwakt." The Bradford Football Club, Yorkshire, recently -withdrew from the Northern Football Union, and a meeting of the guinea members (there are guinea and halfgoinea members)' decided to have English Rugby Union Football next season. Owing to the extended leave which had to be obtained for the visit of the team to England, the South African Rugby officials cannot promise to send a team to either New South Wales or New Zealand for the next two years. Dr Louisson, of Christchurch, states that there are not many New Zealandere playing football in London now. -L. Stringer, son of Mr T. W. Stringer, of Christchurch, is one of them, and- M'Evedy, formerly of 8t Patrick's College, who came out with tho British team, is also still a player. Dr Louisson thinks he is likely to come here again with the English team which is being got together now for the purpose of visiting New Zealand. A. O'Brien has scarcely played since he was last in the colony. He will probably arrive in Christchurch in July to practise his profession. The New Zealand Rugby Union has appointed Mr Edgar Wylie manager of •the New Zealand team to tour Australia. Mr Galbraith (treasurer of the New Zealand Union) and Mi- Wvlie will represent the; union at the donferenoo in Sydney of Australasian unions, when a new agreement will be drawn un. It was decided to allow members of the team ?« per day each as a travelling allowance. If possible, a match will be arranged for July 6 between the New Zealand team and Wellington province. in™ At a meetinjr of the Management Committee of the N.Z. Union the disqualification* imposed by the Otago and Southland Unions were made general. In reply to the Wellington Rugby Unions request for a Tuling explaininir under what conditions an individual miglit receive monetary consideration for service rendered to a football organisation and still retain his amateur status, it was decided to i state that monetary consideration might be received by any «uoh person without destroying his amateur status so long as he did not play football.

I E Southern .. 9 Alhambra .. 9 University . . 8 Kwkorai .. 9 ZingariBachmond . . 9 Ihioedin .. 9 Port Chalmers 9 Firsts .... 9 Taieri TtoTers.. 8 Union „ .. 9 8 8 6 5 5 5 4 4 3 1 0 i 0 3 1 3 4 4 5 5 7 9 * v Q h O fed* 1 89 41 17 0 70 61 12 2 140 39 12 1 83 65 11 0 76 60 10 1 81 53 3 0 © 53 8 1 51 92 7 0 31 112 2 0 11 118 0

i E i a v ►3 « n 'it O 515 1 o O ■ "o Ph O MEorningion A . . 9 3-reen Island .. 9 STorthern • • 9 iaitangata . . 8 Roslyn .* • 8 KTakari .... 9 southern ■ .. 8 Siornington 8 . . 9 Maori Hill . 8 Battalion .. 7 7 5 6 5 5 3 2 1 1 i i 1 3 a l 3 — 4 1 4 5 3 6 1 6 1 28 23 27 18 17 20 16 16 10 6 10 10 14 19 11 16 19 30 19 35 15 13 13 10 10 8 6 5 3 1