NOTES BY FULL BACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 77

NOTES BY FULL BACK.

The annual meeting of the Otago Rugby Union js set down for Saturday, .Maich 28. It is anticipated that the proceedings v» ill be unusually placid. An Otago representative team will make an extended tour of New Zealand this season, playing matches against Canterbury, Wellington, Taranaki, and Auckland. Owing to the fact that Hawke's Bay is due Utago a visit that province will probably be cut out from the tour. Reported that Dwyer, of Vincent County, last season's Otago three-quarter back, may possibly be quartered in Wellington this year. The star footballer from other parts has not yet materialised to any considerable extent, but one such (Skinner, an ex-Wel-lington player) was brought under my notice the other day. The announcement of the names of the British football team which is to tour the Dominion this season did not send a thrill of expectancy through the multitude. The casual person who only takes an outside interest in Rugby doesn't know Jackett, of Cornwall, from Jones, of Kent, or Gibbs, of Glamorganshire, the football reputations o e these players not having reached him. To the observer of English, or, rather, British, Rugby the present team is only fairly representative. It is by no means the full strength of the British leks. Truth to telJ, the British Isles is really not represented, for neither Scottish nor Irish players are included in the combination. The fact is that the unions of Scotland and Ireland are standing out on the score that the tourist footballer is encouraging professionalism, and New Zealand is threatened with an invasion. Possibly Scotland and Ireland are afraid that some inducement might be offered their players to remain in the Dominion ! It is a pity it is so, but there it is, and the so-called British team is really a team, representative of England and Wales only. The "fairly representative team" may, however, effect a surprise, and when it is remembered that the "touriste" will strike New Zealand in a lean year there is sense in strengthening the provincial combinations. So far as Otago is concerned, the representative .team of 1908 threatens to be particularly lean, unless something extra special in Rugby is unearthed befive the invasion of the England-Wales

combination. One has only to read th«f names of the departed to realiso this:, Gilray, Adams, Maepherson, Scannell, Lomas, and Foote, not to mention a few others perhaps not so important. Several j-romwuig players arc coming on, but they, will take a season or two to develop. Truly the tourist footballers are coming at a good time for themselves, but a bad time for us. Again, one mi6ses the truly international flavour about the coming footballers. The Llewellyn-Gabe-Morgan three-quarter Una ■combination, which made Welsh football history, and whose names were kriown and whose reputations had preceded them. The fact that MTEvedy, the ex-New Zealander, has been selected as vice-captain tor Harding, of Middlesex and Wales, does noli tend to inspire any greater confidence in. the team. At the same time, M'Evedy' is in good form this season, and has played many fine games. When M'Evedy tourea New Zealand with Bedell-Sivright's team in 1904- he was far from being a star, *net was not played much on the tour. As a forward and captain the team requires no one better than Harding, of Wales, who was a member of Bedell-Siv-right's combination, and certainly the best forward in the Britisher's pack. We will miss the form 6f the übiquitous Percy Bush fFom amongst the coming footballers, and who is to be the "will o' the wisp" of the British (save the mark !) team oE 1908. Bush was the_ player on whom most of the public attention was devoted. Even the famous Llewelly-Gabe-Morgan combing did not attract like, the man from Cardiff.And; by the way, do we not remember this same man from Cardiff, this same Percy Bush, who "speculated" at a rolling ball against all the maxims of up-to-date Rugby, ?i Didn't this same "defence" cost tntf Britishers a try* on the snew-covered fieldf of Lancaster Park in 1904? And didn'K it cost Cardiff the match against the famous All Blacks in England in" 1905? Yet withal Bush had many good points which go to a footballer in the making, and I would rather have him on my side than against me. One cannot forget a flyinft pot shot on Lancaster Park in 1904 with a[ ball as heavy as lead and greasy as a blad- 1 der, just missing the uprights, nor has .that recollection of that successful lightning "pot" on the Caledonian Ground agains* Otago-Southla-nd faded from memory. No, freak footballer that he was I liked Bush, and do not know that he hae his equal in( the approaching team. One will be glad to! hear if the combine boasts a Bush, Vile, too, we will miss. The little Welsff half-back, who stood up to so much defence on the tour of 1904, and took it off the boots of the Otago-Southland combine, and! gave it, too, if the truth were known ; andf who, three days later, took it again from! the full strength of New Zealand's besfij at the "test" match in Wellington. Ye^ from a purely defensive point of view Vile* was the best half-back, in B. Sivrig-ht'* team, and one noted, too. that on ths tour of Britain by the amateur All Blacky pride of position was allotted to Vile as th«, finest half-back met on the tour of 1905. Vile is not coming out, though his name was mentioned in connection with th« England-Wales team. No, with Scotland and Ireland standing out, one cannot accept the "British" team of 1908 as a "British" team. Personally, until the players have proved themselves on New Zealand turf, I am anti-British, and merely accept the England-Wales team aa the best from the players available. Messrs H. Harris and D. M. Munro, two ex-Otago representatives, have been elected life members of their old club. Union. The compliment is well deserved. Four footballers known in the Dominion, — Bush, Gabe, Vile, and Harding— who* toured New Zealand with Bedell-Sivright'^ team, played for Wales against England' the other day. The Wales v. England match was played! in such a dense fog that the spectator* from start to finish had only occasional glimpses of the players, and saw practi<cally little of the game. A. F. Harding, who captains the "Eng-land-Wales" team for New Zealand, was captain of Wales in the international match against England a few days before the mail left, and won by Wales by 28 points to 18. An English appreciation : "Harding, the captain, played a fine game, taking a great deal of stopping in the open, and w6~rking very hard in the scrummages." Something about certain members of the coming England- Wales team: Jackett(Cornwall), the full back, is a fine player, and is certain to be a favourite with Newt Zealand crowds. Vassall is a high-class three-quarter, and Laton a very solid scrunji half. Among the forwards Williams, who is a big 1 man, weighing > quite 14st, is at first-class player. The visit of the British team to New Zealand wae being freely discussed in Ensland when the last mail lefr. The Morn< ing Post referred to the subject as fol* lows: — "The English Union not only owes New Zealand a visit,' but the trip may strengthen the hands of the New Zealand! Union, which has made such a splendid! fight in the preservation of the amateurism of Rugby. After the financial success of the Northern Union's guests from the Dominion the New Zealand Union will be in some need to help to- restrain the professional pioneers from renewing that attempt to capture the Rugby game. It is felt that the very best help that can be given to New Zealand will be by practically, showing the splendour of the Mother Coun,try's Rugby. This i 3 the view of England! and Wales, so that though Scotland will not countenance the tour — and Scotland is backed by Ireland— the English and Welsh 1 Unions will be able to muster a representative side for the visit. Much could be said for both the English and Scottish! views of the situation ; but everyone is regretting that the four Home unions could not mutually agTee on some general attitude in regard to these ' tours. Scotland! feels that the colonials are much nearer professionalism than is generally known, and this is its main reason for refusing to* help England in the organisation of the team." The New Zealand Rhodes scholar* Colinj Gilray, who was injured in the early paril of the football season at Home, is no\^ showing'some of hi 3 best form, according to latest advices to hand 1 . Playing for Oxford University against Richmond, he scored three tries. In the annual Rugby match Waleg scored a goal and two tries; Ireland ft goal. Last year Wales beat Ireland by' four goals and four tries to nil. Wales has now won 14 matches and Ireland eighty while one> "has . been drawn. _A Rugby team representing the foul* universities of New Zealand will visit Syd* nej during the coming season, leaving th«

Dominion on July 29. Three matches will | JM flayed— two against Sydney University. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. WELLINGTON, March 12. r A. meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union | Jp&s held to-night. In reference to the appeal of the Auckland Union againet the Decision of the Management Committee, the Appeal Committee reported that it was opinion that the proceeds of any special challenge match under the Ranfurly Shield regulations were the property of the New Zealand Rugby Union. A protest wa3 received from the Buller TJnfon against being deprived of a match frith the British team. The Marlborouah tJnion claimed that the match against the Britishers should be played at Blenheim instead of at Nelson. It was decided to reply in both cases that the arrangements that have been made fcannot be now altered. The Otago Union suggested the playing of three test matohes between New Zealand and the British team. This matter .was deferred for further consideration. WALES DEFEATS IRELAND. LONDON, March 15. In the annual Rugby match. Wales Scared a goal and two tries ; Ireland a goal. BASKERVILIjE BAN REMOVED. WELLINGTON. March 11. 'The local Rugby Union last night decided ito remove the suspension from the local grounds imposed on A. H. Baskerville, promoter of the "All Blacks" professional team. jOTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT. Ih«- following is th» report to b» prepented at the annual general meeting of lib.* Otago Football Association to be held in the Trades Ball on March 80, 1908: — " Your committee has pleasure in presenting the eighteenth annual report of the Association, and coneiAexs it fitting to congratulate the clubs om the rapid and sa-tia- j *aotory progress th* Association game has : made. The standard of play improves each tyeax, and it is pleasing to not* that particularly among the juniors is the improvetnexvt marked. Ten Senior teams, 10 Junior, 12 Third Grade, and eight Fourth Grade frrei* playing last year, whilst 27 School learns took the field. " Premiership. — Ten teams entered for this competition, and after an exciting and Spirited contest Northern again proved the jurinner, with Mornington A runner-up. Northern deserve every credit fox their effort Jo secure the coveted honour, for after a tiathex bad start they gradually won their 3ray to the front. Mornington, too, demonstrated their abrrjty to pl*y the game, and fere congratulated on their fine performance. "Charity Banner.— The final for the Charily Banner wae played between Northern and Mornington. Northern added this liropby to their prize-list, winning by 3 goals ±0' 1. " Junior Cup. — Ten teams entered for this fcompetition. Northern A proved the winker, playing 15 matches, of which 11 were jrsrqn, 1 lost, and 3 drawn; while Southern <|rere "the runners-up. * Third Grade. — A keenly-contested comg>eiition between the 12 teams entered was Jvan by Mornington. D, who played 14 fnatohes, winning 13, losing 1. BaTensbourne Secured second place. "Fourth Grade. — Your committee deemed |t advisable to open up a Fourth Grade Competition, and results justified this being flcxte. Of the eight teams entered High School were the winners^ with Christian JJrothers close up. " Five-a-sict* Tournament. — Owing to unfavourable weather it was impossible to jhold this tournament. " Wednesday Football. — "We are pleased to fceocrd that Wednesday football has become established, the games being controlled by the Wednesday Association, a sub-associa- j ibion affiliated to the parent body. tinder I the direct control of "this association Wed- i fcueaday football is certain to become a permanency. The competition last year was yion by Telegraph A, with Southern runners"Foreign Matches. — During the season an Otago team viaited Chricitchuich, but, not feeing the strongest was easily defeated by Canterbury. On the return journey the ; learn played, a combined Timaru and Ashtjurton representative team, and were again (defeated by 3 goals to 1. Although not feeing able to win either of these matches, are feel that the visit was the means of furthering interest in the game, while it is tnoze than pleasing to observe the forward trtrides ' soccer ' has made in the Timaru tKstrict. Pstor to the Otago team visiting trim&xu, the Timoru Corinthians journeyed |o Dunedin, only to be defeated by 6 goals jto .1. A match was also played at Timaru last Easter, resulting in a win for Otago by 5 goals to 1. A match, Southland v. Otago, 9r*B played in Dunedin, when Otago was Successful by 5 goals to nil. " SekooLa 1 CommitW Beport Til* imJportance of paying attention to the developfnent of Association football among the schoolboys is apparent to all. Last year's JSchool Committee is highly commended for good work in that respect. Twenty-seven school (teams were playing the game, and the keen~lneo» of the- boys is indeed a reward for the (fefforts of those who interest themselves in 4he welfare of school football. Mr T. Broomfield, as hon. secretary, is responsible for *nuoh of. the success, and in him the ass6~' elation possess an enthusiast, untiring is tlis work and earnest in hie endeavours. (Thanks also are due to the teachecs for th« »art they took in the well-being of the boys, la the Senior Competition 13 teams took jpart. The Boys' High School team, were ♦he winners, and their splendid record of %2 matohes played, 12 won (53 goal* for and 1 against) speaks for itself. Kaikorai A yrere the runners-up. The Second Grade contest was won by the New School team, Bfoori Hill, with another fine record, twelve matches were played, 11 won, and 1 drawn (78 goals for and 5 against). High Street B took second honours. The five-a-iide tournaments in each grade were won py < the Christian Brothers. A representative school team played against a reprel»entative school team from SomtJbland, and After an interesting game the sowtherriera irere defeated by 4 goals to 1. The comaniUee trusts that the same support from f&embers of various clubs will be again forthcoming during this season. " Green Island. — During the season a regrettable incident occurred, arising out of an accusation made by Maori Hill against Green Island for alleged rough play. The attitude taken up by the Green Island concerning the ' fending of the committee's decision was such fes to compel tha committee to reluctantly the Green Island players. | *' Sxown Shield. — We regret being unable

to send a team to Auckland for the Brown Shield contest, but expect to have the competition in Dunedin this year. " peparture"S--and Appointments.—The association has unfortunately lost the services of many of its most valued members through their departure to neighbouring cities. Messrs J. Emslie, W. Soundy, and R. H. Stables are lost to the association owing to this cause, and the loss is regretted. Owing to business reasons Mr G. lilingworth, another of our willing workers, had to retire, but it is satisfactory to observe the interest he takes in the Wednesday Asaoewution, of which he is president. Mt P. Braithwaite resigned the office of hon. treasurer. Mr D. Anderson consented to continue the office of hon. secretary with treasurer. Mr A. S. Adams has kindly consented to act as hon. solicitor, and tho association is fortunate in securing his services. " Thanks.—Tour committee desires to remind you that the heartiest thanks ore due to Mr S. S. Myers for the use of his room, for his services as president, and for donation to the Schools' Committee; to the press; to ' Linesman,' in Star; to ' Left Wing,' in Times; to the Selection Committee, and to the hon. auditors. Special thanks are due to the secretary (Mr Irvine), who took a keen interest in all games and acted as referee as well throughout the season. " Referees' Club.—This club stilr continues to do good work, and the members are entitled to the fullest thanks for their services. This is a club that should receive more substantial support from old players, tv» the controlling of the games by competent officials strengthen? the confidence of both players and spectators. Mr H. Hannah was a hard-working and energetic hon. secretary, and ably managed the affairs of the club. Mr P. Braithwaite, as president, added to its welfare, besides granting the use of a room for the purpose of meetings. We tender our thanks to him. " Finance.—The association's financial position could be more satisfactory. Clubs and players when opportunity arises should lend their support, and help to place this important department of the association's business on a sounder financial basis. With careful administration the aspect will soon improve. " Delegates.—As the coming season is likely to be a strenuous one, we recommend that clubs return delegates able and. willing to support the committee. A great amount of help is looked to from the delegates, and without this help the committee is impeded in its work. Unfortunately, last year some of the delegates did not attend the meetings regularly." j