FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 60

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO'S FIXTURES. i Sept. 2. — North Otago, at Oamaru. j Sept. 5. — Canterbury, at Christchurch. B«pt. IX— Auckland, at Auckland. I S«pt. 16.— Taranaki, at New Plymouth. ! S*pt. 19.— Wellington, at Wellington. ! THE BRITISH TEAM. ' AUSTRALIAN FIXTURES. T7c4a«*daT, September I—Queensland,1 — Queensland, at Brisbane. •TOTES BX FULL BACK. ' The fortunate members of the Otagc touring representative team left on the first stage of the northern tour by the first express on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday afternoon the team play North Otago at Oamaru — a contest which is being looked forward to with some anticipation by lovers of Rugby in. the White Cixy. At the termination of the North Otago match the tourist footballers entrain for Christchurch, where the annual match against Canterbury is to be played on Saturday. Always a friendly match, this struggle for Rugby supremacy should be productive of good football. It will be a case of Otago forwards against Canterbury backs, who this year are a more than passing fair back division. Truth to tell, Canterbury backs tfhis season are something to ponder on. Doe 11, from what I saw of him in the British-Canterbury match, is & real good one at full back, while. the threequarter line, which includes players of tihe Fryer, Deans, Fuller type, is a dashing : attacking division which will take all the reserve defence Otago can bring to bear to keep on the right side of the goal line. Fryer is a curious player — on his day one of the most dangerous, and on his off da\ one of the most harmless players in the rear division. Bob Deans is always dangerous, and it is time to run up the signal for more defence when the " big fellow " is boring his way to the line. An ordinary tackle is no use against the "All Black," for he is 'so powerful that the defender is certain to cannon off ano wonder a moment or two later what has struck him — only Deans running with the power of a draught horse and the pace lof Modern Mercury. My advice is : "Go for Deans low ; go for Deans hard ; go for Deans hard and low, and then be sure you haven't been struck by a tornado." Fuller, too, is a wily customer in the Red-and-bkcks' three-quarter line — a sure field, fairly elusive, and quick to seize an ! opening. Gray, at five-eighths, is not to bo despised, and will take some watching; | likewise Burns behind the scrum. There ; fore look out for tihe whole of the Canterbury re&r division, and particularly keep the ball away from Fryer, Deans, and Co. j At the conclusion of tihe Canterbury i match the Otago touring team will take ship for Wellington, arriving in the Empire City on Sunday. The match against | Wellington will not be played until thy return journey. A departure in the ordinary route of travelling teams to Auckland has been made in favour of tihe Ota#o team, who will make the trip to the Queen City via the Main Trunk — a particular!? interesting- route, wihidj tHo uwmbers of the team will enjoy; every inch of the way. When touring with the British Rugby team I elected to go to Auckland via the i Main Trunk, and was delighted with the t trip, particularly tfio 16 miles' coaching through the bush by an excellent coach . service. The Otago team will leave Wellington on Monday morning, arriving at \ 5.30 p.m. at T&ihape, where they will | etay at the Gretna Hotel over night. Leavi ing about 8.30 on Tuesday inprning, the team will travel all d*y, by rail and coach, to Tauma.ra.nui, where the ■uighrt will be spent at Meredith House, proceeding to Auckland— a long -brain journey,— arriving at 5 o'clock on Wednesday evening. This will give the team l&ree clear days to prepare for what will probably prove to be the toughest match of the tour. It ' should be an even game in general conditions, as Auckland this season is much like Otago in that their backs are nothing out of the ordinary, and, speaking flatteringly, are not in the first flight. But the forwards! Well, they ,are- just the tougnest | proposition in the whole of Maoriland, and I am writing of an intimate know- \ ledge of all tJhe packs in the Dominion, j Good as the Otago forwards are on paper j and on the field,' they are not quite the class of the Auckland vanguard. In weight and strength, yes; in line-out and scrum, . no ; and in dash and " devil," years be- j hind. The dash and " devil " of the Auck- j land pack is something to pondiir on, and it is this same vim put into th nr play which' has a demoralising effect on the enemy, and makes them crumble like a cracknel in a dog's mouth. Otago's chances of beating Auckland with a. mediocre lot of backs and a good forward team such as the province ha 3 sent away on tour i& at this writing remote. Yet there is one chance of winning the Ranfurly Shield, and one chance only. Play Auckland a/fc her own game — a game of dash and "devil," fast following up, and deadly tackling. Give Auckland strong doses of her own medicine — attack from the jump with horse, foot, and guns. Drive them back on defence of their own line. Give them defence to do, and pen them up like cattle, in a corner. Do this if you can. but don't, let Auckland away on those devilish dribbling 1 rushes which orack the strongest defence and cause your five-eighth and three-qua-rtcr line to quaver. There's only one way to bring the Ranfurly Shield to Otago, and ihat ia to attack Auckland where she lives— in the vanguard. When the Otago touring team is safely on the boat at Onehunga, en route for New Plymouth, with the Ranfurly Shield in poeeeseion, the moral effect over Taranaki will be considerable. This will count for much in the match against the representatives of the butter province, who were defeated by Auckland after a hard fight a lew days ago. There are two reasons why Otago should defeat Auckland. Primarily to gain possession of the Ranfurly Shield, which has remained In the far northern province too long, and secondly to make the other football powers — Taranaki and Wellington — show come respect. Even if Otago does flaunt the Ranfurly Shield in the face of Taranaki, the players who hail from in and about the base of Mount Egmont, where the snow-wind cut 6 like a sabre, will not be over-awed. It takes more than a talisman or a mascot to perturb the big fellows in the mountain re-

' gdon. Firstly, they don't understand the meaning of fear ; and, secondly, it wouldn't matter if they did. They have several ! high rollers in the rear division wearing j amber and black jerseys who will make | Otago backs do some hard thinking. There is one gentleman — Hargreaves by name, ] a little fellow of about 6ft, and built in ! proportion — who can line kick 70 yards i without an effort, and who may drop a * goal from inside his own half-way flag. ' He- will keep the Otago forwards racing right up to within a yard of him — tantalisingly even all the time — then coolly punt the ball tack the length of the field. When this heart-breaking incident happens once or twice, the Otago backs will take the trouble to find- the line, and not to punt into the hands of Mr Hargreaves. Then there are three slick customers in the thraequarter line named Dive (who scored the much-disoussed try against the British team). Sheehan, and Cameron. Dive and Cameron we know well, and respect them for much that is good in Rugby, particularly their certain fielding and undoubted pace. Sheehan, Otago players and supporters don't know so much about. Well, he is, at the outset, a genial Irishman with a pretty wit, who doesn't known his own strength, and believes that no one else does. Con Sheehan works on a farm 50 miles from the foot of Mount Egmonfc on the roadless north, and to see his hands one can appreciate what it means when he "gels to holts," and why it is whispered of him that no man ever got past Con. Sheehan. Therefore, if you want to eoore against Taranaki, give Con Sheehan's win? a wide berth. Then there are the two famous All Blacks, Hunter and . Mynott. It is hard to say which of the pair ia the better. Against Britain, Simon Mynott was in the' ascendant, but Jimmy Hunter is such an elusive gentleman that I would rather -watch two Mynotts than one Jimmy Hunter ."on the game." Individually, they are freaks ; collectively, they are a "box of tricks." Then there is one Oodeman, whom Otago enthusiasts saw play full back for New Zealand in the sensational first test against Britain. Coleman is a utility player; inasmuch as he is equally at home behind the scrum or on the wing as he is as the last line of defence. Against Otago Coleman will^brob&bly play half back. If he does, the Blues aro going to have many anxious moments,^ for Coleman has the wiles of Rugby galloping through every pore. An instance in tho Taranaki-British match. The ball went out .in Britain's 25. Honest Con Sheehan was going to throw it out. Coleman saw him, and said: "Give it to me, Con." He did so. and Coleman tossed it out to Jimmy Hunter, who in turn whipped it across to Dive, and that speedy gentleman, oatchdng 13 out of 15 of the British team napping, waiting for the whistle, tor© off at rare Dace, and skirting the defence, which was "v*assall and Ha<rding in a hopeless chase, grounded the ball over the line. Every hat and umbrella in Taranaki appeared to have been tossed up in the air at the sensational and unexpected happening. Nay, there was one unmoved head-gear — my own, — which I > crushed on tighter in spirit of mortification at a try scored so eimply, yet, withal, so cleverly. Clever, that is. in the movement which led up to it. This was Coleman. Don't let him play such a trick against Otago, or the colours of this province will be trailed on the turf on the piefcunesque f round abutting- jM«w Plymouth Gardens, have said nothing about Taranaki forwawte, for I verily believe that " if the Otago vanguard infuse into their play the dash and devil of the north, they "will more than hold their own with the Taranaki >ack. It is the Taranaki rearguard j which is the oauee of so much anxiety. Therefore. I say, look out fo* Hairgreaves, likewise Dive,. Cameron and Sneenam, also Hunter and Mynott, and don't forget Coleman. The Bishopscourt Ground has during the j past year or two developed rather numerous small subsidences, causing the surface to be somewhat uneven and not conducive \ to a mathematical correctness in the move- i rnents of the Ilugby ball. With a view to i tho improvement of the playing area . the ' Kaikorai Ground Company has decided to i plough up the whole of the inner portion. The ground is at present undergoing that operation, and is to be harrowed, besides which the ugly bump on the northern touch line is to be graded to a vanishing point. The result of these improvements, i it is anticipated, will be to make the his- • toric ground an ideal playing area. I ues I the •word "historic" advisedly, for in that j arena the late A. Armit gave some of his j moat brilliant exhibitions of football I prowess, and that is sayiner a very great deal ; while the veteran J. Duncan also has on many occasions there given of hie beet | in football, and that, again is saying much. i The improvements now taking place will j necessitate the vacation of the eround this season by the Roslyn Cricket Club, so the epeU from now until next football eeason should give the ground every chance. A complete record of the matches played between the New Zealand and Australian representatives since the first game took place in 1882 has been drafted by Mr I. H>am», of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rujrby Union. Ninetyr.ine matches have been played altogether, and of thi.« total New Zealand has won 80, lost 17, and drawn 2. The r,ointe scored by the New Zealandere to date total 1601. whilst the Australians liave scored 507. Of tho 99 games played, the compiler of the record has witnessed 45. Details of the scores in -the matchc? arc: — New Zealand: Tries scored, 385 ; goals from tries, 147 ; poale from marks. 12: potter! goals, 19: penalty Roals. 17. Australia: Trie* scored. 108; goals from tries, 34; goals from markf, 12; potted goals, 6; penalty goals, 18. Unfortunately for Rugby football generally and for country football in particular. " Country Week" this season did not realise all its possibilities. The idea of Country Week, based on the assumption that there arc many good players in the country languishing to get into a, metro-polit-an side, is not the spirit in wh>oh Country Week should be approached. The fact that there are several more than tolerably useful players in the country oounts for much, but the knowledge that country football is improving counts for everything. It ip m its broadest aspect that Country Week should be regarded 1 and its possibilities realised. Comparing the standard or p!av shown during Country Week of 1908 and that of the season of 1907, it rather flatters the play of the latter year. This is rather discouraging, but, casting about 1 to find an explanation for thie apparent falling off, it appears to He in the fact that the country players have not during the season fully grasped the lessons taught I during the previous year, and while the spirit of the game is paramount* the actual ,

play has retrograded. This not so much in actual fact as that one looked for progress after the previous exhibitions given by country players against metropolitan teams and before metropolitan, audiences. 3ave with the single exception of Vincent County, which has always presented a resourceful and brainy team, the other counties have not exhibited the. iiugby intelligence expected 1 of them. It has been contended by some critics that a footballer in the making requires more- the ability to do things than the brain with which to think them-out. While this is true in a sense, it is also true that the player who thinks ie invariably the player who performs. The- fact that he brings intelligence to bear on his game makes it easier of accomplishment and more likely to bring about a successful issue! It is this sameS lack of intelligence- in Ilugby most noticeable in the play of the country footballer, and not only the country footballer, but' also his metropolitan brother. Good " playere_ there are in the country — scores of them, in fact — who ■ only require to exert ordinary intelligence to place them above the rank and file. The average footballer doesn't think — he does things" by instinct, and there are few of us who have instinct so well developed as to make a success of the business. There was only one successful footballer of my acquaintance who played by instinct. That player was Keogh in. his day the finest half back ever New Zealand produced. One critic, at Home, indeed, went so &r as to saythat Keogh was the "finest half back in the world." I don't know-. The finest half back in the world hasn't been born yet, and never will be, for the reason ' that another will rise up to whom the honour will be applied with aa much sincerity as in the case of the old Kaikorai ' player. Instinct, to do tihe proper thingat the moment is an excellent possession, but as so few footballers apply it, the greatest and beet virtue is a quick brain. The average footballer (and I mean both town and country) is not altogether void of ordinary intelligence. He applies it to the best of hie ability in business, but when he plays footbaft and enters the field he leaves it on the touch line. This, at any rate, was how football during Country Week struck the writer, who was a. dose observer of , all the movements in the play, which was sparkling at times and dull and uninteresting at others. There is no reason that is apparent to me at this stage for the apparent falling dff in tho standard of Rugby in the country.. I realise, of course, the great difficulties country players have to contend with in. getting together for practice and combination over their more fortunate Rugby brother in the city. But that appears 'to me to be all- the more reason why greater intelligence should be exercised on the field. That the country ' does not lack good individual players h&« I beetn amply demonstrated since the inauguration of "tJountry Week three seasons ago, and for this fact alone ' Country Week has justified its existence. W. Stead, who played such & prominent part in the match. Southland v. Ot&go on Saturday, has definitely decided 4o retire, last week's game, being the last important match he will take part in. Stead in his day has been a brilliant player, and on Saturday's form is still quite in the first flight. It is, indeed, not too much to say, t%a.t Stead was tko best back on the ground, and his individual effort which? led up to Southland* second try was the best display of intelligence and initiative in the match. We in Otago have in the past been most unfortunate in not seeing the " All Black " at his best, ■ and for several years when Stead played before an Otago audience he was degrees below form. This created' a false impression ac J» his abilities, and. the critics were unable on what they saw to give the popular Southlander all the honours due to him. Of recent years, however, Stead has proved beyond doubt what a fine player he really, is, and after Saturday's game be retires 'with the full confidence of Otago enthusiasts. I am pleased to see that the Select inn Committee of the Otago touring teamt have decided to include Clarke, of Dunedin, in the combination. Ac stated last week, Clarke has his "limitations; but who has not? That he does not lack pluck has been clearly demonstrated, and tha* he possesses some measure of resource has also been proved. If the Dunedin man ,does not turn out a star on the tour he will certainly not be the least useful member of the Otago touring team. S. Casey was unable to play for Otago . against Southland last week owing 1b Jin , injured back. The "All Black" was nofc taking any chances in view of the northern tour. Messrs Julius Dunne and D. Munro, joint managers of the Otago touring team, aro in for a pleasant trip. The plajere, from what one knows of them, will cause no anxiety, but on the other hand will work with the utmost harmony. 2\"o matter the run of the play we can be assured of this : that the Otago tourist footballers will be gentlemen on and off the field. My friend and confrere on the New Zealand Time, who pretested to some purpose concerning the book shortly to be published, "With the British Rugby Team in Maoriland," comes forth with commendable honesty and says, with, however,, just a tinge of sarcasm: "I wish humbly to apologise for what I said about the book. I was not; exactly ' behind the scenes,' but 1 was 'in the flies,' and I saw one or two things which I have not deemed wise to tell tike public. Evidently my Dunedin friend is not so timid as I am, and is really going to say what he saw. I am very glad, because his book will be , of interest, and should create even a greater 'sensation' than that which he credits the team with having ceased. But about that 'sensation.' I am sorry to say I must have misunderstood 'Full Back.' I am, like him, an Otago man, and Scotch, but 'I see it noo' — ox at least I think I do. The ' sensation ' to .which, he refers was not caused by the team's play — of that I am certain, — so that the 'sensation' is that other one, of which, as I have said, I have not considered it my duty to write. But I shall be glad to read the book, v I really am % football enthusiast, and as 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating' I shall be able tihen to tell 'Full Back' whether the book reveals the trutih as 1' know it or not."— [By the way, "Full Back isn't Scotch, and, moreover, he didn'fc say that "With the British Rugby Team in Maoriikuid " would, reveal the truth as my friend of the New Zealand Times knows it, but *s the writer of th^

book, who was closely associated with the British team on the New Zealand tour, knows it.— Full Back.] ' • The Winton Record saye: — "Football in' the Taringatura district on Sundays seems to flourish, and a very full report of a game played last Sunday is to hand. Following our s rule We will not publish any report of Sunday football, and again take this opportunity to express regret that these young fellows should persiflt^in offending the large number of settlers who disapprove of this desecration of the Sabbath." O.RF.U. COMMITTEE. - The weekly meeting of the O.R.F.U. Committee, held on Monday evening, was presided over by Mr J. Hutchison. • The Dunedin Club wrote asking permission to make a presentation to J. Clarke and H. Paton. — Granted. The New Zealand Union forwarded the names of players who had been disqualified for various reasons. — Received. The North Otago Sub-union wrote that'A. Pratt and Thomas Farie had been nominated as referees for the North Otago v. Otago match. — Referred to managers. The Waihemo-Waikouaiti Flag Committee wrote that the team, to play in the North Otago match would be under the management of Mr D. M'Donald. The committee asked that the union defray the travelling expenses from Pahnerston to Oamaru. — It was resolved to reply that it had been decided that it was a laid down principle not to pay fares in cases of this kind. The Canterbury and Southland Unions intimated that they had passed a resolution that they would be prepared to join with Otago in a requisition to the New Zealand Union to hold a special meeting to consider suggested amendments of the laws of the ga me. — Received' T wo of the players in the V.M.C.A. team which travelled in the train from Mosgiel to Dunedin on July 4-, when beer-drinking was alleged to have been going on, gave evidence before the committee. — The Chairman informed them that since they had been there last the committee had had a statement made to it, and had gained some information which 'had helped in arriving 1 at an understanding of what had taken place. — The first lad said he had some drink on the way in. He had it from a friend of his on the train. This friend was accompanying*Vthe team. He (the witness) had a drink of lemonade. His friend took the lemonade out with him and brought it back again. It was in a quart beer bottle. It was not true that he had had beer, as stated by another player. There were other bottles' on the platform, and he thought the drink was all tho same. He did not know what the others were drinking. — Tho second witness said he had nothing out of the bottles. He was a 6trict teetotaller. — On the two lads retiring, it was resolved — " That the committee did not believe their evidence," one cr two eommitteemen dissenting. It was further resolved that another player who had previously oriven evidence bo suspended till the end of the season 1909.— Mr Maodonald asked if there were not four lads altogether, and was informed that the remaining one was disqualified during the nleasure of the committee. It was moved that the two lade who had given evidence that evening be suspended until the end of June, 1909. — An amendment that no further action be taken lapsed for want of a secon-der, and a further amendment that the two lads he cau~tioned through the chairman was carried by 6 votes to 4-.-^-The Chairman mentioned that there was no reply from tho traffic manager as to a reauest for the name of the gentleman who hacl given the information, and thai there was a letter from the Dunedin Fifth team aMfing 1 that it be exonerated. — These matters were allowed to stand over for a- wwk On the motion of Mr Hamel. it was resolved that the motion as to sending 20 players on the northern tour be rescinded. and that the committee be empowered to send two additional players. IMPROVEMENT OF THE GAME. AUCKLAND. August 26. At a meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union this evening the question of improving the Rugby game was discussed at length. The members rresent were unanifQQusly of the opinion that the rules should 1

be, modified, and it was thought ■ that the matter should be discussed at an early date. \ It was realised that the colonial bodies could not hope for much improvement from the English Union, and as the recommendations from the N.Z.R. Union were being conveyed in an unofficial manner by Mr Harnett, it was thought much delay might occur. The union therefore decided to intimate to the Otago Rue-by Union that it was prepared to join forces with it for the purpose of securing a special meeting of the N.Z. Union to discuss the matter, and to that end the following resolution was carried: — "That this union, intimate to the Otago Rugby Union that it is willing to co-operate with Otago and any other affiliated union in a request to the N.Z. Rugby Union to call a general meeting of delegates for the purpose of considering a modification of the Rugby Union law* of the game. ' The Auckland Hugby Referees' Associzfc» tion- also held a meeting this evening, and discussed the question, the following resolution being carried: — '"In the opinion of this association the" time has arrived when the laws of the game require revision in She manner indicated by the suggestions already put forward by this association, principally in the direction of the line-out, unrestricted free kicks, no player Deing allowed past a line' drawn through the hack of a scrum, thereby deleting the wins forward, all goals to count two points except potted goals (three points)." CHRISTCHURCH, August 25. At a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union to-night a letter was received from the Otago Union asking if it would support a requisition to hold a special meeting of the New Zealand Union to consider suggested amendments in the laws of the game. It was resolved to support the proposal to call the meeting. WALLACE TESTIMONIAL. The collection taken, up at the Otago v. Southland match on Saturday on behalf of the Wallace testimonial fund resulted in tEe sum of £5 odd being raised. M. Young, the local controller, on behalf of the organisers, desires to thank ,hcse who contributed, and also Messrs L. Nelson, F. Bowen, E. A. Isaac, and R. M'Kenzie for assistance during the day. Other subscriptions were received from the Taieri Rovers Club, B Battery, and Hussar teams, and also Nees and Sons and the Dunedin Timber Company's teams. Mee«rs Dunne and Munro, managers of the Otago team to tour, have paid Mr Wallace a graceful compliment by forwarding a request for him to act as one of the line umpires in tho match Otago v W-ellington , to be playsd in the Empire City. OTA GO'S TOURING TEAM. Clarke (Dunedin) and Armit (Kaikorai) will replace King and Dwyer (of Vincent County) in the back division of Otago's touring team. OTAGO v. NORTH OTAGO. The following team will play for North Otago against Otago at Oamaru today: — Backs: Ros*. Mullin. E. Curran, Taylor, Onglov, Utiley. Toohey : forwards: Patterson. M'Grogor,' Clark. * M'Cullough, Minty, Grant, Scoit, Shand. A PLAYER DISQUALIFIED. PALMERS TON X. August 25. H. G. Hewitt was disqualified for three years by the Manawatu Rugby Union tonight for failing to attend on the union to explain hi? action in refusing to play against Wanganui on the 15th in-=t. ami for writing an insulting letter to the union in respect thereto. FOOTBALL DISPUTE. SYDNEY, August 25. In the Equity Court case Jack v. Asher and members of the Maori team the court made a decree by consent on behalf of Aslier and 11 other defendants declaring that 'there was due to the plaintiff for costs of the suit and danin^es the sum of £165, which should bo charged on any moneys in tne hands of the Football League due to the defendants. The court, in dismissing the suit with coeU against four other defendants, vrho

had not been served with a statement of claim, made an order against 19 others in default of their appearance in. the same , terms as against the first -mentioned 12. < WELLINGTON B v. BUSH DISTRICTS. WELLINGTON, August 26. Before the Wellington-Southland' match a match was played as a curtain-raiser between a Wellington B team and the representatives of the Bush Districts Union. The game was a very even one, victory ultimately resting with the home team by 6 points to nil. WAD3ARAPA v. WANGANUI. MASTERTON, August 27. The match Wairarapa v. Wanganui was played to-day at Masterton in ideal weather. Wairarapa, playing with excellent combination, won by 16 points to 5. For Wairarapa, N. M'Kenzie, Groube, and R. M'Kenrie scored tries, two of which O'Leary j converted. O'Leary also placed a goal, j Cradge scored a clever try for Wanganui, , which Abbott converted. The winners played with combination far superior to anything so far shown by them this season. j The energy on the part of their forwards was ably seconded by the backs, the passing of the latter being swift and clean, and the line-kicking well judged. INTER-COLLEGIATE MATCH. OHRISTOHURCH. August 27. ' The annual football match between WangamiL College and* Chrisl'e College was played to-day, resulting in a win for the former by 36 points to nil. TARANAKI BEATEN BY AUCKLAND. 'AUCKLAND, August 29. The Ran Curly Shield _matoh, played here to-day between Auckland and Taranaki, was won by Auckland by 9 points to nil. There was an attendance of about 8000 people, and the weather though fine was chilly, with a heavy wind blowing down the field. Auckland had the best of the luck, for they played with the wind in i the first spell, while it dropped to a breeze when they had to face it. Auckland's pack ■ again demonstrated its superiority, and rendered the efforts of the Taranaki backs to open up play resultless. In the first , spell Gillett kicked a penalty goal and ' scored a try, and in the second spell Murray j scored a try after a very clever piece of j back play between Wilson. Johnston, and himself. A great deal of the play was uninteresting, Auckland's pack at times keeping play very close. Air J. Williams, of Dunedin 3 made a very capable referee. August 31. | The takings at the Auckland-Taranaki match on Saturday totalled £1466 17s. WELLINGTON BEAT NELSON. NELSON, August 29. The match Wellington v. Nelson, played this afternoon, resulted in a win for the former by 21 points to 3. The ground was in splendid order, but a strong wind blew diagonally across the ground. In the "first i halfT playing with the wind, Wellington * put up 11 points* Gardner kicking a penalty ' goal, and Houlihan and Osborne scoring tries, Thomas converting the latter. 1 In the second spell Osborne and Murphy obtained ; tries, which were converted by Qardner and Thomas respectively. Smith kicked a penalty goal for Nelson. The visitors had the advantage in the forward work, but the ' game was more evenly contested than the j scores indicate. j HAWKE'S BAY DEFEAT WANGANUI. , NAPIER, August 29. I The match Wanganui v. Hawke's Bay was I played to-day in beautiful weather, and resulted in a win for Hawke's Bay by 11 points to nil. In the first half a mark secured by Wall for Hawke's Bay was con- | verted by him, and Kenyan obtained a J try which Wall converted. In the second I spell the local side never gave their op- ■ ponents a chance, but the only score was an unconverted try secured by Wall. About j five minutes after the start of play a re- • grettable incident happened. Wanganui ' forced, and from the kick-off the ball came ■ to Symes, the Hawke's Bay full back. . Hogan tried to intercept Svmes's kick, and the latter 's foot caught Hogran on the shin, and a bone was broken. The occurrence was purely accidental, and was much regretted by all. Souter filled the vacancy | in the Wanganui team. i INTER-COLLEGIATE MATCH. CHRISTCHURCH, August 29. A match was played this atemcon between Wanganui Collegiate School and the Lincoln College. The game was a very interesting one, and until the closingstages, when the superior condition and combination of the Wanganui boys told, the agricultural students made a very good fight. In the first spell their forwards were \ rather better than Wanginui in loose work, ] but tho latter's backs handled the ball better. Arwi their line, lcicicing^ was generally more effective. The game ended : Wajiganui, 20 points; Lincoln, 6 points. OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND. EASY WIN FOR LOCAL TEAM. The thirty-seventh match between Otago ' and Southland was played on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday in the pre-rence of about 5000 spectators. "The ground was in aplezidid order, and at the opening of tii« ijamo the conditions were ideal. There wan ecarcelv a breath of wind as the teams took the field, but as the game progressed < there was a mark-ed change in this rebpect. j The wind gradually gained strength, and ■ at tho end of the tjarne it was blowing very 6trongly. In this matter Otago were more fortunate than their opponr-nte uere. a-s the\' had a decidedly stronger wind behind thorn in the sec\>n<l spell than Southland had in the fir^t. The teams were a.s follow: — Otago. — Full ba-ck. Clarke; threequarters — O'Sullivan. Chamber-. and Stalker; five-eighth? — Dougherty and Kckho!d; half back, Sutherland ; forward?. — Williams, Fitzpatrick, Patr>r«on, Paton, Johnston, M'Donald (captain), M'Kenzie, Ivimey. Southland — Full bsck. Irwin; threequarters — R. Pyle, A. M'Neece, W. Broad ; five-eighths — \Y. Stead and J. M'Neece; half back, L. Foster; forwards — J. Ridland, C. Miles, W. Egan. D. Knight, D. Foster, I Jenkins (captainl, F. Turnbull, D. Small. ' Southland won the toss, ami Paton kicked off for the local team apain^t an almost j imperceptible breeze. Forward work and a i timc-ly kick by O'Sullivan saw play near i halfway, where the local back 6 were given J

an opportunity to open up the* game. The tackling of the Southlanders, however, proved too sound, and a centre kick by ' Stead and fast following up by J. M'Neece put the local men on the defensive, and the ball went into touch past the twenty-five flag. Play went out to the visiting backs, and Broad made a good run. I Sutherland brought relief, but the Maroons , returned to the attack the next minute. M'Donald came to the rescue on this occation, just managing to find touch. The game still remained in local territory, and from a ecrum the Southland forwards pushed the opposition over the line. Miles made a dive for the ball and touched down. A. M'Neece failed with the shot at goal. Southland 3 points. Otago Nil. In a few minutes- the visitors were again in local quarters. A penalty kick afforded momentary relief to the Blues, but the Southlanders rushed play past their bppoj nenta' twenty-five. Chambers cleared, and | Ivimey headed a dribbling rush which , reached Southland quarters, but A. M'Neece broke up the attack by kicking to past halfway. A second later Pyle marked and, following up the kick, beat his man. Small and Ridland pushed the advantage, and then Foster gave a pass to Jenkine, who was thrown into touch near the. corner flag. Scrum and line-out work followed, but M'Donald and Ivimey broke up a hot' i attack. The Maroons persisted in-- their . efforts, and gave the Blues a very anxious time ; The. Otago men made "several spasmodic attempts" to" break away, but. play raged close to theif line, attd they eventually found relief in forcing. Stead fielded the kick off, and put in a splendid run up the field. At the local twenty-five he passed to Jenkins, who, however, was collared before he oould get far. Otago then took a 1 hand in atack. Eckhold kicked high, .and the forwards, with M'Kenzie in tie van, swept play into Southland's territory. Foster effected a timely clearance, but the Blues were keen on attack, and the next moment Chambers and Stalker were in , hot pursuit of the ball, which, however, went into touch. Stalker threw the ball in to Dougherty, who ran down tie line and 6oored near the posts, practically without meeting any opposition. Eckhold did ' not improve the score. ! ■ Southland 3 points. j Otago 3 points. | The Blues set up another rush from the kick-off, and the backs gave 6ome interesting displays of passing. The local men were now attacking briskly, but a long kick' by Pyle brought about a complete change, the ball going into touch at the I local corner. The Otago backs, however, had the best of play that followed, and succeeded in breaking up the attack. Dougherty transferred play to halfway, where it remained for a time. Eventually 1 Dougherty got the ball away from a throwout, and his partners coming to his assistance, the Maroons' line wasr threatened. A* brief passing bout ensued, and 0' Sullivan bustled through the opposition and, beating three or four men, just succeeded in touch- ! ing down. Paton's shot at goal was result- ' t lees, and the 'first spell ended with the scores : Otago 6 points. | Southland 3 points. ' The visitors had the best of the play afc the opening of the second spell, but Otago quickly asserted themselves. A nice centre ■ kick by Stalker, and fast following up by j M'Kenzie, Patterson, and Williams resulted • in the ball being carried over the South- ! land line. M'Kenzie cut in quickly, and scored, Paton converting j Otago 11 points. I Southland 3 points. j The local forwards again attacked briskly, and the backs put up some good exhibitions. Stead got in a long kick, but •Clark-9 found touch well inside the Maroons' I twenty-five. Play was returned to halfj way, but Sutherland got the ball smartly ' away from a scrum, .and sent a quick de1 livery to Chambers on the blind eide. That I player passed to Stalker, who lost the ball lon the line. A series of scrums followed, ' and the Otago backs again possessed themselves of the ball, but the opposition was ■ too quick on defence. Offside play by ' Otago enabled Southland to clear their line, but the relief thus gained was momentary. M'Donald made a good _ run, but when at close quarters passed wildly, and there was no one there to take the ball. I The same player, along with Patterson, led another onslaught on the Southland line. The Maroons effected a brief clearance, but Paton returned with a long kick to touch. A little later Ivimey got fcho ball from a line-out, and, rushing through the opposition, scored near the posts. Dougherty failed with the kick. Otago 1+ points. Southland 3 points. M'Donald brought off a fine mark from the kick-off, and Eckhold had a fruitless j shot a-t goal. Shortly afterwards Stead | opened out the game, and Ridland raced down the field, reaching the looal twenty-&\-c Loose plaj- followed, and J- M'X««ce , picked up tho leather, and after cutting in nicely transferred to Broad, who beat Chambero in a race; and crossed the line. A. M'Neeoe failed with the shot at goal. Orago 1* points. Southland 6 points. The Maroons again a-serted themselves, ! an-d Pyle sent a long pass to Broad, who, l.o\\c\er. failed to accept it. Play ho\cred about neutral territory, until Dougherty foiuxl touch iiwde Southland's twenty-five. The Blue* were again penalised, but M'Donald marked J. MXeece's kick right in front of the posts, and Paton found no trouble jn placing a goal. ' Otago 17 points. 1 Southland 6 point?. Following the kick-off Chambers found touch at the Maroons' twenty-five, but the Southland forward? broke away, and threatened the local <>kie. They were driven back, and then forced -down from a •i'«fh kick by Ivimev. The local back- ga\o their opponents a bu«y time. On op-c occasion Stalker kicked hard over the lin°, and the Maroons again forced. A forward rush by Patt?rcon, M'Kenzie. and Ivimey, and judicious kicking by M'Donald. placed the v^itors on the defensive. Johnston carried p'tty right over the enemy's line, and Fitzpatrick scored iv a scramble, Paton converting. . Otago 22 points. I Southland 6 points. | Paton returned the kick-off, and the Reda were forced. Sutherland, Eckhold, and Chambers figured in some passing work a. moment later, and the Otago half back marked at close quarters, Paton kicking a good goal. Otago „.. ... 25 points. Southland ... ,_. .■■. 6 point*.

Th,3 Blues maintained a vigorous attack, and from a scrum in the visitors' twentyfive Sutherland got away smartly, and after cutting in nicely passed to Stalker, who scored in the corner. Paton failed with the kick, and the game ended with the scores ► Otago 28 points. I Southland . .. 6 points. The exhibition put up by the local, combination, especially in regard to the forwards, was such as to justify the impression that the t^am is likely to give * good account of itself in its tour north. Southland started off briskly, and forced Otago for a great part of the first spell to , adopt almost continuous defence. The local team was extremely hard pushed on several occasions, and matters looked anything but promising. But although the Southlandere were attacking for the greater part of thetime in the first spell, they were unable to. place more than 3 points to their credit. Towards the close of the opening spell their attack eased off considerably, and Otago asserted themselves to such good purpose as to leave no doubt in the minds of spectators that they "would run up a big score in the second spell. Anticipations mr this direction were fully realised, for at times Otago swept over the visitors in splendid rushes and excellent back play* and ran up the biggest score yet recorded by an Otago team against Southland. The forward rushes of the home team were full of dash, and were decidedly effective. Although the Otago backs showed oecaJ sional good play, they were not all that could be desired. The Southland forwards were hardworking and fast on attack in the first spell, but were gradually worn down by the Joeal vanguard. Among the visiting backs Stead was best. While initiating! several -fine openings, he was generally responsible for excellent play. M'Neece "brothers both played excellent games.. Of the forwards, Ridland, Egan, Miles, and Knight were about the best. Among the local forwards M'Donald was always in the van, and led a fine, hard-working pack to victory. Patterson, Fitaoatrick, Paton. Ivimey, and M'Kenzie were all units to be reckoned with. Among the backs, Clarke had a great deal to do in the first spell, but he performed his work with credit* Behind the scrum, Sutherland shaped well* Generally he is a very solid player. O'SuN livan made the best of his opportunities, and the other backs put in a lot of solid! and useful work. Mr W. Ross controlled the game to the satisfaction of all.