FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3040, 19 June 1912, Page 60

FOOTBALL.

INTERPROVINCIAL FIXTURES. OTAGO. August 7.—Play Southland at Invercargill. August 31.—Play Canterbury at Ciiristchurch. September 4. —Play'Taranaki at Hawera. September 7.—Play Auckland at Auckland. September 11.—Play Wanganui at Wanganui. September 14. —Play Wellington at Wellington. SOUTHLAND August 7. —Play Otagu at InvercargilL August 10. —Play Canterbury at Christchurch.. August 14.—Play Wellington at Wellington. August 17.—Play Auckland .at Auckland. August 22. —Play Taraaaki at Taranaki. August 27. —Play Wanganui at Wanganui. CANTERBURY August 31. —Play Otago at Christchurch. September 7. —Play Wellington at Wellington. September 12. —Play Taranaki at Taranaki. September 14. —Play Wanganui at Wanganui. WELLINGTON. August 24.—Play Auckland at Auckland. August 29.—Play Taranaki at New Plymouth. August 31. —Plav Wanganui at Wanganui. September 14. —Play Otago at Wellington. TARANAKI. August 17.—Play Auckland at Auckland. August 22.—Play Southland. August 29. —Play Wellington. September 4. —Play Otago. September 12.—Play Canterbury. m

RUGBY. s

Notes by Full Back. .. The following table shows the position of the teams in the First Grade competition : ~ $ 3

Taieri Rovers ... 7 0 6 1 17 103 1 Archie M'Minn (of the spiral punt fame), who has beeji an inornate of the Palmerston North Hospital for some considerable time, has now left that institution. "Tiny, who had a lung complaint, is once again restored to good health, and is residing at Carterton. Henrys, one of the leading forwards in the Wellington College Seniors, has the unique distinction of having at different times been a Springbok, an Argentine representative, and a New Zealand player of note. The writer of football notes in the lington Evening Poet has this to isay of* the ex-Dunedin player Skinner, who obtained his rep. cap for Wellington in the match against Taranaki: "On the side of the scrum, Skinner was in his best form. He was far too good for the Taranaki winger, and he never ceased to worry the opposing half. Skinner is a fine type of' athlete, and will yet earn higher honours in Dominion footbuli." Otago touring team, please note the following extract from a Wellington paper commenting on the match Wellington y. Taranaki:— a northern critic put it. a feature of the game was the successful outting-in by M'Kenzie, "a great fiveeighth." Yes, " Mac" is a great fiveeighth. Cool as a. cucumber, always on the look-out for openings, he is without a doubt the cleverest player in the position we have had in Wellington for years. Were a New Zealand team to be selected at the present time M'Kenzie would assuredly be one of the first backs picked. On Wednesday his side-stepping had the Taranaki men guessing times without number. He was a veritable will-o'-the-wisp, dodging in and out among the big yellow and black forwards like a horse in a thistle paddock." A. Martin, Southland's representative full back last year, has left for Rotorua, where he will take up a position in the same office as his brother. Martin was a valuable man in the ranks of the Star back lino, and his place will be difficult to fill. A straight, determined runner; good fielder and tackier, and a superb line and place kick, he is an acquisition to any senior team in the country. • Ceorge Nicholson, the New Zealand forward, has been offeced an engagement as coach of the Reno University (California) for fivj at 75d0l per week, but without travelling expenses. He has asked if a guarantee for two years would be given. Rangi Wilson, the Wellington and New Zealand wing forward, is playing as well as over this season, and in representing his province asrainst the Bay of Plenty representatives last week he was responsible for a high-class display. The New Zealand Rugby Union has fixed the date of the North v. South Island match for July 13 . the K am » *° be played at Napier.

Ex-Dunodinire writes mo as follows from Palmeraton undor date June 12: Dear "Full Back,"—Manawatu played their first representative football match against Horowhenua last Saturday at Levin. The frame was very fast throughout, and some good football was witnessed. The passing of the Horowhen.ua backs (who were principally Natives) was a sight to behold, and only the timely efforts of the Manawatu forwards spoiled several trie a being registered. Manawatu* as a team excelled themselves, and, considering they were tho youngest and lightest combination ever sent from this town, did well to win. The game was finished in semi-darkness, the scores being: Manawatu 13 points, Horowhenua 5 points. Mr Eggleton made a good referee. The visitors wore entertained at dinner by the Horowhenua Union, during which Mr Martin "Winiata, on behalf of all footballers in Horowhenua, presented Mr Southey Fowler with a goldmounted umbrella and travelling rug. Mr

Winiata made kindly reference to Mr Fowler's services to football in Horowhenua, extending over a good many years. Mr Fowler i s now a resident of Feilding. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union Committee a letter from the local University Club stated that the Sydney University Club intends touring New Zealand and playing two matches in Auckland. The visit to New Zealand would incur expenditure of £340, which meant that the universities in the four chief centres would be each required to guarantee _ £BS. His cluh eouJd guarantee £3O only, and he had been instructed to ask tho union to guarantee the balance of £55. ~ It was decided that the union guarantee the £55, and undertake the whole * management of the Sydney teams' matches in Auckland. ;*' Commenting on the statement's recently made by George Gillett regarding the pay.ment of representative players by the Auckland Rugby Union, a 'Wellington writer says:—"l think, now that a positive assertion has been made, that the-New Zealand Rugby Union should go further, and ask the Auckland body what\ payment in money or in kind it makes or has made to the country players who are invited to come to the city and stay there for weeks on end with a view to playing in representative games. Aa I write, names crop up in front of me, and eases of players who have enjoyed, somebody's hospitality in Auckland in this connection could'be men--. tioned in profusion. Gillett says he demanded payment for playing—and got it, too, —so that there i© a - good cause of inquiry, for Gillett does not stand alone; of that I am sure. Truly, there have been instances of semi-professionalism in various partg of New Zealand in times "that are past—and the Auoklanders- have been the biggest sinners,—but things must change., The player who wants payment for his services is better out of the Rugby game, "and the New Zealand Union should see that he i s given the push necessary to land him on the other side of the fence" Brimful of incident from kick-off to no-side, the Taranaki-Wellington match, played on the Show Grounds at Hawera, on Wednesday last, will long be remem- : bered as one of the finest exhibitions of i Rugby ever seen in Taranaki (says an exchange). In fact, one can say without fear of contradiction that no'North v. South Island , match ever provided a better ■ spectacle. It was a game featured by brilliant passing, clever tactics, and no roughness—truly a contest to enthuse over. Although Taranaki lost, the three thousand or so spectators were practically unanimous in the opinion that the better team won, and ' a* the visitors filed off the field a -hearty tribute to their prowess was paid. Wellington's olever rearguard was responsible " for the victory, the combination of Roberts, M'Kenzie. Ra-msden. and Murray at' times befng.. well-nigh perfect. In the first two minutes'/they gave Taranaki a taste' of their quality, ' and r.ieihfc until the final whistle were always daneerous when handling the ball. Taranaki also possessed clever backs, but ae a combination they failed badly. Hardlvonce was their rearguard seen in & combined movement, St«hr, Brown, M'liftod.. and company being oonr tent with so his efforts. Forward, the teams. ' were fairly matched. Wellington making up what they lacked in brawn by olevernefls. . They were on the Taranaki backs like lierhtning. and their play in this respect contrasted,more than favourably with that of the home forwards, who were father - slow in breaking up from the scrums. Tho Taranaki hookers obtained more than their fair ahare of the ball, but Skinner usually nullified the advantage by nailing the half back. Wellineton's ptace-kioking was weak, Tnxanaki itv this respect setting a good example. Stobr onlv had three shot« at ,gon.l. the hall on two occasions sailing fairlv over the bar, while the other shaved the nosts, Wellington won by 12 points to 10. OTAGO RUGBY UNION. The ordinary meeting of the Otago Rugby Union was neill on Monday night, when there wore present—Messrs Harris (in the chair), Dunn, Miscall, Burns, Cavanagh, Sinclair, Priest, Wilson. M'Taggart, Stuart, Sarnies, Nelson, and Smith. GENERAL. . Footballs were granted to the Highcliff, Otakou". Wedderburn, Momona, and Coal Creek Flat Schools. • M. M'Lean, secretary of the Maniototo Rugby Sub-union, wrote stating that the union had decided to hold its seven-a-side tournament on August 22. He asked that the gcverning body try to arrange country week so as not to clash with that date,—Received. , , *J, H. H. S. White, secretary of the Otago Referees' Association, submitted the following resolution from his association for the* approval of the union:—"That the captains (fo r the time being) of all teams playing under the jurisdiction of the O.R.F.U. be elected hon. members of this association." Mr White stated that his association wa.s not. receiving the support it should receivo from old pLayers, and the adoption of the foregoing resolution might tend to improve matters.—The resolution as submitted was approved. ; , ~ F. C. Haynes applied, on behalf of the. Dunedin Harriers, for the. use of Tahuna Park on July 6, to allow of the running of the W. F. " Edmond Cup Steeplechase.— Granted. FIXTURE WITH SOUTH CANTERBURY. In answer to a communication from the South Canterbury Union, it was decided that the Otaao touring team play against a team from that union at Timaru. on Wednesday, August 28, if that date would be satisfactory to the northern body. REMOVAL OK A DISQUALIFICATION DECLINED. George E. Partridge, Lowburn Ferry, who was disqualified for two years for indiscriminate kicking in the match Dunedin v. Alhambra in 1910, wrote asking that his disqualification be removed. He stated that in his case he had been neither cautioned no r ordered offi during the game, but was reported for rough play by a spectator, and subsequently disqualified as stated above. Partridge continued: "It is onlv out of fairness that I ask the Otago Rugby Union to remove my disqualification a 3 soon as possible, because of the two precedents—viz., the Tansey and the M'Donald disqualifications, which have since been removed by the N.Z.R.U. on the ground that a referee, and not a spectator or any other person, has a right to report a player to the union under which he is playing." On the motion of Mr Sandes, seconded by Mr Cavanagh, it was decided that the committee could not see its way to reopen the case. COUNTRY WEEK. The Secretary submitted the following opinions on the holding of country week: North Otago Sub-union: " Would prefer a visit from an Otago team to a country

week." Tuapeka Sub-union : " Would prefer a visit* from an Otago team to a coun- | try week." South Tuapeka County Com- , mittee: "Would prefer a country week,, and, failing it, that they be allowed to appoint one or two men to Play in the trial , matches." Waihemo-Waikouam: ln > : favdfr of a country week, provided they | compete against the teams from the other sub-unions; otherwise, would prefer a visit from a junior representative team. , Maniototo Sub-union: "In favour Of a, country week, but should committee other- ; wise decide would appreciate a visit from | an Otago team, and suggest that whatever | is decided should take place the fixtures ( should not be arranged later than August. No replies were received from the Vincent and -South Otago Unions. The Chairman pointed out that there was a consensus of opinion in favour of country week, and it was then decided to appoint a sub-committee composed of Messrs bandes, Stuart, and Cavanagh to go into the question and draw up a report.

Saturday's Fixttjbkb. _ First Grade.—Southern ▼. Zingan-Kich-mond, on Caledonian Ground; Du»f<hn y. Pirates, on Carisbrook No. 1; Port Ciial; mers v. Alhambra, at Port Chalmers; laieri Rovers v. Kaikorai, on Mosgiel Recreation Ground; University v. Union, on Carisbrook No. 2. . . Second Grade.—Alhambra v. Taien Rovers, on Tahuna No. 2; Kaikorai v. Southern, on Tahuna No. 1; Zingan-Rich-mond v. Union, on the North Ground; i"orC Chalmers v. Dunedin, on the Asylum Ground; West Taieri v. University, at Outram; Pirates, a bye. , Third Grade.— University v Kaikorai, at Bishopscourt (3 p.m.); Alhambra t. Pirates, at Opoho (3 p.m.);-Union v. High School, on the North Ground (1.30 p.m.); Dunedin v. Southern, on Tahuna No. 6 (3 p.m.); Zingari-Richmond v. Fort Chalmers, at Sawyers' Bay (3 p.m.). Fourth Grade.— Kaikorai v. Southern, on Caledonian Ground; Alhambra v. Union, at Opoho; High School v. Zingari-Richmond, at Montecillo—all at 1.30 p.m. Fifth Grade.—Southern v. Zingan-Rich-mond, oft Carisbrook No. 2 (1.30 p.m.); High School v. Green Island, on Mosgiel Factory Ground (3 p.m.); Ka ' k °ra i v. Union, at Bishopscourt (1.30 p.m.); Alhambra v. Port Chalmers, at Montecillo (3 Schools.—Senior: High School A v. Mosgiel. on Mosgiel Recreation Ground ; High School B v. Port. Chalmere, at Sawyers Bay. Junior: Arthur Street v. High School, on Asylum Ground; Musselburgh v. Macandrew Road, on Tahuna No. 1; Albany Street v. Kensington, on Carisbrook No. I—all at 1.30.

MANIOTOTO RUGBY SUB-UNION. A meeting of !the Maniototo Sub-union was held at Ranfurly;on Thursday evening; present—Messrs, T. S. Pindcr (president,), John Millar, Wm. Davis, S. G. Greer, W. H Webb, D. Grant, M'K. Marshall, C. Dougherty, R. L. Francis, and W. M'Lean (secretary). "■•,,. , , Mr Robert Haig reported having ordered a Matakanui player off the ground in the match Gimmerburn v. ; Matakanui, played at Matakanui on Saturday, June 1, also having had reason to caution another Matakanui player, both for rough play.—After consideration, it was resolved that both players' names be placed on the cautioned players' list. Correspondence was read in re the reason of the postponement of the CambriansNaseby fixture set down to have been played at Naseby on Saturday, June 8. -It was decided that a note of censure be passed on the Cambrians Club, it being the opinion of the committee that there was a way open "for that club to have reached Naseby in time to have played the match. It was resolved that Cambrians play Naseby at Naseby on June 22, the match also to be for the Richard Young Banner. Permission was granted the Matakanui and Ranfurly Clubs to postpone their fixture .of 15th inst. until a later date. Mr Robert Haig wrote desiring to be relieved of the duties of referee in matches in which .the Matakanui Club was participating.—The Matakanui Club also wrote expressing its dissatisfaction with Mr Haig as referee. —Resolved that the Matakanui Club be written to to fchp effect that the sub-union took strong exception .to the wording of its letter in re referee-R. Haig, also that the committee had full confidence in Mr Haig as a referee. Regarding the Strath-Taieri Club's challenge • for the Richard Young Banner for June 29, it was decided in case of a deadlook between the clubs concerned that tho match be referred to the president and secretary of the sub-union. The following were appointed to report on the state of the different grounds in the county when such report was required: Cambrians. Mr J. Beattie, jun.: Matakanui, Mr Howe Johns; Gimmerburn, Mr W.Davis, jun.; Naseby. Mr R. L. Francis; Ranfurly, Mr M. Hanrahan; Middlemarch, Mr A. Horn.

Thursday, August 22, was the day appointed for holding tho Seven-a-side Tournament, providing such does not olash with Country Week, in which case the samo shall be held a week earlier /

NEW ZEALAND UNION. WELLINGTON, June 12. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met this evening. The • South Canterbury Union wrote declining to take part in the country teams' tour. The numerical representation of the South Island unions was amended to make up the deficiency. The school football grant of £l3O was apportioned as follows:—Wanganui, Wairarapa, South Canterbury, and Southland, £ll each; South Auckland, £10; Marlborough, £9; Bush Union, Manawatu, West Coast, Buller, and Taranaki, £9 each; Nelson, £7; Bay of Plenty, £6; Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay, £5 each; and Horowhenua, £4-

FRICTION IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Jane 12. i The action of the Ponsonby senior team in refusing to play in a match against City j .on Saturday, as they objected to Mr Williams acting as referee, was discussed at a meeting of the Rugby Union to-night, j Messrs G. Nicholson (captain) and Cunning- | ham, members of Ponsonby team, and E. Whaley (secretary of the club) were present. They explained that a complaint had been lodged by Mr Nicholson last year to the old Referees' Association in respect to Mr Williams. Evidence had been taken by the association, which had promised to forward the decision of the association to the Ponsonby Club, but this had not been done. Members of the club were aware that some | of the members of tha executive of the 1

union knew something of the trouble, and had been under the impression that the union had received official intimation as to the association's finding with regard to the complaint. , , . A good deal of discussion ensued, and it transpired that the union had received no such official intimation, and had not realised that there had been any feeling of dissatisfaction with regard to Mr Williams, as the complaint had been made so long ago. The president of the- new Referees Association was called, and stated that the minutes of the old association were not m the hands of the associat:on, but these could be obtained. vttv,m» w After further explanations, Mr \Y haley made application that the match between Ponsonbv and City should be plaved at a future date, and the union decided to consider the application at its meeting next week.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. University v. Alhambra. The 3000 odd spectators who visited trie Caledonian Ground on Saturday were rewarded by witnessing a. fast and exciting game, with the final result hanging m the Llano* till half-way through the second spell, when the Blues took the upper hand The University, backs at once commenced to throw the ball about-with a lot less method than usual, it must be confessed,but with Williams, M'Dougall, and Bennet running past the scrums and anticipating the passing of the Blues,, and Sutherland (half back) playing to his forwards, he Red vanguard qnieklv dominated the play and made it tight, though both teams at times got on good passing which broke down at the critical point. In the second half the play surged backwards and forwards at a great rate, and the tflues backs threw away several trtes by bad passing-mostly of the lob van**?'— *n d througli holding on to the ball too long. Alhambra also lost chances by their pacing breaking down. University " P 0 Alhambra 8 points. Mr R. Adamson was referee. ZINGARI-RICHMOND V. KAIKORAI. This match was played on Cansbrook rvo. 1 Ground and was witnessed by a iair attendance of the public. Zingari won the toss, and the game started on a heavy greasy ground. It soon became apparent that if the playing ground was against good football aa far ae the backs were concerned a battle royal would be witnessed between the forwards, to whom the greater part of the play was confined. Zingari-Richmond 15 points. Kaikorai ... - 8 P omta - Mr W."J. Wilson had charge of the match. „ DUNEDIN V. PORT CHALMERS. Dunedin met Port Chalmers on the ISo. 2 ground at Carisbrook. The game was fairly even. during the first spell, but in the second Port seemed to lose what little combination they had, and the Dunedin backs repeatedly executed most effective passing rushes. .The game, which was controlled by. Mr R. Heron, ended with the scores: Dunedin 9 points. Port Chalmers ... Nil. Southern v. Union. This match was played at Tahuna Park on Saturday afternoon, in the presence ot a fair number of supporters of each of the teams, and though Southern ran out victors to the tune of 25 points to 6, the victory could scarcely be called a hollow one. Southern were undoubtedly the and beat their opponents at all points of the game, but Union, as in all their previous engagements, put up a splendid fight and at times made play most exciting. The ground was in good condition, but somewhat roujjh, and there was a slight, impartial breeze. Southern ... 25 points. Union 6 points. Mr H. M'Farlane was referee. Pirates v Taieri Rovers. Pirates journeyed to Mosgiel to meet the. Taieri Rovers on their own ground. There v,-a* no wind and the turf was in excellent order, showing no trace of the recent heavy rains. Pirates I 7 points. Taieri Rovers ... Nil. SECOND GRADE. Zingari-Richmond defeated Pirates by 12 points to 4. Union and Southern drew, each Bide scor ing a tryTHIRD GRADE. High School defeated Pirates by 26 points to mi; Zingari-Richmond defeated University by 14 points to 5. FOURTH GRADE. Southern defeated Alhambra by 12 points to nil. High School beat Kaikorai by 14 points to 3. ■'.,«, Zingari-Richmond defeated Union by 21 points to nil. FIFTH GRADE. Zingari-Richmond defeated Kaikorai by 9 points to 3. Southern secured a win against Alhambra by 18 points to nil. Green Island defeated University by 36 points to nil. CANTERBURY COLLEGE v. OTAGO UNIVERSITY. CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. The football match between Otago University and Canterbury College was played to-day, and resulted in a win for the latter by 11 points to nil. WANGANUI AND TARANAKI. * HAWERA, June 15. The Rugby football representative match Wanganui'v. Taranaki was played on the show grounds to-day, when Taranaki won bv 6 points to nil. It was a mediocre display. A strong wind blew aoross the ground, and passing rushes were practically non-existent The only try scoivd was from a forward scramble. MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND, June 16. The Senior Rugby matches were continued in lino weather, but the grounds were a trifle- heavy. College Rifles, who are in the competition for the first time, created 1 6urprise by drawing with City, the leading team, after a fine game. City scored a try, and Rifles kicked a goal from a mark. Ma'rist Bros. Old Boys beat Ponsonby by 12 points to 3. Parnell beat University by 6 points to nil. Marist Bros, aro now equal with City for the championship. In League football, the New Zealand

team which will leave for Sydney to-morrow met an Auckland representative team in a brilliant exposition of the Northern Union {fame. At half-time Auckland led by 10 to 7- In the second half New Zealand got into better combination, and played splendid'lj, eventually winning by 38 points to 16. WELLINGTON, June 16. Rain foil heavily all day yesterday, and all games were postponed except, the Rugby and hockey matches. The Rugby matches resulted: —Athletic 17, St. James 6; Poneke 11, Victoria College nil; Petone 8, Melrose nil: Oriental 13, Southern 3. CHRISTCHURCH, June 16. The results of this afternoon's Senior matches were:—Merivale 18, Linwood 3; Albion 11. Old Boys 9; Christeburch 30, Marist Bros. 3j Sydenham 12, Canterbury Co'lege nil.

NORTHERN UNION GAME. A FINE RECORD. SYDNEY, June 17. Messenger, the Rugby League three-quar-ter.. has played in 10 matches this season, and has scored four tries and 46 goals out of 223 points scored by his team. LEAGUE PLAYERS DISQUALIFIED. NAPIER, June 11. The Northern Union League has disqualified for life nine players who took part in a Rugby match whilst still registered under the League.

'P 'a HP o a o Team. ►» 8 4& ft wi 3 S * J t. -«3 Q tx, 04 o University . 7 6 1 0 99 38 12 ZingariRichmoiul .. 7 5 1 1 69 22 11 Kaikorai ... . .. 7 5 2 0 82 38 10 Southern ... . .. 7 5 2 0 109 36 10 Dunedin ... . .. 7 3 '2 2 48 51 8 Alhambra ... . .. 7 3 4 0 62 66 6 Pirates .. -7 3 4 0 75 .80 6 Port Chalmers . . 7 2 5 0 18 74 f Union .. 7 1 6 0 29 86 2