FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 53

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO REPRESENTA'iTVE FIXTURES.

The following are the O.ago representa live fixtures tor the season: August —v. .'South Canterbury. September 6 —v. Wairarapa. September 13 —Mew Zealand v. Australia. September 1? —v. Wellington. September 27—v. Southland.

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY TEAM’S TOUR IN NEW ZEALAND. Wednesday, August 21 —Versus Auckland, at Auckland. Saturday, August 30 —Versus Taranaki, at New Plymouth. Wednesday, September 3 —Versus WTangar.ui, at Wanganui. Saturday, September 6—Versus New Zealand, at Wellington. Wednesday, September 10—Versus Southland, at Invercargill. Saturday, September 13 —Versus New Zealand, at Dunedin. Wednesday, September 17 —Versus South Canterbury, at Timaru. t Saturday, September 20 —Versus New Zealand, at Christchurch. W'cdncsday, September 24—Versus Marlborough. at Blenheim.

RUGBY.

Bi Full Bac£.

The management, or more truthfully the mismanagement, of the Otago Rugby Union at Tahuna Park on Saturday was freely discussed by patrons of tfie Otago-Canierbury match, ana opinions were expressed that would have made the local union blush for its offences. .No provision of any sort was made for the convenience of the public or for keeping the spectators off the touch and dead-ball tines. The crowd walked the ground and practically took possession of all but the actual playing area, and frequently it took possession of that also. The efforts to keep the spectators back by the few officials present were hopeless, and but little assistance was forthcoming from the police. Many who paid their admission were unable to see tlic game, while others fought and wrangled for a view. No excuse can be offered by the local union for its shortsighted policy in not erecting a temporary barrier, and the trouble has been ot their own socking. At the cost of a pound or two and in a couple of hours the playing area could have been roped off, whereby the spectators might have been kept oft the ground. The Otago Union is taking too much from the public for granted, but loyalty on the part of patrons of our Rugby pastime is being strained to breaking point. The football provided by Otago is not so attractive that the public is thrilled and delighted to pay for tlio sensation; but when to poor football is added such discomfort and inconvenience as was experienced on Saturday there is meet justification for complaint. Of course, it is a rare happening that big football is forced off the leading ground, but the union was afforded ample time to make provision for the contingency, and failed to do so. It hue been suggested that, the Rugby Union might arrange for a band to play at representative matches. There can be no valid objection to the suggestion, for the proceedings frequently want enlivening. The band, too, might inspire Otago by playing a “gallop” when the team slows down. 'J he office boy suggests two bands playing continuously! .Seriously, if the Otago Union hopes for a continuance of patronage at representative football it will have to consider the advisability of catering fqr the public outside the actual game. /It was anticipated that some reference would have been made at the meeting of the Otago Rugbv Union on Monday evening to the muddle at Tahuna Park, but the committee was silent on the p'oint. At least the matter might have been brought up for discussion, and probably as the outcome some sound suggestion would have been forthcoming to prevent a repetition of the occurrence. Speaking privately, members were of opinion that in future all matches should bo played oti either the Caledonian or UarUbrook Grounds if either ground is at all playable, and, if not, the match should be postponed. I am afraid this idea would not be satisfactory to visiting teams. Responding to the toast of the referee at the dinner given by the Otago Rugby Union to the Canterbury team on Saturday evening, Mr Alex. Downes opened out on the difficulty of properly controlling the game on Tahuna Park, and stated that flie conditions on .Saturday were the worst ho had laboured under. Not only was the constant encroaching of the spectators a source of continual worry and annoyance, but his duties were rendered doubly arduous by the fact that no dead ball or five yards’ lines had been marked out. Ho had enough to do to control the game without watching where the ’ live yards’ and dead-hall lines should have been. The game itself, was no trouble, but the unmarked ground and the spectators caused him a deal of worry and anxiety. Incidentally, Mr Downes mentioned that he had been knocked over by the Otago half back ! Proposing the toast of the referee of the Otugo-Cantorbury mate]), Mr E. C. Taylor, the visitors’ centre-three-quarter (happily recovered from his injury) illustrated }iis appreciation of the refereeing of Mr Downes with a cricket story concerning an English umpire and Jessop. A big crowd had assembled to see the famous English hitter, who. stopping out to smite a ball out of the .ground, was stumped. The umpire refused to give him out. After the game Jessop went up to the umpire and said: “Why did yon not give me out? I was out. all right.” “Yes,” said the umpire; “I know you were, but thousands had come to see you bat!” Mr Taylor applied the stow to Mr Downes, who. by refraining from blowing his\whistle for every trifle, made the game faster and consequent.lv more attractive to the spectators. He was of the opinion that if other leferees followed the example of Mr Downes the Rugbv game would be brighter and better for if.

Among the spectators present at Tahnna Park on Saturday witnessing the downfall of liis ole! province was it. Abbott, -the old Zincari and Otairo representative forward, down from Wellington. I am pleased

to note that he is recovering from hie recent severe illness, and that he is on the high road to recovery. He proposes returning to Wellington at the end of the week.

After all the pleadings and exhortations to the Otago team last week the mountain gave forth a mouse. We hollered for a lion, and out came a rodent ! What is the matter with Otago football that its grant intellect produces such poor results? Has Otago a giant intellect, or is it only a pigmy intellect in a giant's body? These questions satisfactorily answered wo could, having experienced the effect, discover the cause. Somebody whispers that Otago football (and by this somebody means Otago footballers) is suffering from too much experience. 1 don't know, and yet there are times when I think so. I thought so after Otago's exhibition against the Maoris, and am thinking so now in attempting to analyse Otago’s game against Canterbury. If experience means slow, lumbering movements, lack of dash and devil, failure to field, and inability to pass, kick, and run, and loss of energy, why. then Otago is suffering from experience in its most virulent form . But this complication of troubles cannot be attributed solely to too much experience, and the real cause must bo sought. The team which suffered humiliation from a comparatively weak Canterbury side could not honestly be accused of old age, yet at times it played like one in which youth- had fled with tottering limbs and pounding hearts. The forwards looked good to the eye, and on appearance should have buried the Canterbury eight. But what happened? In the first spell the Blue pack was outclassed —beaten in pace, dash, combination, —beaten badly for the ball in the scrums, and beaten again on the lino-out and in the loose; beaten in handling, beaten in footwork, end beaten all roads. The exhibition given by the Otago forwards in the first spell was nothing short of d.sgraceful for a pack which included players of such reputation. While the forward play generally in the first spell was all at sea, the scrum in particular appeared to be suffering from the staggers or some such ailment. Had the scrums been properly packed and locked together with all the weight of the Blue pack behind it. Otago must have got the ball more frequently. There were two Now Zealand experts m tlio front row of the Otago scrums—Casey and Williams,—while Canterbury claimed a Alerivale Club pair—a good pair, too; but had the Otago scrum been right, is it not reasonable “to assume) that the Blues would have beaten the visitors for the ball? The sorum was no doubt seriously at fault behind the front rankers, and it is for the selectors to find out the trouble and have it remedied for future matches. A sound look is essential, though I do hold that any’ good forward, provided ho has the necessary strength, should ho able to fill the position. But, even with a soitnd lock and two expert front-row men no success can be achieved in scrum work unless there is weight behind. From all one hears, there was no weight in ihe Otago scrum against Canterbury, and it is common talk that Otago was carrying more than one passenger. If these complaints are justified—and appearances point in that direction,—the way of the selectors is clear. Still, when all is said about the hopelessness of the Otago scrum, there remains the fact that Otago made a poor showing in the loose, on the line, and in the open, where the men who were not doing the work in the tight should have stood out. Fast dashing forwards would have compensated for scrum weakness, hut there was no compensation on Saturday. In the second spell the Blues did throw more life into their game, and at times went clean through the Canterbury eight; but, these efforts were more spasmodic than sustained.

With the Otago forwards failing to hold their own. the Canterbury eight simply swarmed down on the Otago backs, and smothered them before they could get away. The Blue back division crumbled like a cracknel in face of these onslaughts, and, lacking pace, wore torn down where they stood. On rare occasions—extremely rare Occasions in the first spell—the Otago backs got chances, but the five-eighths and threequarters were always lying too deep to make the most of them, with the result that befoVe the first line of defence was pierced they were tackled. There was but, little improvement in the second spoil, though the team as a whole did go better. But over all and above all is the solemn -truth that in actual football Otago was beaten from fullback to front rank !

The Otago full back suffered in comparison with bis rival, but even outside this Scott’s form was below representative standard. In the first spell his fielding was uncertain, and ins kicking weak. Scott improved in the second half, and one or two of his line kicks wore reminiscent, of his best, but his form has deteriorated degrees in (lie last, two seasons.

The Otago threequarters were badly handicapped by the failure of the Blues to got the ba'l in the scrums, and again when the ball did some out by tho wild passing of the five-eighths. Throughout the game the threequarters got few chances on attaok. and the best of the opportunities wore refused them by failure of the five-eighths to pass. Cuthill and Harris both suffered in tie's respect. In the first spell Williams’s neglect to pass to Harris lost a good chance, and again in ihe second spell Williams throw away practically a certain try by failure to pass to < Tithi 11 supporting b : m on the wing with a clear field in front. Watson played safely, fielding the ball well, but be is not an attacking three-quarter, and would be of inestimable service at full back. Cuthill was nor on his usual game. and. moreover, suffered from ihe slowness with which the ball came out —when it did come out, —and the general weakness of the five-eighths’ play. Harris was easily the best of the threcquarter line, but. he, too, was neglected, and had to make practically all his own play. Harris has been accused of not making play, but, he was the only hack on the Otago side who did. The University player made one or two great dashes on the left wing, and had the crowd not been encroaching on the touehline T believe he would have scored a second try. It, was generally known that Williams and Eckhold would not pair at five-eighths, and few were probably surprised to see the lonehand game. Wili ams gave one of his worst exhibitions, hut Irs almost unpardonable offence was failure to g’ve a pass to Cuthil' in the second spell. Eckhold d’d nothing hadlv, but was too slow -a failing in the major'tv of the Otago hacks, —and his passes were lobby. Drvdon behind the serum could not be expected to stand up to the Canterbury forwards, particularly as the Otago forwards were letting them come through and offering no protection. In tho circumstances. he could not have got the ball a wav if he had been twice ns clever. Childs would

have been better able to have stood up to the rushes, but even the sturdy University back must get some protection Horn hie forwards. The hardest and most consistent worker in the Otago pack was Williams. For the rest, they ail appeared to be scouting more or less. Patterson was prominent wx the loose, and made « show to get on to the opposing backs; but what a man the big Otago torward is tor upsetting things near the line ! Yet, withal I like his dash and wish that more of the Otago iorwurdfi had it. Too much praise cannot be given the Canterbury team for the sound game it put up. -"Cot a brilliant combination by any means —as how could it bo with the best ot the players left behind';—but an unusually solid and dashing one. While there was no devil in the Otago team, Canterbury was like Kipling's camel, “a. devil and an ostrich and an orphan child in one.” The backs were faster all round than Otago, while the forwards were like young tigers let loose, 'i hey were on to the ball and the man with the ball with a bound, and every man put up his all in the tight play and the scrums. It was a Treat to see tliesc young forwards going in the loose and following up. Playing behind such a pack and practically unhampered by the opposition, the Canterbury backs did most things well and nothing ill. Their fielding, kicking, passing, and running was infinitely superior to the Otago men, though none stood out for any show of brilliancy. Bain at full back was verysound —fielding safely and kicking powerfully, with no danger of racing his forwards off their legs, though the pack appeared to have enough stored energy to last all day. Simmers had little to do in the first spell, but in the second ho played soundly on defence. Taylor at centre did good work until the injury received in tackling Harris forced him to retire. M’Uonald, the ex-Otago three-quarter playing for Canterbury on the left wing, made one or two good dashes and took some stopping, but ho retains his old weakness when face to face with a tackier. With his pace and physique M'Donald should be one of the best wiug-three-quarters in New Zealand; but ho falls far short, owing to his failure to go for the lino. Sandman at five-eighths was easily the best back -in the Canterbury team. Amodeo played soundly at half and showed special aptitude for marking in good positions. All the Canterbury forwards played well, but Cummings and Hassell stood out for all-round play. The Canterbury captain "is a good place-kick, and Canterbury has to thank him for the margin of the victory. Writing under date Timoru, August 15. the sole selector of the South Canterbury Union says: “ Dear ‘ Full Back,’ —As Cockroft was the hero of the Canterbury match yesterday, probably a par will be interesting to Otago people. Cockroft’s kicking was nothing short of wonderful. Ho had six shots with a ball which could not have been heavier or greasier, and landed four fine goals. His play generally was really good, and was quite up to his very fine club play of the last mouth, and as the New Zealand Union have rc-opened nominations for Mitohinson’s benefit, 1 have sent along Cockroft’s name also, as in his present form ho is nothing behind Lynch, except as try-getter. It is a pity that Cockroft did not show form earlier and get a chance for the California trip. The South Canterbury team, which declined to get down in the mud against the Maoris, mended their ways yesterday, and thrashed Canterbury pretty soundly. Canterbury made the same mistake as our men did against Parala’s team—tried to pick up a greasy ball, and could not cope with the loose rushes of the South Canterbury pack and the fine - kicking of the backs. Scott gave a fine exhibition at full back; but Lynch got nothing to do but. kick, the visitors religiously keeping the ball away from his wing. Spillane, who had been laid up until the Maori game, is coming back to form, and Coles (the wing forward) buried Mchrrens, who did not play up to expectations. Morgan, Langford, and Dalton played fine games in tile homo pack, and on their latest showing South Canterbury’s prospects of {riving Otago a good game are much brighter. Canterbury were rather a disappointing side. Bain did a big day’s work most creditably, though overshadowed by Scott. Amodeo was smart at half, Simmers was fair, Sandman likewise, but the other backs were very moderate in the mud. Hassell was much the host forward, Cummings (a much-boomed man in Christchurch) losing Canterbury the benefit of many of their fine kicks by getting in front. On a wot ground there was no comparison between the sides, and as the South Canterbury backs wore apparently a much better rot than Canterbury’s, a dry ground wonl?t not have made much difference. South Canterbury's only regret is that Ofay, Taylor. and Murray were not playing.” Tin* other evening, at the annual meeting of the Welsh Football Union, that splendid sportsman, Mr 11. S. Lyne—practical man himself and perfectly familiar with the subject on which lie was speak-ing-held up the Rugby game in England as something to be copied. He told his audience plainly that while the spirit of football had improved in Wales last term, there was still room for improvement. Mr Lyne believed that ihe success of England in the past season had been duo to their playing an open game regardless of consequences, and he appealed to Welsh footballers generally to emulate the English players to make the game as interesting as they possibly could to the spectator. If they* adopted that course he had no fear of the defection to Association which some pessimists said was at hand. He hoped the Welsh team would stick to that policy even if they finished up the international tournament at the bottom instead of at the top of tlio tree. \\ o agree (says the Athletic News) to a very great extent with Mr Lyne's remarks. The day of the tight scrummage lias gone forever, and people will certainly not go to watch matches which resolve themselves into processes of spoliation. What made Rugby football popular in Wales? Certainly not, tight play or spoiling. The cause was the original tactics of the great sides of 1893 and subsequent years; the perfection of the four threequarter hack game, and the subtleties essential to its practice. The great lines of the nineties, and the Llewellyn, Gahe, Nichols, and Morgan rank of the new century provided delectable football. The players of the past half dozen years have not done so well. WATPAIII FOOTBALL. The foot-hall tournament organised bv the Waipahi Football dub was held on Saturday. 16th inst. The day was fine, with a brisk breeze blowing, and in spite of a damp ground an enjoyable afternoon’s sport was furnished by the seven team? competing.

The referees were Messrs L. Edwards and D. Kearney, and their work gave general satisfaction. Amusement was Caused by th< contest between the Old Buffers’ team* representing Waipahi and CTmon, bul Clinton proved far too good for Waipahi. In the first round Clinton A (12) beaj Kelso A (0); Waipahi A (5) beat Pioneer Gore (0): Clinton Old Buffers (10) beat Wai« pa-hi Old Buffers (0). Her.ot drew a bye. Clinton beat Kelso rather easily. W aipahj snatched a clever try. Taylor making a gooq run. and Banks scoring. Banks kicked ai goo<l goal. In the second round ITeriot (5) beat Clin* ton (0); Waipahi (5) beat Clinton 0.8. (0). The match Flcrict-Clinton proved the most exciting of the day, play swaying up and down the ground, with - no score till 27 minutes had gone. Four additional spoils of three minutes had to be played. In tho last spell Johnston (Horiot) seized a chance,, and by a dodgy run scored. Tho kick at goal failed. Waipahi had an easy win over Clinton Old Buffers.

In the final round Heriot put up a good fight, but Drummond scored, and Banka kicked tho goal, for Waipahi in tho fire# spell, and after that Waipahi played fo? safety, winning the game 5* to 0.