FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 55

FOOTBALL.

By Full Back

RUGBY.

The following table shows the position

PriTatc T. A. Begg, of this city, reported wounded, is an ex-Otago High School boj and Rugby player, and recently a member of the Otago University junior team. The late Mr Harold George, the New South Wales international footballer, wbo was killed at the Dardanelles represented New South Wales against New Zealand and Queensland, and was also a member ot the Australian Rugby Union team which visited America two years ago. The following Rugby Union footballers in New South Wales are among the killed on active service since the start of the wai , Captain B. C. A. Pockley, Major Blair I. Swannell, Private Perkins, Private A. D. Mitchell, Colonel G. Braund, Lieutenant Vv. E. Scollin, Lieutenant H. Watkins Lieutenant W. S. Duchesne, Private Harold George, Private V. W. Hughes, Co.our-sergeant-major M'Gregor. W. Downing, the New Zealand representative now in camp at Trentham, has had enough of playing. It is said that he is satisfied that military training takes quite enough cut of a man without Paying too H Whittington, one of the best xorwarda. in Taranaki for some years, who has been a Taranaki representative for several seasons, has enlisted, and will leave for the camp shortly. He will be the second Whittington to .go" to the front. The death of Mr Harold George, tao Now South Wales Rugby Union -forward, at thDardanelles, has made Sydney footoailer* anxious about some of the other men who were with the Eastern Suburbs representative their identification numbers running consecutively with that of the young soldier who was killed. Among those is I'. Thompson, who played alongside George m the New South Wales pack against the New Zealanders last season. . , , , T. Duffy, a well-known Chnstcnuich .oiward, has been appointed to a position on the staff of the New Zealand Aitilleiy.

FRKTION BETWEEN RIVAL CODES. GREYMOUTH, June 1 6.

A largely-attended public meeting was held in the Town Hall yesterday evening, under the auspices of the Rugby Lmon, to protest against the action and methods of the League authorities in attempting to introduce the League code on the West t oast during the present crisis, when a great majority of the Rugby Union’s best players were absent at the front. After severe criticism of the method employed and reply thereto, the meeting by an overwhelming majority expressed their confidence in Rugby Union football as at present conducted here.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. ' Kaikorai v. Southern. That the glory of the football ground has been transferred to the Joattiefield was stnkinglv evidenced on Saturday by the poor attendance at Carisbrook to witness the match between Southern and Kaikorai. The public is evincing comparatively little interest in football this season, owing to the war, and the fact that many prominent players are at the front diminishes the interest still further. A few there are who follow up the fortunes of the game, and it was this band of enthusiasts who braved the bitter blasts of a mid-winter’s day to witness the struggle for supremacy bet weep the old-time rivals. The match was delayed in starting owing to the lack of a referee. Eventually the services of Mr H. Lawric w'erc secured, and play commenced at 3.20. The turf was in surprisingly good order, and the conditions generally, save for a biting cross wind, wore excellent for the winter game. Both teams wore white bands on the left sleeve of the jersey out of respect to the memory of players killed at the front. Neither side was at full strength, Atkinson and Ready being absent from the Southern team, and Kaikorai, with so many players at the front, having to “make up” its team.. The standard of football was not high, and play generally, particularly that of Southern, was extremely ragged. Very little back play was indulged in, and the few efforts in concerted attack in the rear division were disorganised and disjointed. The one compensating feature about the whole game was the dash and vigour of the Kaikorai forwards, who threw themselves into the play with rare abandon, and, having some semblance of combination, where Southern had none, were able for the best part of the match to assume the offensive. The Kaikorai backs supported their forwards with sound line-kicking, Cameron, an old-time Kaikorai player of two or three seasons ago, at full back, and Osbourne, in the three-quarter lino, doing excellent service. The Southern forwards missed Atkinson at lock, and when Kaikorai got their weight on the scrums collapsed, leaving huge gaps in the ranks, through which the Kaikorai forwards dashed with the ball at their feet. In the first spell iSonntag broke away, and, making an opening, passed to Duncan, who laced over the line. Osbourne failed with the kick at goal. It was not until well on in the second spell, wdien the match looked to bo well won by Kaikorai, that Southern found their game. Douglas, who had been the one forward on the Southern side to show individuality and resource, suddenly broke clean through practically the whole of the Kaikorai defence, and, boring his way to the line, struck one of the goal posts and lost the ball. Eckhold, following up, scored a try from Douglas’s splendid run, and subsequently converted. From this stage Southern’s game improved, and until the end they were on the offensive. When the whistle sounded time the scores wore: Southern 5 points ■ Kaikorai 2 points Union v. Alhambra! Only a handful of spcctaors braved the elements on Saturday afternoon to see the match on the North Ground between Union and Alhambra, and they were hardly re-

paid for their attendance. The ground was soft and slippery, and the players often found it difficult to retain their feet, so that many of their efforts were spoiled. Alhambra 6 points . Union 5 points Mr Clancy was referee. University v. Port Chalmers. The ground at Mussel Bay w r as swept by a keen wind on Saturday afternoon, when the .University and Port Chalmers teams took the field, and, in addition, the playing surface was in anything but good order. There was a good attendance of spectators, and they were rewarded by a very fair exhibition of the game, the local side holding its own in an evenly-contested and, et times, almost exciting, game. Victory rested with the students at the end, but their win must be regarded as somewhat fortunate, as Port were in the lead a few minutes from time. University 11 points Port Chalmers 9 points Mr R. Bcnnet was the referee. Zingari-Richmond v. Dunedin. Forty-nine points to nil was the tally which was recorded by the Zingarl-Rich-mond Club against Dunedin in the tw r o 35 minute spells played at Tahuna Park on Saturday. The Dunedin started with J.l men, shortly after they obtained another, and early m the second spell three of their juniors, who had-just finished a match, joined in to give their seniors a hand. The Dark Blues put up a plucky fight, but, as was only to be expected, were outweighted and outplayed. Under the circumstances the match was not responsible for many noteworthy incidents. The Hill team played against the wind in the first spell, and tries were obtained by Whitaker (2). Paterson, Pcllowe, Watson, and in the second half Paterson, Watson, Symonds, Davidson (3), Cameron, and F. Graham scored. Waiter Cameron, Graham, Pcllowe, Symonds, and Bond registered goals. The game ended with the scores: Zingari-Richmond ... 49 points. Dunedin ... - Nil. Mr F. ITimberg w T as referee. SECOND GRADE. University defeated West Taieri by 11 points to 8. THIRD GRADE. High School defeated Southern at Tahuna Park by 44 points to 3. FOURTH GRADE. Kaikorai defeated Zingari-Richmond at the Oval by 9 points .to 6 . points. The scorers for Kaikorai were Edwards and MacKcown, and Patrick kicked a penalty goal. High School defeated Southern by 23 points to 6. FIFTH GRADE. High School defaulted to Port Chalmers. MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND, June 20. The results of Saturday’s Rugby football matches were as follow: —College Rifles beat Ponsoliby by 20 points to 3, City boat University by 35 points to nil, Marist Old Boys beat Parnell bv 21 points to 6. WELLINGTON. June 20. Football on Saturday was played on cold, muddy grounds, and snow sprinkled the players lightly at Athletic Park. The Rugby results were as follow; —Athletic beat Oriental by 14 to nil, Trentham B drew with Poncke (no score). University beat Selwyn by 8 to 3, Petone beat Wellington by 22 to nil, Trentham C beat Trentham A by 9 to 6. CHRISTCHURCH, June 20. The results of Saturday’s football matches were as follow: —Mcrivale 13 beat Christchurch 8, Old Boys 3 beat Linwood nil, Albion 5 boat Sydenham nil, Marists a bye.

ASSOCIATION,

Br Left Wing.

The following table shows the positions of the teams in the Senior Cup Competi-

The Sports Queen calls upon all her loyal subjects to rally to her support on Thursday evening at the demonstration which takes the form c£ a monster procession of representatives of all classes of sport, with as much of their regalia and as many banners and trophies as they can muster. To this call all players and supporters of Association football should respond. The assembly point is that part of the Octagon faced by Mr Myers’s surgery. All sports, whether attached or as individuals, are invited to join in the procession and to participate in the meeting to follow at the victoria Hail. Northern and Mornington, with 8 cup points each, should prove an attractn'O game on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday. Ravensbourne meet Southern at Culling Park, and Christian Brothers and Old Boys will contend at the Asylum. A novelty in the way of football has been arranged as a curtain-raiser to the Senior fixture at the Caledonian Ground. Certain ladies representing Mollison’s and the Mutual Stores have boon diligently practicing the Soccer code with a A’iew to playing a match at the Caledonian Ground, for the purpose of augmenting the funds being gathered for the Retailers’ Queen, for whom they are evincing a splendid loyaity. . The game, which will be commenced at 2 o’clock, should prove of absorbing interest. By a substantial victory over Green Island, High School Old Boys, at the close of the first round, have reached the top of the ladder in the matter of actual Cup points to their credit. The merit of this achievement, however, is subject to discount in view of the circumstance that Northern, 1 point lower, have played one match fewer, the postponed fixture being one which Northern would bo expected to win. Mornington arc in a handy position on the same mark as Northern, although with one more match completed. Ttie second round rs therefore full of possibilities. Christian Brothers increased their distance from the undosired position of bottom, and Southern, by a narrow margin, lost one of their most favourable opportunities of securing a win. The new Southern, nevertheless, is making a very creditable showing. A touch of frost kept the Caledonian Ground firm and dry for the meeting of Old Boys and Green Island. In Green

Island’s team Russell replaced Shaw, and M'Gregor, a youth who has previously played a game or two for Ravensbourne Seniors, joined the half backs. Green Island lacked cohesion, as might have been oxjiectcd in consequence of the changes and of the utter unreliability of J. Grant, who w r as a- source of danger rather than help to his side. The outstanding man of the defence was Geddes, who, with sometimes the responsibility of two men’s work upon his shoulders, performed prodigies. 13. Grant, a speedy man, usually seen on the Iqft wing, played among the backs, and put in solid, useful work, but had a tendency to lose his position. The team as a whole w r as inclined to wander, players at times being found in weird places. One saw M‘Allan, right-winger, at one time backing up the left wing. This player has a fancy for getting in front of goal, and would perhaps be better placed as inside or centre forward. lie and Barnes frequently strove together for the ball—a wasteful overlapping. Milburn, on the other wing, kept to his line, but was not well fed. He found Nicholson a tough proposition. Walker played a useful game. Harkness, although saving many shots, was not so accurate as usual. On several occasions he failed to field cleanly, leaving a dangerous rebound, and on one occasion the bail got into the net simply because he delayed his clearance too long. The play of Wynne, White, and Thomas, promoted from Third Grade to fill vacancies in the First Grade this year, is a very gratifying evidence of what is being done at the Otago Boys’ High School in tire way of turning out capable soccer players. W ynno stood out on Saturday as a cool, clever forward, with a knowledge of how to boat an opponent, and a deftness of foot enabling him to work out his ideas. The goal he shot was a regular stinger. White, inside left, worked nicely with him, and gained three goals by his readiness to shoot when within range of goal. Thomas proved a steady back. Race played centre half, in which position his command over the ball was of "value. He kept well up in support of his forwards, but was inclined to delay in sending the ball forward. The Old Boys’ forwards showed some nice combined rune. Hey was very effective. Ho worked his line quickly, and swung in the ball without delay. On one occasion he had four Green Islanders close around him, three of thorn being in prone positions on the turf. Allen was very sound. Anderson, in goal, had little to do. That is a state of inaction in which his Satanic Majesty is said to provide occupation, and it was a thought of this kind that the caretaker gave expression to as Anderson, in the endeavour to keep warm, marked out a track on the turf as he tramped up and down between the uprights. Southern put up a very good fight against Christian Brothers, who gained the decision by 3 goals to 2. The alteration of the weekly half-holiday has given Connor back to Christian Brothers. He played on the left wing, but his showing tor a start was fair only. Newman had indifferent support from the other forwards. Tarlcton nlaved a consistent game as centre forward, and was ably supported, especially in the second half, by Macklo on the left wing. The onc-back principle apparently did not suit Hiamerford. Furthermore, he revived an old habit of miskicking. With the exception of an inexplicable misjudgmant of Southern’s first goal, Stapleton was very reliable. Southern are still in the stage which may bo described as a trifle rfpon, but very promising. Of the line Williamson and Baker combined nicely at times, the left-winger also nicking in neatly here and there, -while Rennie and Knights, on the right, plodded along capably. Williamson, I understand, was playing his first game for the team this year. Ho placed in two splendid left-footers from the outline. He appears to apply a maximum of force with a minimum of labour. The centre-half showed good stylo, but foolishly attempted too much instead of passing the ball on to his waiting forwards. What Braithwaite lacks in experience he makes up tor by his dash and sure kicking. Goalkeeper Scott gave a tine display. He stopped one penalty kick, and had hard luck in not saving Newman’s last goal. T. Ashton watched the game from the line as long as ho could, . but finally dashed oil to the field in his civilian clothes to make up for a shortage on the part of Southern. He had scarcely been one minute in the whirligig before his activities, plus the attentions of his opponents, left him plopped in the mud. Culling Park was in a sloppy condition for the Mornington-Ravensbouvne encounter. Ravensbourne again started the game short-handed. Tabernacle has rejoined Ravensbourne; but ho was played at centrehalf, and was somewhat lost throughout the game. He provided many amusing incidents. Holland, a last year’s Wednesday - ite, played in the Mornington forward lino, and showed promise of making a useful forward. Flo should shoot more often. Mornington deserved their win by 2 goals to nil, and if their forwards had taken the many opportunities which came their way, the score might have been much larger. Reid, in goal for Mornington, saved several good shots, but otherwise ho had little to do. Hickey had most of the back work, and ho did it excellently. Shadwell had little to do at loft half, but what ho had to do he did well. Booker was the pick of a poor lot of forwards. He showed plenty of pace, and 'many of his centres wore badly neglected. M'Faull and Haig each scored a goal. French, in goal for Ravensbourne, had plenty to do, and his play was at times brilliant. Kelly was the best of the backs, liut showed little judgment in placing to his forwards. Cairney, the right half, wandered too much. The Yellows’ forwards did not combine well at all. Their right wing was starved all day, and a winger like Leslie is a man not to neglect. M‘Gregor did not play his usual game. Harrison brothers put plenty of dash into thoir play. The game was finished in semi-darkness. TFIE ROLL OF HONOUR. Though clubs of comparatively small membership, Green Island and _ Maori Hill have sent the following long lists of men to the front: — Green Island. L. Diehl (wounded), C. M'Lcan (wounded!, R. Allan, A. Duncan, W. Love (killed), a! Williams, J. Tait, G. North. O. Samson. P. Thomson, G. Russell, 13. Currie, P. Crossgrove, J. Garnett. A. M'Lean, S. Green. S. M‘Donald, J. Johnston, IT. Harvey, M. M‘Lanathan, A. Newton (wounded), J. Miller. W. Simpson, G. Watt, N. MTUnlay, J. Martin, B. Miller, W. Wright (missing), W. Siloan, W. Bcnfell, G. M‘Allan, F. Barclay, and T. Buchanan; —• total, 33. Maori Hill. T. L. Reynolds, F. H. Beeby, D. Farqu-

harson (wounded), A. Glen, R. H. Scott, J. Barnes, R. Campbell, J. Wells, W. Davis, C. M‘Guire, Millard, E. Bathgate, J. Day, J. Reynods, G. Reynolds, L. Latimer, C. Frame, G. Frame, P. Thomson, H. Chcttlcburgh, A. Dqy, L. Day, R. G. Phinn, L. Beaumont, and G. FI. Grant; total, 25. Otago Association footballers have figured with unhappy prominence in the casualty lists. Among those who have to be numbered with the heroes who have given their lives for the Empire arc Tim Laffoy (Christian 8r05.),. W. Love (Green Island), and E, Bannerman, who, although ho left with Wellington troops, was a well-known active member of Roslyn Club several years ago. M. O’Brien, a promising goalkeeper with Christian Bros.’ Second Grade team last year, is among the missing. Two Wednesday players—R. O. Mackie (Mornington) and R. Torrie (Southern), also P. Stewart (Ravensbourne), ■ and J. Rees (Roslyn-Wakari) are numbered with the dead. The list of wounded is mounting up. These casualties sound an appeal, and it is gratifying to find that the appeal is not sounded in vain. Mornington, for example, are sending four- more Seniors—Hickey, MTanl, M‘Farlane, and Smith.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. Old Bovs v. Green Island. Green Island, wearing white armlets in memory of W. Love, one of their club members killed at the Dardanelles, met Old Boys at the Caledonian Ground, which was in good order. Mr MacGillivray was referee. Old Boys 6 goals. Green Island 2 goals. Mornington v. Ravensbourne. This match wan played at Culling Park before a more handful of spectators. The playing area was heavy and the turf treacherous. Mr Portcous was referee. Mornington 2 goals. Ravensbourne Nil. Christian Brothers v. Southern. A cold breeze swept down the Gardens Ground, which was in only fair condition. Each of the teams was two men short. The Christian Brothers wore white binds on their left arms, as a mark of respect to one of their late members, Sergeant-major Laffoy, who was killed at the Dardanelles. Christian Brothers 3 goals. Southern 2 goals. SECOND GRADE. Mosgiel Rangers (4 goals) boat Christian Brothers (2 goals). Mornington (leading team) beat Northern by 2 goals to 1. Dickol and J. Brady scored for the winners and Bunn for Northern. THIRD GRADE. High School Old Boys defeated Christian Brothers by 6 goals to 3. Gibson (2), Aitchison (2), Shepherd, and Duncan scored for the winners. Southern drew with Mornington. scoring 2 goals each. Boag and Todd for Southern and Stewart and Laing for Mornington were the scorers. Northern defeated Green Island by 2 goals to 1, the scorers being Dyer and Brundell for the former and Anderson for the latter team. SCHOOL MATCHES. A Grade: Normal A defeated High School B by 13 goals to nil. Burk (6), Barnes (3), Harrison (2), Kelly (2) were the goal getters.

of the teams: — u o CO be a3 CO £ T3 D fl o •P CO o a is d u CO +-> .s *8 co -U .5 *3 s ri s £ 3 Q to Ph o (Southern . 5 5 0 0 59 11 10 University 6 3 i 0 96 26 10 Zingari-Richmond 6 4 2 0 113 31 8 Kaikorai 5 2 3 o' 37 57 4 Alhambra 5 1 2 2 21 £3 4 Port Chalmers ... 6 1 4 1 24 83 3 Union 6 1 4 1 55 72 3 Dunedin 5 1 4 0 12 114 2

tion in the first r ound 4a o to Cw T3 d rn 'r>i & s d Q & 0 hH £ n Q *"5 0 C5 Goal; Poini Old Bo3 r s ... 6 4 l i 18 10 9 Northern ... 5 4 i 0 23 11 8 Mornington ...' 6 4 2 0 15 12 8 Ravensbourne ... 6 2 2 2 11 11 6 Christian Brothers .... 5 2 3 0 10 13 4 Green Island ... 5 1 4 0 9 17 2 Southern ... S' 0 4 1 9 22 1