FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3398, 30 April 1919, Page 38

FOOTBALL.

In a private cable received within the past few days, Lieutenant E. E. Booth, exOtago representative and a member of the original " All Black " team, writes very appreciatively of the play of J. M'Naught and W. R. Fea, who were members of the Otago High School team a few years ago, in the New Zealand active service team. "Both boys," he says, "are shaping well and promise big things, especially Fea." He states further that Fogarty, another Dunedin boy, is in the first flight of players, and he also commends the play of Naylor, of Clyde.

THE -INTER-SERVICES CUP. LONDON, April 19. Before the Rugby match at Twickenham the King congratulated the New Zealanders upon -winning the Inter-Services Tournament, and handed the cup to Ryan, the captain. Fifteen thousand persons attended the Rugby match at Twickenham. Field-mar-shal Sir D. Haig accompanied the King, who shook hands with the players. The play was even in the first half. The Frenchmen opened the scoring with a try. Singe shortly afterwards equalised matters, Stohr's kick at goal failing. In the second half the New Zealanders quickly assumed and maintained the upper hand. Hazell, West, Killick, Brown, and Ford scored iries, Ryan converting the last. The New Zealanders were in superb condition, and their sounder knowledge of the game gave them a distinct advantage. In Association football, in the international match, Ireland drew with Scotland, there being no score on either side. In the match at Twickenham, in the second half, a forward rush ended by Singe scoring a try, which was unconverted. A little later Ford* scored, but the kick again failed. England rallied twice, but the New Zealanders prevented a score. Prince Albert, the Hon. W. F. Massey, Sir J. G. Ward, and thousands of New Zealand soldiers were present. The greatest enthusiasm was evinced over the result.

In the Rugby football match at Twickenham, New Zealand defeated France by 20 points to 3. A New Zealand team also beat Cardiff by 21 points to 3. New Zealand (20 points) beat United Services (7 points). England (2 goals) drew with Scotland (2 goals), playing the Soccer game. TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA. LONDON, April 2*. It is considered certain that the New. Zealand soldiers' team will definitely tour South Africa. Negotiations are progressing in London and Paris with a view to arranging for French and South African Rugby teams to tour Australia and New Zealand in the coming season. NORTHERN UNION PLAYERS. WELLINGTON, April 22. At this evening's meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, the following letter from the secretary of tho English Rugby Union was read: —"I beg to inform you that a special meeting of our full committee has been' held, at which the position of Northern Union players was considered. At that meeting the views of your union were carefully gono into. My committee decided that they cannot recommend to a general meeting of clubs any alteration in the professional rules. I would point out that without the rules being altered they havO not the right to delegate further powers of reinstatement to your union." The matter will bo discussed by the council of the New Zealand Union at its next meeting. ASSOCIATION. The Otago Football Association's cup competitions in connection with Grades 1, %, ftiud 8 were commenced on Saturday under auspicious circumstances. Players are plentiful, and the presence of returned eoldleiß in most of the senior teams is likely to have a stimulating influence. The majority of the

grounds were In good condition, but light rain made the balls greasy as the afternoon progressed. The attendances were larger than usual.