FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 51

FOOTBALL.

By Full Back. The following table shows the relative positions of the clubs engaged in the Senior

* University B defaulted bo Soufchorn. The Otago selectors—Messrs J>. Stuart, J. King, and W. Brown —will have a difficult task set them to select the next Otago representative forward team. I suppose I am safe in saying that at least three forward teams could bo selected in Otago to-day, each at about equal football merit. That being so, the well-known sporting phrase that a " good big man will always beat a good small man" should, I consider, enter into the minds of the selectors. The tendency of Otago selectors in the past has been in the direction of favouring players of short stature as " hookers." That is a practice which the North Island selectors do not adhere to, and on the face of it their idea appears to be the moro reasonable.

It is more than likely that Otago representative teams will play Wellington, Canterbury, and Southland this year. The Sydney University team is also expected to play in Dunedin, and the New Zealand team -which is to play in South Africa will in all probability tour New Zealand thi3 year if it returns before tho season closes. The Otago University match with Canterbury College is set __ down to be played in Dunedin on June 25. At a meeting of delegates from the Cromwell, Alexandra, Clyde, and Bannockburn Clubs it was unanimously resolved that tho flag fixtures under the Vincent Sub-union be re-ostablished during the present season. The following office-bearers were appointed for the year:—President, Mr Richard Var coo (Cromwell); vice-president, Mr William King (Alexandra); secretary and treasurer, Mr A. J. Maiden (Clyde); committee — Messrs W. Olds (Cromwell), J. Holt (Clyde), E. Marslin (Alexandra), E. Holloway, and A. Crombie (Bannockburn). The fixtures for the first round are as follows (excluding last Saturday's matohes) v. Alexandra, at Bannockburn, June 7; Cromwell v. Clyde, at Clyde, June 7- Bannockburn, v. Clyde, at Clyde, June 21 • Cromwell v. Alexandra, at Alexandra, June 21. Archie M'Minn, who died recently at the early age of 38 years, was a member of the victorious New Zealand team that won all its matches in 1903 in New South Wales and Queensland. "Tiny" M'Minn, as he was called by his intimates and fellow players, stood 6ft 4in in his stockings. At a meeting of the Queenstown Football Club it was, decided that the ago of the juniors in tho seven-a-side tournament be raised from 18 to 2D. It was also agreed that June 3 would be the most suitable date for tho holding of the proposed tournament. A special prize of £2 is to be given to the team travelling the greatest distance to compete. This will be increased fo £3 10s if such team travels over 60 miles.

The fact that three broth ere Tilyard — Jim, Fred, and Charlie —played for the Poneke team on Saturday reminds mo (says a writer in the Free Lance) that thero have not bee.i many similar instances in Rugby football in Wellington. On one occasion the Hill' boys—Leslie, Bill, and Allan —filled the three-quarter positions in the Wellington Club team. Four Spencer brothers—George, Bill, Walter, and Jack — all played for Melrose at different times, at the same time the eldest. brother in the family—Tom—helping the Red and Blues also on occasions. The Ryans—Jack, Pat, Joe, Bill, Jim, and Eddie —have all figured in the Petone senior team, Joe, Bill, and Jim being associated many times in the matches played by the boys from the village .The Marshall boys—Harry, William, and Jack—also helped the Melrose team after the Spencers had retired from participating in Rugby football. The Thomas brothers, who last season played for Petone, also gained plaoas in the Wellington representative team. Two of them—A. Thomas and W. Thomas. —were the wing-three-quarters. B. Thomas being a good forward and place-kicker. The two last-named are twins.

"Full-back" would like to put forward the record of the Harley family with the Southern Cluib. Fredj ".Walter, James. Bert, Harold, and Harry have all played with th= Southern team, Bert, James, and Harry at the one time. Moreover, Fred, James. Bert, and Harold have served in the present war, Walter fought in the Boer war, and Harry was under age. OTAGO RUGBY UNION. The ordinary meeting of the Otago Rugby Union was held on Monday. The president (Mr H. Harris) occupied tho chair. Tho secretary of the Waikouaiti teamwrote stating that tho cjub had been reformed, and desired to become affiliated with tho union. It wished to enter as a firstgrade team on the same lines as in former years.—Received. The Chairman, the union's delegate to tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and the outgoing president of the union, reported that the three chief proposals agreed to at the annual meeting of tho union were the abolition of the wing forward, the adoption of the proposal that the referee should put the ball in the scrum, and tho observance of the advantage rule in throwing tho ball on line-outs, etc. They must remember that the alterations decided on were purely a matter for the local unions to adopt or otherwise, as it was thought it would be inadvisable to enforce them when clubs were in the middle of their season's play. In Southland, Canterbury, and Auckland, however, they were already playing under these altered rules. A number of the old committeemen —Messrs Dixon, Fache, Laurenson, Dr M'Evedy, and Wylie (treasurer) —in view of tho decisions come to at the meeting, had declined to accept nomination, and fivo new members had been appointed to the committee. The Appeal Committee had been located in Dunedin this year, and this committee would be elected by tho Management Committee . in due course. t Tho Appeal Council had been

located in Christchuich. Tho representative on the English Union was Mr O. Wray (not Mr Wray Palliser). The Wellington team (holders of the llanfurly Shield) was coming to Dunedin this year, and would bring the shield with them. Under tho new arrangements, if Otago won the match it world hold tho shield. Tho governing union had decided to invite a South African representative team to visit New Zealand next year. — A vote of thanks was passed to tho chairman for his report. NEW ZEALAND UNION. WELLINGTON, May 29. At tho meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night, the secretary reported that ho had communicated with tho English Union regarding the laws of the game, but had received no reply. Mr Ohlson (Auckland) then moved to amend rule 2 by substituting tho words, " But may make such modifications as may be deemed desirable in the interest of the game " for " as from time to time fixed by that body." # ' A lengthy discussion took place on tho question whether the carrying of the motion would mean severanco from the English Union. Eventually the motion was lost by 24- votes to 20. A motion to abolish tho wing forward was carried by 23 votes to 21. A proposal that free kicks and kicks at goal from penalties and tries should be absolutely free from a charge was defeated on the casting vote of the chairman. It was unanimously agreed that the _ referee should be allowed to put the ball into the scrum.

A motion providing 1 for a modification of the law governing lucking into touch otherwise than from the kick-off or a drop-out was lost. A proposal that the advantage rule should apply to line-out play was adopted. Mr Ohlson moved that the delegates should be asked to bring before their unions the amendments which were agreed upon with a view to having them adopted in their local fixtures. The Chairman explained that before the amendments could be approved finally for nil competitions they would have to receive thf> approval of the English Union. An amendment that before the alterations agreed to were played thev should receive the assent of the English Rugby Union was rejected by 24 votes to 19, and a further amendment that the recommendations be not put into force until 1920 was also lost. The motion was carried on the voices. May 30. The annr.al meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union began at midnight, owing to the evening being taken up in discussing the lules. Officers were elected as follow: — Patron, the Govern or-General; president, Mr F. T. Elvans (Christchurch); Management Committee—Dr Crawford, Messrs B. A. Marris, C. A. Matheson, E. O. Hales, B. W. Slade, K. Akers; Appeal CouncilMessrs F. Cowlishaw, W. G. Garrard, G. H. Mason; auditor, Mr O. G. Kember;_ representative on the English Rugby Union, Mr C Wray Falliser; hon. treasurer, Mr T. H. Jones.

It was decided that for the coming year the .Appeal Committee should be elected by the Management Committee and be located in Dunedin, and that the Appeal Council should sit" in Christchurch for the next three years. It was unanimously resolved —"That the Ranfurly Shield regulations be amended as follow?:—That regulation No. 3 be deleted and the following substituted: —' (3) All special challenge matches shall be played on the ground of the holder of the shield for the time being, but any affiliated union meeting the holder of the shield in the ordinary course of inter-union matches, whether on the ' ground of the holders or not, may give notice to the N.Z.R.F.U. and to the holder, not less than 14 days before the day appointed for the match, declaring such match to be a Ranfuxly Shield challenge match.' " To encourage school football it was decided to recommend the Management Committee to make a grant of £2OO to the Public Schools' Union. -

May 30. At tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association the election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, Lord Liverpool; vice-presidents—Colonels Sleeman and Courtney, the Hon. Messrs Myers, Fowlds, and Carncross, Dr E. A. Walker, the Rev. W. F. Stent, Messrs C. P. Skerrett, R. English, H. G. Mayer, -C. E. Statham, S. Myers, H. M'Keowen, J. J. Roberts, W. T. Churchward, A. M. Ohadwick, W. L. Davies, E. Ritson, W. Munokton, W. D. Ramsay, and A E. Wells; hoh. secretary and treasurer, Mr B. L. Salmon; representative to the Football Association, London, Mr A. E. Gi'bbs.

It was decided that affiliated associations should be informed that the council was of opinion that an Australian team should be invited to tour New Zealand next season, and asking what support each association Was likely to give to the proposal.

ZINGARI-RICHMOND v. ALHAMBRA

Full of incident from beginning to end, the game played at Carisbrook on Saturday afternoon between Zingari-Richmond and Alhambra provided a splendid exhibition of Rugby. It was hard, clean football, with rush and counter rush following each other in rapid succession, and the interest of the largo crowd of spectators was sustained throughout by the imminent possibilities of scoring which were constantly opened up by both sides. While the better team won on the day's play, it has to bo admitted that the favours of fortune were more liberally bestowed on the Colours than on Alhambra. Scores:

Zingari-RichmoncT 18 points. Alhambra 10 points, DUNEDIN v. UNIVERSITY A.

There was no disposition on the part of anyone to take seriously the game played at Tahuna Park between Dunedin and University A. It began late and ended early. Throughout it was played with the greatest good humour and with the cheerful sporting spirit that ought always to characterise the game. Many incidents in the gamo caused the spectators much amusement, and the friendly barrack _ from the side-line proved equally entertaining to the players. University 53 points. Dunedin Nil. PIRATES v. UNION.

Pirates met Union at the Caledonian Ground, which was in excellent order, notwithstanding the recent wet weather. The game was a good one to \vatch. The final scores were;

Pirates 18 points. Union ... 10 points.

KAIKORAI v. PORT CHALMERS. Tho match between Kaikorai and Port Chalmers was played at Port Chalmers before a fairly large crowd. Cameron, who has been on active service since 1914, made* his reappearanco in tho Kaikorai team. Neither side was able to cross the opponent's lino, tho only score being a goal from a free kick by Stevenson for Port. Scores:— Port Chalmers 3 points. Kaikorai Nil. SECOND GRADE. Alhambra defeated Southern at Opoho by 6 points to nil. Simpson and Reynolds registered tries. Ravensbourne 12 points defeated Pirates nil. H. Connor, C. Connor, and Thorn icroft (2) scored tries. The match between West Taieri and Zin-gari-Richmond was won by the former by 27 points to 3. THIRD GRADE. Pirates 12 points defeated Taieri Rovers 9 points. Alhambra won from University by default. FOURTH GRADE. Union defeated Pirates A by 9 points to nil. Pirates B defeated High School by 29 points to nil. Alhambra defeated Port Chalmers by 21 to 3. THE TOURING MAORIS. WIN AGAINST SOUTHLAND. INVEROARGILL, May 28. Despite a greasy ball a fast and open game wag witnessed when the Maoris met Southland. Wing forwards were not played. The visiters, with the wind in the first spell, held tho upper hand, attacking with brilliant passing movements and scoring three tries (two converted) to nil. In the second half tho Southland forwards showed better form, but the game continued open and attractive to the end. The Maoris won by 18 points (four tries, three converted) to 8 points (a converted try and a goal from a mark). DEFEATED BY CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCII, May 31. The match to-day between the Maoris and Canterbury was very fast and most exciting. Although Canterbury won by 16 points to 6, play surged continually up and down the ground, and there was a wealth .of kaleidoscopic variety which kept the excitement of a very large crowd of spectators up to fever heat. Canterbury was rather lucky to win, and certainly there was not a 10-points' margin of superiority. Canterbury, however, made better use of their opportunities than the visitors. In the first spell a strong dribbling rush to the Maori line ended in Thompson scoring. The try was not converted. Later on Barclay kicked high, the ball was badly missed by a Canterbury back, and Barclay following up fast scored for the Maoris near the posts. Jacobs missed the goal. The first spell ended With the scores even. At the opening of the second half the pace was a oracker, the ball travelling up and down the field. From a centre lack by Mullins, Fitzgerald followed up and scored near? the touch line. The attempt at goal failed. After a considerable period of exciting play each side being in danpeer in turn, Thompson scored for Canterbury, and M'Leod converted. Canterbury, 11 points; Maoris, 3 points. 'Shortly afterwards a strong passing rush on tho part of Canterbury ended in M'Leod scoring at the nosts, and ho converted. This was followed by Hall scoring for the Maoris, but Jacobs missed an easy kick. The game ended shortly afterwards in neutral territory. Canterbury 16 points, Maoris 6 points.

ASSOCIATION". FIRST GRADE. The following tablo shows the relative positions of the clubs engaged in the Senior Cup competition:—

SOUTHERN v. OLD BOYS. Several hundreds of spectators attended the match, Southern v. Old Boys, at tho Oval. Mr Robinson was referee. Old Boys’ were not up to full strength, in addition to which they were a man short for the first 10 minutes, during which Banwcll scored for ■Southern with a lucky shot which glanced in from tho upright. The greasy and turfy nature of the ground spoiled good play. Southern 3 goals. Old Boys 1 goal. NORTHERN v. GREEN ISLAND. Under ideal conditions, save for the “ lumpy ” turf, Northern and Green Island competed at Gulling Park, Mr_M‘Callum controlling. Green Island faced the sun, which made defence difficult Half-time found tho scores, Northern 5 goals, Green Island 1. Northern were aggressive for most of tho second naif, but, although there were some “narrow shaves,” they could; not score. Green Island took a hand, and fairly bombarded Northern’s goal for a brief space without success. In a later essay they were more prosperous, Duncan storing just before call of time. Northern ... 5 goals. Green Island 2 goals. MORNINGTON v. MAORI HILL. At tho Gardens Maori Hill missed the useful services of in their match against Mornington. Major Fleming was referee. G. Patterson appeared in Maori Hill’s ranks, which ho should strengthen as he gets into form. Mornington on the day were tho better team, and but for good goalkeeping by Beeby might have scored more goals. Mornington 4 goals. Maori Hill 1 goal. THIRD GRADE. Northern 5, Green Island nil. MUulloch (3), M'Lcod, and Phillips were the scorers. FOURTH GRADE. Brookes scored for Christian Brothers the only goal of that club’s match with Northern A. Mornington drew with High School, two goals cacn.

SCHOOL MATCHES. A Grade—Christian Brothers won by dofault from Technical B. B Grade. —Christian Brothers defeated High School B. Ravensbournc defeated Christian Bros, by 5 goals to nil. C Grad 9 Brothers D defeated Kaikorai A by 3 goals to nil. D Grade. —Christian Brothers E defeated. Mornington B, 2 goals to nil.

Grade competition: - - to 1 I 1 i •2 i ■ s p 1 a i University A _ i J. 0 150 18 8 University B «„ 8 0 63 17 8 Port Chalmers .„ 8 I 0 28 25 fl Kaikorai ... », 9 1 I 63 45 4 Alhambra ,., ,., 3 87 U 4 Pirates „, .., 5 0 68 48 4 Zingari-B Ichmond 3 £ 0 67 . 85 4 Southern ... ... 2* s jj 60 21 4 Union 0 4 U 49 0 Dunodin 0 a 6 0 162 0

-J J3 I .H 'S I d £ m p< C9 K 1 1 5 1 §* o Southern r 4 0 1 21 3 9 Northern — ... 6 8 1 2 23 15 8 Green Island 8 8 2 0 13 18 G Old Boys 5 8 3 0 31 14 6 Morninpton 5 2 8 0 17 14 4 Maori Hill 6 1 4 0 8 25 2 Ohrlatian Brothers 6 0 4 1 7 22 1