FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 39

FOOTBALL.

By Full Back. August 23.—Ofcago v. Wairarapa. August 20.—High Schools' tournament. Sept. I.—Otago University v. Sydney University. Sept. 4.—Otago v. Wanganui. Sept. 11.—Otago v. Wellington. Sept. 18.—Otago v. South Canterbury. Sept. 25.—Otago v. Southland. (All at Dunedin:) August 21.—Otago v. South Otago, at Balolutha. August 25.—Otago v. Southland, at Invercargill. Sept. 4. —N.Z. University representative team v. N.S. Wales, at Christchurch. I have to congratulate trie Alhambra- Club on having won the senior flag competition of 1920. The club has played clean football right through the year, has trained hard, and has used initiative in the arranging of its players, and now, by the help and encouragement of its many supporters, it has been enabled to reach the ambition of every club. Forbury School have after all been declared the winners of the school championship of 1919. It will be remembered that Forbury and Arthur Street were -left in the final, the result of the match deciding the competition. Arthur Street won the match, but the referee, on his own initiative, reported to the Otago Union that he had awarded a force down to Arthur Street, but had immediately afterwards discovered that the boy who had touched down the ball was a Forbury School player, who had on a wrong jersey. The referee could not then, of course, alter his decision, but had Forbury been given the try instead of Arthur Street being allowed a force down Forbury would have won. The Otago Union held, that the referee's ruling could not be disturbed. The Appeal Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union (which was, I understand, wrongly constituted) upheld the appeal of the Forbury School against the Otago Union's decision, and gave the match to Forbury. The Otago Union thereupon appealed to the English Union, which has agreed with the ruling of the Appeal Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The rule on the point, however, states that "A referee, once he has given a decision, cannot alter it, and his decision alone is final. . . . The referee shall be sole judge of all matters of fact." The charge against M'Dougall (Alhambra five-eighth) of illegally charging G-reville (University three-quarter) after he had parted with the ball was satisfactorily dealt with at the_ meeting of the Rugby Union on Monday . night. The evidence, given showed that the charge had actually taken place, but I quite believe that" M'Dougall—who has always been recognised as a clean player—spoke honestly when he said that he had no recollection of colliding with Greville. Mr Cavanagh, the referee, said he did not_ see the incident, but stated that he noticed that M'Dougall was very excited during the match. Players, however, must not get so excited as to butt into men when they havf parted with the ball. Under all the circumstances I consider the decision of the Otago Union to place M'DougaH's name on the "caution list" only was a fair penalty for the offence. A football team from Maheno met the Palmerston team at Palmerston on the 14th inst. (writes our correspondent). A strenuous and evem g:ime on a very muddy and greasy ground resulted in a win for the visitors by 5 points to nil. OTAGO REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS. The following team has been selected to represent Otago. against Southland oh Wednesday week: — - Pull back, Watson. Three-quarters—Owles, Mackeretli, Ward. Five-eights—Fen, Perry. Half back, Begg. Forwards —Bain, AY- Duncan, Turnbull, Richardson, M'Kenzie, Patterson, Edwards. Wing forward, Joyce (Alhambra). . Emercency back, S. Harley. Emergency forward, Knox. Mr "D. M. Stuart will act as manager. OTAGO v. SOUTH OTAGO. WIN FOR THE FORMER. The Otago second fifteen journeyed to Balclutha on Saturday and played a matoh against the South Otago team, defeating the home side by 9 points to nil. The game was played on the Show Ground, which was in good order, if a trifle hard, but it suffers from the disadvantage of being some 10 yards short in length. Judged as an exhibition of football the matoh did not reach a particularly high level, the play being of a somewhat ragged order and neither team revealing any very remarkable combination. Nevertheless it had its exciting moments. The Otago forwards held the upper hand throughout, hooking the ball in a majority of the scrums, and playing well in the loose, while the individual superiority and • speed of several of the backs finished off the forward work and decided the issue of the game. On the whole the passing of the Blues was not good, and too often it travelled almost straight eeross the field, few of the backs showing any inclination to cut in. .The South Otago forwards played a hard game, but showed a lack of knowledge of the finer points of football, such as on the line-outs and in the loose rushes. On attack they received little assistance from their backs, who did not handle the ball clean'ly, and who seldom indulged in anything like concerted play. However, the Colours (South Otago) possessed several good defensive players, and it was mainly due to their efforts that the score was kept down as. low as it was. Mr A. M'Donald, the well-known ex-representative player, capably filled the duties of manager of the Otago team, and made himself deservedly popular. Otago kicked off in the first spell with the sun in their eyes and a light but unoertain wind in their favour. The Blue forwards at once attacked, pad from a free-kick Crewes had a longdistance shot at goal, which failed, a forcedown resulting. M'Oleary was getting the ball away nicely from the hooking of Coombs and Johnson, and he set his backs in motion, but King missed a difficult pass .and Calder cleared. After a. second unsuccessful shot by Crewes, M'Cleary again sent the ball out, but the passing broke down. Prom a scrum the Otago half-back next broke away on a good solo run, and feinting and Swerving ms way through the opposing backs ho Scored a well deserved try, which, however, was not converted. Otago a points, South Otago nil. After some even play a long kick by Heads and good following up by Hansen and A. Duff transferred operations to the Blues' quarters, but Mackay steemed the advance with a good kick to the line. A few minutes later King, who had shown several promising dashes of speed on the wing, had to retire, hi 3 place being filled by M'Naughton. Good play by J. Duff put the Colours in an attacking position, but Cuombs nnd Davidson cleared. Hansen next headed a good .forward rush into the Blues' territory, whevo M'Cleary, M'Dougall, and M'Kinnon cleared with a nice piece of passing, which was Well stopped by Calder. Race was the next to Show up in nn offensive movement, which temporarily placed his forwards in an attacking position, but the Blue vanguard, headed by Church, and Johnson, cleared with a, loose rush to half-way, and the spell ended without further score.

'.The second half opened with a period cJ give-and-take play until M'Dongnll eent out a nice ijass to Fahey, who mads a good run and transerred to Orewea, bub this player ran too far before attempting to pass to M'lCinnon and was 6oTlared with the ball. Oalder and Jaekman returned, play to neutral territory, and Orewes, in

cutting in, was injured and had to retire, His place being filled by M'Queen. Church next instituted a nice piece of passing, which was carried .on by several of the forwards, but the tackling was sound, and the effort broke down. M'Dougall, M'Kaughton, who had moved up to centre, nnd M'Kinnon then indulged in a passing bout, which was only stopped by the last-named player " being well tackled by Heads. Highley was responsible for setting the Otago backs in motion, and although M'Kinnon made a good run, a free kick to the Colours brought relief. Pokey obtained possession and after making a good opening, transferred to M'Naughton, who also put in a useful run before he transferred to M'Kinnon, enabling the last-named player to cross the line near tho corner. The kick at goal failed. A few minutes later M'Cleary sent the ball out to Fahey, who passed to M'Kinnon and the Pirates' man after doubling across scored a. fine try in a handy position. Highley's kick just missed. The Colours' forwards then took a hand, and Heads and Cuff both had unsuccessful shots at goal. Heads, Jackruan, and M'Keown were next prominent in a loose rush, and had Jackman kicked the ball along the ground instead of trying to pick it up he must almost certainly have scored a try. M'Cleary saved, and Church, Highley, Coombs, and M'Meekin headed a hot attack, which was only staved off by a force-down. The game ended soon afterwards with the score: Otago 9 points. South Otago Nil M'Cleary, Fahey, M'Dougall, and Mackay all played useful games for the winners, and of the forwards Coombs, Highley, Church, and M'Meekin were the most prominent. For the home team Heads, Calder, and Jackman (at times) showed to the best advantage, and in a hard-working pack Hansen, Duff, M'Keown and Whelan all did their full share. Mr L. J. Edwards was referee. At the close of the game the lady enthusiasts of Ba'iclutha entertained both teams at afternoon tea, an act of thoughtfulness that was much appreciated. ALL BLACKS DEFEAT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, August 18.To the tune of 38 points to 3 the Wellington Rugby representatives were soundly trounced by tho All Black team this afternoon. The matoh was witnessed by between 9000 and 10,000 people. Beautiful weather prevailed, but the ground was in a very bad state. From a spectacular point of view the match was most disappointing and one-sided. The Wellington team were outclassed altogether as a ■ combination, and di4 not cross- the All Blacks' line once, their only score coming from a penalty goal kicked by M. Nicholls very early in the first spell. On neither side was the tackling brilliant, but in the handling of the ball the All Blacks were manifestly superior to Wellington, and the occasional bursts of passing which they were able to put on were well worth witnessing. The All Blacks' fine pack of forwards held the balance in their favour, and on. less than half a dozen occasions were Wellington able to penetrate the All Blacks' territory. For the All Blacks tries were scored by Storey (3), Jacobs (2), Brown, Bellis, Donald, Badeley, O'Brien, and J. Shearer, the last-named's try being converted by Jacobs, and Bellis kicked a penalty goal. UNIVERSITY B. v. WAITAKI OLD BOYS. A match was played at Oamaru last Thursday between the . University B team and the Waitaki Old Boys. University scored four tries within a few minutes of the commencement of play. During the game Hargreaves (Old • Boys) potted a clever goal from outside the twenty-five, taking a quick pot-shot from amidst a cumber of opponents. The University forwards gave their backs a good share of the ball, and Brockenshire, at half-back, was sending it out well, but Fahey •was slow with his pass, and it was left for Jefcoate and M'Phail to exercise their initiative, and both of them showed much ability, while Davidson on the wing proved a fast and stron» runner. The scores for University were obtained by Davidson (3), Jefcoate, and M'Phail, and the latter converted Jefcoate's try. The game ended: University 17 points, Old Boys 4. After the match the team was the guest of the North Otago Union and subsequently the visitors were entertained by Old Boys at a dinner at the Queen's Hotel and a dance at the Balfour Rooms. SECOND GRADE COMPETITION. By their defeat- of Alhambra Second on Saturday, Taieri Rovers increased their lead in the Second Grade competition, and won the competition right out. Had Alhambra won, a play-off would have been necessary. The match was played at the Caledonian Ground before about 1000 spectators. The game was practically confined to the forwards, and a hard contest was witnessed. The Taieri Rovers were the heavier side, and had the better of the exchanges in the close work. The players showed up in the loose. Sullivan and E. Fitzpatrick were about the best of tho Alhambra forwards. T. Fitzpatrick who had to retire at the beginning of the second half, played a sound game at full-back. He was loud y applauded in the first half for a fine tackle which broke down a likely looking attack by the Rovers. Martin, Cheyne, M'Leod, and Geary showed up in the Rovers' forwards. Scott piayed a plucky gams at half-back, and saved his side repeatedly with his line kicks. Stevenson, lull-back, also played a sound game. Olliver is a. powerful and accurate place kick, and made two excellent attempts to place goals from near Scores" 7> baU fallinS und€r the posts - T,/™ v, E ° rerS " 6 P^nts. Alhambra 3 points. FOURTH GRADE. .- Taieri Rovers defeated Pirates by 12 points to SCHOOL CUP FINALS. .Quite a large number of spectators assembled at Oariflbrook on Saturday to witness the cup finals. Although the weather was fine the ground was heavy owing to the recent rain lor the B Grade Cup Macandrew Road B team played Normal, and was successful in winning by 9 points to nil. Normal forwards, considerably weakened through sickness and injuries were beaten by the bunching . tactics of the Macandrew Road boys. The latter team well deserved to win on the day's play, and is to be congratulated in having gone through the season unbeaten, and without having a point scored against it. Much credit is due to its enSo coach, Mr L. M'Kenzie. energetic a A a ' fi " al * Macandrew Road A and Arthur Street A, was a fast game, especially during the first half. The Macandrew Road team, however, was too speedy and nirmv fnv thQ I hit £??/ alth ,° Ugh " tiWtbe latte pfoveu good football. The game ended 12 pointto nil in favour of Macandrew Road, this team having some very promising boys By winning both the Ritchie and Harrison Cups for the present season, the MacandrewPo°d School boys have put up a splendid performance. RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH. ■ WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI. WELLINGTON, August 22 Wellington's claim to the Ranfurly Shield was again established on Saturday, when Taranaki was defeated by 16 points to 5. Tho ground was somewhat heavy, but the game was quite 'interesting, the pace being very fast at times particularly in, the second spell. With a bit more luck the visitors might have won, for contrary to expectations they put up n very good showing. Their forwards exhibited much dash and speed, and Wellington's pack wore extended throughout most of tho afternoon. Wellington's backs, however, were very good, and several of their passing rushes were exceedingly fine. Taranaki kicked off with a strong south-easterly Wind in their favour, and Wellington had to defend hard. Suddenly Wilkinson picked up from tho ruck near the corner and dashed over, sooring a good try, R. Roberts (captain of the Taranaki team) converted. Taranaki C points, Wellington nil. Some time later Wellington got within striking distance of their opponents' goal, and a passing rush between E. Roberts, Aitken, and Tilyard ended in the latter scoring a try, Which remained unconverted.—Taranaki 6 points,

Wellington 3. Good -work was done by E. Roberts In the succeeding play, enabling Wellington to gain much ground, and an opening being created by "Eangi" Wilson, Algar and Aitken got moving, and the latter scored. There was no goal. Wellington G j'oinfcs, Taranaki 6. Fast play now took place, and a passing rush took place between Roberts, Algar, and Aitken, which ended in Aitken touching down, and E. Roberts converting from a. difficult angle. Wellington 11 points, Taranaki 5. The play In the second hall was most vigorous, the Taranaki forwards doing great work. Towards the end of the, epc'll, and after n lengthy period of willing up and down play, E. Ryan succeeded in scoring another try for Wellington and Roberts goak.d. Although now well beaten Taranaki were by no means dispirited, and they kept up a strong pressure until the Wellington forwards gained the upper- hand, but the game closed without there being any further score, the final score being: Wellington 16 points, Taranaki 5. Mr A. C. Kitto was referee. ROSS AXE GLENDINING v. BUTTERWOBTH BROS. The annual, fixture between Ross and GlendicIng and Butterworth Bros, was played on Saturday on the North Ground. A very interesting game resulted in a win for Ross and Glendining's by 19 points to 6.' By winning this match the R. and G. team hold the banner for the ensuing year. SOUTH ISLAND COUNTRY TEAM DEFEATED. HAMILTON, August 18. South Auckland beat the South Island Country Unions' team by nine to nil after an interesting game. MANA.WATTJ BEATS TARANAKI. PALMERSTON NORTH, August 18. The Manawatu-Taranaki match was played here to-day in fine weather, before an attendance of 800. The game was of a poor description, play chiefly being confined to the forward divisions, in which Manawatu held superiority. The back play of both sides was disappointing. Tries were scored for Manawatu by Riggs and Munro, and a penalty goal was kicked by Swainson, who also converted a try. For Taranaki Roberts succeeded, in kicking two penalty goals, the game ending: Manawatu 11, Taranaki 6. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY' TEAM. SYDNEY, August 19. The Sydney University Rugby Union team, including Lawton, the Queensland Rhodes scholar, are passengers to New Zealand by the Moeraki, which sailed yesterday. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. WELLINGTON, August 19. At the New Zealand Rugby Union meeting tonight an application by the Ota go Union for the reinstatement of James Coulter was granted. It was decided that the semi-final for the Moascar Cup, between Palmerston North Boys' High School and Te Aute College, be played at Napier on Wednesday, August 25. BAY OF PLENTY DEFEAT SOUTH ISLAND COUNTRY TEAM. ROTORUA, August 21. At Rugby the Bay of Plenty defeated the South Island' Country team by 25 points to 15. The weather .was fine but a cold strong southerly wind blew throughout the day. There was a large attendance. The first spell was fairly even, the score at the end being: Bay of Plenty 14, South Island 12. Thereafter the visitors only scored a try, while the Bay of Plenty team added 8 points, their score being six tries, two of which were converted, and a penalty goal, the southerners getting,five tries. The play was fairly even. ' The visitors were good in the loose and in line work, but inferior to the winners in kicking. The winners' ' tries were scored by lies, Ricks, Haera, Borrell, Pini, and Geoffrey Rogers, and the losers' tries were scored by Goodall (Motueka) 3, and King (Gerymouth). Among the visitors' backs Nelson (Greymouth) and Johnston * (Ladbrooks) did especially -well; Goodall and Hall were the best forwards. For the winners Borrell, lies, Ricks, and Torrens were the most prominent backs, and Pini and Haera the best forwards. Mr Phelson (Tauranga) was referee. INTERPROYINCIAL MATCHES. HAWKE'Si BAY BEATS WELLINGTON. NAPIER, August 21. The Wellington-Hawke's Bav Rugby match was won by Hawke's Bay by 17 points to 3. Cold showery weather prevailed, the ground being sloppy and the greasy ball elusive. A fairly strong wind down the field favoured Wellington in the first spell, but.it was able to score only 3 points. The Hawke's Bay was alwavs on the attack, and in the second spell, lour tries were scored, one converted, and a penalty goal kicked. MANAWATU DEFEATS WANGANUI. •PALMERSTON N.. August 22. The representative Rugby match between Wiinganui and Manawatu, played here on Saturday before a fair crowd, resulted in a win for Mana*watu by 12 points to 8. Th'o game opened rather poorly, but the second spell produced good football from both sides. "Jimmy" Ryan retired early in the game owing to an injury to his knee, and was replaced by Eglinton. The home forwards showed to advantage, but the passing of the visiting backs demonstrated their superiority in tins department. The scores at half-time were —Manawatu 6, Wanganui 0. Ingham and Dustin secured the tries. Froekett scored for Wanganui early in the second half, Paranaki converting and also kicking a penalty goal. . Ferguson scored for Manawatu, Brown kicking a penalty goal. CANTERBURY v. WAIRARAPA. CHRISTCIIURCH, August 21. The Canterbury Rugby representatives defeated Wairarapa at Lancaster Park to-day by 0 points to 5. The weather conditions were not" conducive to good football, the ground being heavv and after a renewal of showers in the course of the game, was slippery and the ball was difficult to handle. Play was mostly confined to the forwards, and for representative football the display was disappointing. The visitors were slightly superior in loose, forward work, but they had no attacking combination among the backs. Canterbury secured the victory mainly by superior passing. Shortly after the game commenced M Leod scored for Canterbury from a passing rush, but he failed to convert. Towafds the end of the first spell Ford registered Canterbury's second try, which also was the result of passing among their backs. The kick at goal was unsuccessful, lire greater part of the secpnd spell was stragfl!" 8 . Canterbury forward cross-kicked to M Leod, .who side-stepped three men, and scored an unconverted try. Donald, Wairarapa's wing forward, who led most of his team's sorties, was at last successful, but was obstructed after dribbling across, and could not touch down. The referee s decision in awarding' a try was popularly acclaimed. Carson converted. The Wairarapa forwards reached striking distance when time was called with the score: Canterbury ~, .„ m ... 9 pointSm Wairarapa „. ... 6 points. FOOTBALL IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, August 22. At Australian iootball North Adelaide defeated New South Wales by 03 to 68. SYDNEY, -August 22. llie !New South Wales Soccer team defeated Queensland by 2 goals to nil.