Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 4, Issue 8, 23 May 1896, Page 12

Football Notes.

[By Goal Post.]

Result of Wednesday’s matches : Star, 29 points ; Britannia, nil. Pirates, 3 points; Invercargill, 3 points. Star, 2nd, 9 points ; Britannia, nil. Pirates, 2nd, 3 points ; Invercargill, nil. The Star-Brit match was almost a repetition of the Pirates’ match—two tries first spell, and a complete runover in the second.

Strang was not a model full-back, his kicking and fielding being weak, Bain played indifferently up to the time of his accident, which necessitated his leaving the field.

Stead did not seem to like Bain’s place, and did not shine at’ tJ all in his new position. Rallingshaw played considerably better than last week ; but taken as a whole, the Star backs gave a wretched exhibition.

Jenkins was again a host in himself—in fact too much so. His strong fending runs in the direction of his own goal line do not seem to gain much ground. Mcßobie was a big improvement, and played perhaps the beet back game on the ground, Hawthorne was neglected all day, and consequently did nothing. Geo. Ramsay played a fine game, and was always in evidence; while his brother, Jack Ramsay, in company with Donaldson, led the van among the forwards all day. Anderson was again noticeable for line play and good dribbling. The forwards all through, however, played like a book, and did an immense amount of work.

Reid was again a big success for the Brits, his kicking and tackling being really first class. Derbie on the wing was safe if not brilliant, and Hill played well up to expectations. Maley played a cool game, and generally managed to be about when wanted.

Ward and Fraser are a very clever pair of halves, and the latter especially was very good on the defence. C. Purdue stood out head and shoulders above the rest of the forwards, both as regards height and play. His line work was good, and he was always about m the open. Geddes and Derbie were both good at the hard work part, and McCutcheon and Haines were always there for fast following up. Where is Pro. Robertson ? Do the Referees’ Association consider him not good enough for senior matches ? He seemed to do very well on his first appearance. Can anyone explain why he has been put on the shelf P

The Pirates sprung a bit of a surprise on the Blues, who evidently imagined they had a soft thing on. This, however, was not the case, as the Black forwards played up really well, and kept the old club on the defence most of the game.

; The play could hardly be called interesting. Rain came on at the commencement, and rendered the ball heavy and greasy. Little or no passing was indulged in by either team, and that little was pretty bad. McGavock did fairly at full back.

Russell was the pick of the Blue quarters, but without the services of Best the back division would be pretty weak. He seems to be here, there, and everywhere, whether in attack or defence. Mitchell and Donaldson were both failures, but as their forwards were beaten, they had not many chances. Royds again headed the forwards, playing a fine game. Dacre showed good dribbling powers, while Martin, Wiilsh, and Todd seemed to be always in the loose rushes. Whittaker did very well for a junior at full back, but Jones was again a decided failure. McEwan, in his new position, made some slashing runs.

Brown, as usual, was all there at collaring—in fact he seems to be the only man in the Pirates thet can collar.

Manson was the life of his team, kicking, running, and passing in brilliant style. He had very hard luck in not scoring a try. W. Mcßobie was rather slow at times, but played a fine defensive game. Taylor and Foster proved too much for their opposing halves. Forward, Lennie was most prominent, Purdue not liking the greasy ball.

Anthony, McKay, and Tulloch' were about the best in the open, some of their dribbling rushes reminding one of the days of Alex Gal. and his merry comrades.

Could not a timekeeper be appointed independent of the referee ? Mr A. Mcßobie has on two or three occasions got mixed in his timekeeping. If a timekeeper was appointed he could ring a bell at no side, and the referee could then stop the game afterwards as soon as practicable.

Rough play was evident on several occasions—notably Bain’s case. There was not the slightest heceesity for Derbie to rush Bain, as the try was scored before he was near. Knocking the Star full-back over long after he had his kick in was also quite unnecessary.

Another matter that wants looking into is late hour of starting. The first match was too one-sided to be interesting to the average onlooker, and if it had been stopped 15 minutes sooner the second match might have been finished before dark.

The first round is now completed, leaving the Star first with 3 points ; Invercargill, If; Britannia, 1; Pirates, f.