Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 4, Issue 24, 12 September 1896, Page 5

Football Notes.

[By Goal Post.]

Interclub football matches were rung down on Wednesday by a very interesting game between the Star and Britannia clubs. At no time could the game be called one-sided, and the Brits made a gallant fight to the bitter end.

During the game the reds made several bold bids to score and very nearly succeeded, one passing rush going very close. The main tault to be found with the back play of the reds is the slowness of the running. Each man certainly passes well, I must admit, and generally at the right time, in fact, this is a strong point in the excellent management of this team, that every man is taught to pass at the right time, but, as a rule, the running is so slow that the average back has time to miss his man and then run round and get in his place again. In marked contrast the Star passing is almost invariably bad, but when their backs do get the ball cleanly they strike for the line as quickly as possible, and in this lies their success as a scoring team. Mcßobie, Rallingshaw and Jenkins certainly have a very bad habit of running across the field, but Stead, Bain and Hawthorne invariably run as straight as a die. The Star forwards played a fine dashing game, and ably supported their backs, but the scrum work was not so good as usual. Donaldson, playing on the side of the scrum, has got into a habit of hooking the ball and “ going on his own,” which is sometimes very effective, but is not altogether appreciated by the wing threequarters.

McNeilage showed up very conspiciously on the line and in the open; he started some good passing from the line.

Hughes and Murphy were not very successful in the first spell at taking the ball, but came, as usual, in the second, and the Reds rarely had a look in.

Jenkins was in good form behind the scrum, and scored a clever try in his dear “old way.” The feeble attempts made to collar him were rather amusing. Murphy was very safe at full back, kicking in fine style. He had very little collaring to do. Bain improves as the season goes on, and is in fine scoring form just now.

Ralbngshaw was as slow as ever in the centre, but once going on the run he took a power of stopping. His two tries were both the result of strong, very much, strong, runs. Stead had most work among the halves, and always did it well, and Mcßobie made some fine dashing runs.

Hawthorne’s spell has done him good ; he was not so eager as usual and consequently played well. He should be given a trial on the wing against Otago —bis fielding is clean, and he runs fast.

Ward stoodout among the Britannia backs, and bis play on W ednesday must go a long way towards securing him a place in the next rep. match. By the bye, what’s the reason Murphy has not been picked as full back this year P No fault can possibly be found with bis kicking, and his fielding and collaring has always been “ up to dick.’ I don’t suppose we have Fraser’s equal behind the scrum on attack, but unfortunately bis defence is only mediocre.

Hannah has a future before him as a five-eight. He plays very much after Stead’s style, and passes splendidly. Maley was a little livelier than usual in the centre, in fact, one spectator was struck with the fact that he exclaimed ; “ Hallo ! Haley’s woke up !” Reid played an off and on game at full back, but neither of the wings were up to second fifteen form. Geddes was about the most prominent among the forwards.

Purdue was closely watched on the line, but notwithstanding this he got away several times. The Reds had rather too many wings, not near enough weight in the scrum.

Thomson did some fine collaring and was well backed up by Dawson, whose tackling was pretty decisive.

We have become so accustomed to Mr Meßobie refereeing in a game without any perceptable errors that it is quite refreshing to find out that he is after all only mortal. He was not so strict as usual re knocking on, Jenkins being allowed a mark at the second attempt. Maley was not so successful as, although the whistle went allowing him a mark, a scrum was afterwards ordered, but the free kick which added three poinls to the Star score was a serious mistake —it should have been the other way about. Jenkins interfered with Purdue; the former was in front of the ball, consequently, he was off side, and he had no right to attempt to block Purdue. To equal this, however, the Star kicked a goal from the field, but it touched a Britannia in transit so did not count.

Otago defeated Auckland by 8 to nil. To-day they play Wellington, which should prove a close game.

The Pirates F. C. wound up the season with a very enjoyable dance on Wednesday night. Between 70 and 80 couples were present, and with songs and dancing, a very pleasant evening was spent. Music was supplied by Mrs Blue, piano, and Messrs D. and F. Blue, violin and cornet respectively. The catering was in the hands of Mr Kingsland. Mr J. Cox made an efficient M* 0.

The following is the record of the Junior team the Colours, who, on Wednesday beat the Union by 4 to nil; —Matches played, 10 ; won, 9 ; drawn, 1 ; points scored, 69 ; points against, 13.