Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 18, 4 August 1900, Page 5

Football Notes.

(By Goal-post.)

Result of Wednesday’s games ; Senior: Star, 3 points; Pirates, nil. Junior : Pirates, 4 points ; Britannia, 3 points. Athletic, 9 points ; Excelsior, Gore, nil.

The 'attendance at the Union Grounds for the senior match was, for various reasons, large, closeness of teams, uncertainty re personnel of same, and the day being fine until well on.

Peter Anderson won the toss, and took the benefit of a strong nor’wester, against which the Pirates played better and stronger than when going with it, in the second spell. The game was mostly a forward one, the wind spoiling passing, and from the jump it was evident the play would be hard and keen. Old warriors Snow and Grenfell resurrected with a new man, Wills, to complete Pirates team, which was without P. Hogan and J. J. Taylor, the Star being complete. Casualties were numerous, Stead and Donaldson, who bad to retire with injured shoulders, and Reynolds being incapacitated for a time, but the rough play was by no means on one side.

Corner again played for the Pirates, under protest from the Star' and played a shining game, but in the second spell nearly had his team in a corner by bravely kicking into touch when be could have forced. Referee Mcßobie, towards the end of the first spell, ordered a Pirate off the field for striking Jenkins, but this,' according te the two players and most of the occupants of the grandstand, he did not do, which ruling was very hard on the man in question and his team, and the player, by some compromise between the teams, was allowed to continue playing. First spell ended no score, play having been very even. Stead got over once, but the ball was called back for an infringement. Some good dribbling rushes were indulged in by both sides. Second was played, daring sleety showers, and the irony of fate ensued when one of the Star players was ordered off near the finish for kicking Willett, who collared him in a line out scramble.

The Star had the Pirates penned a good part of this spell, despite the absence of Donaldson, the want of condition of the Pirates’ reinforcements being mainly responsible, and from a good passing rush Shand, after a good run, scored a double try near the corner, the credit of the feat, however, being due to Murphy, who fielded and passed beautifully. Knuckey failed with the kick after a good attempt. Stead played his usual fine game.

Rodgers was better than usual, getting the ball away well, and Corner proved a very dodgy and nimble runner and a sure tackier.

Taylor held when he should have got in his kick, but otherwise did well.

D. Donaldson was very safe, and Foster at fall made no mistakes, beyond being unable to stop two men at once. He made certain of Murphy anyhow, bringing him down in great style. Mcßobie is not improving much. P. Anderson and Jenkins led the Star forwards in good style, Raddle being there too until he went. Willett and Robertson played about tbe best forward games of the day, the former being always on the ball. Anthony and Hogan proved their mettle ip both line-outs and scrams, and were always about in the open. McNee played a good game, Baggy not being one of the shiners. Grenfell lasted well, and brought down tbe house by getting in a good kick from a loose scrum. Giller and Raines were safe, and Bain was too well watched by Sid Hirst, although the ball seldom got out to the wings. Mr A. Mcßobie was referee, and

ruled the game impartially, but we think he wasted rather much time looking for rough play when none was intended. His first decision re Hogan was wrong, but once made he should have stuck to it. The matter will probably be dealt with by the S.R.E.U. officials. Pirates A v Brits, played before above, was also pretty scrambling, the former having rather the best of the game throughout. Sinclair kicked a very pretty goal from a mark obtained by Strang, and soon after Oliver scored for the ±srits —4 to 3. Ho further score took place, although the Blacks had opportunities. Whitaker, Strang, Black, Galbraith, and George best P.F.0., and Crowther, Dliver, Eraser, Francis and Cuthbertson ditto BritsMr H Hawthorne refereed.