Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 9, Issue 5, 4 May 1901, Page 7

Football Notes.

(Bt Goal Post.)

Resalts of Wednesday’s games Senior: Star 9 pts, Pirates nil. Juniors : Britannia 4 pts, Pirates A 3.

I have to acknowledge receipt of the S.R.F.U. Annual, and have very great pleasure in congratulating the Editor on the general get-up of the little book. In addition to all the fixtures and the rules of the game, there is a round letter to referees on various rulings on the game, which ought to prove of great benefit to all players. The printing and binding arequite up to the mark ; and every footballer should possess himself of this valuable nimble sixpence worth.

It could not be expected that the first game of the season would bring forth any great exhibition of football, and, accordingly, patrons of the game who were not over keen did not relish the wintry day, and the attendance on the Union ground was very poor when the Star and Pirates met for the first time.

The ground was in capital order, although the ball speedily became ■wet and greasy, and it was surprising how well the Star backs handled the leather under the existing circumstances. Murphy and Stead, in particular, hardly made a mistake, while Jenkins appeared to have charmed hands, as he picked up the ball at his will —whether running or fielding at a standstill. The game was not interesting, the whistle incessantly tootling for some minor little offence that might easily have been overlooked; and the rawness of the players went a long way towards making one tired of the game long before ‘ no side ’ was called. There were some few flashes of oldtime brilliancy amongst the Star backs, but only on rare occasions, and good rushes were invariably stopped by the referee for, in some cases, an unaccountable reason. I do not wish it to be inferred from these notes that Mr Hawthorne was unsatisfactory as referee, but he was very inconsistent —one minute sharp as needles to see an infringement, and then allowing some obvious errors to pass unheeded. Throughout the game the Star had the upper hand, and were never called on to do any defence work; on the attack they did fairly well, although there was some very reckless throwing the ball about.

The forwards were more than a match for the Pirates, and there was generally two or three of them together in aoy rush that was made. Jenkins was always in the front rank, and kept going to the finish. By-the-bye, while speaking of Jenkins, will some member kindly bring np the following question at the next Referee meeting—‘ Is the ball to be considered out of the scrum as soon as it comes to Jenkins in the back row ? if not, why is he not penalised for picking the ball out of the scrum P ’ This was done several times on Wednesday, Knucky is also a good assistant in this style of feeding the backs. Burrell made a capital full back for the Pirates, and fielded and kicked in great style. What little collaring he had to do was done in a workmanlike manner.

Reynolds had little to do in the same position for the Star, but Davie Donaldson, who has gone up two, played with fine dash at five-eights, although be has a decided weakness for putting bis head down and trying to plough through. Totton was the most prominent of a weak lot ot backs on the Black side. The only thing they did at all well was collaring. In this line Whittaker and Taylor shone out; bnt the attempts at back play on the attack throughout the day were sadly disappointing. Little Herb, the born general, was sadly missed, as there was no one to keep the team together. Stead, as long as he lasted, was brilliant, and, as before mentioned, had no difficulty in handling the wet

ball. He was ably supported by Murpby, who played his usual showy game. Black and Strang had little to do ; in fact, did not appear to be in the hunt at all. The former received a nasty kick on the head, but pluckily continued playing. In the first spell the Star front men had a mortgage on the ball, but it was more even in the second, and this no doubt accounts for the small score, as the Pirates were able to keep the game close. Peter Anderson was not in good form, but did one amazing dribble right up the field on his own, until he was bravely tackled by his own fullback and promptly grassed. Heedless to say, the spectatols and players hummed. J. J. Taylor, the fast wing, was unfortunate in falling out with the referee, and was compelled to look on daring the greater part of the game. As the matter will probably be fully enquired into, I refrain from passing any remarks on the right or wrong of the referee’s decision. It was unfortunate that the incident occurred, as it will without doubt spoil Mr Hawthorne’s chances of being a regular referee in senior matches. Reynolds was very smart in getting the ball away from the scrum, and was also always prominent in the forward rushes. P. Hogan, Robinson and Organ, were the pick of the Pirate forwards, who will no doubt improve a lot as the season advances. The scrum work was decidedly poor throughout the game, lopsided, and several times a mixed up scramble.. Bain put in some dashing sprints, and scored both tries in the second spell after good play. Hext Wednesday Brits and Pirates meet.