Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 16, 19 July 1902, Page 10

Football Notes.

(By “ Goalpost.”)

Results of Wednesday’s games:— Senior —Star 11 points, v. Britannia 6 points; Pirates 9 points, v. Invercargill 8 points.

The Star v. Britannia match, which started at two o’clock, was a pretty well foregone conclusion that the Star would win, and neither club made any effort to get a good team together. The Star had only two of their famous back combination playing, while the Brits, started with only twelve men, and it was only after the younger olub bad scored a try that tSree onlookers were persuaded to have a go.\ The first spell saw the Brits, on the attack for the greater part of the time, and after a scrambling rush the Reds scored, and the first spell ended —Brits three points, v. Star nil. The second spell saw the premiers quickly at work, and from a very wild throw in from touch, Murphy got well away up, and passed to Field, who showed a good turn of speed, and scored between the posts. Later on he repeated the performance, and in this particular line proved himself an able substitute for Bain. Jenkins was the next to make a bold dash, but he fell about six inches short, and the referee ruled no try. Then came line-out play, and the Brits, had a look-in again, but the Blue and White’s came away, and wary old Peter just beat Peter Fraser in a dash over the line, and the score stood —Star 11, Brits. 3. Only five minutes to go, and little interest being taken in the game, when the Reds came with a last rush, and after a deal of scrambling, a yell announced the fact that the Reds had scored again. The kick failed, and shortly after the game ended — Star 11, Britannia 6.

Mr R. Galbraith controlled the game in his usual quiet style, and tried to make it enjoyable for both player and onlooker. The Star forwards did not play with a great amount of dash, and taken on the whole only got a fair proportion of the ball, which was passed out very ably by Stead. Jenkins kept at top speed right through ; and the next best man was Gorrie, who did not give away all he gained by any injudicious play, Willie Stead played as well as ever, and Allan was a distinct improvement on last week. None of the other backs call for special mention, in fact it was lucky that the opposition was not very strong or they would have landed the club in a hole. All the Brit forwards worked hard as long as they lasted, especially Bully Pasco, who did very well in the front and also shone in the open work, well assisted by Hewitt who donned the jersey for the first time this season.

Charlie Pnrdae was sadly missed, and it is a pity he did not make an effort to assist his club in this game.

Cochrane was the safest of the Red backs, although all played fairly well, but the collaring all round was none too good.

The Bines and Blacks met afterwards, the latter with a nondescript team and the former strengthened by Andrews, an old Wellington player with a reputation for potting goals. In this game the Invercargill succeeded in scoring their first try ot the season, and besides getting a round of applause from the spectators they also received a cordial hand-clap from their opponents. The ball speedily became very greasy, and the fun at times was fast and furious. J. J. playing five-eights in the first spell proved himself a gymnast of the very first water, and McNichol on the other side also put in some capital diving exhibitions and was of immense benefit to his side by his capital collaring and fast following np. The Pirates led by a penalty goal in the first spell and in the second added two tries, neither being converted, while the Blues scored just

at the corner flag after a dashing forward rush. The honour belongs to Tom Brown for being the first man to cross an opponents’ goal line this season.

Reynolds, Morton and Christophers, well assisted by Totton, were the Mainstay of the Blue back division, while Rodie, McNichol and Turnbull were the guns hard at work all day amongst the forwards. All the Pirates backs acquitted themselves creditably, Bert Whittaker taking the cake. Robinson, Organ, Mentiplay, and W. Whittaker leading the forwards a right merry dance.

Mr K. Cameron ruled the game very strictly with the whistle and gave universal satisfaction.