Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 17, 26 July 1902, Page 7

Football Notes.

(By “ Goalpost.”)

Wednesday last saw the commencement of the so-called trials, when the probable back team met the probable forward team, and the former had very little difficulty in winning by thirty-one points to eight. Playing against the wind and sun in the first spell, the backs scored three tries, Jacobs playing in a very dashing style, and the forwards retaliated by scoring two tries, and converting one, which made the score eleven to eight. Pat Hogan disappeared during the breathing spell, and Bully Pascoe took his place, this leaving the Colours (back team) with only seven forwards, but they had a strong wind in their favour, and the play was decidedly one-sided. The backs took turn about, including the full-back, in scoring, Jacobs getting across about tour times. As an exhibition of football it cannot have been of any benefit to the selection committee. Stead was absent, also Purdue, and there is a doubt about either of them making the tour. Several other players who were chosen to play did not put in an appearance, and as is often the case, the substitutes played better football than the likely members of the team. Corrie, on the Colours’ side, played an excellent game—hand on the ball every time, and playing the game for all he was worth, and yet 1 venture to say that his chance of being picked is very remote. If so, what is the good of the trials, other than to secure combination, and if this is the sole aim of trials, then let the bekt team each week meet the next best fifteen, or strengthen the backs by the addition of two more players. It a player does not fit into the combination that is desired, shift him and give someone else a chance. It is only amongst the forwards that there will be any competition for places. There is only one centre three-quarter playing, Peter Fraser is the only half-back, and the fiveeighths is practically limited to at the very most three, and if Stead is not going, that settles it at once. With Bain laid out of the running, there is practically only Whittaker and Jacobs left, and it would certainly be advisable to try Reid in the centre, as on the season’s play Hughie cannot be relied on in a tight corner. Whittaker was badly out of his place several times when wanted, and it would be better if he restrained his enthusiasm a little, and let the other side of the field look after itself. Nothing looks worse than to see a wing three-quarter mixed up with the forwards in the centre of the ground. The Maroon forwards were badly beaten for the ball throughout the game, and great credit is due to Robinson for the way he hooked the leather. When Davie does not spoil his play by looking for something or somebody, he is one of the finest forwards in Southland, either in scrum or open work. J. J. Taylor informs me that he does not intend playing in the trials. Those who saw him play for his province last year will regret this decision very much. Throughout the season he has been of great service to his club, and is a decided loss to the rep. team. Organ was the most consistent player on the maroons’ side, well backed up by substitute Mann. This pair, assisted by Fraser ( Star ), headed most of the forward rushes, and were prominent throughout the game.

Peter Fraser was in great form, and fed Burgess splendidly. This great

player did some fine work, and on defence he was simply snperb, Maley was not inclined enough to- go on his own, and on defence work he was decidedly weak. The maroon backs never had a cut in at all. Strang played hard behind the scrum with very little judgment, and the scrum of the maroons will stand a lot of improvement, as the ball stuck badly every time when it came to the back row.

Isn’t there a rule for penalising a player for lifting bis foot before the ball is in the scrum ? It will be too bad for our team to lose matches through non-observation on the part of ourreferees toenforce this rnlestrictly. For putting the ball in the scrum, Bob Organ is the man for the billet. Only seven are wanted in the scrum, they pack far better. And Isaac Jenkins is the man, assisted by Will Whittaker, to look after the back of the scrum, and both are up to the trick of protecting a half from the opposing wing, Mr R. Galbraith was referee, and, seeing that our team is travelling, was hardly strict enough on infringements.