Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 11, Issue 17, 25 July 1903, Page 12

Football Notes.

(By “ Old Boy.”)

Results of Wednesday’s matches : Britannia 7 points, Invercargill 4 points ; Athletic 8 points, Cambridge 4 points. Juniors: Waikiwi 6 points, Pirates II 3 points ; Riverton 3 points, Star II nil.; High School 18 points, Star 111 nil.

Contrary to expectations, the meeting between the Britannia and Invercargill resulted in a close game, the difference in the score fairly representing the merits of the two teams. The ground was greasy on top, and the frost had not thawed underneath, and in addition a drizzle fell for a part of the game, so a good back display was out of the question! From the kick off, the Blues playing against the little sun there was, the Brits went off at a great pace, and it looked as if the Blues were in for a bad time. The forwards worked the ball down to the Blues’ twentyfive, but faulty passing among the backs spoilt several good chances. From a scramble Fraser passed out quickly to Reid, who potted a neat goal a few minutes after the start, giving his team a good lead.

The Blues kicked off, and then had a look in, but when in a good position, one of their forwards passed wildly to the backs, and the Brits, taking advantage of this, carried the play out of danger. Hard kicking and good following up spoilt J. Christophers’ return, and the ever watchful P. Fraser pounced on the ball and scored the only try of the game. The kick at goal was a failure. Forward play followed, and half time was called—Britannia, 7 points Invercargill nil. On the play of the first spell it was apparant that the Brits had not such a soft thing on as they had previously imagined, and the Blues’ supporters expected their boys to make a good fight in the second spell. The play was chiefly confined to the forwards, and in this division the Blues stood up to their reputed powerful opponents well. A good forward rush carried play to the Brits twenty-five, and McKenzie, speculating foolishly, enabled Mcßobie to mark in a good position, and Christophers, who is a consistently good, kick, made no mistake, and piloted the ball safely over the bar, bringing 4 points up for his side. With this score, • 7 points to 4, and the Blues playing well and strong, it appeared as if they still had a chance of winning. They made great efforts to equalise matters, but were driven back each time, and 'were busy defending when time was called. For the Brits, Crowther, at fallback, was safe ; of the three-quarters, Watson kicked well. A. Stead could not handle the greasy ball, this being bis first game this season, and did not show to advantage. McKenzie, whose only idea seems to be to pot goals, was only fair. He speculates wildly at times, and was responsible for the four points recorded against his side. D. Fraser and Reid played well together, while P. Fraser revelled in the mud, although be does not relish stopping rushes. Take a lesson from Burgess, Peter. The forwards, who are a heavy lot, all played well together, led on by Purdue. For the Blues Bernstone had little to do at full-back, but played safely, giving a much better exhibition than he has done previously. Tapley still improves, and will make a good man with coaching. The other backs played safely, Totten and Reynolds being conspicuous in stopping rushes of the Brit forwards. The forwards, who were without the services of R: Christophers, gave a very creditable display. Tom Brown, in particular, played a sterling game, and if ' he plays up to his present form will have to be considered when the representative team is chosen. Mr K. Cameron controlled the game, and gave general satisfaction. At the conclusion of the first game the Cambridge and Athletic took the field. The keenest rivalry, and not the best good feelingj has existed

between these two young clubs for the last two seasons. Previously the Athletic have had the best/ of the games when they met, and the Cambridge spared no pains to try and get a strong team in the field to turn the tables on their opponents. Each team was confident of success. The Athletic relied on their speedy backs, while the Cambridge pinned their faith to their sturdy forward pack. Had these teams been playing off a tie for the premiership they could not have pub more dash into their play, and a close and interesting gajne resulted in the 'Athletics’ favour by 8 points to 4. From the kick-off the Cambridge immediately got to work and drove their opponents back to their own twenty-five. They here made the mistake of trying to play the back game instead of leaving it to their forwards, who were playing splendidly. After a busy quarter of an hour keeping their opponents out, the Athletic shifted the scene of play. Morton kicked well down the field, and followed up to put his forwards on side. From a weak return Kane obtained possession and kicked high. Morton, who was distinctly off-side, took the ball on the fly, and kicked bard over the Cambridge line. Woods, who is always fresh, as he never works in the scrum, ran for it and scored in a good position. How Referee Galbraith failed to see Morton offside is a mystery, and materially affected the result of the game. Crawford took the kick at goal and added the major points. The Cambridge kicked off and worked the ball down the field. From a mark Blackham took a kick at goal. Success appeared impossible considering the greasy state of the ball, but with a magnificent effort he kicked the best goal seen on the ground for many a day. Athletic, 5 points ; Cambridge, 4. With the score so nearly level, both sides made strenuous efforts to improve their positions. The play on both sides was very fierce, not to say rough, but half time was called without any alteration in the score. In the second half the play was fast, the ball travelling up and down the field at a great pace. Knock-outs were numerous, the only serious one being J. Vickery, who pub his shoulder out, and foolishly would not retire. The Athletic backs got on a nice passing rush in their opponents’ twenty-five, which let Crawford in at the corner flag. The kick at goal, though a good one, did not improve matters. Had the Cambridge forwards made the play loose they would have fared much better, as the few forward rushes they initiated swept everything before them, but they were playing tight, and got beaten at their own game, and no side found them busy defending. -For the Athletic, the full back proved to be the right man in the right place. Kane and Crawford also played safely, but Hishon found it difficult to hold the greasy ball. Morton and Mulvey did most of the work. The former reverted to his old style of ploy somewhat —not quite as clean as it might be. Hurley behind the scrum, played his best game this season. The forwards all worked hard except Woods, and it would be invidious to particularise.