Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 13, Issue 20, 12 August 1905, Page 12

Football Notes.

(Bt Goalpost.)

A good programme was arranged for football enthusiasts on Wednesday, and despite the bad weather there was a large attendance. The opening match between Winton and Cambridge was to decide the junior premiership. The former team were the general favourites, but as events turned out their weight was no good against the pace opposed to them. The Cambridge showed far more knowledge of the finer points in the game, and won by 3 points. The full backs in both teams were really good, Delargy, the Winton man, being slightly better. Blackham, the Cambridge halfback, was absolutely the best man on tihe ground —sure at taking, and made good use of the ball whenever it came his way. Fester did some very fine line kicking, and played a good hard game. Gunn, Irwin, and Strang were a very safe trio in the back division. Hinton was weakest of their backs, his defence not being up to his comrades’ form. The forwards, although overmatched in weight, played a more concerted game than their opponents, thus counterbalancing the superiority in weight. The Winton men, from whom a great deal was expected, were Hurst, South, and Tomlinson, but the public were disappointed, the three playing indifferently. The big game, Pirates v. Star, was the second item on the programme, and both teams were lustily cheered as they lined on to the ground. Considering the weather and the greasy ball, a very fast game eventuated, going up and down the ground at a great pace, first flattering supporters of one side and then of the other On the day, giving both teams their due, a fair result of the match would have been a draw, as the losers had as much play as their opponents, and should at least have scored one other try. As it was, it ended thus — Star, 6 ; Pirates, 3. Mackley, at full-back, was capital, and kicked and fielded really well, and his team seemed to have no anxiety when he was going for the ball. It was a meritorious display, as it is only bis third or fourth game with the seniors. Raines was the best of the threequarter line, his fielding getting his team out of many difficulties. Bain played a good, consistent game, and it was mainly owing to hie pace that his team scored their first try. I think he will give a good account of himself in the rep. match next week.

Spear was only fair, his fielding being faulty. His defence was good. Giller did not play as well as he did in the trial matches, being lamentably weak in defence. A. Stead thoroughly earned his place in the team, his taking being splendid and his defence good; at times he was too slow in kicking.

Bert Stead was the Star’s best back man, and also the best back on the ground —always in the thick of it where rushes had to be stopped. He used his bead to some purpose in his kicking, and thoroughly deserved the ovation he received coming off the ground. McHie and Martin were not equal to the task of beating Robinson and Hogan, the latter getting the upper hand the most of the game. Burley and Donnelly both gave fine performances, and were distinctly their team’s best men in the forward division.

Rldlacd, Ryan, Jenkins and Moffett all performed well, and their condition at the finish showed that training is a big factor in a game. Bert Whittaker, at full-back, did not seem at home with the greasy ball, and did not shape as well as usual.

Roberts was the weak spot in the Pirates’ back division, and did not

seem to like defence work. Hill played a fine game. One brilliant opening he made the Pirates scored off. He seemed to like the sloppy condition of the ground and ball, and on several occasions it took more than One to hold him. Blackham’s game was quite up to his late performances. He tries hard all defy, and puts plenty of dash into his play. Smith and Hannah, at five-eighths, were a good pair, the former being the better, who scored a good try. The latter kicked the wet ball really well. Both showed good defence. Burgess was not as good as usual, the greasy ball not allowing him to get away as quickly as usual, and also he had to contend against an exceptional good game by the opposing half. Hansen played a good game in the lock, and more credit should be given him ag he had not been well all the week. Robinson and Hogan, as I mentioned before, were too good for their opponents. Both played well in the loose as well, the latter, perhaps, quite as well as usual. Organ seemed about the best of the Pirates pack, and looked in form, and evidently was better trained than most of his comrades. Clark and West both gave good expositions, the former using his feet splendidly, whilst the latter had to do most of the bullocking. Whittaker and Pettigrew both shaped fairly, but neither played quite as well as usual. The rep. team to represent Southland against Otago was picked on Wednesday night, and shows a little alteration in the back division, MeNeece (2), Grace and Ford being out, and Fraser, Burgess, Bain and Murphy going in. E. Purdue takes McKay’s place in the forwards, and makes the pack about as heavy a one as we could wish. It is a trifle on the slow side, but I think they will hold their end up. I would like to see J. McFTeece full-back, Hill in Blackham’s place, Bain centre, Maley five-eighths, and leave H. Murphy out. It is too risky putting in a man that is not thoroughly fit. It seems unfortunate that young Stead cannot get a place, and it must be disappointing to him after the games he has played lately. Following are the positions of the senior teams for 1905 :

Star Wius 7 Draws 2 Losses 1 Pts. 16 Pirates 6 2 2 14 Brits. 4 2 3 10 Waikiwi 5 0 5 10 Athletic 2 1 6 5 I.P.O. 0 1 S 1