FOOTBALL NOTES.

Southern Cross, Volume 17, Issue 16, 31 July 1909, Page 10

FOOTBALL NOTES.

(By “Goal-post.”)

Local club competition closed. Winton premiers for 1909. Waikiwi again defeated. Results of game ; Star 3, v. Waikiwi 0 ; Winton 1.2, v. Invercargill 3. Premiership Points : Winton' 15, Star 14. Waikiwi 12 and Invercargill 7. The wisdom of the local Rugby Union in deciding to play the WintonInvercargill match in town was shown by the large attendance on Wednesday, which must have been a record for club games under the control of the S.R.F.U. Wintorr’s winning margin over Invercargill on Wednesday was a large one —a score of 0-3 would have been a much better indication of the state of the game, but the wearers of the red colours had the best of matters throughout, and deserve every credit for their win, which made their position as premiers for 1909 secure. Miles stood out by himself in the Blue pack, and played with great dash throughout. Knight, for Win-, ton, was the outstanding forward, and Lindsay and Ladbrook were nearest up to his standard. The play in the Inveroargill-Winton match, though fast and willing throughout, was in pleasing contrast to the Stair-Winton match of a week ago, being of a most friendly nature. Wesney has been falling away a little in his play as full back lately, and will have to show better form to play his way into the representative teamMcKeece or Darragh are, in my opinion, his most dangerous rivals. Both are splendid kicks with both feet, a most important feature, and one I think Wesney is deficient in.

Hamilton,’ too, larely, if ever, uses his left foot.

Haines and Cowie placed good games for ffinton on Wednesday. Raines has a good knowledge of the game, and’ from his place at centre he is able to keep in position all the other backs, who are at times inclined to crowd in when hotly pressed.

Moore gets few chances, but gives one the impression that he would be a scoring man.

The Waikiwi-Star match was an interesting encounter, but the Star must be considered fairly lucky in getting off with a win, as the suburbanites he’d the advantage all through, and should, X think, have won.

The loose plaJy of the red and black forwai’ds was the best we have had from them this season. They continually broke away on long dribbling rushes, and on one occasion got over the line, but the ball bounced awkwardly, and Edginton, who had been following up well all day, just missed it, and the result was a force. Small played a fine loose game for Star,- and was well backed up by Baird.

Glasgow and Hidland played splendid games throughout. Hidland has been one of the most consistent forwards in the competition this season, and in every match has been the most prominent Star forward. As showing that weight is not everything in football, Wohleis, Edginton, Gardiner, and Small who probably would not average TOst. each —played splendid games on Wednesday. Of course the heavy going suited their style of play, but nevertheless their performance was an excellent one.

Grant, for Star, again got in some splendid work on Wednesday, and got his side out of trouble on many occasions.

A. McNeecc is of little use as a fiveeighth, on his present form. He appears to have no idea of getting rid of the ball. With his splendid fielding and kicking abilities I would like to see him figuring as full back in he forthcoming trials. Hamilton is certainly not a! success as a wing threequarter. He is easily bustled, and has ai poor idea of what to do with the ball when he gets it.

Reid, for Waikiwi, was poor on Wednesday. However, he is a young player, and no doubt the importance of the occasion affected his play. Crawford made few mistakes at full back for Star, and his kicking nearly always found the line. Harris, on the opposite side, was good in this department also. Smith played a much better game than usual, and ran with' dash when he got the ball.. On the occasion of Irwin’s try he beat the men nicely before giving the wing the ball. Irwin, as usual, played safely, and always ran strongly in possession of the leather.

Walker tackled very solidly, and his line-kicking' was of great service to Invercargill. Blackham, behind the scrum, got through immense amount of woik, and never missed a! chance of getting his backs away.

Followers of the game in Southland will be sorry to learn that “Hughie” Murphy, who has been ill for some five months now, has been ordered to Rotorua by his medical adviser. Hughie will always occupy a warm spot in the hearts of the football and cricket public. He was undoubtedly one of the finest centres that ever played down this way.