Football Notes.

Southland Times, Issue 19115, 4 August 1903, Page 2

Football Notes.

By " Punter." I was not siuu'iistu to see the record • gate " of tne season on the occasion oj i.ne .Star v. Jiruanma inatcn just Wednesday, noi was i surpnsea to see che old warn get home once again. ut me fourteen years' continuous premiership, however, l*>u3 proved tne hurrtest ior the blue and whites to annex, and chey have to thank their iucky star lor the position they again occupy^ The seasons play of tne tnree leading teams clearly snowed that there was not more than a point or difference between them and as niatttrs have turned out, the sol' Hary unit stood by the Stars last week. i\in« points to the Brits' eight left very little margin to come ana go on, ana at any tune during the last five minutes of. the game, the pot might have Oftn upset. At the outset the Brits looked as if th<-'y meant business, their opponents' quarters being the scene of play for tho nrst 15 minutes. A couple of iree kicks' to the attacker.-? within range of the goal might easily have negotiated the cross-bar, hut both attempts failed. The deionders then had their turn on the attack, and made the most of the opportunities afforded. In the brief spuca of twenty minutes., the Stars opened out and (Hller established a record by scoring three tries, "none of which wei - e converted. Jenkins was instrumental in obtaining the first score. Him and Spenr also materially assisting in thfe compilation of the nine points, the last named playing the game of his life. Such a substantial deficit seemed suflleient to quail the stoutest hearts, but not so with the Brits. Towards the close of the spell they again rallied and just on half time, their efforts wer© rewarded, lteid crossing the Star's line, the major points not being forthcoming. The second spell was an almost incessant uttuck on the Star line. Time after time the Brits made strenuous efforts* to get over, but the excellent collaring of tho Star backs saved the siVuation over and over again. Up to the lost six minutes there was no alteration in tho score; then P. Fraser darted over the line near the star goal. Amidst uproarious cheers. iieid registered the major points. The few minutes left for play saw the Stars "pointing," They appeared to string out time as much as. possible, and resorted to some unsportsmanlike tricks to attain their object. The kick out from half-way brought tho Stars up to the SO flag like snails, o,hd when again driven o«ck, their reai-gttaJtl studiously punted - -the Ifcttihci 1 ov«r the fence. These tactics were not unnoticed by the referee, who penalised the defenders by continuing the pome- for five minutes over the allotted, time. In this >rief space of time the Brits were "eyes out." but without success, and when time was finally called they had the Starsr penned on the defensive. Thus ended what was perhaps the most exciting club match ever played on tho Union Ground. Mr K. Cameron proved I a thoroughly competent and satisfactory referee. . =. ■ ■ I do not know the full particulars of the ease brought against the Star Club for including a former member 'of the Pirates in their ranks, but, on the face of it. some ulterior move seems to underlie the matter. It appears that soveral years ago, the alleged defaulter came to town to assist to lower tho Star's colours. It is admitted. <bv the protesters that he wfts never asked for a " sub " by their cl'ih. and previously it wus never the Intention of the BlackM to make any such application, as tl\oy evidently recognised that the plavar in Kuestion sacrificed enough time' (two* days v week) to play i\\ .important nmtches without fee or reward— any payment would have constituted the "player a professional. This went op tor four years. and then his services were no longer remit red. This season Ke threw in his lot with U'e Star, ami stated that nl though, his subs, were In arrears, tho Pirates were Indebted . to him. uer contra, for train and hotel expenses. When the protest came before the ' Union it Was n<?t upheld, qu the .ground that that

body should have bean apprised before any attempt' was made to prevent the man playiujj. i hear tl^at another protest is to come before the Union, but being sub judice. I refrain from, comment iintil it is dealt with. The final test between the 1.X.1". and Pirates played on tlifi Eastern Keservo, resulted in "a win for the latter by » points to nil. Shortly after the start J. Taylor placeC a nice penalty poal for the Blacks. The Blues then hriffhtonod . up, and the play was fast and interesting throußhout, Both sides attacked and defended in quick succession, but no fu.ther score was recorded till within ihrexminutes of time, when a good passes rush amongst the I'irate backs sent the ball to Glennie who cut in nicely and scored between the posts, and Taylor kicked a goal. The- I.F.C. showed much improved form, and at times only the most stubborn defence, aided by uiv occasional force clown, prevented their scoring. Following are the positions of the teanis : — , points won drwn lost for agst Star 8 1 1 ' 108 22 Brits 5 . 3 1 «T> 1<» Pirates .42 2 55 10 Athletic 3 "0 R 17 o<s I.F.C. » - O 7 25 OO Cambridge 1 0 7 10 70 The "Selection Committee (Messrs Oalbraith, Lennie and Geddes) have picked the following for the. trial match on "Wednesday : — . Maroons: — Crowther, Bain, Reid Christophers, Ward (capt.), 1). Fraser, Burgess,' Pasco, Robinson. Burley, \V. Whitaker. J. ■ J. Taylor, -J. Derbie, Morton, Orpa" and StoneColours : — Manson. Spear, Kane, UlnrV. Hirst, K. W. Morton. P. Fraser. McXiP. Hujrhes, Jenkins (capt-K .1. Taylor, T. "Whitaker, W. Fraser. and C. Purdue. Emergencies — Racks : Oilier, A. Itor'iie, Reynolds. Knuckey. Forwards : Nil let. Perry. Hansen. Campbell, Brown. McCreath and KincfsloncV. Mr .T. CJalbraith. referee. H. Rodprers. the well-known Pirate player and Southland representative- for several years, has removed to Piinedin. | Prior to his departure he was the recipient of a irold chain and* pendant and twro pipes, from his club mates nnd friends.