FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3625, 23 August 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NORTH OTAGO BEAT SOUTH CANTERBURY.

The South Canterbury team visited Oamaru yesterday, aad played ■ against a North Otago team on the north road ground. The visitors were met at the railway station by local players and driven to the Queen's Hotel, where they had dinner..

The game started at 2 p.m. O'Malley captained South Canterbury, and Tooher North Otago. Mr Hunter, of the Waitaki High School, an ex-Otago rep., was referee.

North Otago won the toss and played from the south end, with a good wind behind them. They started off with great dash, and soon had their ''opponents in trouble. Austin put in a good kick, and Roddick had a free.kick for Yellow (North Otago) off-side. From a scrum near the Green (South Canterbury) line, Gibb dodged through and scored within three minutes of the start. Shine converted. Roddick kicked off, and the Greens got a free kick for off-side play. Soon after Austin got a mark in the Yellows 25, but Roddick failed to kick a. goal. Greens attacked strongly, but owing to bad passing among the backs the Yellow forwards got possession and brought the play to the centre. From a scrum a good passing rush of the Yellow backs was stopped by Gaffaney collaring' his opposing wing three-quarter. ' Off-side play gave Yellows a free kick, and from an exchange ;of kicks O'Malley's fumbling let a Yellow man over, but he was called back for going" in touch. Roddick- dribbled splendidly, and brought the game past the centre. Scrums in' the centre were now the order, and South Canterbury had several free kicks. Austin forced the Yellows by a long kick. Thomas returned the kick. out. O'Malley made a good recovery and stopped a good dribbling rush of the Yellow forwards. The latter then got a free kick off Dean for off-side. Toohey started some fine passing, but Roddick smothered the attempt. O'Malley made a close shot at goal from a free kick, and shortly after Roddick'made an /unsuccessful pet. Toohey and Flynn put in some good play and then Henry kicked out near the Yellows 25. Calder, the North Otago full-back, was playing a tip-top game at this stage. North Otago made a fierce attack and Flynn from sharp passing got over, but lost the ball, and the Greens were forced. The Yellows gained ground by passing, and Dean, O'Mara, and • Donovan headed a Green rush into the Otago 25. Bad passing by the Greens let McGregor uway. He lost an almost certain score by a bad pass. Free kicks to each in turn and the ball went near the centre, at, half-time, with North Otago 5 points to nil. ' The play" in the second spell was in favour of the' Yellows. Gaffaney and Roddick made a strong iush\ up the line"; The Yellows had a free Kick, Austin marked, and O'Leary kicked well. A strong" rush of Yellows and bad fumbling by the Green backs was stopped by O'Malley at full-back. Joe was off-side, and the Yellows kicked high. The Greens were attacking strongly, but' their forwards did- hot put much heart into their work. Joe and Dean came through, and the Yellows saved by kicking into touch. They j then got forced down. Thomas took the

ball on the full and tried to run round, but was collared and the ball went out in the Green's 25. McGregor made a great run; the South Canterbury backs got in one another's way, and the Yellows got a

free kick for Roddick's obstruction. Shine had a place at goal and made a fair attempt. Herron (Yellow's) was now playing a splendid forward frame. From a line out, Forsyth broke clean away, and kicking high to the centre, McGregor got possession and ran through the Green backs and scored under the posts. Sbine did not. increase the score. From a free

kick, Roddick's attempt hit the bar, and |i Grant dashing up. got over, but was held. 'A scrum five yards out was given, and the ■ Greens missed a fine show of scoring through Roddick failing to take a smart pass from, Austin. Herron made a magnificent dribble and beat the Green backs badly. O'Malley and Gaffaney both attempted to force, but Herron was too smart for them, and scored near the corner flag. A free kick was giveii against Grant for obstructing Herron. Then the Greens attacked, and Grant had a place kick, but the ball fell short. Fumbling among the Yellow backs enabled Joe to

! mark right in front -of the goal, but O'Malley's kick went wide, and the game ended in a decisive win for North Otago by 11 points to nil. Toohey (half), McGregor (three-quarter), and Calder (full), were the best of the North Otago backs, the first named being particularly good. Flynn (three-quarter) also played well. Herron played the best forward game, and was well backed up by Farris. Thomas was the only one of the South Canterbury backs who did well, and he was very, safe, doing some fine kicking. Roddick, as usual, was in great form en the wing.

The following players, have been picked to play for the Timaru Football Club in the nine a side tournament:—Senior : Mahoney, Kitto, Amos, Fraser, Mara (2). Knubley, and Donovan. Junior: Bowie, Weir, Moody, Shaw, Brodrick, Mundell, Thompson, Lane and Boys.