FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13288, 17 May 1907, Page 6

FOOTBALL

SOUTH CANTERBURY COMPETITIONS. • The matches under the South. Canterbury KugDy Uniun were continued yesterday, 'ine weatner was tine, and there -were consequently good attenuances oi spectators at the various matches, the lust, round of 'the senior competition was concluded yesterday, the Temuka, Pirates and fctar" seniors having gained two wins each to Timaru's.nil. Tne following are the results of yesterday's- games : SENiOK. Star I. v. Timaru I (Referee, Mr G. Suachan}. —This gama was played on No. 1 Athletic ground. A good number of tspectators were present, and They were rewarded during the firs: spell by a good even game under pleasant weather conditions; bat the second half was too onesided to .be interesting, and a cold southerlygale drove all but the most enthusiastic onlookers to the shelter of the galvanised iron fence. , For the last half-nour, the play was confin-sd to the northern touchJine, ihi wind being too strong to allow the ball to be propelled to the other side. I he Star forwards played a. great game, and wen the match for their side; Thomas-, Coimeii and Roddick being the best of a good pack. Their backs were erratic; Tnbb and Aold were the most reliable, but a good deal of the former's smart, passing front the scrum was nullified by Mayo'j. poor handling—be either passed too high or in the wrong direction. The Timaru forwards were outplayed and overweighted, though towards the close of the first spell they secured the ball from several scnums, and gave.their backs several openings which were not taken advantage of through over-eagerness in the three-q carter line- O'-Leary played one of lus best defensive games, and Priest, Scott, and Arscott lletded, and kicked accurately, but the iiniarit back division were handicapped through playing behind a beaten pack- infringements of the roles were again too frequent for a senior match, Star being the worst offenders in the first spell, ami Tiinaru in the second; and one or two men indulged in some fancy play after the wliitle had gone. Tiniarn kicKed off from the eastern goal at 3.35, and the bali hovered near the-half-way line for a few minutes. Then S\ar started a good forward rush, which O'Leaiy checked by a clever mark. Th-: advantage of the free kick was lost through a man getting in front, and the Star forwards kept play in the Tiinaru 25, till good kicking by the latter>• back divi-.ion transferred operations to the centre. 'litaaru then took a band, and a dangerouslooking rush was checked just in tinv.t>y a lucky "spec" by Ellis, and a few minutes later play returned to half-way. Then a mull by Arscott lit the Star vanguard away, and Timaru in a tight corner till Scott relieved. Star attacked once more, but Husband war> j>enalised for off-side play, and immediately afterwards another infringement losrt thtm more ground. Star backs then tried passing, bat did little good, and uninteresting- play "foliowed till a smart rush by O'Leary and Arscott livened up the game. The Star backs again got to work, but bad passing spoiled a good opening, and a free kick let Timaru oat once more. Star returned to the attack, but- a good kick by O'Leary and a good forward rush took play back to the centre. After more tedious play Thomas headed a great rush, but Arscof. saved splendidly. Roddick nest had a .Shot from a mark, and mode a poor attempt. Star got the ball from several scrum* and Tabb it out nicely, but the men behind did no good with it. TLe:i the Timaru forwards secured possession for a while, and onc-i pretty passing rush was marred by Arscott ovvr-rnnninyr. and .several other chances- were lost by erratic passing. After some more scram and line work, Auld broke away, and a Star rush swept the ball to Timaru's line. From a scrum near the posts Connell slipped »ver. Kllis failing with the kick. Halftime was called with the score Star 3, Timari' 0. Th v second spell opened with .-. hot forward attack by Star, and from a scrnm in Timarn's 25. Tubb sent the owt! out nic-Iy to Mayo, who transferred t> Arid, and tin- latter scored at the i-ormr. HmldicK took the kick, and with the assistance of the wind put the ball between

che posts. Star 8, Timaru 0. Timaru den attacked, and Roddick getting off-side Mollison had a try at goal, but failed. A succession of line-outs and free kicks ensned; . that Star attacked twice, but each Lime were penalised and driven back. Another ten minutes of line-out and' scrum work, freely interspersed with free kicks against Timaru, followed. Then Husband scored an "after the whistle" try, ;ind more hard but uninteresting scrum work was done in Timaru's territory. A penalty to Tiinaru relieved the pressure for a moment, but the Star forwards swept back to the line again, and Roddick scored their third try just on the call of time. He took the kick himself, and made a good but unsuccessful effort against the wind, and the whistle blew leaving Star victors by 11 to nil. Pirates I. v. Temuka' T. (Referee. Mr A. Cuthbert)—This match was played at Temuka. and was one of the most interesting .senior games of the season, Temuka meeting their first defeat. Pirates, kicked off with the sun in their faces, the Temuka team being one man short. The ball went out at mid-field, and Pirates set a__ passing rush going, but this was brought to an end by a knock on. A scram followed, and Scott got the ball, taking p I :l y into Pirates 25, where Temuka were ;tllowed a free kick. Temuka centred =md Bradley marked. Several minutes of l'"n;-\vork ensued. Temuka being eventually penalised. Play then centred in Temnka's quarter for a short interval. Carlton then got away, but was stopped, and after another spell of mid-field play, the ball aeain went out." From a freekick on Pirate's '25, Maben started a dribbling rush, which was stopped at Temuka's 25. Pirates gained two freekicks in quick succession, and from a lino out at Pirate's 25, Temuka carried play down to the half line where they were again penalised. A line-out followed, and Temuka forced Pirates down to their 25, the position being relieved by a free-kick for Pirates. The ball was returned and went- out, Temuka getting a-free-kick. Pirates marked, and a few minates afterwards Pirates forced. From the kick-off Mihaka gained possession of the ball, bat was stopped on the 25. Pirates succeeded in getting right down to Temuka's line, but from a scrum in front of the goal. Temuka got the ball away, and found the line some ten yards down. From the iine-out it was kicked out at the 25, and by line-kicking. Temuka. succeeded in working down to half way. The tiro teams exchanged a couple of free-kicks, play again returning to Temuka's line, Hart relieving a tight position by finding the line- near the 25, this ending the first spell with no score on either side. Soon after resuming. Pirates were given a free-kick, and Carlton took a .'hot at goal, but failed to gain appoints. Temuka then carried play to within a few yards cf Pirates line, and Pirates got the ball away on a dribbling nisi), taking play into Temuka's 25. when the ball went out. Carlton kicked clown to Temuka's goal, Mihaka taking the ball and screwing himself through nearly the whole team before being trtopped. A line out at | the 25 followed, and Williams kicked bsi hind, Temuka forcing. T--muka commenced a passing rush and reached Pirates' 25, where the ball went out. Their backs got away from the line- out, and Mihaka i scored. The kick failed. Temuka 3, ; Pirates nil. Pirate's then settled down to score, and took play into hostile territory, and within a couple of yards of the line. Austin relieved by getting the ball and running round to the 25. jjlay then going to midiield, where Temuka gained a free kick. Several minutes' play in Temuka's 25 followed. Waldie then broke through and scored. Davey adding the major point-;. Pirates 5. Teiriiika 3. The remainder of the spell was very fast, both teams striving their utmost to increase their scores. Pirates gained a free kick soon after the kick off. and this was followed by a mark by Davey. The. ball was returned, and Pirates forced, and a minute or two later forced again. Temuka were penalised, and the ball went out at the 25. Temuka's backs carried play to the other side of the field, and Pirates again forced. Temuka gained a fiee kick, and Scott took a shot at goal, but failed. Temuka kicked In-hind and the ball went dead. This was followed by a serum five yards out. and the ball coming out again went id-ad. Several minute* of play on the line followed, until Pirates got away with the ball at their feet, the rush being stopped

by Grant, who van io half-way. 'tVmuka, were carried back and forced down. From

a scrum thev got away, losing the ball at Pirates' 25. " Pirate'.; got a ma-ik near the half line, where Carlton took a place kick,and got'the linn near Temuka's 25. Teinuka were allowed a free kick near Pirates' 25. and the bail was carried out. thi--: -ending the gam—Pirates 5, Temuka 3. From the time Te-muka scored till the end of the game, both teams" played their hardest. The passing on both sides was a good deal better than in foimer matches this season, and tin- forwards were uLso seen to advantage. For Temuka, Spillane, Mihaka, Austin and Hart in the backs, and Scott and Roddick in the forward?, were the most conspicuous, while Davis, Davev. Bradlev, and Carlton, Warring, Maben and Rod'gcrs made- an excellent light for the winners.

JUNIOR, Celtic I. v. Pirates 11. (Referee, Mr H. Walker>.--riiese teams met on No. 1 Athletic grounds before the .senior game. Pirates took the field with 13 men, and v. ere out weighted both back and forwards. Thev played pluckily, but had no chance with thsir bigger and cleverer opponents ; and the s-core recorded against them -would have- been much larger had Sullivan not been off-colour in his kicking, and if Mahoney at live-eights had given his threequarter line more opportunities. Kirby played a great game for Celtic and war, responsible for most of the score. The Celts played in the first- spell with the sun in their faces, and had a- good deal the belter of the game. The Pirate forwards held their own pretty well, but their short-handed back division was unnble to withstand the attacks of Kirby, who scored two tries —one of them a fine effort. Sullivan converted one try, and also kicked a penalty goal. The score at half-time stod Celtic 11, Pirates 0. After the interval the Celtic forward division carried all the scrums, and secured possession, but the ball seldom got past the five-eights line. Burnett saved for the Pirates in good style more than once; and Ennis lost- a certain score for Celtic by a knock-on. . Eventually Dalton scored from a good forward iu-sh, but no goal was kicked. Kirby next made- a tine run, but lest the ball; but Ennis picked up and scored easily under the posts, but Sullivan again failed to put the ball over. Almoin:- immediately E. Sullivan headed a forward attack and registered another try for Celts, but a> poster wau the result. Pirates then played up well, and held their own till just on the call of time, when the Celtic forwards took the ball over the line and a try resulted. Th.3 kick at goal was again resulticss, and the whistle blew with the score Celtic 23, Pirates nil. • •

Waimate v. Gciuldine (referee, Mr C. Collins). —This game commenced after halfpast 3 on the No. 2 Athletic Grounds. Geraldine were the first team, to arrive, and gave Waimate a hearty welcome when they put in an appearance. The tearm were fairly evenly matched, but it musthave been disappointing for them that there were not more spectators. The first part of the game was worth watching, and play vnvi consistently fast, it being evident the country clubs have not neglected training. The second! half attracted more attention, but it was spoiled by the cold southerly which sprang up during the interval. Waimate kicked off against tne north goal, and after ifive minutes' play Reid had a shot near Waimate goal, but nothing came of it. Geraldine kept pushing, and a lot of ragged play took place in the Waimate area. Shortly afterwards Worner made a smart run from the s.-.ium and succeeded in threading through all the Waimate backs except the full, who met him on the goal line. From the scrum a force resulted. Duckett for Waimate then shifted operations by a sensational run from his own 25 into his opponents'. Bennington eventually was successful in working the play back to Waimate's territory. Almost immediately after this Duckett repeated his performance, but on the opposite side of the field. Here play remained till half time. At half time' the high wind, sprang up, and the game was consequently robbed a good deal of its interact. The wind was in favour of Geraldine, who had the advantage in the first term,- and it was anticipated they would have pretty well their own way with the wind behind them. The second spell was chiefly a scramble in Waimate's 25, but now and again a few of Waimate's fast men got away and relieved, but only momentarily. The strong wind made kicking a good defence for Waimate. white contrarily it had the effect of turning all Geraldine kicks into forces or lino scrums for Waimate. Once the play was near half-way, and Duckett from a line out got the ball well tucked under his arm and made a strong run, and just reached the goal line with half a dozen Red and Blacks hard after him, but he had the ball safely grounded in time and place. His score was well deserved, for he put a lot of hard work into the gam-?. The kick at god failed. Ten minutes remained to call of time, and Geraldine meant to get. at least even with Waimate, and consequently there was a lot of mix-up play, line, out and broken serum work near Waimate goal. Ultimately, after half a dozen attempts to cross the line, Geraldine scored, but the kick failed, and the whistle blew.

Star 11. v. Timaru ll.—(Referee. MiBennetts.)—Star won the toss and defended the northern goal. From the start Star atti'.r.ked strongly and after some very hard forward play Nome secured the ball and dashed over the line. From a difficult angle R. Houston made a good attempt at goal but failed to add the extra points. Timaru now livened up and made repeated attempts to score but failed and at half time St a r were 3 points to the good. Shortly after play had commenced llimaru scored from a scramble on the Line, but- the score was not increased. From this onward the game was mainly confined to the forwards, and on both sides play was very willing. A few minutes before the call of time Houston erossed the line and Gibson placed a splendid goal, the game ending Star Q liimuu 5. The forwards on both side;-; played a hard and - fast- game. Among the backs Houston, Gibson, Brown and Davidson played well for Star and Darcy, Harold and Anderson played best for Timaru.

PRESIDENTS.

Zingari v. Celiac (Referee, Mr J. Thomson}.—The result of this match was generally speaking a foregone conclusion in favour of Zingari, but Celtic's supporters hoped for a win. Last year Zingari and Ceitic made a draw of their match, but now Celtic's second fifteen with one or twi: of last year's piayir* remaining, parpitted against practically the i-aine team which Zingari had last season. The 1 , play wr.s up to the standard of South Canterbury Third grade, arid was vtiy hard throughout. At times the '"willing" play resulted in roughness, which luckily for thi' offenders the referee happened not to see. Ziugtri came out with three points to thi' good, but it was thoughv that they would have scored more than lb'-j- did*. Shortly after the kick-off Zingari opened up, and Segar securing I he- ball near the half-way raced for the and scored after a bril'hni run. No ponl resAilted. Zingari still kept pressing, i-iid wri-! 1 .'iv.avded a penalty kick, but it v.-as futile. Occasionally Celtics made an attempt to b:vdc into Zingari territory, but nothing came of it. Half-time elided M'ith no change in the scores. From the opening of the. second half Celtic pressed a while but Zingari's backs saved easily

and shifted play to Celtic's 25. Some ragged play look place hrjv and MeWhir-ti-r si-curing- just in front of the goal, scored. Darroek converted nicely. Celtic vi-re nut quietened but made play very lively., and getting into their opponent' 25, Clarke put in some smart -work. From ,i scrum near the line this phiytr jacking tip the ball from the side of the scrum made a pretty and dodgy run right through ihe Ziiigari backs and "scored. The-kick vi as taken by Jennings, -who made no mistake in landing a fine goal. There were about live niiunbtis -to go at Ihis period, and the only play worthy of note was Ziiigari making a "final attempt- to ;-cor-.:. but Celtic re-t-.diattd vigorously, and when time was ce.lled the balh was' oat in Ziiigari ground. " Score: 8 . points to 5 points. High School v. Piuates. —This match was player! on the school grounds. Piraets- kicked oft' down hill and kept the school busily defending. The first spell passed without any. score being tegisteied. In the second i-pell the School attacked vigorously. The first try -was made by Fraser after a very pretty run.; Warring converted. Soon after another tiy was sccrerl by Serpell from a passing rush. In this rush the ball changed hands six time*. No goal resulted. Just before the call of tune Dalgleish scored, a third try.- This kick was also a failure. The game concluded School 11 Pirates 0For the winners O'Connor in the forwards and O'Donoghue in the backs played good games. For the losers Wall, Doyle and Warring .showed up well. Waimate 11. v. Temuka 111. (Referee, Mr C. J. Goldstone). —This match was played in Victoria Park, Waimate, before a fair number of spectators. The teams were fairly evenly .matched, Waimate's forwards being slightly superior in weight, while Tenmka showed better combination and 'speed in the rear ranks. Play was confined for the most part to the forwards, and the match resulted in a win for Waimate by 3 points to' Ternuka's nil.

The following will represent Cricklewood against Fairlie at- Cricklewood to-morrow : —J. Kelliher, D. O'Neill, S. Oorbett, B. Wright, A. Mcßeath, A. Curtis, W. Kennedy, S. Nixon, E. Bray, Andrew McKey, A. McDonald, D. O'Connor, W. Clino, S. Stvles, G. BcKay; emergencies, Angus jNlcKay, R. Kennedy, A. Corbett, R.2Nelson, J. Chi-istenseu. ■ •

"RUN STRAIGHT." Hamish Stuart, a contributor f ,o the " Daily Chronicle," who seldom had a good word for the "All Blacks," when they were at Home, has the following in a review of the late Rugby season in Great Britain. His advice may be useful to South Canterbury players : Like the previous season, 1906*07 was. rendered historic by the visit of a Colonial team of the highest class, for however much folk may differ as to the relative merits of the New Zealanders and the South Africans, the right of the latter to be classed with the All Blacks is beyond dispute. The curious part of the matter is vh.it though the New Zealanders introduced i;s to new methods of play, the visit of the South Africans was much more instructive, simply because they played the familiar four-three game in a way that was capable of imitation, and with a scrupulous fairness that had all the force of a great example. The New Zealanders did not- escape, criticism, and they excited animosity by their m-rfhodf, as well as admiration for their skill. The South Africans won nothing but praise ; they were described and will ever be remembered as a model side, who combined fairness with skill in a way quite unapproached by any side in the history of the modern game. They showed us —and Wales and Welsh sides needed the lesson badly, though they have so far quite failed to apply it to their play—that the mod-em game can be played, in spite, of its temptations, quits as fairly as the old gam?, and that when so played it can be made even more attractive than when these ingeniously unfair methods are put in practice with which certain teams have made us all" too sorrowfully' familiar. Their great lesson in the matter of play was the value of straight, resolute running. Tf English backs could only apply that lesson, and forget all about passing, except the opportune variety, we should hear little more of the decadence of English Rugger and have fewer of those wild-cat schemes which are ever being submitted for its regeneration. " Run straight" should be writ large on every plank in every English pavilion.