FOOTBALL

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4893, 21 September 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL

LAWRENCE WINS THE CUP.

The final match for the premiership of the S.O.R.F.U. was played on the Lower Reserve, fialolatha, on Wednesday afternoon, betweens teams representing the Lawrence and Owaka Clnbe. The Lawrence playerß left home at 8.30 a.m. with every indication of a fine day, but they met very stormy weather in the Manuka Gorge, and from there bad a bitterly cold ride, interspersed with rain and snowstorms. Balolatha was reached at 1.45 p.m., where a good dinner was waiting them at the Crown Hotel. Two players left Lawrence in a trap some time later than the others, and at Waitabnna they were forced by stress of weather to return home, which considerably handicapped their team, Owaka was enabled to take the benefit of the train arrangements both ways. The weather at Balclutha was not quite so stormy, but a bitter wind was blowing, and the football ground was dotted- all over with pools of water, large and small. The teams lined out at 4.15, in the presence of a good number of spectators, the wind blowing angularly over the ground from corner to corner. Owaka won the toss and played with the wind. Clarke kicked, off and for a few minutes play was near the centre. But the heavy Owaka forwards gradually worked it down to Lawrence twentyfive. The Lawrence forwards set up a splendid defence, and kept their line clear for a good while, Black on the wing doing good work. Several times Owaka got the ball, but their halves always took it on the wrong Bide of the scrum, thus neglecting their five-eighth and three-quarters On one occasion Davis got the ball and made a dodgy run down to within a yard ot the Lawrence lino, where he was grassed by Clarke, after beating three men. From the scrum, W. Robertson and Aitken were instrumental in taking it to near the twenty-five. Fop an infringement i Owaka got a free-kick, bnfc Davis 1 attempt caused the ball to roll along the ground. From another scrum Davis I got the ball and made a dash for the line, but was collared by M'Keich. A [ pass to his three-quarters might have resulted in a score. Owaka got the ball from the scrum, but Black was away with it at his feet before the half could get it, and being well backed by j W. Robertson took it to half-way. Here Lawrence got the ball, aud a passing rush between Vivian, Carruthers, and Clarke was spoiled by a throw forward. Owaka worked the ball back to Lawrence qn&rters, where ihe ball was kicked over the line by Parker and a 1 force resulted. The rest of the spell was I fought out in the Lawrence twenty-five, ' but the defeDce was very sound, and it ended without a score. With the wind ab their backs, Lawrence played a diflereat game, throwing the ball about well. From the kick-off Owaka rushed the ball to Lawrence twenty-five, but Clarke shifted the venue to the other end by a good kick down the line, A forward rush took the bait over the line, and Lee scored near the corner, but Clarke's kick did not increase the score. Shortly after the kick out, Lawrence got the bal! from a scrum and a passing run between Vivian, Robertson, and M'Keich resulted in the latter scoring near the posts. J. Robertson did not enhance the score. A little later a passing run between Vivian, M'Keich and Clarke ended in a score by the latter, but the referee disallowed the score on account of a pass forward. The ball was shifted up past the twenty-five, where X/ee kicked hi^h and fallowed up, bub the strong wind took it out of bounds. Shortly after the kick out, Owaka signified their intention of discontinuing the game, and time was called, leaving Lawrence victor b by 6 points to nil. The day was decidedly against good back play, but the Lawrence set took part in some good rushes, and were the best of the two lots, although the absence of one player caused some alterations. Probably Vivian, M'Keicb, and Clarke put in most work, but the others were always in the right place wheu wanted. In the first spell the Lawrence forwards recognised the task set them and made the game as tight as possible, but when they played with the wind the game was more open. Their defence was very good but some chances of scoring were lost by being too anxious. They were considerably lighter than their opponents, but were in better form. W. Robertson, Lee, Black, and Aitken were most prominent in the open, while the others one and all played well. The Owaka backs did not get a chance to Bhow what they oould do in attacking for when the scrum half got the ball be would send it to Ihe M blind " side of the scrum instead of out into play, and this favored Lawrence by making the game close. On the defence, Davie, Stewart, 1 and Ayaon showed to best advantage. The extra weight of the Owaka forwards should have enabled them to get the ball out better than they did, but they could not be said to be in good form. Harris, Carlton, and Meder were the best. Mr A. Eyre, of Owaka, was referee, and his decisions were received without a murmur. The game was played in a most friendly spirit— probably the frequent spray and plunge baths players bad to submit to assisted them in keeping cool. After tea the teams met at the Farmers' Arms Hotel, and spent a pleasant hour in singing and speechifying, after which they left for home. The Lawrence team will be presented with 15 silver medals by the Union, and will hold the Cup for the ensuing year. W. Shortland, who captained the New South Wales football team in their recent match against Otago, has just died in Sydney from pneumonia. The Otago Rugby Union cabled their condolences ' to the New South Wales Union. Auckland defeated Taranaki on Thursday by 5 points (a goal) to nil. The game was a very good one, the backplay of the Aucklanders securing them the victory. It is not so much what the newspapers say, as what neighbor saya to neighbor, or friend to friend, that has brought Chamberlain's 00110, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy into such general use. It ia as natural (or people to express their gratitude after using this remedy as it is for water to flow down hill. It is the one remedy that oan always be depended upon, whether a baby be aick with cholera infrratum or a man with cholera morbua. It is pleasant, safe and reliable. Have you a bottle of it in your home ! For sale by R. S. Poison, chemist. Pcioe Is 6d, big size 3a.