THE CANTERBURY FOOTBALL ‘ REPS,’ 1893.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 46, 18 November 1893, Page 422

THE CANTERBURY FOOTBALL ‘ REPS,’ 1893.

beat Otago and Southland on the football field is a high honour, consequently the members of the Canterbury teams have been on the best possible terms with themselves since their victories. By the form shown in club games during the season it was anticipated hat the province would render a good account of itself in the • Rep ' matches, and the results of the games proved this to be correct. Of course, the Otago game was by far the most important; in fact, footballers look upon this as the game of the year, and to pick a team to beat Otago was the chief aim of the Selection Committee (Messrs G. Harris, W. J. Cotterill, and C. Garrard). The match was played at Lancaster Park on Saturday, September 9tb, the ground being in capital order, and resulted in Canterbury just struggling home after a hard and unscientific game by sto 2. (A goal from a try to a try.) The game itself was uninteresting, being slow and tedious in the extreme. Both sides seemed to be frightened of each other, and would not open up the game and make it faster and consequently more pleasing to the spectators. In justice to Otago, however, it should be stated that E»quilant, one of their best forwards, owing to

an injury, could not play dnring the greater part of the second spell. The match showed clearly that Canterbury’s hitherto strong point, viz., fast forward play, was not nearly so good as of old, but at the same time demonstrated the fact that the ‘ backs ’ were much better than of Jmre, and quite equal to, if not superior, to Otago's. This is the first occasion that the ‘ back ’ department has been able to show any decided superiority. The fine play of Scott, the Kaiapoi forward, and McKendry and Johnstone at the sides of the scrums, for Canterbury, and Duncan’s great efforts at ‘ five eighths ’ for Otago, were the most prominent features of individual play. The Southland game played at Lancaster Park on the following Thursday was a far better game, being faster and more open. During the first spell the really excellent passing of the Canterbury backs, and in the second spell the brilliant work done by the Southland forwards, a «n>»'t, active lot, were the chief characteristics in a splendid game, eventually won by Canterbury by 9 points (1 goal 2 tries) to 5 points (1 goal). A special word of praise is due to Mr W. J. Cotterill, who acted as Referee in both games. His decisions were given promptly and accurately, and although the Otago team considered some of his rulings a trifle strict, they acknowledged that his performance with the whistl was

really good one, while the Southland team, one and all, stated that it would be very difficult to find a better referee in New Zealand. The following is a short account of the various players engaged in the two matches. W. Mendelson (Christchurch), 12st. 31b. Equally good full-back as three-quarter ; takes the ball and tackles well, and kicks with judgment. Played against Auckland and Wellington in 1892. P. Menzies iMeri vale), list. 91b—A powerful and speedy runner; takes the ball well; good tackler, and fairly good fender. His first appearance. A. Hobb (Linwood), lOst. 101b.—Kicks well, tackles fairly ; takes the ball well, and passes cleanly, but apt to run too much toward his wing men. Played for Canterbury in 1887. ’BB, ’99, ’9O, and ’92. G. Lee (East Christchurch!, 12st. 41b.—A hard runner, difficult to stop; when in form takes his passes prettily, and is a good tackler. Played for Canterbury in 1892. A. E. White (Merivale), 9st. 91b.' 1 (Captain).—Plays at fiveeighths ; is very clever, passes smartly, dodges well and knows when to pass: fairly fast and dangerous on the attack. Member of Canterbury Northern team in 1892. A. E. Cook (Merivale), 9st. 111 b.—A really good half-back ; plays close to the scrum; passes quickly and judiciously: very unselfish ; possesses a good knowledge of the finer points of the game. His first appearance. H. Frost (Christchurch), list. 61b.—Hard scrummager; follows up fast, and is a good man in the open. Played against Southland in 1890. F. Childs (Merivale), list.—A fine forward, always at work whether in the scrum or in the open; collars well. Played for Canterbury in 1892. R. Mathison (Merivale), 12st. 41b.—A consistent worker; follows up well; good in scrum or open; an old Otago rep.

Played against Otago and South Canterbury in 1892. A. Ebert (East Christchurch). 13sr.—Always amongst the hard work ; follows up and tackles well. Played for Canterbury in 1889, ’9l, and ’92. L. Ebert (East Christchurch), 12st.—Similar player to his brother, and smart in the lineout. Played for Canterbury 1890, ’9l and ’92. F. Evans (Merivale). list. 41b.—Ha? proved himself a dangerous and tricky forward ; web conversant with the game ; is very good in the open. Played for Canterbury since 1889. E. Scott (Kaiapoi). list. 121 b.—A good scrummager, backs up well, and is good in the open. His first appearance. J. McKendry (East Christchurch) 12st.—Plays on the wing; fast forward, dribbles am tackles well, good on defence. Played for Canterbury in 1992. A. Johnstone (Merivale), 12st. 21b.—Also plays on wing; good in loose work; tackles well and works hard. Played for Canterbury in 1892. Id the Southland match Hobbs, Menzies, and L. Ebert were replaced by the following men : W. Lang (Merivale).—A smart centre three-quarter, dodgy runner, and very dangerous in his opponents’ quarters ; not a very good tackler. Played for Canterbury in 1892. M. J. O’Brien (Linwood). —A very clever wing three-quarter; dodges well, and dangerous on the attack, but rather weak in defence. His first appearance. R. Moriarty (East Christchurch).—A strong, powerful forward ; scrummages well; pretty good in the open, and fair tackler. His first appearance.

Ethel was telling a visitor what her sister got at Christmas. • And she got a scarf pin with a grindstone in it,’ was one of the things she told. (She meant that it was set with a rhine stone.)