FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 319, 3 September 1896, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO FOOTBALL TOUR. September s—Auckland September 9—Hawke’s Bay September 12—Wellington AUCKLAND v. OTAGO. On Saturday the Auckland representatives will be pitted against the third provincial team that has visited us this season, viz., Otago, and judging by the result of the match, Otago v. Canterbury, played, on Saturday last, in which the latter team proved victorious, .1 am afraid they have not much of a chance of reversing the order of the day, that is to say, have a win by way of a change. Form, though, points to the fact that they must play a close game. This opinion can m a measure be based upon results, for whereas Christchurch managed to defeat Otago, Wellington in turn defeated Christchurch by 12 points to 3, or nine points more than was the result of the beating given the Aucklanders by the players from the windy city. There is, however, one thing that must not be overlooked, and that is that the Otagoites claim another try which was disallowed by the referee, and an appeal will be lodged with the New Zealand Union. The Auckland and Otago representatives have met on six occasions since 1875, and the Southrons have beaten us on two occasions, Auckland has won once, and the remaining three games have been drawn. The team to play Auckland will, I understand, be augmented by two or three prominent players. The teams will be somewhat as follows :— Auckland .—Full-back, Clayton ; three-quar-ters, Absolum, Wynyard, and Smith ; five-eight, Elliott; half, Edmonds; wings, Oliphant and Laing; forwards, Swindley, F. Murray, Handcock, McMillan, McLean, Wilson, and McKenzie. Emergency : Gallagher. Otago : — Full-back, King ; three-quarters, Cunningham, Armit, Wood, and Stephenson; halves, Davies, Duncan, Mason, and Fordyce; forwards, Canning, Farquharson, Williams, Torrance, Harris, Given, Priest, Stewart, Beadle, Laurie, and McLaren.

AUCKLAND v. WAIROA. The Auckland second fifteen, which visited Wairoa on Saturday last, defeated the home team by 6 points to 3. QUEENSLAND v. SOUTHLAND. This match was played at Invercargill on Saturday last, the Southlanders winning by 23 points to 3. INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCHES. Wellington v. Hawke’s Bay.—This match, owing to the steamer from Auckland not arriving until the evening, consequently had .to be abandoned. A number of visitors had arrived in Napier, and of course were very much disappointed.

Wellington College v. Christchurch College. — This match was played at Wellington on Saturday last, the Wellington boys winning by 18 points to 3.

Nelson College v. Christchurch High School.—This match was played at Nelson on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the Nelson College boys by 18 points to 3. Ohinemuri v. Thames.—This match, which has been much talked of lately, came off at Parawai on Saturday last, and after a very stubborn game the Thames team won by 3 points to nil.

Canterbury v. Otago.—This match was played at Christchurch on Saturday. It was a tough contest from start to finish, and the play was very interesting and even. The game resulted in a win for Canterbury by 6 points to 5.

Taranaki v. Otago.— This match was played at Taranaki on Tuesday last, and resulted in the visitors being defeated, the scores being —Taranaki 8, Otago 6. During the game Watson, Bayly, and H. Good, of the local team, were injured, the former having his collar-bone broken. Duncan, of Otago, played a great game. ITEMS. In view of the Otago match, last Saturday afternoon was devoted to practice, but as only about three “ reps” and one member of the selection committee were present, it was admittedly a “ fizzle,” and of little use. ' This is certainly not a creditable state of affairs.

Grafton 11. won the Junior Association Cup on Saturday, defeating North Shore 11. by 2 goals to 1.

William Warbrick, the ex-New Zealander, while taking part in a football match at Sydney on Saturday last, ricked his throat, the larynx being fractured. He was removed to the hospital, and is in a serious condition.

The Selection Committee of the Auckland Football Association have chosen the following team to represent Auckland at the intercolonial tournament, to be held at Dunedin on the 9th and 12th of September next : —Goal, Dr-Roberts ; backs, A. Chamberlain, H halves, Dacre, Bellamy, Tood ; forwards, F. Chamberlain, V. Heather, Smith, Rice, C. * eather. Emergencies : Backs, Myers, Campbell; halves, Grigg, Allen; forwards, J. Burgess, Niccol (in the order named).