FOOTBALL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 708, 1 October 1903, Page 12

FOOTBALL

(By

“Scrutator.”)

OTAGO V. CANTERBURY

Nearly 4000 people witnessed the match in Dunedin, on Saturday, between these two provinces. Canterbury won the toss. For the first five minutes play was between the half-way and the Canterbury 25, but the visitors’ forwards eventually worked their way down towards the Otago line, the home team forcing. Lavery made a good, but ineffectual attempt to kick a goal from centre. From a scrum near the Otago 25 Canterbury got the ball, and Wood, with an excellent run, scored in a good position. Lavery failed to convert. The home team then livened up, and play became very fast. Otago got to within syds of the visitors’ line, where Husband was penalised for offside, but McKay’s went a little outside the post. The visitors had the upper hand until near half-time, when Stalker and Given broke away, play being taken to the Canterbury’s 25, where it was stopped for a few minutes owing to Nelson being injured, and having to retire. The visitors relieved the pressure, and at half-time play was near the half-way flag. On changing ends Baxter made a fine run, the ball going out a few yards from the Canterbury line. From the throw-in Given dropped over near the corner, but McKay failed to convert. The home team kept up toe attack, and a few minutes later McKay lost an almost certain score by kicking on, and the same plaver was thrown into touch a yard from the line immediately afterwards. Otago, however, were not to be denied, and, from a good kick by Miller, Abbott got possession and scored near the posts. Miller kicked a goal from the try. Otago continued pressure, Stalker putting another try to the credit of Otago. The kick was an easy one, and Miller converted. From tihis until the end of the game Otago were afmost incessantly attacking. A few minutes before time, a passing rush amongst the Otago backs resulted in Baxter scoring after a good run. Miller failed with the kick. From a mark by Flislop, near the Canterbury line, Miller kicked a good goal, bringing Otago’s score up to 20 points to 3. Just on time Baxter marked at Canterbury’s 25, but Miller’s kick proved fruitless, and the game ended with the score : Otago, 20 points ; Canterbury, 3.

Karangahake beat Paeroa on Saturday, on the latter’s ground after a fine game, by 8 points to 3. Arns and Dean scored tries for the winners, McLean converting the latter try into a goal. Silcock was responsibe for the Paeroa score.

Native Rose beat Rovers on Saturday, at the Thames, by 5 poiints to 3. These teams will meet again on Saturday week to play off for the senior championship, as at present they are level.

Canterbury defeated South Canterbury in the return match by 9 points to 6, after a close game.

The members of the Auckland Rugby football representative team, who have been on tour in the South, returned home on Thursday morning by the s.s. Te Anau from Napier. On arrival the Aucklanders were welcomed by the officials of the Rugby Union and a number of friends. The record of matches played is by no means so good as was anticipated" but the latter part of the tour greatly improved the position. The team played seven matches, four of which were w®n and three lost, and scored 64 points, while only 22 points were scored against them.