FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1038, 3 September 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND v. OTAGO. In the interprovincial match played a 1 Dunedin on Saturday, Auckland kicked off, and very soon the Otago forwards showed the supremacy which distinguished them all through the game, for J Allan, by a fine dribble, took the ball close down to the Auckland lines. There it remained for some time, the game swaying to and fro within the Auckland’s twenty-five yards, but all the attempts of the Otago backs to get through were stopped by the splendid collaring of the Auckland men. The most stubborn play was shown on both sides. The first decided bit of individual play was shown by O’Connor, for Auckland, who made a grand run, and got within five or six yards of the Otago Fines, where, however, Brfddon, who was waiting for him, cleverly collared him and saved his side. 'i he Otago forwards were not long iu carrying the ball beyond the centre flag again, and Fowler and Brown did some excellent work. The ball was got within a yard or two of the Auckland goal lines, when Austin, for Otago, amid great excitement, got it across the line, but Leckie had collared him just on the line, and it became a question whether Austin or he had got the touch. The Otago umpire decided for Austin, the Auckland one for Leckie, and Mr Colbeck on being appealed to gave it against Otago, who thus obtained the first slight advantage, in forcing the northerners down. Shortly afterwards time was called, and though Otago had certainly had the best of the jlay and had once obtained what many people thought a try, yet the Aucklanders had so stubbornly defended their lines and shown such splendid collaring, and occasionally made a brilliant run, that there were prophecies of a reversal of things in the second half. Very early in the second spell Whiteside came out with a brilliant run, and though Braddou collared him on the line he was not able to prevent him getting across, but it transpired that from a line out one of the Auckland men had thrown the ball forward, and the umpires ordered it back, so that Whiteside’s run had been in vain. A very hard game was now played. The Auckland for wards almost in variably heeled out from the scrimmages to their backs, of whom Garter, King and Whiteside were playing well. For some time the ball was kept well in the centre of the field, the Otago forwards carrying it down only to have it returned by one of Ryan’s splendid punts or a brilliant dash by one or other of the backs. Presently the Auckland forwards carried it through, • and Otago found its lines in danger, so that Galbraith found it necessary to relieve his side by a force-down. From the kick-off Otago took the ball down the field, and W, Allan making a grand kick it was rushed across the Auckland line and Warbrick was forced down. Things then for a time looked dangerous for Auckland. Murray had a grand tun, ;i

from which a score k oked' probable, but the umpire ordered him back, on the ground that he had gone over the side line. This decision was resented by a number of spectators in the vicinity. The next feature was the obtaining of a mark by Galbraith. He was too far from the goal, however, to make a successful attempt, *nd Ryan with another of his punts soon had the ball into touch near the centre. Some more severe play amongst the forwards here occurred, until Otago with a fine rush got the leather once more into Auckland’s territory, and Bannatyne got the chance of the day to pot a goal. He failed badly, however. Then the Aucklanders responded with a capital rally, and Whiteside appeared determined to do or die. His colleagues assisted him willingly, and passed to him on every opportunity. He made two or three brilliant attempts during the last quarter of an hour, and the play was kept dangerously close to Otago’s line, where Galbraith, Braddon, and A. Allan did excellent service. The Aucklanders kept up the heeling-out practice, and from about the Otago’s 25 boundary, Whiteside getting hold of the leather, had a rot at goal, but went slightly wide of the posts, and Otago then forced down A minute afterwards time was called and the game ended in a draw. Otago had the barren credit of a disputed try, and had forced Auckland down twice, whilst the Northerners in turn had forced Otago down twice, but there was no score by either. In the evening the visitors were entertained at dinner at Wain’s Hotel.