Alexandra Football Carnival.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 370, 11 June 1903, Page 4

Alexandra Football Carnival.

The annual football carnival under the auspices of the Alexandra Football Club was held on the recreation ground on the 3rd inst. (Prince of Wales' Birthday). The weather was simply perfect, and the ground was in first-class order, being as dry as the proverbial bone. There was a large attendance of spectators, many coming from various distant portions of the dietrict, and the amount taken at the gates (£l2 10s) was a record for a mid-winter gathering in Alexandra. The chief interest was centered in the football tournament, in which eight teams competed—these representing Cromwell, Roxburgh, Limerick (2 teams), Clyde (2), and Alexandra (2). In the majority of the bouts the play was fast and exciting, and some very fine play was witnessed. The excitement culminated in the final round, when the Alexandra No. 1 and Cromwell teams met. After two spells of fast and interesting play, the Alexandra teams were returned as the winners by a goal from a try (spts) to nil. This score was obtained, however, just after the bell had rung announcing that time was up, the ball then being out of play ; but owing to a misunderstanding as to the tournament rule bearing on the point, play was continued from the point near the Cromwell line where the ball went out of play, instead of being re-commenced from the centre of the field. The Rugby Union have been consalted as to the position, and no doubt the Cromwell team will be offered an opportunity of re-playing the match to decide which team shall take the meda's and which the silk scarves.

There was good competition in the other events on the programme, and altogether the spectators were well, satisfied with the afternoon's sport. The events were got off promptly, without any unnecessary delay, and the concluding item was finished in good time. The committee are to be complimented on the complete and satisfactory manner in which all the arrangements were carried out, this being a factor that helped much to make the meeting such an unqualified success. The various office-bearers discharged their duties in an energetic and efficient manner, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Mr E Maralin acted as referee in a capable and strictly impartial manner; and we might add that, notwithstanding the incident above referred to, none of the members of the contesting teams ever questioned the fairness of the referee's actions. Messrs Cairns, South, Bruce, and King acted efficiently as line-um-pires, while Mr Budd gave entire satisfaction as timekeeper. A word of praise is also due to Mr J Riley, for the energetic and able way in which he dispharged his secretarial duties. Following are detailed results : Football Tournament (Juniors)— First prize, Gaps

For this event four teams entered. In the first round, the Alexandra A team defeated the Alexandra JJ team by 10 points to nil : and the Clyde team beat the Roxburgh team by 6pts to nil. The final round was won by Alexandra by 3pts to nil, Ooulson scoring for the winners. Senior Fjotball Tournament—First, Gold Medals { second. Silk Scarves. Fibs? Roirap. ALEXANDRA NO. 1 V. CLYDE NO. 1 Alexandra No. 1 Team.—Burnside, T Wheeler (capt), Maitland, Riley, Cameron, W King, and Todd. In the first spell Alexandra had the best of the game, but no score resulted. After a fine passing run with)Burnside, W King scored for Alexandra, no goal resulting from the kick. There was no further scoro. 3—o. CROMWELL NO I V LIMERICK NO 2 Cromwell—D Cahill (capt), J Holden, D Jolly. C Thomas, T Cahill, A Eady, J Campbell. The Limerick boys were quite outclassed by Ijhe fine play of the Cromwell representatives. Tries were obtained by Holden, D Cahill (2), and Jolly, the game ending in favour of Cromwell by 12 to nil. CLYDE NO. 2 V ROXBURGH The Roxburgh team had the best of the game all through. A Toms scoi ed two tries, one of which was improved and the game ended .* Roxburgh, Bpts;

ALEXANDRA NO. 2 V LIMERICK NO. Limerick -Butler (3), G Hereon, R Marshall, W M'Neish, R M'Reish (capt). Alexandra No 2 Team.- Kitto (2), E King, G Campbell, Bruce,. Jackson, and Richardson. This was one of the best contested games of the day. When the bell rang each side had a try to its credit, and the game was continued. The third spell saw no further score, but in the , fourth bout P. Butler cleverly scored for Limerick-, and the game ended : Limerick, 6pts ; Alexandra, 3pts. * Second Bound. ALEXANDRA NO. 1 V ROXBURGH. iSome good and fast play was shown in this gam-, Alexandra having a little the best of it. Ililey scored a try in the first spell, and when time was called there was no further score. Alexandra, 3pts ; Roxburgh, nil. CROMWELL NO. ] V LIMERICK NO. ). Tnis was an evenly-contested game from start to finish and the play at times was fast and exciting. The oaly score was a penalty goal which Jolly kicked for Oro mwel 1. Oromwel!, 3pte; Limerick, nil. $ - Final. ALEXANDRA NO. 1 V CROMWELL NO. 1.

Considerable interest was taken in this match, as, from the previous play, it was evident that the teams were very evenly matched. The Alexandra boys were rather heavier than their opponents, but the Oromwellites about equalised matters by their superior allround speed and their smartness in handling the ball. The leather travelled up and down the field at a rapid rate, and several times both lines were in imminent danger, the excitement among the spectators being intense. Burnside got over in the , first spell, but was splendidly collared by Jolly on the line, and ""although the ball was touched down the referee ruled that the ball had been held, and a scrum took place. Maitland just mi&sad the goal from a pot shot he had in Cromwell's twenty five. No score, however, took piace till the end of the second spell. The ball was rushed into Cromwell territory, and went out just at the line. The bell went just before the ball left the hands of the throwerWj and the referee (being under the impression that the game should continue as no score had been made) allowed the game to proceed. From the throw in, the ball went to Burnside'a hands, who scored between the posts, and a goal resulted. The game thus ended : Alexandra, spts; Cromwell, nil. Subsequently, the question arose as to whether, when the bell rang, tKe game should not have been continued from half way instead of at the point where the ball then happened to be. The secretary of the Union was communicated with next day, and hj« re* plied that a fresh spell should have been commenced when the bell went for time, The committee are awaiting further advice from the union, and there the question at present stands.

Other Events. 100 yds Handicap—First prize, £3; second, £l, ■ \ J Richardson, 9yds ... ~.fl A Milne, syds ... ■ ... 2 Six others started. After a good race, Richardson won with a little to spare. 100 yds Handicap (juniors) —First, 15s ; second,: ss. ~ C Smart ... ... x ..' 1 i H Hesson ... ... ... 2 , Five others started. The raoe resulted ia a dead heat-between Smart and Hesson, the run-off resulting in favour of the former. 110 yds Footballer's Race—First, £2 ; second, £l, A Milne, syds ... ... 1 J Richardson, 7yds ... ... 2 D Butler, syds 3 Also started ; T Quin scr, L Church* hill 2yds, W King 4yds, and A M'Eaohen 4yds. A good race, less than a yard separating the placed men. 220 yds Handicap— First, 453; second, 451. C Smart, 9yds ... ... 1 . T Quin, scr ~ .... : '... 2 Three others started. Won by about two yards. Place kicking Football—First, £h WKing ... ... ... 1 About 30 competed, King being the only competitor who succeeded ia kicking a goal. ' In the evening a very enjoyable concert was held, and subsequently % dance took place, there being a largo attendance in each case.