Football Notes-.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 17 September 1903, Page 5

Football Notes-.

ALEXANDRA V. UPPER CLUTHA. The return match between the above teams was played on the Alexandra ground on Saturday afternoon last before an unusually large number of spectators, many being present from Clyde, Oromwell, and other parts of the district. It was generally anticipated that the match would produce an exciting trial of strength between the two teams, and these anticipations were fully realised, the game resulting in a victory for the home team hy the narrow margin of spts to 4pts. The teams lined out as follows : Upper Olutha (Blue).—Full back, W Stevens; three-quarters, R Varcoe, J Campbell, T Oahill; five-eighths, J Holden. D Cahill (capt); half, JoJly; forwards, Eady (2), Partridge, Campbell, Richardson, Wishart,Orr, Thomas. Alexandra (Green).—Full back, W King; three-quarters, T Wheeler (capt), B Maitland, H Kitto; fiveeighths, W Burnside, D Cameron; half, J Richardson; forwards, J Riley, R Todd, J Morgan, E King, R Kitto, Gilhooley, A Bruce, Jackson. Alexandra defended the southern goal in the first spell, the Blues playing with the sun at their backs. Play was centred in Cromwell territory immediately after the kick-off, and from a free kick Burnside kicked a poster, the Blues forcing. Play was again in the visitors 25 for some time, when T Cahill gained some ground from a mark, and the ball was gradually worked down towards the Green's line After some good passing among the Oromwell backs, T Cahill secured the ball and potted a neat goal. 4—o. This score seemed to have a stimulating effect on the Greens, and the visitors' lines were again soon in danger, a score being narrowly averted by Cromwell forcing down. For some time afterwards play remained between midfield and the visitors territory, and from a kick, awarded for offside play, Burnside kicked another poster. Play was centred for some time, and was very fast and exciting, the ball travelling about at a great rate. No further score was made when half-time was called. In the second spell, an exchange of kicks left the ball in midfield, where Holden marked. Maitland mulled, and the ball was rushed to near the Greens' line, where it remained for some time. The Alexandra forwards were not to be denied, however, and the ball was gradually worked back towards the Blues' line. Here a good deal of tight play followed, the Green forwards getting the ball from the scrum repeatedly, but the good defence of the Cromwell backs averted a score on more than one occasion. Burnside marked, and W King kicked a poster, the visitors forcing. Shortly after the kick-out, the vigorous attack of the Green forward division again placed the Blues' lines in danger, and finally a dribbling rush swept the ball ovei the line, R Kitto scoring a try. Todd kicked a splendid goal from a difficult angle. 5—4. From this to the end of the game, the visitors were almost constantly defending their lines from the attack of the Greens, but no further score resulted. Just before the call of time, Maitland marked, and the home team had hard luck in only getting another poster as the result of the kick. The game ended—Alexandra, spts; Upper Clutha, 4pts. Generally speaking, the play showed that the teams were fairly evenly matched,' and the play throughout was very interesting and exciting, flashes of first-class play occurring frequently. The Alexandra forwards were more than a match for their opponents, but collectively the visitors' backs were about a match for the Greens. The home team were unfortunate in having to play against the sun in the first spell, and also in having, to play for the last 35 minutes without Morgan, who had to retire owing to an injury ; they also had " hard luck "in their placekicking, as during the afternoon at least three posters were kicked from marks.

For the visitors, Varcoe and D Cahill were the best of the backs, while among the forwards Partridge and Eady were about the pick. For the home team, King did probably more saving work than any of the others. Burnside played a hard game, but frequently spoilt chances by hanging on too long instead of passing out to the three-quarters. Richardson did some very clever work behind the scrum, and the three-quarters made good use of the chances they got. Among the forwards, Todd, Morgan, and Riley were most prominent, though all played a sterling game. Mr W S Laidlaw acted capably as referee, while Messrs Perriam and Watts officiated as touch judges. VINCENT V MANIOTOTO COUNTY MATCH. . After the match at Alexandra on Saturday, the club delegates met, and picked the following team to represent Vincent against Maniototo at Naseby on Saturday, 26th inst:— Full back, J Davidson (Clyde); three-quarters, J Campbell, T Cahill, R Varcoe (TJ C); five-eighths, D Cahill (U C), D Cameron (A); half, D Jolly (\J C); forwards, Holden, Partridge (U 0), Morgan, Todd, Riley, Wheeler (Alexandra), Wilson, Gibson (Clyde). Emergency, Joe Davidson (C). W Burnside was chosen as one of the fivereighths, but is unable to get away, and his place will be taken by D Cameron. " Full-back " has supplied us with the following notes concerning the Vincent team:— J Davidson (full-back).—tA very safe man; deadly tackier; takes the ball well and invariably finds the touchline,

Campbell, T Oahill, Varcoe (three-quarters).-—Three very good men; play with a lot of dash ; the two wings very dangerous when near the line, and take a lot of stopping. D Oahill (five-eighth). —A first-class player; gets the ball out to his threequarters quickly and accurately. Inclined, however, to speculate rather much. D. Cameron (6ve«eighth).— Plays a good defensive game, but occasionally rather weak in attack ; may be depanded on to give a good account of himself. D Jolly (half). —Very smart in getting the ball out. Not particularly strong in defence, especially at stopping rushoß. Wheeler, Todd.—Two dashing forwards ; for heeling out ball from scrum have no equal on the goldfields. The former good in following-up, and is the fastest man in the team ; the latter is particularly good in the line-out. Riley.—A young forward, who grafts from start to finish ; does not skirk the scrum; should be a top-notcher next season. , Morgan.—A hard-working, honest forward, but not fast. Good in tight play, and shines close up in line-out. Holden.—Works well in loose play, ; but inclined to dodge the scrum Partridge.—One of the best allround, forwards in the team ; never , tires. Wilson and Gibson.—May be depended on to do their share of the work. The latter has never been played in his present. position before, but v will make a good wing forward; .tackles-well. The Limerick Club defeated a team representing Earnscleugh, at Bald Hill Flat last Saturday, by 26pts to 3pts.