FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 19666, 20 September 1927, Page 9

FOOTBALL

RUGBY O.R.F.U, The weekly meeting of tlio Management Committee of the Otago Rugby Union was hold last night. The president (Mr D. M. Stuart) occupied the chair. The committee of the union some time ago wrote congratulating Messrs A. Y. Smith and Gordon Dixon ui tho fact that on tho occasion of tho fiftysecond anniversary of Otago' football they, ns amongst tho earliest Otago players, were still able to take an interest in the game. Dir Smith, in returning thanks, wrote that modern football was no doubt infinitely superior to the somewhat rough-and-ready and, ho might say, crude game they played fifty years ago, but in two things they could not have boon ex-celled—-their love of tho game and their deep resentment at anything in the nature of unfair play on the part of players of cither side— *' pointing,” he believed it was termed nowadays--a practice not wholly absent in chib games, only, ho was glad to believe, m modern play. . Mr Dixon wrote'from Sydney that it was hard to believe that fitly years had passed since his football days in .Dunedin, which ho always looked back to with tho greatest pleasure. The Y.M.C.A. third grade team was granted'permission to travel to Tiinaru to play tho Timaru Y.M.C.A. on September 24.

The Alhambra third grade team was granted permission to play the Crescent Club at KaitaiigaLa on Saturday. SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR.

Mr Harris asked if all the players who were picked to play in tlio combined team on Saturday were available to go to South Africa if they were selected. Mr J. Mitchell (Otago selector) said that at least two of the players selected could not make tlio trip. _ The idea of tho selectors for their combined team had been to endeavor to pick tlio best team, irrespective of whether the men could go, so that those players who could make the trip would receive every assistance from their fellow-players. Mr Harris said that he had seep it stated in the Kress that the New Zealand Union had laid it down that no players were to bo selected in the trial games unless they, could make tho tup. He did not think it was fair that players able to go should have to give way to players who were not available. Under these circumstances it could not be said that tho match was a trial game. Mr Mitchell said ho quite lecoguiscd the position. Tho idea was, however, not to jeopardise the chances of players able to go to South Africa by putting in weaker players able to go, but who had no chance ol being selected.

The Chairman said they had not received any official communication Iroin the Moiv Zealand Union on the matter. Mr Harris asked who was to say whether any players had no chance of being selected. Judging Irom'the results of the Otago northern tour many of tho critics iu the north had a different idea of tlio value of some of their players than they had. AViiab was the good of trial matches if players were picked who were not available to tour? Hr Kerry said ho understood that tho matches to bo played later would bo tlio deciding I actor, and that those matches would bo restricted to available louring players only. The discussion then closed, members expressing tlio opinion that an official instruction one. way or tlio uthciyslmuld have come from' the New Zealand Union. Mr Halmcr, of Oamang lias been appointed referee lor the match between tlio combined teams. OTAGO TKAM'S TOUIJ.

Mr J. Mitchell (co-managor with Mr H. Styche at the Otago louring team) gave a report of tho doings ot» tour. He said that ilio match with Wellington was one of tho best seen on Athletic Turk for many years, and was a matter of general topic ior days alter. It was very last, and he could only Ukou it to a game between two University teams going at the top ol their form. Tho Otago forwards had surprised their supporters, as alter tho display against Southland at Carisbrook they were a. little doubtful how they would hist it out. Wellington hud a heavy pack, and the lighter Otago forwards had beaten them. Wellington had scored five tries and Otago had scored four, but the honors were with tlie tonring side. The speaker said, ho did not desire to idler excuses lor lining beaten, but lie certainly thought, tho luck ol the game, io put it that way, had been against them. P.ctorrod had gone across the line once, but fell wilii tho ball so hard Unit it bounced away Irom him. Otago were mostly on attack during the game. Stewart was easily the best hack on the ground, and the Wellington people looked on him as a ceriamty lor the tour to South Alrica. Stewart’s running, tackling, the use of his weight, and his keenness to come into the play were an eye-opener, and they had never seen him play like it in Dunedin. By tho time they reached Auckland they were becoming optimistic about tho chances of tho Otago side. The forwards were going well, and their backs were equal to any of the others they had met. Tho Aucklanders were very confident, '2O points _ being tlio margin they expected to win by. Tiio Blues played a wondcrlul game. JTicir forwards beat down the opposing pack, who were very tired when tlio nisi, whistle sounded. Tho reloroe (Mr Sutherland) was one ol tho best lie had ever seen, but Peterson, who had injured his arm, had really iorced tlio ball when a try was given to Keene, who had dragged him oyer the line. Lindsay gave Peterson a fine try. The Blue centre three-quarter side-stepped a couple of Auckland backs and ran 40yds, the Aucklanders coming across to stop Webb when ho received the ball. Lindsay, however, swerved infield and gave Peterson a dear inn across. Lindsay was considered almost a moral tor a trip to South Africa. Tho Blue forwards had shown them that dribbling was not a lost art, taking the ball at times from one end of tlio field to the other. Stewart had again played a fine game, and Webb had scored a spectacular try. Mr Meredith, the .selector of the Auckland team, was ou his way to Samoa at tlio time, but his brother, who is the wireless announcer, kept him posted on tlio game. Mr Meredith wirelessed through to tell the Aucklanders to keep the play from their backs and make a forward game of it, but the Otago forwards had them beaten at this play. At Levin the team had not the best of tlio luck again, w put it that way. Mitchell scored one fine try and gave Webb another just on tlio c-ail of time, bringing victory to tlio Blues. Tho Christchurch people were very confident, but the Blues simply romped over their team in the second spell. All tho play had gone to Stewart, who made the most of it, but M'Clymont, on the other wing, put Ilobiiliard down time after time. Ho could say without exaggeration that Stewart was the best of tho backs they had met on tour, and that the Ulago forwards had cleaned up every forward team. 'The Canterbury forwards were heavier, but after a little while the Blue forwards had come clean through them. Holden had played all over Dailey, who had remarked to him that he would have liked to have seen some of his critics ■playing behind his pack, with a pack like the Blues coining at them. He did not think Sonntag had ever played in his life before like he did on tour. lie had dug up speed, showed up in tlio line-out play, did his part in tlio scrums, and then came out to join up lit tho passing rushes of tho backs.

Marslin was easily one of the.best forwards they had mot on tho tour, but lor that matter every one of their ten forwards had worked honestly. Inat was tho secret ol their success, and there was no doubt that in tho Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury packs there were a lew shiners who did not work honestly. J n the Canterbury match Mitchell s defensive work was outstanding, and Stewart was again the hero or tho day, ids tackling being a feature. Marslin and Sonntag should get into the New Zealand team unless the selectors could dig up something beyond tho ordinary, and Holden, Lindsay, and Stewart had also to be considered. Holden bad field his own right through the tour, and at Canterbury was one of tho star backs on tho ground. There was, however, some propaganda going on. Wellington would not have anyone but Kilby, and Canterbury nobody but Dailey. The conduct of tho team had been most exemplary. Mr Strong asked if it was a worse day at Auckland than at Dunedin on tho occasion of tho Otago-Taranaki match.

Mr Mitchell said the rain vas heavier. Half the ground was under water. The Chairman said that Otago lollovvers of tho game were proud of their team. (“ Hear, hear.”) Perhaps some of them had not thought that their players wore as good as they had proved themselves to be, and their success was all the more gratifying under the circumstances. It was pleasing to hear of the good conduct of their players, and in this respect he had received a letter from Mr Prenderyille, president of the Wellington Union, in which he had stilted that ho had never met a finer lot-of men than those of the Otago team. (“ Hear, hear.”) Mr Prcndervillo had also stated that the game with Wellington had been one of the brightest exhibitions of Rugby seen at. Athletic Park for many years.

OTAGO B v. SOUTH CANTERBURY. Mr D. M. Spedding, manager of the Otago B team which played the South Canterbury team on Saturday at Timarn, siiid that they had had some difficulty in getting a team when the hus was ready to start. M’Clymont had been sent to Christchurch, and Christie, at the last minute, could not get away. However, they had got hold of Grifiin (of Alhambra) and had telegraphed to Glondining, who was at Oamaru, to join them there. The South Canterbury people had been very disappointed'that an A team had not been sent. At halftime the score vas 19 points to 5 points in South Canterbury’s favor, but the Blues were leading towards the end of the second spell, when a penalty goal put the northerners in front, 25-23. South Canterbury prided itself on its fine pack, but the Blues had run them to a standstill in the second half. Lewis was the best forward on the ground, and the South Cantcrburyites reckoned that the A team must be something out oi the ordinary when he could not get iiuo it. Brcbblo had fed his backs well, and Bathgate had made some fine runs. 1 ho Blue wing three-quarters had been inclined to get out of place in the first half. Prebblo kicked four goals out of, five attempts, and Strang had also kicked goals. No manager could have desired to travel with a finer set of players. OTAGO JUNIORS v. CANTERBURY JUNIORS. Mr R. Proctor, manager of the Otago junior team, which drew with the Canterbury juniors cm Saturday, said Lie game bad been played in tbc best i spirit. The Canterbury forwards were j much heavier than the Blues, but the j game, nevertheless, bad been _ very | oven. The Blue backs, especially in the j first spell, had given the better exhibition, and had kept the ball moving from one man to the other, no matter whether they wore on attack or defence. The conduct of the team was’ not only a credit to the Otago Union, i hut to every footballer in the province. The learn was very keen_ to win, and every one of them was in bed at id o’clock on the Friday night. The (cam j had been most hospitably treated Irom i its arrival in Christchurch till its departure. SATURDAY'S MATCHES Third Grade.—-High School v. Pirates A, at Oval No. 2, 1.30; Port v. Training College, at Oval No. 3, 1.30. Sixth Grade.—High School v. Pirates A, at Carisbrook, 1.30. Kaikorai v. Milton, at Bathgate Park, 1.30. Zingari Third v. 'Toko Second, at Montccillo, 1.30. WAIRARAPA V. WELLINGTON The following is the Wairarapa team to play Wellington at Wellington on Saturdayßoacho, R. Booth, Stringfellow, Legnislio, Cooke, Cnndy, lliroti, J. Donald, Irvine, Q. Donald, Harvey, Parker, Reside, Fairbrother, Reid. Reserves: Jiaelcs—Clarke, Hart; lonvards —Usshcr, Ward SOCCER O.F.A. COMMITTEE The weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the Otago Football Association was hold last evening, Mr J'. B. M'Callum being in the chair. NAVY MATCH. The following players were selected to represent Dunedin players against a team from TI.M.S. Dunedin on Saturday next at Culling Park:—Goal, Graham; backs—Prydc, Taylor; halves— Hector, Brown, L. Johnson; forwards —M'Gregor, Carrick, O’Rorke, Witchall, Jones. It was decided to play the challenge match between the Referees’ Club and. Management Committee as a curtainraiser to tho Navy match. The following will represent the .Management Committee: —Messrs M. G. M'lnncs, If. Ramage, C. Hall, T. Ashton, . FnlInrton, A. Cook,.lT. Smith. J. B.M'Calhmi, J. Dcuchrass, A. N. Smith, J. M. Ollier. GALA DAY. Mr R. Waterson, organiser for the proposed gala day to ho held on the Caledonian Ground, advised that arrangements were well in hand, and that he had been promised boxing exhibitions by well-known boxers, a display of Highland dancing, ami the attendance of two bands—tho Taieri Pipe and Fourth Otago Regiment. An Association football match between Home V. Colonial players would also bo played during tbc afternoon. The Secretary (Mr Grace) advised that the use of the ground had boon given for Saturday, October 15, and it was decided that the committee give the project its full support. CLOSING OF COMPETITIONS. The following decisions were arrived at in regard to -the various club competitions : The second division competition was closed, and Northern was declared the winner, Maori Hill being runner-up. Southern was declared the winner of the third grade competition, and it was decided to play Port v. Maori Hill on Saturday to decide tho position of runner-up. , . The fourth grade competition was closed last week, High School A being declared the winner, with Port Chalmers runner-up In the fifth grade competition Southern and Technical being equal in points it was. decided to play off these teams for tho positions of winner and runnerup. Tho Secretary reported that lie had circularised clubs Folding cups from last year to return them to the office, and that three were still outstanding. These were the B division first grade, held by Northern; second grade, Otago

High School Old Boys; and fourth grade, Otago High School. It was pointed out that these cups were required at once for presentation to tho winners for this year. GENERAL. Technical , College Club advised that its fifth grade match against High School B was not played, only two players of tho latter team putting in an appearance.—lt was decided to award tho match to Technical. The Secretary of tho ■ Canterbury Football Association advised that during the tournament held in Christchurch on September 1 a South Island Primary Schools’ Association was formed to conduct future tournaments. The writer requested the views of the local association ns to the location of next year’s tournament. —It was decided to reply suggesting Grcymouth or Dunedin. An application for the use of a ground on October 1 was- received from tho Baptist Young Men’s Bible Class Union, and tho secretary was instructed to advise the union that, as tho grounds wore out of tho control of the association after September 30, it would be necessary to apply to the City Council. Permission was granted the Northern second division team to travel to Oamarn on Saturday, September 24, to play Onmaru Rangers Chib. Tbo Chairman extended the best wishes of tbo committee to the Northern Club, who would be accompanying the team to Wellington for the Chatham Cup final, to bo played on Saturday. An invitation to attend tho Rev. It. 0. Blamires’s sports service on Sunday, September 25, was received from the Methodist Central Mission, and accepted. SATURDAY'S HATCHES Dunedin v. Navy, Calling Park, 3, Mr F. G. Smith; O.F.A. v. Rclorccs, Culling Park, 1.45. W. Dow. . Third Grade.—Port v. Maori Hill, Prospect Park, 3, W. Newali. Fifth Grade. —Technical College v. Southern, Oval No. 3,2, A. Young. RUGBY LEAGUE O.R.F.L. EXECUTIVE The weekly meeting of the executive of the Otago 'Rugby Football League was held lust night. In the absence of the president (Mr A. J. Rice), Mr T. M. Gillies was voted to tho chair. The Chairman referred to the match between Auckland and Otago on Saturday. He stated that the game was tho best seen here since the visit ol tho Queensland team. The standard of play was very high, and the selector of the Otago team (Mr Watson) was entitled to great praise for tho result of his work.

The Secretary of the New Zealand Rugby League wrote acknowledging receipt of a cheque for £3O, representing the Otago League’s advance towards the cost of sending Otago players to Auckland for the intenshind_ match. The writer stated that the New Zealand League was very pleased with the selection of tho South Island team. — Received.

The Secretary of tho Hornby Club wrote expressing appreciation .of the efforts of tho Otago League and the Athletic Club to entertain the Hornby players on their recent visit to Dunedin. The trip was described by all as the best yet undertaken b.v tho duo. - Received.

It was announced that the ( iago players in the Soulli Island icxm to play at Auckland next Saturday won It! leave for tho north on Wednesday morning. The Secretary of the Caledonian Society wrote stating that tho League’s application for the nso of the Caledonian Grounds on Saturday, October 1, had been granted. It was c’ .’ginally intended .to play a match between the Sydenham , (Christchurch) and Kaikorai Clubs, but it is not known yet whether tho game will take place or not. If .it does not a gala day will ho held by tho League.