Rugby Football.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 114, 6 September 1902, Page 18

Rugby Football.

A DECIDEDLY mteiesting game of football resulted as the meeting of the Wellington and Christ's College Old Boys, at the Athletic Park, on Monday afternoon. The play \va&, however, only good m patches, the beautiful afternoon and strong sunshine tending to make several of the players spasmodic in their efforts. There was, therefore, a raggedness about the display of football which made the game exciting at one stage from a certain point of view only to veer right round the other way in the next few minutes. For instance, a beautiful passing rush by the Old Boys was stopped by a knock-on. From the succeeding scrummage the ball was heeled out smartly to Logan, the half, and, after putting in a neat run, he passed to Johnson. The pass, however, was a high one and it was finely taken by Ollivier (College right wing three-quarter). He made a great dash through his opponents, and getting: to the full-back, sent the ball on to Blunden, from whom it went to Flower, the latter racing over the line, and scoring a good try. A grubby pass from Logan was splendidly taken by Inglis, who made a pretty run, passing to Johnson. The latter sent it to Cleland, who just managed to reach the chalk-line. In^hs converted with a good kick, and the tally was 5—35 — 3 in the Old Boys' favour. The Wellington boys, for a while after this, were badly beaten for the ball in the scrummage, ' but directly Wat--

kins broke away horn the sick-, and, after making much giound, passed to Logan. Odlm, getting into a good position, leoeived the ball fiom Logan and hurled himself over the lino near the comer flag. The second spell had haidly commenced when the Old Boys' full-back was tackled before he could leturn a good kick by Flowers. A free kick was awarded Christ's College for the said full-back hanging on to the ball, and Flowers only missed the goal by inches. From this stage, the visitors nevei looked really dangerous, although now and again there were some neat individual pieces of play, notably a ffieat dash from the line-out by Denhani, a good run by Stringer, and some splendid kicking by Floweis. The play that led up to the Old Boys' third try was vei much "so-so." Odlin, Watkms, and Cleland each had a "solo" run,, but eventually Dodd gathered the ball up, and made no error in beating the opposition. The same playei headed a dribbling rush into the Chiist's College territory, and when he had worked the leather to a good position, picked it up smartly, and placed the fourth try to the credit of his team. Inglis had no difficulty in registering a goaJ, and the final score was 16 points to 3 in the Old Boys' favour. The game, as mentioned earhei, was anyhow at times, but, nevertheless, was open and full of dash, the soloists, however, predominating. It was played in a fine spirit, and was won by the better team. * * * The finest display was given bv Inglis, the Old Boys' right-wing three-quarter. His running, fielding, and kicking were all high-class, and a year or two on his shoulders should find him contesting a place in Wellington's representative team if he should keep up his present form. Why he was not a regular member of the Old Boys' senior championship team during the season is a matter of surprise to me. Johnson made some slashing runs, but none of the other backs on the home side played anything out of their oidinary run. Among the forwards, Dodd was a shining light, Odlin not being far behind

him Alexander is a. fine grafter, but a lnaiked tendency of his to hang to the ball spoils an otheiwise good display. The lemaining scrummagers were prominent on occasions, though a tendency to "take a pull" was very noticeable. The best back among the visitois was the captain of the team (Flowers). His kicking was excellent, and the dash he made when he scored his team's only try showed that if opportunity had come his way oftener his team would have made a better showing. He tackled very well, also. Ford, the half-back, has a fund of humour, but his witticisms seemed misplaced at times, and prevented him doing full justice to himself. Stringer, the visitors' left wing threequarter, madei some finei kicks along the touoh-hne, and invariably put a lot of dash into his play. Olhvier's best w ork was w hen he intercepted Logans pass early in the game, his team's score resulting from the succeeding play. A splendid opening in the second spell that came his way was not taken advantage of by J Im. In the vanguard, both Denham and Blunden were very conspicuous on the wing forward. Wigley (a well-developed specimen from, the Cathedral City) did some fine work on the line-out, and York and Taylor w ere noticeable for hard work. A B. Charters, lately returned from South Africa, was a member of the Christ'^ College team, and grafted hard, though he apneared sadly out of form. Mr Noms had an easy afternoon as referee, and gave satisfaction to both teams Mr. F. J. Ohlson, chairman of the Auckland Referees' Association, writes me under date 28th August — "Dear 'Tou chime'. — In your issue of August 23rd, I notice reference to a curious decision given by a referee in a senior match at Miramar on the previous Saturday. Bv this decision a player was disallowed a try owing to the fact thart the ball had been made dead bv striking the flag of the line umpire. "As you made no comment on the decision, and as it is in my mind contrary to a ruling of the English Rugby Union,

I am taking the liberty of forwarding you the ruling. My excuse for doing so is because I believe it to be unknown here in New Zealand, although, it is inserted in the Queensland Annual, from which I culled it. The said ruling is that 'If, in the opinion of the referee, a try would undoubtedly have been obtained but for the> ball touching the referee or touch judge, a try should be scored, otherwise a drop out from the Twenty-five.' (E.R.U.). "If not already known, the ruling will probably be of service to the referees of your city." [The decision of the referee in the instance in question was so absurd to me, that the mere mentioning of it appeared to me to be sufficient comment. — "Touchline."] * ♦ The Referees-Veterans' match was not patronised by the public on Saturday last as it should have been — not on account of the display of football, oh, no — but because of the object for which the game wao played. There is no gainsaying the fact. — no matter what we may argue when we feel that way — that accidents do happen on the football field, and many of them necessitate the sufferers being taken to the Hospital. Those Wellington players who have been unfortunate enough to need ministering to in the local Hospital have received the best of attention from the staff, and the least the majority of the players could have done would have been to give their patronage to the game, and help the Referees' Association to make a handsome donation to the Hospital funds. As it is, the attendance was so small that it appears to me that the Association will be a bit bashful in handing over the cheque. The match itself was full of humour, and occasionally there was plenty of vim — sometimes a little too much — put into the play. The Veterans had a deal the better of the "go." A few lessons learnt from the contest were —That if "Wally" Rhodes could have been kept with the jersey on this season a manifest gap in Wellington's representative team would have been filled. That Meredith is a good recruit for the Referees ; Association. His handling of the whistle for a first attempt was very good indeed.

That "Heiby" Stouk has not foi gotten how to scoie a tij . That "Stanley" Judd is lather on the young side, even it he is a marned man, to be classed as a veteran. That "Wally" Pnngle would not disgrace the representative team if given a place in it even now — the playing of hookey week by week seems to keep him in form. That "Powick" Biown has been an energetic player in his day. Hi& display did not warrant the saica&tic cnticism in the "Post" on Monday night. That both teams were well pleased when the bell rang for ' no-side"— the Veterans rather moie so than the Referees. *■ * * The North Island team has been picked, and is as follows — Full-back, E. McKenzie (Wairaiapa) three-duai-ters, Asher (Auckland). Wallace (Wellington), and Tregear (Wanganui) , fiveeighth McGregor (Auckland) , half Kiernan (Auckland) wmg-foi wards, Laing (Auckland) and Aimstrong (Wairarapa), forwards, Dodd (Wellington), Tyler. Cunningham, Long, Nicholson, McDuff (Auckland) and O'Dowda (Taranaki). The team is a good one, and should uphold the honour of the Island. Auckland players predominate largely w Inch is only to be expected, after their showing in inter-union matches, yet I think the team would not have been weakened by the inclusion of Cadwallader (Wairarapa) and Carlson (Hawke's Ba^ in the place of two of the Auckland scrummagers. Tregear is new to fame, but it appears that wing three-quarters are on the weak side in the North Island and the position is one that neailv went abegging. Tregear, however, is highly recommended, and may do justice to his inclusion. The South Island team will be published on Monday morning. Messrs. Galbraith and Evans have been in conference in Wellington this week, and a consultation will be held in Christchurch after the Southland-Canterbury match in which Mr. Harris is to act as referee. It is more than probable that Smith, of Nelson, of whom good reports are to hand, will secure one of the back positions in the team— either as five-eighths or three-quarter The Southern selectors anticipate getting a good team together. The Wellington-Otago match, year by year, is looked forward to with keen interest by followers of the game in both provinces, and generally a keen game results when the teams line out Next Saturday's contest promises to be no exception to the general rule. Up to its match with Canterbury last Saturday, the players from the Scotch city were considered to be on the weak side, but their display m that match altered opinions considerably. The Wellington team have disheartened their followers this season, but I would not be surprised if the\ played their best game of the .season against the wearers of the blue iersey I feel hopeful, and am prepared to see anothei "Cr worked on the Wellington banner as the result of Saturday's game. • * * "Drop-kick" says — "A disappointing display was the general impression

regarding the Otago-Canteibuiy match on Sdtuiday. Most of the membeis ol the Canterbuiy team had taken pait vi the Northern toui, and had become well seasoned, while Otago had had but one game t age t hoi This iatt induced a good many people tofa\oiii the home team's chance, but Otago have evei proved a hard team for Canterbury to beat, and, in fact, have a long lead in the list of wins. ' The most noticeable featuic of the Canterbury team's display w as a want of dash during the greater poition of the game, and it was only at intervals that they seemed able to shake off the 'Ota^o paialysis' that usually afflicts them when they aie playing their old rivals of the Southern province. 'The result just about represents the merits of the "two teams, for, though neither side could claim any very decided advantage, it must be admitted Canterbury were somewhat lucky in escaping a defeat •'The Red foiwaids woie unable to secure the ball satisfactorily in the scrums and tins pi evented them f 1 om indulging in much back nlav, though the opening of the game indicated that this was the style they were anxious to adopt. "The Otago forwards proved themselves a decidedly useful lot, rather better than their opponents at hooking the ball, and occasionally getting away with a loose rush that gave the Canterbury backs some trouble to stop. "It was not until Otago had registered their try, and just missed a second that the home team showed anything like their true form and then, for a few minutes they did put same dash into theii work. A moment's hesitation on Turtill's part was, in the first place les^onsible foi a score being registered against Canterhurv hut the wa^ was made r.uite clear for the Blue forwaids by Ormandy's ineffectual floundering after the ball. "The rash that brought about Canteibury's try was a pretty piece of play in which the honours were carried off by Wood. The Canterbury captain made such a good opening that the part Harper and McGregor had to nln-*- was comparatively small." * * * "Buff" Caradus returned with the Tenth Contingent. He is another of those who had. a big fight with pneumonia. The Auckland Rugby Union have, by unanimous consent of the footballing fraternity, been declared the winners of the Ranfurly shield this year. Mr. F. T. Evans will referee in the Otago- Wellington match on Saturday, and Mr. Harris (Otago) in the South-land-Canterbury match the same day. One of "Harrier's" recent notes — "Asher seemed to play without any head. He did a lot of useless running about and more often got his side into trouble than doing good. Now and then there were some good points in his play." Of Duncans display in the OtagoSouthland match, "Full-back" says — ' Duncan was all over the field, doing the work of half-a-dozen ordinary men, and certainly receiving the knockingabout of that number His performance clearly showed that he is far from finished with yet "