FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17691, 31 July 1919, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

Br Full Back. Thero seems a possibility that, as a result of the restrictions placed on travelling on the railways, no interproyineial matches ■will bo played in Dtinedin this season. Whether it would bo possible for tho Canterbury and Southland teams to travel to IXinedin by motor oars remains to b>3 seen. Should it bo deemed inadvisable to go oil with tho iutorprovincial fixtures arrangements will no doubt bo made by tho Ota-go Rugby Union to eontireue the flag matches longer tlian would otherwise have- boon possible. Would it not also bo possible to orrango matches with tlio near at hand unions—tho South and North Otago Subunions for instanco?

Tho decision of tho Otago Union on -Monday night to romovo all the disqualifications imposed on certain players and spectators who had offendod against tlva laws of tho gamo, etc., and to start with "a clean shoot," to quote tho chairman of the union, docs not mean that every disqualified person has been whitewashed. In 6omo cases tho Otago Union can only recommend to tho New Zealand Union that a penalty or disqualification imposed under tho laws governing professionalism should be removed. The Now Zealand Union would then approve of the recommendation or otherwise,, as it deems fit. In every instance, however, whero the Otago Union has tho power in its own hands to Tomovo any disqualifisation it has removed the ban. One well-known Dunedin follower of sport who lias been debarred for »3veral yeans from being on any football ground under tho control of tho Otago Union during tho playing of a matoh for being concerned in a betting transaction has -.had his disqualification removed. Another spectator who was disqualified for life for using insulting language to a referee is also once more admitted to tho fold, ae it woie. A suburban player who refused to appear before tho Rugby Union a jmar or two ago to givo evidence in a case in ■which he was implicated was mentioned at the Rugby Union meeting as one who would benefit by tho act of clemency, but some.doubt appeared to exist whether this particular player was or was not included in t a list of soldisrs who had paid the eupreme sacrifice on the ,battleiield9 of """"ranee. Tho Pirates' forward who was sentenced to stand down for three Saturdays on which flag matches were played has served" but one Saturday of his sentence. He, however, can now take part in the play next Saturday. The senior match between the Waitaki Boys' High School and the Otago Boys' High School did not produce any football out of the ordinary. Had tho looal side had a good place kick it would have won. The Otago team, playing with tho sun in its face, opened without confidence, and their tackling was weak. Tho more alert Waitaki boys rattled up 13 points in the first half to Otago's nil. Towards the close of tho first half, however, Otago were holding tho advantage, and right through the second epell their loose, dribbling rushes had the opposing sido in , trouble. The Waitaki backs could not get the ball, and Otago put on 13 points, suffering defeat by 3 pointe. Tho Otago backs were badly placed. The first -five-eighth was far too close to the scrum half, and when ha did receive the ball ho had no- rßom to manoeuvre. There was, moreover, not one straight-running back on tho local side.'''Lob passing across the field never won a match. Several times, when in a good position, the Otago backs passed the ball straight across the field, and a pronounced weakness was the passing of one player, when blocked or collared, to another man in a .far worse position thsji himself. Tho Otago backs had evidently been instructed to "get rid of the ball" in tho passing rushes— not to hang on to it too long. Quito a sensible instruction no doubt if sensibly carried out. When, however, one man sent on the bali to man badly placed or out of position the passing at once broke down, and the advantage gained was lost. Several times when the passing was being fumbled of the Waitaki goal line one "cut in" would have taken out two or three .of , .the opposing backs. Maybo tho Otago team had been over-coached.

Allan was easily the best of the Otago forwards, and Dunno. a big, hardworking forward, also showed up till ho had to be carried oft" with an injury to his knee Dickensen' was the best of the backs, and had;hc bean kept in his usual place at centre instead of being played at full back the result of the match might have- boon different. In the second half he was put back to centre, and his play there had a marked effect in driving back the Waitaki boys' attacks. Diekensen's left foot potted goal-, from the .?nd of a long line out was quite, a brilliant effort.

The Waitaki team had a very ■ largo number of penalty kicks' given against thpm during tho game. "Whether this , caused through over anxiousness or a lack of complete knowledge of tho game I cannot say. Probably their coach would have a wdrd to say to about tho matter after tho game. Offsido play and playing the ball when the player was lying, on the '" K° IIDC ' Gre tlle c ' lief cs:aß(:s of .complaint. The Waitaki team have also the rather unique experience in local football of baring a try awarded against them for obstruction. ,- I liked the play of Esrr, the Waitaki scrum half. He is a sturdily-built youth, and : stood up well to the heavy work' He / got the hall away nicely from the scrums, and is a fine kick. The three-quarters— ' A. and G. Sutton and Inksori—were a clever, fnst trio, and when they were getting the bell thrown to them they ran with great determination. Why the play of the' Waitaki boys broke down as it did .in the second half is hard to explain. After the manner in which they rattfed up their first scores they looked like winning by a big ; margin. When the Otago forwards however, began to play with greater confictencc they kept control of the ball, and tneir tackling was much better, but this fact, notwithstanding Waitaki had several chances m the second half of which they made poor use. Ken- and G. Sutton are a pair of fine place kicks. They talc© time to see that w\° ■ il n JS P laos<l exactly as they want it ■J. he ball on Saturday in every instance left the ground without a wobble, and kept its flight without swerving in tho air. The Second Grade match, Waitaki v , Utago High School, provided a fine, open game—more enjoyable to watch, in fact, than the senior game. Jackson, Shepherd. o.iKt. M. Kay gave an exhibition at least of militant passing for Otago. Jackson picked up .trom tho edge of a scrum near the centre, cat in, and won through; he passed nicely to Shepherd at the opportune time and Shepherd then ran to tho Waitaki full back, and-sent MTCay on for a dear ran in. I liked the play of Shepherd at outside fivc-sighth, .Hβ is very sturdily built/ is speedy, knows how to use his weight and runs straight. The hill back, Aitken brought down tho house," so to speak! when ho stopped.a Waitaki nwn rignt in tne .Otago hi» with a lovely tackle. Coplushes. The Otago forwards lost the match through too hard kicking The WsutaJuv. backs included several fine Hue luefcs, and .they simply picked up the ball i back well down the line, u.! ?u fl^? ta,u forwards were the heavier, but the Otago side appealed to be slightly if Iu fe • OOEO * work - In Smith (forward tho Waifevki have a great line kick. He dropped back into tho hack line when Otago was given a free kick, aj»d when the ball camo his way he fielded it well and put in-some big -pants down the line p-umblcton was the best of the visitors' backs. Rowe, the small haK-back, did not get the ball away too cleanly being inclined to han-g to it too long. It was Kowe who dodged round tlw scrum to , score \Vaitafci s winning try. He should certainly havo been collared, however In tho meeting between Pirates and Southern on Saturday the latter took control of the game right from the kick-off and never lost their hold of it. The form shown by Pirates was poor, but the Blacks were unfortunate in being without the services of four of their leading players —Cameron, Wilson, and Delaney (forwards) and Todd (wing- three-qnarter). Bell took iodd's placo on tho -wing, birfc was a poor substitute. Tie absence of Cameron from his customary place 03 lock was severely

felt. Lindsay and Milne, in the- front row, hoakod tho ball smartly, but, theSouthern vanguard would then' uso thoir weight to push right through the scrum. Patrick replaced Joyeo as lock in tho second half, and hie extra poundage made a big improvement in tho Black';, scrum woric. Lindsay, Thomson, and Milne woro tho players in tho Pirates forwards to play up to form, Lindsay played Ins best gamo bo far this senson, but much of hi.s good -work in tho lonso was nullified through hick of support. Holmes again snffurcd from lack of opportunity. His chief football asset is undoubtedly hie great i>aco. In a team liko University A tho big Pirates wing threequarter would be a prolific try-gottor. In a tight oornor his dofenco seoma nono too sound, and ho attempts to got out of difficulties by speculating, a practice whicli must spoil a lot of his good work in attack.

Heidy, tho Southern full-back, gave a fino exhibition of powerful and wcll-direfited line-kicking, but an several occasions he showed an inclination to play too close lip. Harloy, at half, played well, unci J. Mitchell (wing- threo-querter) was quick to take advantage of his opportunities. Tlie Southern forwards put tip a great game. There wero no " paseengnrs." They played the game that suited the occasion, kicking high and following up in a solid bunch. .

A big and impartial crowd of spectators was treated to an attractive exhibition of back play by the University A in its match against Port Chalmers at Port last Saturday. The students' backs threw tho ball about -with, delightful abandon, some brilliant passing rushes being tho result. Mackereth, Begg, and Hutchison, in particuplayed great games, while Macky's taking of tho ball and line-finding were well nigh faultless. Among the Blue forwards Harty played a very solid gamo. Although the margin between the scores of the respective teams was fairly wide, it must not be imagined that the Port team did not have a fair share of the play In fact, considering that they had fivo" junior players m their forwards, they did reailv well, and in the second spell their looso rushes were several time 3 dangerous. In their back division they have two promising men in Sykes and Driscoll, Sykcs especially showing out in fine defensive work. In converting the threo University trios which wero scored between tho posts, Hutchison adopted the novel method of having the ball placed flat on tho ground, with the seams parallel to the goal lino That is, instead of the ball pointing towards tho goal posts, it was lying crossways in front of the goal. This is a most unorthodox way of xakjng a place kick. Hutchison must be considered lucky to kick three goals with the ball placed in this fashion. Tyler the All Black, used to adopt this method of placing for short kicks. Union the Kaikorai many anxious moments during the game on Saturday, especially when W. Knox dived over short! v before half-time. The referee, however gave a scrum, from which R. Knox pushed across, but could not ground the ball The light Union forwards, who played a trreat game, more than held thoir own with the Kaikorai pack. Any advantage Kaikorai had was m then- back division. R. Knox ana VV. Knox were about the pick of the fine young Union pack went dose with a penalty immediately after wards Marks Stewart, 0. Knox, and Buraside were the pick of the Union backs Marks especially excelling himself He and Stewart were responsible for some fino all-round play-in fact, some of the passing between Marks, Stewart, and Knox went perilously near to scoring, a lack of cohesion in the three-quarter lino bringing most of these efforts to nought Knight, M'Ghie, and' Homer were about w? , * i° f - the Kalkorai backs, Homer Tnd fW? S g S ° me ve F fine line ki <*ing. Cameron, Duncan, and M'Donald were a hefty trio of forwards, though' every ,nan inlf VhTr"' in the - second «!"• after e " point lead took some look-

The match University B v. Zingari-Rich-mond played at Tahuna Park,"did not provide anything out of the ordinary Neither, team showed much combination and University owed their win to the fart that their backs were faster thai, the opposing backs, and that they did not JWfi+o to throw the ball about, versity five-eighths, played a fine game for his side, and was well supported by Ward (who was played at half-back) and by Childs the other five-eighths. Kingston, the winforward, was prominent right through The two ZiTsgan five-eighths, Wills and Calder were again tho mainstay of tho Colours'" back division, Calder's defensive work boinjr particularly sound. Hamor, Watt, and bmith were the meet prominent of a hardworking pack. There was nothing much to chronicle- in TIP All, i , Alian » br aJ>incclin match, ine Alhambra forwards wero too fast and dever-for their opponents, and that ic about all that need bo said.

SCHOOLS' COMPETITION Forbury's defeat by Arthur street makes the competition very interesting, and necessitates another meeting of these teams as the schools are now equal in Cup points Saturday s game was 'a hard-fought one and sp.endidly contested throughout. The result —3 points to nil—just about indicates the difference in play. Forbury's fine Ime-kiek-ing and Arthur Street's rush-stopping were prominent features in tho game. The tackling of both sides was keen, and tho scrum v.ork of the forwards, especially that of the winning pact, good to wateh- The backs did not quite realise expectations in attack both sides appearing to be too eager and excited.

Despita a strong counter-attraction at bansbrook, the attendance was surprisino-iv largo, tho spectators being keenly interested in tne boys struggle for supremacy. The teams will play the final a* Cariisbrook at 1.40 p.m. on Saturday as a curtain-raiser to the Southern-University A match, and the attendance will probably be a. record for a primary school nwtch in Dunedin it was pleasing to note that among the onlookers last Saturday was Arthur Street's prominent, bufc litiputian, half-bade of last ssason, Ernest Oben, who was seriously injured in a motor car collision last April Arrangements had been made by a thoughtnil gentleman who used his motor car to convey the boy from the Hospital to allow him to witness his old school team play *i. d^* 0 regulations haw been, issued bv tho Kailway Department regarding travelling, it is at present uncertain whether anv scinooLs representative matches will bo played this season. ALL BLACKS INTERVIEWED. Lieutenant E. E. Booth (an original All .Jilack) forwards from. London an extract from the Daily Mail of May 7 containiii" players' messages" to the Mail. Some of the messages are appended:— J. Ryan (captain of tho team;):" I would like to express to all those connected with the Intor-Servioes competition the heartfelt thanks of all our lads for tho kind and generous treatment shown to us. The public, too, much as they would have liked to have seen the Home Fifteen win applauded us in great style. We certainly had to go our best to win that cup, and a* one time I feared the team was sinking into a state of staleness. I think we were at tho top of our form in the South African engagement. Eiordan and Morkel were splendid.

• At Inverieith, against the Mother Country ijifteen, I never doubted our forwards' ability to. win, but tho gale made things ■very tricky. Hie off-side rulings here puzzled us at nrst, but wo soon got into tho way of things. Several small improvements wo have tried in New Zealand would open out tno gamo more and improve it from a spectator's view.

The press has treated us well, too, but a nil Jt f coln P ar ' s ons between the original Ail Blacks and our team rather unfair lhe All Blacks of 1906 -wer e the result of years of experience and trairiimj, being m fact, a team of captains, while* we ar c all (except Wilson, Cain, and myself) newly developed players since coming over to jMirope. ftc are pleased indeed if we done well for the good old game since our arrival from tho front, and will leave these shores with nothing but the best of recollections."

t'ogarty (forward).—" I admir<>d the clo.an sporting spirit m which this competition uaa been played. To my mind, both the Sooth Africa and Mother Country were our hardest tests, a&hough Australia beat us. Some of our forwards -sere sore and weary after tho big struggle at Inverleith. The referees hero order far too msmy senwns, which tend to slow down the game verv considerably. When a British team again visits New Zealand we will give thejn a great time."

W. Eea. (five-eighths).—"South Africa, gave' us our hardest and best game, although tho match at Inverleith whs probal>ly tho most exciting. Btoh-u, Usher, and Brunton are great forwards, urui Pyni and Cullen troubled to most. Tlio publio have been Tery impartial towards us. The majority of tup backs here trail too much across the field and seem to fail, as straight rtmnere. I think tho refcrecu aro a bit too exacting in such small matters as unintentional oft'-sido and petty knoek-ons. 1 quite failed to follow some of their rulings for eomo time, but latterly got tised to them. Tho gaino hero, if properly hiindlcd aij4 controlled, sliould iiavo a

greater future than over. The Wolsh are hard players Mid fearfully keen on winning. Thoir liatik play rosuiiibloa our 'stylo very milch. Vi'i , have been treated royally t;v«irywhere we ha-vo goiw." I«icuU<i!aiit It 30. Booth (IGOS-06 All Blank). — "My compatriots fixini Now Zealand am iill highly elated ill winning iho ■Inlor-Servincs tournament. They aro iiimiiimou.s on many points eoiiniYited with ■it. . . . Those embrace l-lio impartiality of tho general public; t!n> exacting Mid scrupulous hoiM'3l-y of all the controlling reforoes, and the wonderfully line sporting spirit poi-meufciHg every' game. By hU prfscsitation of tho Chip tho* All Blacks cii:»:<dcr tho King tho greatest of sportsman, nnd the can itself is jealously guarded l;y Major Cameron, cmr sjv.jrte roprvsentutivG. ... In New Zealand it %vdll bo v.ahiod tnoro than any gnus, module, flags', or other souvenirs of tho war, and will probably find a resting plnco in tho Houses of Parliament in Wellington. By winning tho Army oompotitiun mid then beating Wales on her own ground, thus revenghig tho defeat of 1906, the team are really carrying back in the King's Cup the ashes of British Rugby. This eeems singularly fitting when it is rornomberod that New Zealand is the only country that recognises Rugby as essentially its national game."

ASSOCIATION. By Goalie. Members of the Otago Brown Shield team will leave for Chriatchurch to-morrow morning. Motor cars aro timed to leavo the Old Post Office at 6 a.m. —an early start, no doubt, lor many, but it will givo tho players a better and longer rest at night to get into trim, for Saturday's game, 'iho Otago team remains as originally selected, M'Allan having found it possible aftor all to make the trip. Much surprise; was occasioned when it was found that Bissetfs name was not in the Canterbury team. Whatever tho cause, this is certainly good news; for Otago. liisse.tt may r.oc have the pace he used to have, but his leadership is invalutiblo. Tho Canterbury selectors have made four alterations to the team that played against Auckland. has been changed from, -right half to left bock; Knsor comes in left half, Spencer inside right, / and Woods outside left. Pilling, Bissott, and Graham aro not playing. Comparing , man for man, Otago looks to , stand an even chance, and it is certainly going to be a • battio royal. In official circles, as well as amongst players, there ie every confidence that the coveted trophy is coming to Ihinodin. Tho 0.1 T.A. is to bo complimented on its enterprise in arranging for motor curs. It is lor.jj since tho Brown Shield travelled to Otago. Its presence hero will arouse renewed interest, and will give us opportunity of seeing some representative games. The team as finally selected is thus summed up by one whose experience andintimate knowledge add weight to his judgment : —

C. Mason (centre forward). —Played in that position with success lost year; a clever player, but might shoot more promptly. G. Campbell (inside left). —Has represented Otago in previous shiold games; a powerful and accurate shot, and with his experience should be a-, great help to the team.

T. Stevens (outside left). —A good club player; has not previously represented his province; with tho help of G. Campbell should do well.

F. Haig (reserve). —A strong, bustling player, but at times lacks finish.

. E. Anderson (goal).—Represents Otago for the first time; has considerably improved in play in recent matches, and should do well in the position. G. M'Allan (right back).—A member of last year's Brown Shiold team; a fine defensive player and good kick. V. Dickel (left back).—A powerful kick, strong in defence; sometimes inclined to dribble too far up the field; was included in last Brown Shield team.

E. Nicol (right half). —Also in last year's team, and played well against Bissett; a good spoiler, and with his turn of speed should do well.

L. M'Evoy (centre half). —Gained rep. honours last year; a strong, heady plaver ; a fine bustler and .breakcr-up of close plav; should excel against Canterbury's style of play; might improve by placing more" accurately to his forwards.

J. Dryden (left half).—ls not new to rep. football; considered by many to be tho best half in Otago; a good tackier, and places nicely to his forwards. W. Brundell.—A speedy outr-ide right, who shoots and centres well; played inside right in last year's team, and gave a good exhibition.

C. Alloo (inside right).—A clever'forward ; very fast, and strong shot; might obtain better results by more varied play. Northern and Southern was the chief attraction, on Saturday last, and to the surprise of many, Northern pulled off tho game by three goals to two. It was a fine exhibition of football, fast and keen from start to finish. Northern deserved to win; they took every chance that offered. Both teams showed splendid combination, in which all players had a useful part. Anything may happen in football after the Old Boys and Christian Brothers game. Old Boys made all tho play, and were continually attacking, yet .could only manage to mako a lucky of it. Tho s.s. Westmoreland and Morrungton drew to the Mornington ground a large crowd, who saw the sailors defeated by seven goals to two. Tho first half was keenly and evenly fought, and some bright flashes of football wero seen. Lack of training proved the undoing of tho visiting team, as during the- second spell Mornington had it all their own way.

The Mornington ground needs a grait deal of attention from the city authorities before it .is good enough to play senior football on. A si-eat lack of enterprise on the part of the city's reserves department is shown in allowing this most ideally situated sports ground to remain in such an unsatisfactory condition.

An interesting letter discussing the reasons why Association football has not as yet caught tho public interest to the extent the game deserves has to bo held over this week.