SENIOR GRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 61

SENIOR GRADE.

City v. Nobthebk.

Dearth of smooth, well-turfed playing 1 areas retards the development of Association football in Dunedin. Through tre courtesy if that sportsmanlike body. the. 0.R.F.U., the Otago Football Asscciatior is able to arrange to play its most important cup 'fixture on the best sports ground in the city. On Saturday the Caledonian Ground wag available for the much-talked-of match between City — almost exclusively a combination of Home players — and Northern— representative of colonal football knowledge." , The exceptionally genial weather, combined with the unusual interest aroused in the fixture, ensured tha capital attendance of about 3000 persons. An in+ermittenit wind, with direction towards the hiarbour, proved tfhe only drawback to an exhibition of whan is best in? Association football. The teams were asfollow: — '

City.— Goal, R. Jack; backs— H. Elliot, (i. Mayhew ; halves— R. Sims," H. Ratley, W. Harrison ;, forwards— E. Logic, — Ru— • sell, A. Wyness. R. Lawson, A. Raeburn. Northern.— Goal, J. Shepherd; backs— C. Irvine, R. Shepherd; halves— M. Leckie D. Simpson, R. Porter; forwards— Vl Evans, Jas. Timlin, John Timlin, M. Chadwick, R. Simpson.

An exceptionally interesting and evenlyoontestcd game, controlled by Mr A H Orawley. ended in a win for' sity, with a ecoro of one goal, registered within foar minutes oi time. City's victory over Northern, althougH not finally deciding the championship, ia popularly regarded as the winning of the Cup by the City Club. Two factors may influence the final result. City have to replay on Saturday their match against Mornlngton. If they should lose— merely a bare possibility,— they tie with Northern for the Cup. Further, should the N.Z.F.A. uphold the Kaitang<iita Club's appeal against the

tiplaying of their drawn match with City, the latter's record will be reduced by one point. Thus the competition may not yet be regarded as concluded / SECOND GRADE. Prior to the chief fixture, 22 sturdy, athletic figures, representing Ravensbourne and Christian Brothers, second grade teams, lined out \o defekje their return Cup fixture. Playing against the wind, Christian Brothers made themselves felt, taxing the defence ofthe amber and blacks. iTwenty minutes lifter commencing, Jim Connor raced down the right flank and centred across the goal. Jack, l&ft wing, closing in, received and passed to the inside rigiht, J. Connor, who scored a- nice goal, which proved to be the only point registered in the spell. The second spell opened .with bright football. Ravensbourne fought stoutly against- the wind, and drew near to the coveted area, but several fine centres by 'Jim Connor were not made use of by the inside forwards. A penalty kick was awarded to Ravensbourne, and Harrison drove neatly pact Bourke, who had temporarily retired to goal. Christian Brothers responded to this" second reverse with a well-ordered assault upon Ravensbourne goal, where one or two very likely changes were missed before Page removed play. Uninteresting play ensued until Wake- j din cleverly carrieck the ball to the Ravens- j bourne line and centred beautifully across j goal to Bourke, wfto, with a vacant goalmouth a* his mercy, lifted over the bar. j Christian Brothers' best opportunity *o : score was loet Although the Greens made I further likely Attacks, they were unable to I improve $ie position, the game, controlled j l>y Mr M. Haig. ehdang — - - Ravensbourne - 2 goals, , Christian Brothers .:■ ... Ml.