OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 60

OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND.

RUNAWAY VICTORY FOR THE FORMER. The first interprovincial game of the ; season was played on th© Caledonian ,' Ground on Saturday, wiien Otago and Soufchlasid wet for the 38th time. There [ were over 5000 people present. The ground was in good condition, but a fairly strong wind blow throughout the greater part of the game. The following were the- teams: — Otago: Full back, G. Scott (11.8); threequarters—G. Marston (10.6), <R. Be-nnet i (10.10), J. Davidson (11.8) five-eighths— I M'Donald (12.0), A- Eckhold (10.6) ; half, J. Sutherland (11.0) forwards— S. Casey (12.2), "P. Fitzpatrick (12.8), A. Mitchell (14.0), B. Paton (13.5), A. Patterson (14.6), J. Clarks (12.0), A. M'Donald (12.6), A. Morrison (11.10). Southland: Full back, A. M'Neece (l2.6) ; three-quarters— R. Pyle (11.10), J. Darragh (11.0), H. Irwin (11.0) ; five-eighths, E. Grant (11.9), A. W»lk*r (11.0); half, J. Blackham i (10.5) ; forwardftfcj. Ridland (12.0), A. Biggar (11.5), D. Knig&t (13.4), W. Keinan (133), M. Cody (13.10), A. C. Miles (12.8), A. Eraser (11.13), W. Guteewitz (It 4). Fibst Spbh. Southland won the toes, and Otaigo opened play aga-inst a fair wind blowing from the harbour end. Otago showed up immediately from the kick-off, the /forwards carrying play to the Maroons' twentyj five. There was an attempt to -open .out the game, but a free kick to Southland enabled Grant to 6hift play to the Otago sid© of half-way The visitors made two spasmodic efforts to push the advantage further, - but were gradually forced back to their own ei-d, Mitchell manoeuvring | a fine loose rush, which extended to within I a fey/ yards of Southland's line. The de- . fending team, however, soon cleared off I Otago's wild passing, and an exchange of. kicks terminated at midfield. Here j M'Donald (five-eighth) received the ball ' frcai the loose, and after cutting in beauI tifully, passed io Marston, who was thrown i into touch by M'Neece. There was a momentary clearance by the Maroons, but ■ Otago kept them well in hand, until Kjiight cut in and dribbled to about halfi way. Scott was quite equal to the occas'on. A kick by Marston was well re- , turned by M'Neece, and then the Blu« ' forwards again asserted themselves, but the backs were too erratic in handling the \ ball, and eplendrid opportunities of scoring ; were Doing lost. Paton had an unsuccees- ! ful shot from a penalty kick, and a mark I by Pyle enabled Southland to {pet to half- • way. Ihe same pbyer contributed further fine footwork, and the visitors by this time | wea*e up to Otago territory. Succeeding loose play favoured them a little, but a 1 long kick by Paton drove them back. , There was an exchange of kicks, and then some fine loose work by Milee. Casey re- ' sporded wi*b a like effort on behalf o£ : Otago. but hard kicking by anothca? forward nulified the advantage. Southland 1 cleared without trouble. "Vigorous kicking 'allowed the Maroons to break up another attack, but M'Donald equalised matters , v/iuh a clevei run. Bennot failed to hold. ! the ball wlien it was passed to him, and M'Donald again swerved in among the op- ; position backs with telling effect-, but Eeni net a^ain failed badly. Maraton carried ! play close to Southland's line, and Paton. I kicking the ball out of the ruck, passed 1 forward to A. M'Donald. A scrum followed, and the Maroons were penalised' for offside Dlay, but Paton failed to place a goal. The Bluet! continued to press, I though, .somewhat disjbintedly. Paton unI expectedly broke away from the line-out in the vicinity of. the tweaity-five, and when blocked threw the ball 'somewhat wildly back. Otago, however, profited from the move, but Southland made a lucky clearance. Patterson broke away from the line just as Paton had done, but Pyle and M'Neece were tackling soundly. Reward at last ceme to Otago, when from, a scrum almost under the {real posts, Sutherland i dashed in between two Southland men and scored. Marsten converted. Otago 5 points. Southland #"• Southland made the moat of th© kickI off, and immediately secured a mark, which availed them nothing. Sutherland initiated . a movement which drove the i Maroons back to their own quarters, I M'Donald cutting in and kicking bard up I the field. Irwin. was caught napping, f.nd i Otago swept en na«t him. Southland I rallied for a moment, but the Blues conI trolled a scrum, and when the ball was distributed among the backs, MarstoH potU4 a gocd goaJ. . Otago 9points. Southland Nll - The visiting pack attempted a rush t« local territory, but combination waa wanting, and tho effort failed. There was a brief spell of piay at midfield, and ttien, some interesting passing between Eennet and Davidson. Faulty back P !a y just on the c!c s o of the spell almost co3t Otago a score. Marston overran a paes, and Pylo \shiDped in smartly and. dashed down the field. He was w«H stopped, and befoie Gutzewitz, who was following up, reached tbe ball, Maocton kicked into tOUCh - SECOND SPELL. Southland were in trouble almost from the start, Irwin just getting in a saving Eck. A brief rush by the Maroons' vanguard met with very solid defence by O'ago, and then a line-kick by Davidson beat M'Neece. The liiues pressed eagerly. Mamon made a dash for the cornei -but Pvle proved too fast for him. Patterson had a fruitless shot at goal from a difficult angle, and the visitors forced. The Blues returned to the attack, and Marston was thrown into touch near the line, bouthland effected a brief clearance, but Eckhold returnee', and from a scrum close to the line Sutherland repeated his performance of thu firtt spell, scoring without trouble. Marston failed badly with the shot, at goal. . Otago ... ... -~ ■" 12 pomfs. Southland ■•• — Nil. Grant worked a fine turning moveznent,and the Maroons pressed vigorously; but Sutherland cleared. A further kick b& Eckhold bad Pyle in difficulties, ' and th# Blues were again the attackers, Morrison made a poor attempt to pot a. goal, and th 4 visitors forced. There was a slight reverse; and then the Otago forwards broke away; ■ Sutherland scoring his third .try, almost under the posts.. Eckhold failed to convert,

(jtago 15 points. Southland Nil. - Southland thea had a bad time of it. Scott kicked down the field, and Irwm made a poor attempt to find touch and failed. Bennet secured the ball, and transferred to Davidson, who touched down at the corner. Paton did not convert. Otago 18 points. Southland Nil. Immediately after the kick-out a brilliant rush by the Otago forwards, with Casey in the van, fairly demoralised the opposition, and M?tchell scored. Paton's kicking was again at fault. Otago 21 points. Southland . ...... Nil Southland forced-down shortly after the kick' off. Sutherland and Marston contributed some nonplussing work. The latter player kicked hard over the line, and, following up smarts, outpaced the opposition and scored. Paton again failed to convert. Otago 24 points. Southland Nil. Otago continued tc press the visitors. Southland found relief in forcing, but a minute later Sutherland sent the ball out to Eckhold, who passed to Davidson, the last-named scoring at the corner. Scott .took the shot at goal, but was unsuccessful. Ctago 27 points. Southland Nil. Otago were playing by no means a perfect game, but still found it very easy to assume complete control. A clearance by Grant was short-lived, and the defence of the visitors attain crumbled to pieces. Sutherland, and ihen Eckhold, opened out play, and a passing bout ended in Davidson scoring at the corner, M'Neere getting there just too late. Scott kicked a splendid goal. Otago 32 points. Southland .. . . Nil The Blues went off on another hot attack, in which Eckhold figured prominently. Southland suddenly changed the venue to the home twenty-five, but were soon repulsed, and had to seek refuge in forcing. M'Neece made a worthy attempt to clear, but A. M'Donald charged down his kick close to the line, and, carrying the ball •with him, scored the last try" of the same. Scott missed the kick at ffoal, and the whistle sounded with the final scores: Otogo 35 points. Southland Nil. The Game. The Southland team was for the most part comprised of players whose experience diJ not extend over many seasons, and it was pretty well a foregone conclusion that they would suffer defeat at the hard? of the more tried players of Otago. Had the Otago backs taken advantage of even a fair proportion of their opportunities, and had the place-kicking been better than it "was, the score would have been considerably increased. Never before- has a Southland representative team suffered such a re feat from an Otago fifteen. And it may be- truly said that their own apparent weakness in a large measure conrrihu'-od to the heavy score put up against them. The Otago team was far from brilliant. and_ many things tcok place which, Against a stronger side, noulJ have placed the home combination in a sorry plight. There v.c.c unt'l towards the close of the game, frequent in-sUncc-s of lack cf co-operation, 1/ut still there were euffioient indications tV.t with a better knowledge of each oth<r the Dark Blues will give a fairly gor.d account of themselves in^ future cngapoments. The ylay of the Southland tee-ni was the day of virtually untriod men, acid as the game drew to a close a perfect state of dorooralisation had fet in. They were weak in defence, excepting in the*ca?e of one or t*o units, and th«r attack, when there was such, was too ragged and disjointed. The Otago forwards played a solid, but not very dashing, frarr.e. and, with tJi-> weak opposition, they should have done a great deal better than the? did. Cis-e-y played a very heady game, whil'* A M'Donald, Mitchell, Pa.en, and Fitzpatrick ■were on many oceasiors prominent. Amen.? the backs Eennet's play was very disap-

pointing, more so for the reason that he ■ hae been playing such a remarkably fine game in the club fixtures His handling of tho ball was most erratic. <- Sutherland' showed plenty of initiative behind the 6crum, and was at all times smart. M 'Donald's outstanding point was his nonplussing swerves, but he very often went too far, and was left stranded. Eckhold was very safe ar.d serviceable, as also was Marston. Davidson, although accountingfcr three trios, edd not come up to expectations. Scott, who bad very little to do, acquitted himself creditably. > The Southland forwards, as already stated, were a very indifferent lot Miles was easily the best of them. None of the others --was consistent, though Knight, Keinan, and Cody at time 6 did fair work. M'Neece, at full back, had a great deal to do, and at timos made a very good showing, while of the other backs Pylewas of the greatest service in defence, and likewise in attack. Mj: A. Hobso-n controlled the gam© to the satisfaction of all. THE GOLDFIELDS TOUR. The Selection Committee of the 0.R.F.1J. has chosen the following players to make the goldfields tour : — Full back, Scott; throe-quarters—O'Sul-livan, Harle3', Marston ; five-eighths — M'Dougall and Williams ; halves -Sutherland and Wilson ; forwards — Lcith, Barnes, Mitchell, H. Paton, Thompson, Clark, Watt, R. Paton, Ivimey, Graham. NORTH OTAGO TEAM. The folio wing plavcre have been selected to play against a North Ota.go team at Oamaru on I'hurs-day : — Back., — Bond, Brooke*, M'Lcnna.n, Dan^cy, Dochoity, Eckhold. M'Donald, Kclla-n ; forwards — Fitzpatrick, Pollock, Patteison. Paton, Wall, M'GufFoff, Skinner, Morrison, Waters. Any of the above unable to play are requested to notify same to the secretary of the O.R.F.L. not later than 4 p.m. to-day. PALMERSTON v. WAIKOUAITI. The final game of the season between Waikotiaiti and Pairaerston was played at Palmeiston on Saturday afternoon. The frame was drawn, there bsiny no score. \Va.ikouaiti wins the banner, having- previously scored three wins against two by , Palmerston. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. The following team will represent the Waiihamo-Waikouaiti County in their match against the Otago Junior representative team to bo> played at Palinerston on •the 28th inst. :— Fufl bacU, J. Pagan; three-quarters— G. Towr.ser.d, D. R--id, R. M'l'ajrgart: lis«'-eij;hth-> -J. Mrxwvll. A. Diack ; ha'f b-vck, \V. Diack; forwards — J. M'lntosh. T. Flcurj. Wil-on, H. Maxwell, B. Allcock. E. M -Garry. W. Rue sell, C. Twining (winy:); emergencies: Back — ■ R. Kerr, G. Port-cou- , forwaitla— A. M-Intosh, J. Park. MATCHES IX OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND. August 21. j The representati\e match Auckland v. ! Thames was pla\ ed hero to-day under ideal weather conditions. The Tlisr;ies team vas weakenod by the ab*°:ico of £e\c-.-al pioimiisnt plajeis. Auckland n onojiohs^d the Fconng in tin. first spell, tries bem^ secured by Seeling end Herring. Kui'ly in thi second spell 11. Hayv. arcl bcore-i for Thames, and Winder con', prtcd. Thames had the best of tho play for the fir.-t 50 minutes of this spell, ar.d thtn Auckland scored three more tries in (jUiC-k sjccc-"Mon, M'Gresor (2) and Re,i\\:ck touching down. The kicks at godl, from ridiculuu-ly easy angles, wore a!' failures, fciit' the game ezi'lid: Auoklind, 15 points; Tha'iie?, 5 pcirfts. Prior to the repicsontntive i:.:i*ih the s°t;ondary schools' ch-jr-nioislMp fi-ial was i»layo'l off ijotween King's Colleg-p and the Grammar School. Tvo matches hail been played by the teams, and carl) had won one. To-day's match was won by King's College by 8 points to 6. NAPIER, August 21. Ilawke's Bay boat Po\erty Bay by 12 points to 5. Tho weather was most favourable, but the giouad was somewhat

hard Higgins scored two tries for Hawke'a Bay, and Lewis and Smith one each. For Poverty Bay, Pollock scored one try. WELLINGTON, August 22. The Wellington Rugby Senior championship decided yesterday before about 5000 spectators. The Poneke team proved to be the season's champions, with the Petone Club as runnors-up. Poneke yesterday beat Petone by 16 points to 9. BLENHEIM, August 21. The Seddon Shield football match Westland v. Marlborough was played to-day in fine weather. Marlborough (13 points) beat Westland (6 points). For the winners, Church, Sowman, and Heggsun scored tries and Casey potted a goal. For Westland, Blythe kicked a penalty goal and Sweetman scored a try. The South Island representatives — O'Brien (Marlborough) and Blythe and Southeran (Westland) — showed good form. CHRISTCHURCH, August 22. Patrons of football at Lancaster Park had a varied programme submitted to them yesterday afternoon. One attraction was the annual match between Victoria College and Canterbury College, which was won by the visitors by 17 points to 8. Seven-aside tournaments were then heid. That for the President's Cup produced a desperate struggle between Boys' High School B and Merivale A. It was not until the teams had played 27 minutes over the allotted 10 minutes that the School team won. TARANAKI v. HAWKE'S BAY. NAPIER, August 18. The football match between Taranaki and Hawke's Bay was played here to-day and resulted in a win for the forme>r by 14points to 8. The first score for the visitors was secured by Cameron, who kicked a goal from a mark by Stohr. At the end of the spell Crowley ecored for Taranaki, the attempt to convert being a failure. Someof the spectators claimed that the legitimate time in this spell was exceeded. In the^ second half Pine scored an easy try for the visitors, Cameron converting it. The next score was secured by Hawke's Bay, M'Ewan getting over the line. The try was converted by Wall. After come interesting play Cameron scored for Taranaki, tho^ kick at goal being unsuccessful. A Hawke's Bay ru.*h ended in Lewie scoring, no goal being kicked. The home team showed up to advantage for the rest of the game, but there was r.o further score. During- the second spell Abaolum retired owing to having been injured, and M'Ewan took his place. POVERTY BAY v WANGAXUI. WANGANUI, August 17. The representative football match Poverty Bay v Wanganui was played to-day. The game was very even till a couple of minutes before the call of time, when Pollock, following up a kkk, got possession of the ball and scored a try, which was not converted. Scores: Poverty Bay 3 points, Wanganui nil. The weather was wet and cold. THE MAORI TEAM'S TOUR. SYDNEY, August 22. Australia. 23) beat the Maori team (16). There were about 10.000 present at the match. The first half was a walk-over for the Australians. For tffoe Maoris, Papakura secured a try, which Asher failed to convert. The second spell opened with prospects of an easy time for the Australians, 5 points being- ad-ded in the first few minutes. Then Powhuiwhui scored, but failed to convert his own -try. The same player immediately after placed an easy goal off a penalty. The Australians, however, kept the score growing, and it reached 21 against their opopnonte" 10. Then Kopana ?ocurcd a try, but Asher failed to convert. Tho Austral ians added further to their score off penalty kicks, and just on lime Pakere crossed tho line. Asher again failed with the kick, and the game ended Australians 23 points, Maoris 16 points. KANGAROOS AND WALLABIES. SYDNEY, August 22. Arrangements are bcin? completed for a series of League football matches between the Kangaroos and a team including many members of the Walhbios,' combination which recently toured England. The seceding Wallabies are said to number M. including several most prominent pla\ers of that team.