SYDNEY UNIVERSITY v. NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 58

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY v. NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

AN EASY WIN FOR THE VISITORS. Some 4000 spectators were attracted to the Caledonian Ground on Saturday with the promise of a fa=i, open game of football between the Sj<lney and New Zealand Universities. The weather was perfect, and the ground in fair condition, but the match waa most disappointing, the exhibition of Rugby given being, particularly' in the -first spell, one of the most uninteree-t-ing seen on the Caledonian Ground for a long time. Tlie visitors were superior to the New Zealanders in practically all departments of the game, but, despite this, the play of the farmer was not by any means distinguished by great science or uin usual skill. " The following shows the names of the teams as they took the field: — New Zealand University.— FuLl back, Dr Haj (Canterbury); three-quarters — SMackenzie (Canterbury), R. M Ong-ley (Gtago), R. I. Danscv (Otasro) ; fiveeighths— D. M. E-sid ~ (Otago), C. E. Phillips; half baok, Otters en (Auckland); forwards— D E. Fenwick (Otago), A. Watt (Otago), W. (-irace (Canterbury), F. Bamford (Auckland, lock), B. P. Wilhairs (Canterbury). 11. P. Youner (Canterbury*, J. D. Bro^rian (Victoria College), W. S. Seed (Otago). Sidney Uxivepsity —Full back, J. E. Lan-e; thrcs-qiu'rto:-=— ls. C. A. Pockley, H. R. Browiim?, P. J. Kellj, W. J. Stack; fiveaighth, E. M. Fisher ; half, F. Hughes ; forward^ — L. J. Revnoltl6, N W. Brousrhton, G. W. Macartney, A. B. Doyle, W. W. Martin. H. J. Clayton, J B. Metcalfe, M. Maxwell. Sydney kicked off against the wind, but

Dnriey's nefcurn was mulled by Browninsg. IThrown in near tibe quarter flag, the ball yrea centred by tie Sydney forwards, and Judicious kicking earned plaj to the front 01 New Zealand's goal. Browning tried to break through, but a mark by Seed, and tibe majmer In which Hay stopped another rweh served to oeotre" play. Stack started a rush, but PockJey fumbled a pass, and free kicks for offside play enabled New Zealand to. recover, and some excellent kicking- by Hay and Mackenzie accentuated the advantage. Offside play bj New Zealand 1 allowed Sydney to clear, end a minute later Macartney charged down a free kick taken by Hay. Play settled in Sydney ground, and presently, after Dansey had spoiled one- chance by punting, a high kick from the Sydney (backs brought the ball to the same player, ,who put in a. short, doggy run, and passed to Reid, tbe latter ignored about three puen waiting? to take febe pass, and kicked anto the midst of the Sydney backs. Then lOngley and Daneey gat moving, but offeide play spoiled any oh&noe they had, fend then Sydney forced after Grace had put in a. long kick. Brosnatn marked, but the kiok at goal went wide, and a long epell of p3ay in Byd<ney territory, varied by the bill being occasionally forced, ensued. Hay had another unsuccessful shot at goal from a mark, and, after a fine effort had been madie by Ong-ley, and BDoiled by Reid, Brosnan made a good tick and followed up very fast. 'But Lane got bhe ball, feinted and beat Broanan, and made a great run, which brought play snto the home twenty-five. At this stage Reynolds, the Sydney captain, retrrecl from the game with an injured knee, and was replaced by Lindeman. - After a long spell of play of little interest Seed initiated a passing rush, and transferred to Mackenzie, who, blocked near the corner, pased to Reid. The latter orosed the line, out lost Ijhe ball, and Sydney forced. Play centred in the opposite corner, where Ongiey made desperate but vain efforts to break through, but Sydiney presently cleared, and eorne fine passing between Hughes and Macartney was spoiled by offside play. Doyfe and Metcalfe were conspicuous in a dangerous rush to New Zealand ground, but play presently centred, and the spell ended with no score credited to either side. The New Zealandera, with a fairly strong wind, against them, took the offensive at the start of the second spell, but lack _of combination let the Sydney team pin them in fheir own ground. They cleared repeatedly, only to be again penned up by the visitors, who, however, by offside play constantly lost such advantages as they gained. Gradually, however, they wore down ihe resistance of the Blacks, and after a time a line-out ensued in New Zealand's" twenty-five. The half-back got the ball out smartly to Stack, Browning, and Pockley, and the latter raced round and got across the line with a New Zealander on top of him. Hughes failed with the kick Sydney 3 points. New Zealand ... . Nil. Sydney kept up the attack, Ottersen clearing once at a critical moment, and Stack being pulled down by Dansey when racinpr un tho line. Once or twice NewZealand broke away, but Sydney was not to be gainsaid, and presently a particularly smart bit of work tosk place. Hughes worked the blind side of a scrum and passed to Fisher, who raced over practically unopposed. The try was not converted Sydney ... . 6 points. / New Zealand . .. Nil. The visitors were becoming more dangerous every minute, and hot work ensued on New Zealand's line. Fisher retired hurt, but presently came on again to_ take Lane's place at full back, tho latter movmtr up to three-quarter. Sydney had been making desperate efforts to gee across, and then the ball was passed along from the corner, and Lane marked right in front of goal. The kick went wide. Hughes marked, and was also unsuccessful. New Zealand temporarily cleared, after hot work, and a scrum enB';ed near half-way. Hughes passed to Browning, who did some jinking, and being tackled sent a long end difficult pass to Lane, who took it neatly and scored, Hughes kicking a goal. .>VtTn»»y 11 rioints. New Zealand . . . . Nil. When play recommenced, the ball w«ts kicked out to Fisher, who, from a handy position, potted a neat goal. Sydney . . 15 points. New Zealand Ni'. New Zealand uuddeniy showed mo« dash, and Seed put in a smart run, but the chance v»as spoiled by faulty passing-. Suddenly from a line-out Ongley got possession, and raced away up the field, with Dansey hovering close, and the Sydney men making terrific efforts to overtake !<irij. He was tackled from behind, but feinted cleverly, and was released. A fevr moro yards were gainpd, and (hen he en-counte.-ed the full back. He passed quickly to Dansey, who streaked in and touched down between the posts. He took the kick himself, and converted the try. Sydney 15 points. New Zealand . 5 points. Hughes rushed play i.ght into New Zealand ground, but his pass was missed, and then Ongley was conspicuous in play that cleared New Zealand's line. Play ended in midfieid, with the final score : — Sydney 15 points. New Zealand .. . 5 points. There were, really, only two patches of play in the whole matcn worth noting — that moment of clean, quick passing from the line-out by which Sydney gained their first try, and the run of Ongley and Dansey up the field near the termination of the i-econd spell. Otherwise, play was not equal to that of a local First Grade match. The New Z<?alanders were not by any means U pical cf a Dominion University team. There was no combination among- the backs — due, doubtless, to the fact that the New Zeaianders had had practically no practice together — and the forwards were without •dash, combination, or resourcefulness. The passing of ihe Sydney men was better, but with one or two exceptions \erv disappointing; but their forwards show^cf mcr? •dash, and they were much heavier. NVw Zealand failed altogether to take advantage of tlrc wind in the first spell, ar.d the ! ■Blacks' hard_ kicks negatived their opportunities again and again. When emls ■ were changed the New Zealandors were a beaten team, snd only the extraordinary 'facility with which tke Sydney representative* got off-fide and were penalised pre-

vented a much larger score being recorded ' in favour of the latter. The Sydney men's greater tackling powers, better; passing, greater combination, and heavier pack practically gave them the game* Taking the playera individually, there was little difference- between the two sides. Ongley, Hay, and Dansey, for New Zealand, and Lane, Pookley, and Fisher for Sydney, were very conspicuous throughout the game, but while the Sydney men had their opportunities frequently made for them, earn New Zealander, owing to lack of combination, was practically playing on hip own. Metcalfe and Macartney did exceptionally good work among the Sydney forwards, while Seed was possibly the best forward on the ground. Mr W. J. Wilson was an efficient and , capable referee.