Football Gossip

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 22, 26 August 1893, Page 9

Football Gossip

TRIALS.

[By. Umpire.] Wednesday’s match was a very good one for the spectators, the ball travelling rapidly from end to end in brilliant passes and dribbling rushes—-first by one side and then by the other. The Maroons, who had the advantage of the sun in the first spell, quickly asserted (heir superiority, and scored pretty consistently all through the game, four trios being scored in each spell to one by the Colours. Three goals were placed by the Maroons, bringing up their score to 25 points to 5. Cockroft’s play was of a very high order, both on the attack and defensive, and he had a good deal of both. Rogers was the mainstay of the Maroons, his play on Wednesday stamping him as the smartest we have seen perform down this way. His try in the second spell was well-earned and lie thoroughly deserved the applause bestowed upon him by spectators and players alike. Rain has seldom performed better, and although he did not score himself, he was the means of at least two of the tries being scored. Wills, on defence, is the best of the backs, his low collaring and gjod kicking being excellent. His try was a very clever piece of piay. Mcßobie was in great form and fed his centre judiciously, albeit he hung a little occasionally. Cuff played one of his bese games of the season and scored a try, Grenfell letting him by softly. N. Mcßobie was a good bit ahead of the rest of his men, and, besides scoring two tries, played an all-round brilliant game. Ramsay is undoubtedly the best wing forward we have had here, and, with the exception of one glaring mistake in the first spell, he played a very good game. lie is also credited with a try. Heave was not brilliant, but besides scoring a try he put in some’ honest work. O. Todd was very good on the line, and with Mcßobie headed most of the Maroon rushes. Molloy seemed lost among the town boys, but he put in some good hard graft. Murphy, Karquharson and Jenkins (who also scored a try) were always about when wanted. Ashcroft did some tall following up. He is the fittest man in the team. To come to the colours ; It is almost needless to say that their backs lost them the game.' In the first spell Grenfell played full back, but was not up to his usual form—-his collaring being off. Kuesell has never played worse, and Knucky should have been kept among the forwards. McKay was the best of the backs, starting some good passing rushes, but was not well backed up. Tapper scored the only try for his side, and looked very much like scoring another. He appeared over eager in watching his opposing half, and consequently overran the ball. Donaldson was,a little off in the first spell, but in the second played capitally, and in conjunction with McKay did some good defensive work. Manson played centre in the first spell and on the wing in the second, putting in some very good work. Of the forwards, Lock was the best on the ground, his play in the loose and line out being splendid. Hughes and Purdue also played good games, the latter taking the ball on the line, and breaking away time after time. Hast and Anthony played well together, and were at the head of most of the close play. Smith played a dashing game on the wing, and the rest put in good honest work, Connor’s tackling being specially worthy of mention. Mr R. Galbraith was referee, and with Messrs Hawke and Taylor followed the game closely throughout. The game was several times stopped owing to the ball bursting. Why not sixpence in and buy a new ball, boys ? Our Christchurch correspondent writes : The last two Saturday afternoons have been devoted to the trial matches in view of the approaching games with Otago and Southland. Nothing brilliant has been shown in these games; in fact many of the players have not exhibited their usual club form. Complaints have been made of the amount of club jealousy and partiality displayed; for example, a Merrivale man, if opposed to a club-mate, will generally not attempt to collar him. If this sort of thing is allowed to continue combination, a feature of last year’s representatives, will be wanting in this year’s team. The Otago Union is able to play the annual match with Canterbury on September 9th, and I understand the Canterbury Union is willing to play on that day.