Football Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 6, 12 May 1894, Page 12

Football Notes.

(By Umpire). PIRATES v. I.E.C. I don’t think even the most ardent and sanguine supporters of the Pirates imagined for one moment that such a number of points would be scored against the Blues on Wednesday last. Some, indeed, expected the Blacks to just about win with a narrow majority and see an . interesting game. Such, however, was not the case, as after the first ten minutes the I.F.C. never had a chance against the dashing rushes of the Pirate forwards. The play of the latter was very good indeed, each man evidently knowing his place, and, whal is more to the point, keeping it. Of course wing players being so much in the open have a good chance to shine, but I think I am justified in saying McKay was the best forward on the ground. Smith, on the other wing, showed good pace in following up, his speed gaining him two tries. Mcßobie, Anthony, Lock and Farquharson are a quartet that would not disgrace any team. All played up to their reputation. Of the others—Ennis, Mair and Purdue—one cannot speak too highly, as they are genuine players. Mcßobie and Tapper played well into one another’s hands, but both seem too ’ eager to get rid of the ball, especially Tapper. The latter made some very glaring mistakes in the open, but taken all through played a dashing game. Manson, Rodgers and Wills proved a good offensive trio, and with the exception of one very bad piece of play on Wills and Rodgers’ part in letting Russell away, played well into one another’s hands. Derbie had little or nothing to do in his place as full back, but I noticed him stealing rather close up when a passing rush was on. This is rather a dangerous habit for a full back to get into. I really do not know how to account for the crushing defeat of the Blues. Their backs were stronger than on the previous Wednesday, and the forwards (who held their own very well last week) were just about the same. Combination was away on a holiday, and although Todd, Ashcroft, Connor and iSiickless did good work individually, their efforts were too spasmodic to be of any great advantage. Of the backs the less said the better, Grenfell and Russell being the only two who attempted to stop rushes at all. Wade gave a certain try by passing back to Grenfell just on his own line, and of course the Blacks took advantage of it. The engaging of a hall and a little systematic training is necessary if the I.F.C. expect to have any show against Dunedin on the Queen’s Birthday. The only try scored by the Blues was a pretty piece of play, and Russell well deserved the applause bestowed on him. Messrs F. Matheson and R. Wild were line umpires, while Mr J. B. Taylor held the whistle, and seemed to have by no means an enviable billet.

The Star Club went to Win ton with 13 men, and put them down to the tune of 31 points to nil. With a good team of horses, flash drag, and good dinner to follow, all had a good outing. Mr R. Galbraith pleased all with the whistle. The Pirates A team defeated the I.F.C. second by 8 points to 6, after an even and interesting game; and the B team pulled off the treble event in one day by beating the Britannia second handsomely by 14 points to nil. Britannia first and Star second, played on the Eastern Reserve, resulted] in a win for the Star by 5 points to nil. The game was very determined and fast, and the Britannia had hard luck in not scoring on two or three occasions. Purdue was the mainstay of the forward division and Maley of the backs. Bain, Donaldson and Murphy played well for the Star, Murphy scoring the only try of the game. Kingsland, Hamilton and Wijson were about the best of an even lot of forwards. I

noticed two of last week’s Star first fifteen players included in the team. This should not be. allowed. Mr H*. Dalton made an efficient referee. Riverton beat Otautau by 19 point® to nil. The result shows that Riverton will be a hard nut to crack tin® season. There is some talk of rsking Mr Bowler of Core to act as referee in next week’s match Star v. Pirates.