Football Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 15, 14 July 1894, Page 12

Football Notes

TOWN v. EASTERN DISTRICT

This match, together with the facilities offered by the Railway Department attracted a large number of visitors to Core on Wednesday. The day was a fine sunny one but a sharp easterly wind blowing across the ground made matters somewhat unpleasant to both spectators and players. The Town team was acknowledged to be the best that could be obtained and the country had got together a company of excellent representatives. The town were fortunate in winning the toss thereby securing the benefit of the wind but having the sun in their faces. The country team were the heavier all round but the weight lay more among the backs and the forwards of the two teams remained about equal. The game from the first located itself in the Country half, and the quickness of the Town forwards, coupled with the passing combination of the backs resulted in a series of attacks on the Colours’ goal and presently Hawthorn, Mcßobie, and Donaldson crossed the line, in addition to which Bain was twice nearly •over. A goal was kieked by Man son from Mcßobie’s try, but the others were failures. Score at the end of first spell -• 11 points to nil. The second spell was chiefly a repetition of the first, the play being almost entirely in the Country half. Once or twice however, the Country men played up and once carried the ball to the Town line, but the defence was always secure, a force down being the only point registered against the Town. As was expected the combination of the four Star backs was too much for the Countrymen, who had probably no' opportunity of acquiring concerted action. Bain (2), Farquharran and Murphy scored, and one try was improved by Manson, making the game at the close 24 points to nil. Concerning the individual play, Royds Doig and Hutchinson among the Country backs played a good game, Doig, however, having some difficulty in keeping his feet. The full-back, Clark, also was very efficient in the defensive game, his picking up and saving being very clean. Maloney, Sherwood and Mclvor were, perhaps, the pick of the forwards. Among the Town men, Farqnharson played a fine forward game, considered the best on the field. He was ably assisted by Me Robie and Ashcroft, and in fact the whole f of the forward team did first-class work. Among the backs, Bain certainly got the lion’s share of the “ fat,’’ and had a good day out. He has seldom given a better exhibition. Hawthorne, on the contrary, experienced harder luck, the game mainly going away from him, but what he did was well done, Jenkins and Tapper were as usual “ all there,” and initiated most of the work which resulted in the scoring, Manson played with good judgment when called upon, which was seldom, Donaldson at centre three quarters was, well —he was Donaldson, and that is sufficiently expressive of the excellence of his play.

Mr R. Galbraith was referee, and Messrs J. H, C. Hunter and J. Taylor were line umpires. The selection committee were all on the ground “ takin* notes.” The spectators were numerous, and vociferous, but exceedingly fair in their judgment. The Gore Brass Band was also present. The Star Seconds were too many for the Pirates B team by 16 points to nil. The match Britannia v. I.F.C. (2nd) played on the Union ground, was won by the Britannia by II points to 3. Mr E. B. McKay gave every satisfaction as referee. The Britannia Club has sustained a loss, McCutcheon, who was a rattling good player, having gone North.

The match North-Eastern (N. and E. Invercargill) v. Georgeton Club resulted in a win for the latter by 8' points (goal and try) to nil. Crowthers (H. and J.) scored a try each; Prom the former Reid placed a neat goal. Mr A. Ball acted as referee, and gave general satisfaction.