Football Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 25, 15 September 1894, Page 5

Football Notes

OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND. This annual fixture was decided on the Union Grounds, Invercargill, on Wednesday, and resulted in favour of Southland by three points (one try) to nil. The Otago team arrived by Tuesday’s express, and were located at Deschler’s Hotel. The hopes entertained for fine weather were dispelled by a southerly buster arriving on Wednesday morning, and the game was marred by heavy rain and hailstorms. When the teams reached the ground it was found to be saturated with water, which stood in some places several inches deep. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather some 1200 people were present when the teams lined out at 3 p.m. It was found on a comparison of weights and physique that the Otagons had the advantage by about 31bs. per man. The discrepancy was, however, wholly among the Southland backs, and the forwards were about equally matched in weight. Jenkins captained the home team, and McFarlane the visitors ; the former won the toss, selected the northern end, and McFarlane kicked off. As was to be expected the game was chiefly confined to the forwards, the backs having to contend with a greasy ball and uncertain foothold. The game immediately settled in Southland quarters, and for a few minutes Otago looked like scoring, their forwards playing with much dash, but the Southlanders pulling themselves together transferred the play to the centre flag, and presently set up a strong attack on the Otago line. With the exception of one good passing excursion to the Southland line by the Otago when what looked like a certain score was stopped by fine collaring on Oockroft’s part, the game for the most part oscillated in

the Otago half. An accident to th« Otago full-back (Ross) delayed the game ten minutes, but be was able, though crippled, to resume his place. Donaldson and Mcßobie were each within an ace of scoring, and at lash in a rush over the line D. Mcßobie managed to best two of his opponents and secured a touch down which was not improved upon. The second spell was ranch a repetition of the first without any further score. The Southland forwards evidently in good training had the best of the spell, although the Ota go men were occasionally right on the home line. The spell was faster than the first, and the ball travelled quickly from end to end, but. the defence on both sides was impregnable, and no further score resulted. Under the circumstances the game was not a bad exhibition, afforded, the spectacle of first-class ability handicapped by adverse conditions. The visitors’ backs were evidently able exponents of the game, and had the day been dry we are pretty well satisfied that they would have proved too much for the local men and the victory been with the Otago side. On the other hand the Otago forwards were inferior to the Southland men, who had decidedly the best of the scrambling. Cockroft, the Southland fullback, played an exceedingly reliable game without an error. The other backs were not brilliant but played discreetly. The forwards all worked well in their respective places, both on the line out and in the pack. Farquharson, Bullman, and U. Mcßobie deserve special mention, and Royds was prominent in the seoond spell. For the Otago team Crawford was invaluable behind the scrum and Best was very serviceable at stopping rushes. Among the forwards McFarlane, Esquilant, and McLaren showed up prominently. Mr R. Mcßobie acted as referee, and Messrs Monkman and Taylor as line umpires. Penalty kicks were few and the game very harmonious.

The visitors were entertained to dinner in the evening at Deschler's; Hotel. The president of the S.R.F.IJ. (Mr A. F. Hawke) was in the chair. A well selected toast list was gone through and speeches felicitous to the occasion made by the Chairman, Messrs Horthcote, McFarlane, Monkman, Galbraith, Farquharson, R. McRobie, and others. Harmony was supplied by Messrs Mcl/aren, Taylor, Grenfell, Horthcote, Monkman, Ross, Godward, and Murphy. The Otago men returned to Dunedin by Thursday’s train, expressing themselves well satisfied with their visit and promising their rivals a good reception for the return match, in Dunedin on the 22nd.