FOOTBALL.

Southland Times, Issue 18854, 21 June 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S GAMES. INTERESTING PLAY SEEN. The continued spell of good weather has been responsible for increased attendances and keener interest on the part of the public in the doings of footballers. There was a good crowd on Rugby Park on Saturday, the ordinary “gate” being increased by a strong contingent from Bluff. Bluff and Public Service fought out a great battle on No. I area, the game being drawn. Union defeated Banks and Law after a solid game, in which the Union pack proved the deciding factor. PUBLIC SERVICE (C) v. BLUFF (6). (Black). (Red and Gold). Public Service.—Backs: Fortune; Saunders, O'Callaghan, Mackenzie; Macdonald, J. Dalgieish ; L. Dalgleish; furwanLs :Stobo ; McDermott, Holz; Sprout, Anderson, Kingsland; Cameron and Hunter. Bluff.—Backs: Swale; Murphy, Hamilton, Johnson; Brown, Galbraith; Finnerty; forwards: Potter; West Gilroy; Wroblcnski, Budd, Trembath; Winter and Fisher.

From their kick-01l the Service forwards ran to the Bluff twenty-five, but the heavier Bluff pack stopped the rush. Service attempted two passing movement,-) but Macdonald's pass went wide both times. After serambly play tho Bluff forwards, headed by Hamilton, cleared to half-way and then eame to Service's twenty-five. They kept up the attack, but the Service hacks defended solidly and finally Fortune drove them hack to half-way with two penalty kicks. J. Dalgleish, receiving from a scrum, kicked high up and a last Service rush went in Bluff's line. Service sent the bull out to their backs, but (./Callaghan was tackled with the ball. A Black forward kicked too hard and Bluff forced. A fine passing rush, in which the Service backs from Dalgleish to Saunders handle!, ended in the latter being pushed nut at lh,; corner. The Bluff pack worked to half-way, where play remained for some time. J. Dalgleish kicked high down the centre and Service nearly scored, but bad handling enabled Bluff to force. The Service attack was becoming too strong and Macdonald, after a good run, cut in and passed to Stobo, to Fortune, who came up fast along the line from a long way back to score well out. Fortune’s kick failed. From forward play in the centre Cameron and L. Dalgleish took play to Bluff’s twenty-live. Bluff hooked the ball from a scrum, but the Service wing-forward, Siobo, beat the half for the ball and, after a dribbling run well into Bluff’s twenty-five, picked up and transferred to Sprout, to Saunders who scored in the corner. Fortune’s kick again missed. Service 6; Bluff nil. From the kick-off the Bluff forwards came away with a solid rush, but off side play nullified their efforts. Fortune had two unsuccessful shots at goal from a long way hack. Wiih their heavy scrum. Bluff were hooking the ball, but their backs were so slow that the faster men of the Service pack were able to give their backs assistance in stopping the Bluff backs. Macdonald marked to stop a fierce Bluff forward rush. A long kick and follow by Fortune transferred play to Bluff's line, but the Bluff pack came away again to the other end of the field and entered Service's twenty-live for the first lime. Fortune stopped a dangerous rush with safe linofinders. From a free kick Finnerty placekicked for goal and the ball went just under the bar. Half time sounded. Holz returned the kick-off well down and play hung round half-way for a time. The Bluff forwards were playing with more dash and the Service backs had a hard time defending. A passing rus-h by the Bluff backs was upset and Stobo cleared. After being beaten back first by Sproat and then by J. Dalgleish the Bluff pack, playing two wing forwards, moved to Service’s twenty-five. Finnerty gained some ground by working the blind side. Service forced. Hamilton took a place kick from quarter way and tho ball went just outside the post. A kick and follow by Macdonald gave Service a brief relief, but Finnerty led the Bluff backs to the Service line again where hard kicking lost a good chance and enabled Service to force. Finnerty missed a fairly easy shot at goal, but shortly afterwards from a free kick in a good position he kicked a goal. Public Service 6; Bluff 3. The return of the kick-off was charged down by the Service forwards. Bluff were fighting hard and after two of their passing rushes had been stopped with solid tackling their forwards again came into Service’s twenty-five. From a scramble near the line Budd passed to Finnerty, to Johnston, who scored wide. Finnerty failed with the kick. Public Service 6; Bluff 6. Service rallied and a great battle between the forwards took place. An exchange of kicks along the line ended at half-way. Hamilton had a kick at goal, but the ball went along the ground. The game ended in the dark,

a draw. Public Service (two unconverted tries), 6 points; Bluff (one unconverted try and one penalty goal), 6 points. UNION (9) v. BANKS & LAW (nil). (Red and Black). (Blue and Black). Union —Murray; Mills Lawrence, Galbraith, Stewart, Cockroft, Lcete, Smith, Kelly, Ashley, Macdonald, Kelly L., and Mirldlcmiss. Banka and Law. —Delargey, Gilmour, St. George, Matheson, Pryde, Christophers, Lopdcll, Dykes, Irving, Broughton, Prain, Pope, Kirkland and Stead.

Banks kicked off and immediately attacked. Play settled down in the Union end, but a line kick relieved. Banks continued to attack, however, and a line kick by St. George again took play into Union territory. From a line-out Broughton passed to his backs, each back handling in turn, but Christophers was tackled near the corner. A mark gave Union temporary relief, but Banks came again and forced play into Reds’ country. Play became very interesting, the ball travelling up and down the field until hard kicking near their line enabled Union to force. The Union forwards now took a hand and forced play into Blues twenty-five, but a nice line kick by Stead reliev.ed, who later stopped another Union rush. Off-side play, however, gave Union a kick right in front, but Cockroft failed to convert. The Union forwards resumed the attack into Blues’ territory, but the Blue backs, gaining possession, transferred play into Union end, where a free kick gave Union relief. From a lino-out Union got possession and endeavoured to open the game up. hut faulty passing spoilt the movement. Union continued to attack and play centred on the Blues’ line, but hard kicking by Red forwards enabled Blues to force. From the drop-out Stewart with a good long kick returned the leather to Blues’ twenty-five, but Stead with a nice line kick relieved. Union attacked and forced play on to the Blue line, but the defence was sound and Gilmour relieved. Off-side play gave Blues a free kick, but the return brought play well into Blues twenty-five. Union by hard kicking again enabled Blues to force. The Union forwards appeared by off-ride play to throw away a certain try. Play was again very interesting, the ball travelling up and down the field. Union continued to attack and forced play to Blues’ line where Lopdcll gaining possession kicked well uphold and Broughton by fast, following up smothered the return and play centred at half-way. The teams then moved to No. 2 area and Union continued to attack and were soon at the Blues’ line. Gilmour relieved and Lopdcll following up fast took play to the centre. Back came the Union forwards, only to be checked by Stead. Half-time was called, with Reds still at-

tacking. From the kick-off Union took the offensive and forced play well up the field, when Lopdell ran well down the line and kicked into touch. The Union backs, handling well, looked dangerous, but Gilmour tackled soundly and relieved with a neat run. ’Die Banks forwards then counter-

attacked, taking play well into Red territory, a force finally relieving the defence. Gilmour had poor luck in kicking the ball to touch in goal. Play was now very even, in neutral ground, where Gilmour, taking the hall nicely, kicked well down the line. Union were not to be denied and fast following by Stewart saw Blues in trouble. Christophers relieved, but from a line-out the Union backs handled nicely and Roberts took play right _ to Blues line, where Christophers again relieved. The’ Union forwards came again and from a line out kicked over the Blues line, another force. From the kick the Union forwards kept up the pressure and Cockroft found touch near the line. The Red forwards wore trying hard to get over, but the defence was too sound, Blues forcing. At the kick off the hall went into touch and a scrum was ordered in front of Blues 2,5. The Blue backs got possession and kicked too hard, the Reds marking and returning to Blue territory- The Union forwards made a desperate attempt to score, but offside play by Cockroft gave the Blues relief. The union forwards however continued to-attack and Stewart forced his way over near the corner. The kick failed. Union 3; Banks and Law nil. Union continued to attack, but the Blues’ defence was sound. Fast following up by Christophers from a free kick saw play shifted to the Union lino and Blues marked right in front, but Dykes failed with the shot. From the drop out, the Blues attacked but Retls defence was solid and taking up the offensive the Union forwards went away in groat style, taking play right down the field, Smith .-■coring a fine try. The kick at goal failed. Union G; Banks and Law nil. From the drop out Cockroft got possession beat several opponents and carried play to the Bluesline, where from a scrum McDonald scored. 'The kick also failed and the game ended without further score. Union (three unconverted tries) 9 points; Banks and Law nil.

JUNIOR GAMES. Public Service 9 v. Marist Old Boys 3. The match between Public Service and Marist Old Boys was a much evener game than tho scores indicate. At half time the score was three all. In the next spell Service scored two tries. The tries for Service were scored by Raines, Macgregor and O’Connor. INTER-ISLAND MATCH. THE REFEREE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 18. The Referees Appointment Board has selected Mr A. C. Kit to to be referee in t lie match North Island v. South Island, to be played in Wellington on June 20. THE LEAGUE GAME. ENGLAND v. QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, June 20. (Received June 20, 5.5 p.m.) Twenty thousand people witnessed the England v. Queensland League game, which was very fast throughout, England winning by 25 points to 15. HOCKEY. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ COMPETITION. The following is the draw for the opening matches of the primary schools’ hockey competition, which will begin on June 26 at 2.15 p.m.;— Waihopai v. St. George (Doon street). North v. Middle (Queen’s Park). South school, a bye. SCULLING. BARRY INDISPOSED. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, Juno 19. Barry, the English sculler, is indisposed and has discontinued training. OLYMPIC TEAM. AUSTRALIANS’ SUCCESS AT DURBAN. CAPETOWN, June 19. (Received June 20, 5.5 p.m.) The\ Australian Olympic team participated in sports at Durban with all round success. Hunt won the 100 yds and 200 yds handicaps, Hewitt went a mile in 5.10. Bcaurepaire won the 100 yds and 200 yds swimming handicaps, Miss Bcaurepaire the 100 yds ladies’ swim, and Parke won the mile walk.