FOOTBALL NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 15, 25 June 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL NOTES.

SATURDAY'S GAMES. BLUFF (6) v. PUBLIC SERVICE (6). Bluff brought up a heavy team of forwards and backs to meet the most consistent side in the League Banner games, and on the play deserved at least a draw. Service had two substitutes in the vanguard, a risky patching against Bluff's physique in that part of their attack. Shortly after the beginning of the play Service moved McDonald out to centre, O'Callaghan replacing him at second five. Bluff were playing one or two old-timers whose weight and expierience despite their evident lack of a gallop, were of sterling service to their side. In the first spell Service used their backs to advantage, the forwards playing a fast, open game with the result that two tries were scored by combined passing rushes of forwards and backs. It cannot be said that Bluff used thj weight at their disposal in the first spell, and, even when they got the ball, the Service forwards by breaking quickly usually managed to smother Bluff passing before the open field had been reached, Service played well to their backs, but the passing was not up to their usua-1 standard, though at times flashes of clean, welltimed transferring were exhibited. The first try of Service opened out on McDonald achieving his cut-in. Being supported by Stobo, the venture was brought to success by Fortune who scored wicle. Stobo initiated the next movement when he booted the ball almost out of Bluff half's hands to dribble on to gathering position and then to pass to Sproat who fed Saunders towards the corner. Service 6, Bluff nil. In the second spell Bluff used their weight better, playing an extra forward. They might have been expected to brush opposition aside, but Service pack proved their condition by stemming the tide of rainbow scrummers the Black backs generally defending well. Service allowed Bluff to make it a forward game, not realising that by opening up the play they would have more chance of ruck feed, long lines being the defence against heavy packing scrummers. Bluff's forward advantage in this spell gave them the ball in the setscrums, and allowed them to check Service feed in the loose, Service backs being smothered before they got the ball clear of the forward drives. No doubt this explained some of the rather wild transfers of the defenders. Bluff got their first three from a penalty ; the second score came from Budd, whose blossoming-out as a feeder of backs is worthy of repetition in matches to come. His half, Finnerty, being where haJves should always be — right behind the ball — received the Budd lob, which he sent out to wing-thr,ee Johnson, the result adding to the score the bare three. Ihe game ended Bluff 6, Service 6. UNION (9) v. BANKS AND LAW (0). As usual Banks and Law came away smartly, moving into Union's plot but failing, the patches in the raiment being evident at the first attempt to pass. The combined team has been up against fate in casualties, and they were unwi.se to risk getting Stead permanently injured. When the little condition they possessed had evaporated, their work was nothing like that of the dinky team that was wont to 'delight the fairer occupants of the stand before their social endeavours had tired them out for strenuous, sustained rugger, and no one watching their futile game on Saturday would think they had scored 43 points in their four matches. Saturday's stock in comparison with Wednesday's has gone down with a flop, few now considering. that as a quartette the Saturday teams can compare with the Wednesday ones. Is there any chance of a revival all round in the keenness for training? A few more matches like those of last Saturday will leave the seiectors with fewer men to choose from. Union have now 8 shield points, Banks and Law have 4. Union's scoring power did not show up until their opponents were tired of running and more weary of not being kicked into restful lines by their backs. Then the bustling Union forward Stewart got the first three wide. Union 3. Came along all the Union forwards with Smith to finish a magnificent rush. Union 6. The third try was opened by- Cockroft fooling an anticipating back, D. McDonald later securing from the checking scrum to score and bring the total to, Union 9, Banks and Law nil. Union loked as if they could play another 45 minutes.