FOOTBALL NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 17, 9 July 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL NOTES.

SATURBAY'S GAMES. PUBLIC SERVICE (14) v. UNION (7). The teams were : — Public Service. — Backs : O'Callaghan; Saunders, Fortune, Mackenzie ; McDonald, J. Dalglesh ; L. Dalgleish; forwards: Stobo, Langbein, Wilson, McDermott, Anderson, Sproat; Cameron, Hunter. Union. — Baclrs : Eunson ; Roberts, Gockroft, Macdonald ; Ashley, N. Kelly ; E. Kelly ; forwards : Stewart, Leete, Deegan, Smith, Galbraith, Lawrence, Mills, Murray.

There was some wind from the northeast and Stewart' s kick-off was- checked to half-way, after which play hovered about the middle in an undecided manner, McDonald eventually cutting in from J. Dalgliesh's pass and being well dumped for Service to lose ground. A kick would have given a chance of atta-cking position. A flash of Union forward play followed, but the Service first relieved. A successful appeal for off-side play sent the ball to middle, when from a line movement a rebound was ruled a knock-on and play halted. Service backs did a coupLe of illtimed transfers, and Union forwards were just stopped by a cross from Dalgliesh, his substitute wing not coming up in time to attempt a dive check. Several more successful appeals brought Iong range kicking; but Service secured, for the side to lose ground with running across. Union forwards were straining but were beaten back by heeling and line-finding, Service five at length getting one to his second, McDonald, who cut in and sent to Sproat, the last named feeding McRenzie close to the corner. Union got out quickly enough, and bad exchanges and weak football occupied the time it took for the ball to come back to the middle flag. McDonald got clear and Saunders failing to reach him Dalgliesh came in twice, the effort finishing as usual in the man being sent out near the corner. Inefficient punting let Cockroft head a good rush, but a line saw Cameron feed Dalgleish who crossed with boot to find his wing not there, the ball again being cornered through Union back inefficiency. Union swept the attack back to the 25, and Union were penalised for a touched punt. Langbien later secured and with a good feint got clear to pass to McDonald who sent to Saunders— to the old corner. A strong Union rush of Leete, Deegan, and Lawrence was checked, J. Dalgleish feeding Fortune well to score wide. Service 3. From the 25, Cockroft came up from the backs with a good, spoiling dash but found no one to carry on the good work, although his forwards were doing much strenuous ground recovery that the backs should bave giined by booting. The heeling and kicking of the Service backs saved rather stale forwards, but though Fortune feinted to the open, the ball passed from one side to the other, Stobo ending the effort with a kick-out. Union cleared in a trice, and some laughable speculations followed with the disgusted ball sneaking out at halfway to escape the rotten football. The line allowed poor one-handed pawings, and a lash fed McDonald who made a run, finishing by a bad hump to his Union namesake, the latter being unfit for play during the remainder of the game. Service backs tacckled again, but Cockroft rusned through and cleared, sending the play to past the middle flag. Union forwards got into stride, but were penalised, but they came back. J. Dalgliesh made a sound taekle, which however could not halt the on-rush, and from a scrum half Kelly received to dive over in quick time. Union 3, Service 3. In placing the ball the Union evidently did not think it was down, Service charge. being allowed, no kick taking place. If the ball was not put down intentionally, Service had a right to the kick. Half-time found the score three all. Public Service ran into attack at once through a good return by O'Callaghan, but Union sent them back, the dribhle being spoilt by an excited lash, half Dalgleish feeding O'Callaghan with whpm the ball stayed. Galbraith and Deegan came into notice with dribbles, but O'Callaghan blocked. Union came again, Cockroft rushing up from five. On the sedpient line Service forwards failed to pack, but Wilson cleared with a strong rush which did not go on, Union Jorwards coming into a great assault to be checked by Service half to middle. Union line secured, but Saunders marked the kick, the next return finding Cameron divT'ng and securing the intending kicker, much ground being saved, Service fed,

and McKenzie was pushed out in the south-east corner at about five yards from hcme. Service were unlucky in receiving a free when their backs weTe in motion ju:t on the line, the goaling attempt being poor. A long attack by Union followed, for once kicking into position finding favo ir and success, and Service backs had some tackling to do and do well. A cross by Service first was not wing-supported and the Union pack got along the field, when a free saw Union fumble the place, Service charge, Cockroft pick up the ball and kick, Roberts secure and pot. Union 7, Service 3. Langbien headed. a rush, and appealed for being lield when not in possession. Union now came into good loose work, and J. Dalgliesh did most of the defence, a pair of frees ending in a force. Service worked to Union 25, where a mark and an off-side failed to increase their score so the great Union pack dribled to half-way, some handling occuring later and finding several Service backs weak in tackle. A kick came to Fortrme who cut a man and fed McDonald, the unbettered three leaving Union 7, Service 6. Deegan headed a Union rush to Service 25, where Saunders checked well in spite of an injured shoulder. Then followed a period of soccer among Rugby backs, McDonald dribbling through from about half-way. Service 9, Union 7. Union pack again shone, but a defence pass by Service half to McKenzie went to over half-way. Then the Service heeled and kicked for position, a mark checking. Union tried a pass but lost ground'by not kicking, preferring to transfer to standing men. Still the big scrummers worked it down, Service packing not being resorted to. Kelly gained further ground, but Cameron cleared with a strong dash, the line coming at half-way. Cockroft made an extra. forward, his powerful frame bringing him well through, a free at the lad being post-ed and swung to the corner. Scrambles, in front of Service goal saw Union unable or unwilling to give their backs work, the Union continued attack headed by -Cockrolt, finally sent back by O'Callaghan, the temporarily tired Union forwards allowing Service into their 25, where Fortune was well fed to score near the posts, McKenzie goaling. Service 14, Union 7. Union forwards again tbok charge, but the half and Fortune cleared. Again Union rushed the ball to the corner, out the effort had tired them, and Service; easily cleared to half way. Then the whistle was heard for the last time, with the score, Service 14, Union 7. With a set of even fair backs, Union must have won ; but they have no machinery for getting tries, all their attacking ventures beginning and ending with their really fine forwards.

BLUFF (18) Y. BANKS AND LAW (3). The teams were : — Bluff — -Backs : Gilroy ; Murphy, Phillipson, Long ; Galbraith, Brown ; Fin nerty. Forwards : Fisher, Winter, Wroblenski, Trembath, West, Tall, McQuarrie and Hamilton. Banks and Law — Backs : Lopdell, Gilmour, Prain ; St. George, Stead ; Dykes. Forwards : Pryde, Knox, Wilcox, Broughton, Mahoney, Christophers and Lainheth. The losers hegan with eleven men and finished with twelve, Rugby sides . being fifteen. " They were unfortunate in~not being able to raise the quota; for Bluff backs soon used the ball they received, Bluff showing a marked improvement in handling, the first spell yielding six points, though their out of position tendencies would have been disastrous to them with a full side against them. The Banks came into several attacks, tfut their forwards were lighter than usual and their backs sparser. The few town side attacks were easily cleared, and Bluff scored four more tries of fair merit, the Banks and Law solitary coming from a kick and followed by speedy half Dykes. Bluff are now anxious to meet the Public Service team with an increase of confidence in their rapidly progressing backs and their gigantic forwards.