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FOOTBALL.
ADELAIDE V. SOUTH ADELAIDE.
The South Adelaides showed such poor form
when pitted against Geelong that the fourth
match between them and the Adelaides was
looked upon as almost a foregone conclusion
for the red-and-blackfi, and only about 1,500
people assembled on the City Oval to witness
tbe contest oa Saturday afternoon. Both dabs ,
put strong teams into the field, tbe. only
vacancy in the Souths' ranks, which was caused
by the absence of Define, being filled by
Taylor. Tde Adelaides secured the choice of
goals, but this was of little advantage, as the
wind blew almost straight asrose the ground, j
varying slightly at times, although not
sufficiently to materially help either side. The
weather was fine, and the ground in good order.
The Souths kicked off towards tbe dty goal, j
and failing to get away from the return were
quickly in difficulties, the Adelaides getting to.
work at once and rushing the ba'l down the
centre. Twice Mebrtens and Coombe relieved,
and readied the entrance, but J. D. Stephens
and bis brothers and Pettinger again Jaaded
the ball within kicking distance of the Suutha'
sticks. For a few minutes jtlookej as if the
red-and-blacks -were bound to draw firxt blood
at once, but Mclntyre upset their calculations
by returning down the centre while liis oppo
nents were waiting for him on t'le wings.
Walsh, sen., backed him up in his efforts, and
Miller centred. Warren _ relieved in good
style, and R. Stephens passing to Pettinger on
the pavilion wing the last-named by a fine run
lodged tbe ball well in front of the Souths'
ports. The Souths offered a stout resistance,
and Cooke and Mebrtens got away to the gate
wing in succession, but their confreres were
beaten each time, and tbe ball went back.
The second return was effected by Hooper,
who centred. J. Coonan marked trom him,
and before the Souths could get back
passed to Spiller, who with no one between lum
aud the posts, ran forward and punted the ball
through—l goal in 10 minutes. A behind
followed to tbe Adelaides from an easy running
shot by R. Stephens, aud then the Soaths
settling down to steady work carried the ball
along vie stand wing. Aided by a couple of frees
given against the Adelaides for infringement of
the rules, tbe premiers of last season invaded
their opponents' teiritoty, and scored a behind.
Centre play followed, but tbe South*) again
worked the ball forward and secured a second
bthind. A free to R Stephens against the
Souths for kicking out enabled the Adelaides
to reach the centre, but Walsh, sen., beating his
man, returned. Merrigan centred, and Barker
mat king notched first goal for South Adelaide
just as ends were changed, making the pegging
level. The nd aud-blacks were quickly in
difficulties again, and after the Souths had
notched a couple of behinds, Mclutyie marked
from the kick-off, and be and Merrigan passed
to Miller, who caused tbe second goal to be
chalked up to the blue-aud-whites' credit by
a splendid left foot kick from a very difficult
angle at 40 yards distance. _ The Adelaides
bad become somewhat disorganised, and
despite tbe fact that they got away with the
ball from the kick-off, their opponents soon
had them under tbe whip once more, and
Mclntyre passing to Eames at 45 yards from
tbe timbers, the third goal was registered.
The premiers now rallied, and succeeded iv
scoring a behind, which came from the foot of
John .Stephens. From this out till half-time,
however, they were hemmed iv, and when the
bell sounded tbe scores were—South Adelaide,
3 goals 5 behinds ; Adelaide, 1 goal 2 behinds.
On resuming the blue asd-whites led off
brilliantly, and despite tbe fine defence of Cox
and Warren, Merngan by a fiying shot added
a behind to their total. A free to Cox enabled
the Adelaides to relieve the pressure, aad
getting the ball forward they completely
hemmed their opponents in. A couple of
behinds were notched, and then John Stephens
andShariand passed to H. King, who from
20 yaids placed the sphere between the piets.
1 he Souths rushed the ball forward from the
start, and Miller marking from Harker had a
shot, but failed to cover the distance,
aud a behind was the outcome. Taylor marked
from tbe kick-off, bnt R. Stephens relieved,
snd the ball going back Giles was enabled to
score a behind. Ends were then changed for
the last time, and although the Adelaides were
still a goal and a couple of behinds to tbe bid
they led away with great confidence. Ronnie
veil gave Lander a chanse to score, bat be
failed to avail himself ot it, and the ball was
carried back to the gate by Coombe and
Mebrtens. Tbe red-and black followers g*>tou
to the leather before it passed the centre line,
and rushing it forward ki -ked it through off the
X round, mat ing tbe pegging level. A -short but
keen straggle ensued, the ball being rushed aU
over the ground; hut the Adebideg ctcried
the ball down the centre of the geuuad, and J.
&ODU kicked tbe winning goal amidst cheers.
1 he Souths now rallied, and landed tbe object
of contention in the hands of Miller, who was
prevented from sending it between tbe posts by
Ct x, wbo marked high in tbe air. For a time
tbe blue-and whites continued to keep the
leather hovering around their opponents' goal,
bnt they failed to score. At length tbe scene
of operations was changed to the other end of
the ground, and after a behind bad bee?
notched by the red-aad-blacks J. Coonan ones
more placed the ball between the posts. Time
was then called, leaving the Souths in a
minority of 2 goals, the scores being—Adelaide^
5 goals 7 behinds; South Adelaide, 3 goals
7 behinds. Mr. Turpenny acted as field
umpire.
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