The San Francisco call., 1908-10-04
Rugby Interest Centers
in Freshman Meet
Stanford and California Teams
Appear to Be Evenly
Matched
By William Unnack

The annual freshman Rugby game
between California and Stanford uni
versities is just two weeks off. and in
terest in the event at both institutions
Is working up TO fever heat Both
teams are playing excellent Rugby and
the players themselves seem TO grasp
the game much better than freshmen
have done in the last two years The
principal fault with the first year at
both universities is that of holding the
ball too long. This seems to be rooted
into the players from their experience
AT the intercollegiate game For the
vote their entire attention to the fresh
men and by October II there should be
big Improvement in this department
or the game,
The two teams seem to be more
evenly matched this year than previ-
ousiy, but California appears to have
backs are proficient in handling the
ball. AT times their passing rushes are
treat to look at. In this respect
Stanford is not quite as adept as It's
the opportunity offers.
RECORDS OF THE TEAMS
Both teams were defeated by the Bar
barians, by virtually the same score.
Both have played St Mary's college,
California having draw 6 to 81 and
win 6 to % against it. Stanford has
played st. Mary's only once and won
handily. IA to 8. Since then ST. Mary's
mas improved wonderfully and IL was
in their improved form that California
met the collegians.
The scramble for the Is positions on
either team is vigorous one. For each
aspirants. The Following have i'm
pressed me with their playing ability
and all around knowledge of the game
and number of them in all probability
vii be finally selected
CALIFORNIA
Fullback-Two men in particular.
Lawton and Kruger, seem to be rather
evenly matched for the honor. To me
better of it. He is heady player. uses
his lines splendidly and, above ALL
keeps In his own ground.
other backs-Gabriel, Harris, Weber.
evans, Elliot, Black, Mcdonald, Eyers,
Abbot. All are showing exceptional
ability. Gabriel, Harris and Evans in
particular. Each of these men has
good defense and attack. and Harris is
splendid kick either place or drop.
In the forwards there is an abun-
dance of material. Phleger is showing
up better than any of his mates and
ought TO be certainty. Others are
McNear, Bennett. Taylor, Carpenter.
Yates, Hale, Hansen, Wheeler, Craig,
Cooley and Barnett.
STANFORD
Fullback-As at California, more
tion, but Brown seems to be the one
to fill 1t. Like Lawten of California
he is cool. heady player and uses his
lines to great advantage.
Other backs-Everett seems to have
a good chance for the three quarter
line. Hatch, Whitney, Ish, T. Sanborn,
showing to advantage. A man who
bids fair to take the place left vacant
by Fenton is Freshman Erb. His kick.
ing Is splendid and his all around play
Of Nf1A Hnn
team.
Forwards-The cardinal forwards
seem to be a shIfty lot and will take
a.,it.s lot OF stopping Crandall. Hubbard.
Corbett, Rogers and Macready appear
to be the best Gilmore is doing a lot
of good work.
Who is going to referee the Fresh
man game. on October II? This ques-
ton probably. will be answered the
week before the game. 1t is to be
a local man, rather than to import a
referee from Vancouver There are
several thoroughly competent officials
In the Rugby referees union and the
Lafferty. Blair. j. g.. Moffat and A.
Stewart are up to date men, and any
one of them could handle the game
satisfactorily.
ADOPT SIGNAL SYSTEM
The Barbarians have started an in
ovation in Rugby clubs by adopting the
intercollegiate signal system. Signal
ing is something new In Rugby, al
though both California and Stanford
used some of their old signals during
the first two years of the game
In Rugby the only signals used are
by the center man in the serum, and
he directs the wheeling of the serum
by calling right or left as the case
may be. With an experienced pack
opposing him, especially IL the opponent
pack is heavier. his signals are of no
avail, as he will be headed off. With
the intercollegiate signal code 1t is diff
ferent.
The results of the games played this
year, exclusive of yesterdays events
are OF interest for comparison. Those
in which the Stanford and California
freshmen have competed will be of
especial interest. Summary: