The San Francisco call., 1908-09-10
CALIFORNIA; Freshmen
Defeat Olympics
Show improvement at Rugby in
Taking Measure of the
Club Team
BY William Unmack

California's freshman Rugby team
yesterday defeated the newly formed
Olympic Rugby fifteen, 1S to 5, before
large crowd. The freshmen played bet
ter than in the game against the Bar
barians. This probably was due to
the fact that against the Olympics they
were better matched as regarded
knowledge Of Rugby.
The freshmen were constantly on the
attack and at times they started some
cOmmendable passing rushes; but be-
cause of some player tumbling the
ball they were unable to advance il
beyond a few yards. The idea was
there, however, and with a little more
practice the team should be good
passing" fifteen.
condition, and although they rallied a
little toward the finish, they were much
distressed.
For California. Lawton at full back
PLAYED a good game and has the max
ings OF a strong full. His line work al
times showed fine Judgment. Rath-
borne at three quarters did well and
has a good burst of speed. Harris
at center three-quarters played good
all around game. His kicking was the
feature of the match and he will be a
point getter. Harris is rather weak at
gathering in the ball, but with a little
practice this viii be overcome.
Gabriel and Weber at five-eighths
acquitted themselves well and seem to
be suited for the position. At half
Black did not have much to do, as
neither side was expert in getting the
ball out
All of the California forwards did
what was expected of them. and a good
point in their favor was the splendid
manner in which they followed up. In
the first half they were quick at this
part Of the game. and their rapid
breaking away from the scrums was
on the olympic side Briggs was the
pick. in fact. he was the best man
on the two teams He was out OF
place a. full back and If moved to the
three-ouarters line would be OF con-
siderable service to the team.
Webster at three-uuarters showed up
better than the other Olympic backs
Chalmers was constantly out of posi-
tfon and had he been in his proper
place he might have scored on two
occasions. Miller played fairly at half
hack. but was penalized more than once
for holding the ball when tackled Ker
rigan played good game all through.
OF the forwards the old war horse,
Pomeroy. was the star. He was the
hardest worker in the Olympic pack
MoIfno and Walliseh perfamed up to
tho standard.
The game was well contested all
through and the freshmen clearly
showed a better general idea of it than
their opponents. The teams were as
follows:
OLYMPIC fcafn-Fullhfck. BrlEES- Ilrce-Qu6r-
ters Koch. Chalmers. Littlepsge. Webster; halves,
Kerrigan, Miller; forwards. Molhno. Hickey.
Wslhsch. Sweeney. Cavanaugh, Aguirre, Mat
California freshmen-FuIIback. Iawton; three
quarters, Harris. Powers, Rsthborne; five
eighths, Gabriel. weber: half. Black; forwards,
Wheeler. Yates. Phleger, Taylor, Messere,
Bennett. MeNear. Wilder.
During the game changes in the lineup were
made and the following substitutes tried out;
Hansen, Barnett. knapp, Doyle, Mcfarland,
Abbott and Scarborough.
Referee-CharIes Cameron, member Pacific
Coast Rugby referees union. q
California kicked of and Glsrner returned.
California was Immediately given a free kick
for ofside- Harris took the kick and sent the
ishly passing their own goal line the
winged 20" boys gave Weber chance TO inter
eept. which he did and scored first try Of the
game Weber converted his own try. California
3 olympic O.
Miller kicked OF: loose play followed and the
ball went ont at the half nag. From the throw
in olympic rushed the ball over the California
goal line. Briggs returned the drop out and
lster California was awarded free kick. Glar-
Black taking & mark. The ball went out touch
in goal.
After the drop out California made pretty
passing rush. Rathborne being the last man.
He made good and scored the corner
flag. No goal resulted California s. Olympic 0.
From this 10 the half time whistle loose and
scrambly play was the order. Harris Rath-
borne, Powers. Gabriel. Taylor and Lawton
being prominent for California. while Briggs,
kerrigan. Chalmers and Pomeroy did good work
for the Olympics.
After the interval Olympic kicked of and the
bah was returned out Of touch at had. olym-
pies made desperate efforts TO score, but the
california defense was good and it gradually
worked the ball to neutral territory. The 0lym-
pics were now on their mettle and brought the
hail once near the California goal line.
The freshies got the bah from serum and took
It to neutral territory by good passing rush.
Loose play followed and from serum near
the Olympic line Gabriel secured and scored in
good position Harris converted. California 13
Olympic @.
Shortly after the drop ont the Olympics picked
up the ball in the loose and 1t Travelled from
Miller 10 Webster 10 Chalmers, who scored
kerrigsn added the extra points with a gSod
kick California - Olympic >.
No further score registered and when time
wss calico the play was near the California %
line.