AUCKLAND V. TARANAKI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 213, 6 September 1895, Page 2

AUCKLAND V. TARANAKI.

A DRAWN GAME,

(BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER..)

New Plymouth, Thursday.

The match between the Auckland and Taranaki teams, played here to-day, resulted in a drawn game, neither side scoring. There was a large number of spectators present. Local opinion differed only as to the number of points Taranaki would win by, bub the majority inclined to the idea tbab Auckland would get a good thrashing especially as Wellington had beaten us, for Taranaki reckon they ought-to have beaten the Empire City. Pefore the start of the game it was agreed between Bayly and Edrnonda thab for a wilful throw on a free kick would be awarJed. Taranaki won the boss, and book advantage of bhe wind which was blowing down the field. Murray kicked off, H. Good returning oub of bounds near bhe centre. Play was carried into Taranaki's quarters by the aid of two or three free kicks for off-side play, chi-fly on bhe part ol A. Good, who was playing on the wing. Taranaki forwards took the oval to Auckland 25, but a free kick for oil side relieved. Taranaki came again and looked dangerous, but Wynyard intercepted a pasa intended for H. Good, made a short run and passed to Gage, who threw to Murray, and play followed on the amber arid black'a line. A series of scrums broughb play to centre. Maaefield kicked down the field and Bayly knocking bhe return on, play was again in Taranaki quarters. A good paasing run on the parb of the Taranaki backa waa apoilb by a bhrow forward. Our forwarda, who were playinw well bogebher, worked inbo Taranaki's 25* where a free kick waß awarded to Auckland. Murray made a good atbempb, Taranaki forcing. Abaolutn made a poor reburn from bhe kick out, and laranaki attacked Auckland and maddesperate efforts to score, bub bhe excellent backlmg of our backs bhwarted bkem Humphnes passed to Bayly who had a shot at goal, Auckland forcing. A series of returns between the backs broughb play once more on Taranaki's side of the 50 iiag Auckland were now having the best of play keeping Taranaki on the defensive. Bayly, Good and Allen made repeated eilorta to geb away, but could nob break bhrough. _ Rom a free kick H. Good had a ahob ab goal, bhe ball going uncomforbab y close to the posts. Allen kicked to Masefield, and Bavly rushin« the latter s return tha ball was rushed over, Absolum forcing. Robinson forced Auckland directly afterwards with a shob at goal. Play even for a time. Ril cv marked in front of bis own goal, and a, moment afterwards Robinson had another shot ab goal. The ball hib the post and re' bounded into play. Masefield missed taking the ball, aud Taranaki were very nearly in. The blue and white forwards however, worked play to the 25 fW and a' shorb passing run bsbween EdmoncTs, Ga_e and Absolum broughb play to bhe centre Humphries passed to H. Good, and made a strong dash down the field and transferred to Bayly, who waa brought down close to Auckland's Ita. A free k ( ck for off-side centred pay Here Young got away and made a strong bullocking run, Clarkin collaring h.m m greati style when he waa look ol dangerous. Bayly and Young engaged in a passing run to Auckland^linefwhe. Absolum cleverly picked up and kicked wiKntir H&lf bime then caned with play ab centre. --««-u

SECOND SPELL.

Watson started off, and after a series of returns play centred. A good passing run on the part of Taranaki backs made thing' look' unpleasant for Auckland, but tho Auckland forwards, with Murray and McMillan, came to the rescue, and took nlay into Taranaki's 25. Humphries marked and kicked out down the line. The Taranaki forwards made a good rush, Maaefield stopping and returning down the field. ■ Wynyard then had a shot at goal without succoaa. Auckland were now keoping .Taranaki on bhe defensive, bub could nob break through. Edmonds marked from a rush of the opposing forwards, and Murray taking tbe shot made a splendid attempt from half way, the ball just dropping under the bar. Taranaki now rallied and Bayly tried to get away, but found Clarkin a stumbling block. Murray had another shot at goal from a free kick, and made a good attempt. Edmonds had a pot, bub the ball fell short. Auckland still continued to preas Taranaki. Gage made a short dodgy run, but was collared on the lino. Bayly got away, Wynyard missing him badly, and passed to H. Good, but Absolutn overhauled the latter from behind and dropped him. A heavy ehower now made the ball a bib slippery. Bayly made a good run into Auckland's 25, where Wataon had a ahob ab goal from a free kick. Gage reburned to centre, but Humphries passed to Allen, who eont it on to H." Good, and the latter made a good run, getting pa3b all bub Maaefield, tha latber dropping him in great style just in time. Cage marked and returned down the line, From the throw in Auckland gob possession, and Mills and Clarkin dribbled close to Taranaki's line. A. Good returned down the field. Edmonds stopped a rush of the forwards in fine style. Allen dashed into Auckland's 25, bub Gage and Edmonds broughb play to centre, where forwards got on a rush and carried the ball into Taranaki's quarters, and made things very sultry for the home team. Bayly kicked up, made a shorb dash, and kicked well down the field, Maaefield returning. Taranaki made a good rush, and Maaefield in abbempting bo stop threw forward. Taranaki appealed for a free kick which waa awarded. Humphries book the shot, which was nearly in front of the posts, A loud burst of cheering broke forth as he kicked the bail sailing straighb for the goal, bub the wind took it to the side of the post, Auckland forcing. H. Good kicked into Auckland's 25, but tbe ball was broughb back for off-side play. Speight marked, bub Murray's kick at goal was rushed down. Taranaki carried tho rush on and Allen made a run and kicked. Play eusued in Auckland's quarters. Gage kicked down the line, and when the refere6 called " no side," play waa in centre of the ground,

NOTES.

The draw aboub represents the state o* the game. Our forwards more than held their own in the scrurr, and heeled out better than Taranaki, while they played with combination, all working hard, with no "wasters." Edmonds played a good game, stopped rushes, passed out well and tackled first-rate. He went very near potting a goal. Gage kicked with greao judgment along bhe touch line. Absoluni did not have many shows. He tackled Bayly and Good one a,f ter the other in greab style. Wynyard and Riley played up to their usual form. Maaefield playod a good game, but nearly threw the game away by throwing forward. Maaefield says it was accidental, bub the Referee thought it was

deliberabe. He tackled well. Mills and Stevenson more than held their own, and gave Humphries a deal of trouble. It would be hard to pick out one forward as superior to another, for all seemed to ba doing all they knew. Clarkin and Murray were very prominent; ab times the latter gob a nasty shaking up. During bhe second spell, Bayly, H. Good, and Young made several sbrong runs, bub the tackling was too good. Humphriesaavedattimes, but has been unwell for some time and was not properly recovered. Robinson played a good safe gatno at full, aud did nob make a mistake the whole game. Both teams have received invitations to Tukapa football social tonight, and the majority have decided to put on their dress suits. The team leaves by Takapuna ab 10.30 to-morrow morning.