INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL HATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 205, 2 September 1897, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL HATCH.

WELLINGTON DEFEATS TARANAKI

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, Wednesday.

The football match Taranaki v. Wellington was played ab tho Athletic Park ground this afternoon under favourable circumstances, tho weather being beautiful, tho sky dull and scarcely a breabh of air stirring. About 2,500 spectators were present and the ground waa in capital order for a good game, but the play was somewhat disappointing from a spectator's poinb of view, being chiefly confined to the forwards. The local forwards wero evidently afraid of their backs, and when tho ball came out from the pack there was a lack of that quick decisive passing which hitherto had won Wellington many a game. Immediately after the sbarb the local forwards, headed by Kolly, mado a dribbling rush into tbe visitors' 25, bub what looked liko a certain score wa_ losb through a wild pass on the part of Kelly, and Watson saved hia side by a long punt down the field. Humphries secured a mark just outside of Wellington's 25, and Watson was entrusted with the kick, bub the ball passed outside of the posts. For the noxb quarter of an hour the game hung about tha middle flag, until a brilliant rush, about tho best piece of play of the game, is which Wallace, Kelly, Woods and Hardcastle invaded Taranaki's territory, took place, their entrance being only frustrated by Good and Alien. Time after time Wellington charged the Turanaki line, and in attempting to stop one of the rushes Humphries was knocked out, and the game was stopped for a few minutes. On resuming, the Taranaki fotwards carried play into the local quarters, and Tripe, mis-sing a pass from Baumber, placed the Wellington goal in jeopardy, which was ultimately relieved by a free kick, awarded through off-side play on the part of one of the visibors. A littlo later on Young, of the local forwards, was ponolieed for kicking the ball before ib was properly in the scrum, and the visitors had a shob at goal, Watson's effort being futile. Wellington wero now having all the best of bhe game, and had they made fuil use of their backs should have scored, bub Kelly at fivo-eights continually hung too long to the ball, allowing the opposing forwards to get on to him. The first spoil ended with the ball in tho centre of the field, and with no score. On resuming Taranaki were at once on bhe defensive, and play was mostly confined to bheir 25. Time after time they were forced to defend their goal line, bub eventually their forwards made a brilliant rush up the field, and Allen securing a mark inside tho local 25, Watson made a good though unsuccessful attempt at goal, the ball falling just under the bar. Tho scene of play was then removed to Taranaki's lino, and from a scrum the ball went over the lino, and King, of the local forwards, darting after ib, touched down, though ib is questionable whether lie did not obstruct one of the Taranaki mon in doing so. However, the referee, Mr A. U. Thomson, of Wanganui, gave it a try, apd Wallace made a poor attempt to place a goal, despite tho fact that the try was secured right in front ot the goal posts. Again and again Wellington bore down on bhe visitors' line, and for some time had them pinned down within a yard of touch, but bho splendid defence of Good, Allen and Bayly got then, oub of trouble, and towards tho end of the game Taranaki were fighting bard in Wellington's 25, though unable to score. The game thus ended in favour of Wellington by three points to nil. Wellington evidently depended upon their forwards to win the game, and their confidence was nob misplaced, though had Taranaki made more use of their back division the game would probably have resulted differently. Wellington had all the best of the scrums, bub through hard kicking lost several opportunities bo score.