TARANAKI V. CANTERBURY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 209, 4 September 1899, Page 6

TARANAKI V. CANTERBURY.

A WIN FOE THl'] VISITORS

CHItISTCHORCH, Saturday

The football match, Taranald v. Canterbury, was played to-day in beautiful weather in the presence of about 3000 spectators, who were very impartial. Taranaki won by 5 points to 3. The ground was in fine order, and there were no serious accidents. Taranaki were the favourites, but at the end of the first spell Canterbury suporfers were confident of winningl. In this spell Canterbury were continually on the attack, anil Taranaki were never dangerous, being- outplayed in every part of the game. In the second spell, however, matters were reversed, Taranaki playing a splendid game. Their forwards worked grandly, none of them being conspicuous above the others, though Pearson was perhaps the pick. The backs kicked and tackled in fine style, Allen being the life of the team. Humphries was clever at half, getting- the ball neatly from the scrum, beating- his man and passing and kicking with judgment. A great many free kicks were given against Taranaki, but Canterbury were almost as bad in this respect. For Canterbury, Barrel! upheld his reputation at fullback, making some splendid kicks, but he was not called on to tackle. Balch " as centre threequarter played a fine game, giving ins wings good chances. He was well supported by Menzies. Orr, who took Orchard's place on the, wing, was continually making openings for himself, a7id was loudly applauded when he came over from his own wing, backing up a passing rush, which was nearly successful. Dansey showed good form, being less inclined to hold the ball than usual. Brinsden was the pick of the forwards, Farquahar also being prominent in the loose rushes.

Besides Orr, the only changes in the Canterbury team from that which played Otago were Woller in Camper's place as wing forward, and Moller in place of Bush in the scrum.

The Taranaki team was as follows: —Fullback, JTohlsworth; threequarters, O'Carroll, Mynott, and Carrol; five-eighths, Allen; halfback, Humphries; forwards, Pearson, Georgo Bayly, Lambie, Ball, Greig', O'Dowda, Phillips Brown.

Canterbury were slightly the heavier team.

The first spell ended without score, though Taranaki were hard pressed nearly all the time. Just as the bell rang for half-time, Burrell made a pot at goal, but" the ball striking- a man, fell just under the bar, and Taranaki were forced, the spell ending with no score. In the second spell the visitors were aggressive almost from the start till within a few minutes of the finish, when Canterbury made strong efforts to score. The scrums were keenly contested, but the yellows generally secured the ball, and their fine tackling prevented the local backs gaining any ground. Humphries was playing- beautifully, but the other backs were clumsy in takijig their passes. Early .in the. spell Brown (Taranaki) forced- his way through, scoring between the posts. Lambie converted. Later on the reds were given a free kick for handling in the scrum. Dansey kicked a. fine goal, making the scores: Taranaki, 5; Canterbury, 3. The game endede without further score, leaving Taranaki the victors.

Mr G. Foche, of Wellington, was referee.

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