AUCKLANDERS MAKE A POOR DISPLAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 213, 8 September 1899, Page 3

AUCKLANDERS MAKE A POOR DISPLAY.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day,

The result was a draw —three points i each—and that after a very indifferent display on both sides, another ex- ! ample of the fearful uncertainty of j football, or, to put it in another light, j the uncertainty of footballers, for 1 , am really of 'opinion that our men were talked into losing the match. On all sides we were told that we must win, by Otago, by Taranaki, and by our friends in the city. In our team the only two changes were Tyler and Absolum, in place of Scott and Mctiregor, which should not have affected the combination of last Saturday; indeed, had it not been for Tyler's fast following and clever dribbling throughout, the display of our pack would have disgraced the province. It, was difficult to recognise them as the same that so easily defeated Otago. That they were loafing on the margin of three points scored shortly after the game opened' was quite evident to anyone who had seen their previous performances and knew their real form. The match itself was played under almost like conditions—a iinc day, sky slightly overcast, with very little Avind. The attendance was only i moderate, and the subdued nature of > the applause evidenced plainly the little confidence placed in the local team. To look- at nut- nvn il.ev mi. peared to have the advantage of weight, in the forwards, whilst our backs were somewhat lighter than the local men, who, compared with our nuggety sextette, were tall and lovely made. Again, 1 ]iave to commend the excellent line kicking of the local backs, especially their full-back, Burrell. His line kicking was superb. As I look at my notes on the game I find that on almost, every occasion that, our men were pressed it was due to this young player's long, Avell - directed punts. There is nothing so disheartening to a forward team as to see all Ihe ground that ir has by hard ; work taken perhaps ten minutes to | gain lost in two seconds by a good j kick out, by their opponent's centre or i full-back. '

Christchurch have a set of backs that would do credit to any province. Dansey, half-back, an old Auckland boy, was quick in getting the ball out and kicking, and was all there for a mark from the line, Avhilst the goal he kicked from almost mid-field, aud at a difficult angle, was .he saving of the match. Of the rest (J:-r, Menzie*, and the Forbes Bros, all played well, their good kicking being a feature of the match. Of our backs '.he only ones Avho distinguished themselves even occasionally were Phelan and McPike, although both Harrison and (1. Gillett put in a lot of good defensive Avork. McPike, as is generally the ease, Avhen associated with our flier, was too inclined to circle, making very few openings. Any that were made were the Avork of our five-eighths, Phelan, who again amply justified his inclusion. On one occasion, securing the oval in midfield, he dodged no less than four of his opponents, and, on reaching the full-back, instead of slipping him up too, as he might have done, passed out to our three-quar-ters, who Avere calling for the ball, but AA'ho, through not following -.heir man closely, Avere too Avide. Had they been at hand, or even let Phelan go, it was almost a certainty, for the latter player Avas in a good position lo beat his man running straight at him. Absolum, who played for the first time, Avas not by any means at his best. His run of the clay Avas made shortly after play commenced, and on that, occasion, securing the ball from a dangerous passing rush on the part of the Canterbury backs, he dashed doAvn the field almost to the opposite 25, and had anyone there supported him a try would have resulted. A short kick over the fullback's head might have served the same purpose, but, in looking for some one to pass to, he lost ground and Avas collared. This player showed a decided preference for his opponent's necks, and he was not the only one. It Avas a fault that, showed itself on several occasions almost throughout the back division, and once or twice matters in cousequence looked very serious. The only tacklers on outside were Harrison and Geo. Gillett. The latter, at full-back, was always safe, aud sometimes brilliant, but he lost a lot of ground by failing to put the ball into touch.

The patchy play of our backs to-day presented a striking contrast to their sound display at Dunedin. If that particular performance was a little beyond their true form I am equally certain that of to-day Avas much below it. Their passing, pieking-up and taking was at no time in the game reliable, and the old fault of running across the field was altogether too much in evidence.

On the wing, Gallagher played another hard game, and occasionally did some very clever stopping of the forwards. Tyler Avas undoubtedly the best on the field, always Avorking, and yet always to the fore. On one occasion, towards the close of the game, he came through single-handed, and, after taking the ball at his toe through the Canterbury backs, beating no less than four men, just missed scoring, the ball rebounding in touch off the full. Of bhe rest McGregor and Murray were.the pick. It was greatly due to the good play of the former that our try AA-as scored. Getting possession from a loose scramble, he quickly transferred to Phelan, who, after cleverly beatinghis man, passed to our centre threequarter, Absolum scoring near the flag. George Gillett took the kick, and, though he made a good try, he failed to convert.

The Canterbury goal was the result of a free kick awarded against H. Wilson, not the only one aAvarded against this player, who was far beloav his Dunedin form. It Avas a neat goal, scored just ten minutes before time, and, though our men livened up considerably, and the ball from that time never left Canterbury's ground, the Aucklanders failed, to increase their score, the game thus ending in a draAv.