NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 216, 10 September 1903, Page 3

NOTES.

(By Telegraph.—Own Cerreepondent.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

The Aucklanders make no excuse for their defeat at the hands of Wellington and say unreservedly that on the day's form the better team won. The form shown by the Northern forwards was very disappointing, the players exhibiting a lack of dash throughout. Before the match started there was some trouble in the allocation of the centre and left halves, Meldrum absolutely refusing to play in the la-ter position- His action necessitated Yates being installed at left half, which was not.to the advantage of the team, h

In the first half the visitors quite held their own with the local combination, the former's backs putting in some good work. • Early in the second spell Cowan received a nasty kick over the left eye, and was partially dazed for the remainder of the game, E. Sale, of whom

great things were expected, was injured, and consequently did not show to the best advantage. The Auckland forwards went to pieces in the second part of the game, and their noticeably tired feeling contrasted strongly with the vigour of their opponents. Failure on the part of the visiting half backs to more closely shepherd the Wellington centre and inside right forwards invariably meant trouble for the Aucklanders. Asbury missed two easy chances of scoring for the Northerners in the second half. Clark and Cowan, full backs, played well among the visiting backs, and Edmonds gave a creditable display as goalkeeper. Edmonds was too far out on several occasions in stopping hard shots at goal. In the forward ranks no player could be singled out for honourable mention. Their exhibition right through was of a mediocre order. Aucklanders ayer that the rough and uneven state of the ground discounted their chances, as they were not able to accurately judge the flight of the ball. They admit, however, that Wellington would have been too good- for them on more level turf. Auckland is now clean out of the tournament, and the final struggle rests between the winners of the Otago-CanterbvTy heat to-morrow and Wellington. Northerners are inclined to favour Otago's chances of pulling off the honours,, but local men consider that on to-day's form they have a better chance of coming out oi. top.