THE NORTHERN UNION GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 202, 24 August 1908, Page 6

THE NORTHERN UNION GAME.

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. A FASCINATING EXHIBITION. AUCKLAND DEFEATS WELLINGTON. The first match played in Auckland under Northern Union dales took place on Saturday at Victoria Park, when a thirteen representative of Wellington met the local team, and suffered defeat by 10 points to 14. The weather was fine, and there was an attendance of about 7000 spectators, who were rewarded with a fast and exciting game. At ten minutes past three, R. Wynyard led the Aucklanders into the field, being followed immediately by Wellington, who were captained by Pearee. Wellington won the toss, and Trevarthen kicked off for Auckland, without any waste of time. Auckland were soon o-n the attack, and from a mark by Rowe, W. Tyler had a shot at goal, sending the ball fair between the posts, after three minutes' play. Auckland 2 Wellington 0 The game was very fast, and Auckland were immediately on the attack again, but Wellington forwards reversed the order of things, and a score seemed imminent, but the defensive work of Rowe and Kiley stopped them, and Auckland rushed play back again, Rowe taking the leather across, but was outpaced by Instone, who kicked to the dead ball line. Wellington rallied from the kick out, and a passing ran, started by Kelly, looked like resulting in a score, but Instone failed to take the pass and Auckland cleared their lines, and Wellington were forced shortly after, as a result of <i pretty passing run by R. Wynyard, W. Wyn"ya.rd, and Kcdwood. Tho game was fast and willing, travelling up and dawn the field at a great rate, both sides getting in good work, the passing runs being loudly applauded, Wellington at length being forced by a beautiful piece of play by Rowe and Mockrell. Wellington now took a a hand, and Kelly, picking up quickly, sent to J. Spencer, who ran to the line and then sent on to Bryne, who crossed and scored the Qrst try of the game. G. Spencer failed with the kick. Wellington 3 Auckland 2 The reverse livened Auckland up, and a characteristic piece of play, which is one of the features claimed for the game, followed, Rowe and Dunning, with a passing run, taking the leather from their own twenty-five, the first-named scoring. \V. Tyler converted. Wellington ' "■ '■ '. '■ - '. '. ". '■ '■ '■ '■ '.'.'.'.'. 3 Piny etill COtltimicH to tray*] up area by Uillamofc, from which Tyler landed a splendid goal. Anckland 9 Wellington. L 2 With such a fast game, it was hard to say which was having the best of it, first one side and then the other being on the attack, and the quick, short passing runs were loudly applauded. Wellington were next to add to their total, and Gik-hrist coining through with the ball at his toe, took the leather past Eiley, and Barber following up fast, scored near the posts. G. Spencer converted. Auckland 9 Wellington 8 The bell then rang for half-time. SECOND SPELL. Pearee set the ball rolling in the second half, Auckland being first to set up an attack, W. Tyler taking the ball to Wellington line, but the, visitors gradually shifted the scene of play and took a turn at attack. McDonald saved cleverly, and Mackrell, following up a mark by Rowc, took play back to Wellington's territory, where, from a penalty, W. Tyler had another shot at goal, sending the ball fair between the uprights. Auckland 11 Wellington 8 For some time play was of an even character, both sides putting in sound, fine work, W. Wynyard eventually scoring after a dodgy run. W. Tyler failed for the first time with the kick. Auckland 14 Wellington 8 Play still continued fast and exciting, the backs on both sides indulging in short passing runs, till eventually, from a penalty kick Tyler had another shot at goal from just about the half-way, sending it over the bar. Auckland „...„. 16 Wellington „ 8 Wellington rallied, and, taking the play to Auckland's territory, a passing run, Kelly to House, to Barber, to Instone, to Twohill, the latter scored. G. Spencer failed with the kick. Auckland 16 Wellington t n AVellington still kept up the pressure, and, after some loose exchanges, Auckland got relief in forcing. Rallying from the kick-out, Auckland, with a nice passing run, took play back to Wellington's 25, where W. Wynyard marked, ajid Tyler had another shot a I, goal, which

fell short, and Wellington relieved, and, after a lot 01 even work, McGfll scored for Wellington after a forward rush. G. Spencer failed at goal. Auckland -...— 16 Wellington _... 14 Auckland next took a band in attack, and Mackrell, getting away, a passing run ended in Tyler just being stopped on the line, and after a score to Wellington had been thrown away by J. Spencer failing to pass at tne opportune time, the bell rang to cease play, with the scores:— Auckland 16 Wellington 14 NOTES ON THE GAME. "What do you think of it?" was the question to be heard on every hand, and the reply was, "A great game, and sure to take the place of Rugby." Although this opinion was generally expressed, there were numbers who were still strong in their allegiance to the old game, but it cannot but be said that from a spectacular point of view, the Northern Union game is far ahead of Rugby, and throughout the whole ninety minutes spectators are kept on the qui-vive of excitement, so fast does the ball travel from one end of the ground to the other. At one minute one side would be attacking hotly, when a slight mistake would let the other side in, and in a twinkling play would be at the other end of th<? ground, and interest is thus sustained until the bell rings for the final cessation of play. In to-day's match, so keen was the interest in the game, that practically the whole of the large attendance waited until the bell rang. Taking a fair and impartial view of the question, there is no doubt that it is considerably faster than the Rugby game, and from a spectator's point of view, considerably more exciting. Another strong point in favour of the Northern game is that the risk of accident is considerably minimised, and, although the pace at which they are compelled to play is more distressing to the players, they do not feel the soreness, they do after a hard Rugby match. To-day's game was very evenly contested, both sides attacking in turn, while the manner in which the attack was turned into defence was an eyeopener of the indmdnal players. Rowe was easily the best of the Auckland backs, and his display was first-class, and a big improvement on anything he has yet shown in Auckland. In the forwards. Mackrell and were the pick. For Wellington, Kelly in the back and Spencer in the forwards, were seen to most advantage. In the evening the visitors were entertained at dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel by the Auckland Rugby Football League. During the evening a number of toasts were honoured, and a musical programme gone through. Replying to a toast, Mr Mackrell said that they had no fear for the future of the game. It was not the intention that League players should live on football, and they would strongly discourage anything in that direction. What they aimwl at was that players should not be out of pocket through playing. Sympathetic reference was also made to the late Mr H. Baskerville, the promoter of the team that visited England. The Wellington team left for home yesterday by the Rarawa.