FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1911, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND DEFEAT WELLINGTON. BRILLIANT FORWARD "WORK. (From Our Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day.. On Saturday at Athletic Park was eeen one of the fastest and most interesting games ever played in Wellington. At one stage of the game it -was thought that it •would have been impossible for Auckland to win so well Avere Wellington playing. It is not to 'be understood that when Auckland started' scoring, Wellington's play deteriorated. On the contrary, Wellington continued to, play a good game, ibut Auckland, with ki wonderful finish, fairly rose to a great effort, and, playing magnificently, completely overran their opponents in the final stages. . WELLINGTON LEAD. The first spell was all in favour of Wellington, whose ' forwards, led ' by Wilson, were particularly aggressive in the loose, and spoilt all Auckland's efforts to keep play close. .Their first try was from the kick-off, a Wellington forward securing the ball again, and with all his forwards with 'him, a try was a certainty. Rang! Wilson was responsible for the score. He intercepted an attempt to transfer the Irall from the kick-off, and' got down to within 15yds of the line, and passed to Dent, who scored after one minute's play. Ryan failed to convert. Wellington forwards rushed play downfield from kick out; Bangi Wilson waJ again prominent. Dent inaugurated, a passing rush from a line-out, but the passes were poor. The ga,ine at this stage was particularly fast. Roberts made an opening from the scrum, but CUitc'.hinsoil's faulty taking nullified any possibilities of a score. O'Brien punted (high for the line, Unit missed, Wellington forcing. , Short passing rushes on •the part of Wellington took play to the other end, and' Auckland forced. The visiting forwards took play iback to half way, Otterson started a passing rush, ibut the Aucklamlers ran straight across the field and gained (little. McGregor intercepted a pass in his own territory, and got clean away. He beat Evenson, and a try looked certain, tout Grace, with a flying tackle, brought him down. Wellington were awarded a free kick, and Evenson's shot missed'. Roberts' cleverly centred dToj* out gave Grace a chance, but the ball went over the line, Auckland forcing. From a throw in Elliott found the line well downfield. Bell threw in quickly to Dent, who dived over the line, Mitchinson failing with the kick. Wellington raced down the line again, and another score seemed imminent. Wellington were awarded a penalty in handy position, and Itoberts landed a nice goaf. Geddes was prominent in an Auckland attack, but lost the advantage Iby hard kicking, and ihalf-time sounded with play at halfway. Auckland were only on a few 'occasions at all dangerous, and, as already stated, :it looked as though the game was already won. AUCKLAND 'REVERSE POSITIONS. ■ The commencement of the second spell Raw a -change in the play. Auckland forwards, playing magnificently, rushed into Wellington's territory, and O'Leary taking a shot, from a brilliant mark by Otterson. goalecL " HALL'S GREAT EFFORT. It was not long before another irresistible forward rush took the ball from half way, and Hall making a great dash when tackled, threw the iball to Sel'lars, who dribbled, the leather fully thirty yards to 'tire line, and dived through the air, just reaching the hall under tho posts, with two Wellington men on top of him. It was a brilliant ibit of work by the two Ponsonby men. O'Leary easily converted, and the score stood: Wellington i 9 Auckland 8 CELLARS INJURED. Sellars injured himself 'when he dived, and "retired. The excitement was now intense, and the Auckland' forwards, wtho were playing the game of their lives, coming back with another great rush, with Hall, 'Barrett, and Herring in the van; the finishing touches were put on iby Bruce and O'Leary goaling. Auckland led by 13 to 9, A DESPERATE RUSH. It was now Auckland's game, but the forwards never lagged a anoment from the tremendous pace they set, and shortly afterwards went from their own goaLline in a complete body. A try was really inevitable, for no defence could . stop so determined an .onslaught, and Geddes was enabled to score near the corner. The kick failing, left the scores: Auckland lo Wellington 9 The final stages were marked by a dying effort by Wellington, and for several minutes very fast, fierce play took place near the Northerners' line, but the Auckland defence was solid, and the forward's removed the danger, and were attacking when the bell Tang to cease play. AUCKLAND'S GREAT FORWARDS. It is impossible to too highly compliment the Aucklanders on their play, and •the forwards deserve all praise for the way they pulled the game out of the fire. In the scrum the inclusion of Sellars and Cunningham had a great effect, and it was a solid even pack, •which worked well, and heat Wellington badly. The hall shot out like lightning on almost every occasion, and' when Auckland pushed the opposing pack crumpled up. In the first spell it was really no (fault of the forwards that the score was so much in Wellington's favour. Rangi Wilson played a fine spoiling game, and he had a great deal to do with the smothering tactics adopted so successfully .iby Wellington. The second spell saw the Auckland forwards play easily the best game oi the tour, and it "was a very different exhibition from that witnessed in the South. There were no shirkers in those rushes, and it was a treat to see the way they came down tho field again and Again in a complete body. The standard of play was up to the veTy best tradi- ■ tions of. Auckland forwarl play, and can be compared to the final few minutes against Canterbury last year. It would be invidious to specially mention anyone where all did so well, but perhaps Barrett, Hayward, Sellars, and Herring were the best. ■As before stated, Wellington were badly beaten, in the scrums., and it was good to see the ball shoot out. Cunningham held the pnxrk together as only Hie can do- it, and showed surprising ' dash. Wilson and Bruce were solid gutters. Tlie tatter's try was thoroughly deserved. On the wing Hall played a line game, starting several rushes,, and

Ibeibg very hard to stop. Barrett and Hay ward were particularly good on the line-out, and the former being a young player ■with first-year representative honours, deserve.? credit for an excellent game in even- department. THE BACK DIVISION. Coming to the -kick division, one and a'l did. well. Otterson again played brilliantly, being smart in whipping the 'ball out., and very sound, as usual, on defence. O'Leary played his useful good game, and his kicking was very fine. Geddes also shaped well, although indined to run across the field at times. He followed up in fine style, and scored a well-deserved try. Murray played his game of the tour, being splendid in all departments. The wings, Stewart and McGregor, both were in good form, ■but did not get veiry many chances. O'Brien, at "full-back, was a complete success. He was very sate 'with his kicking and clever on defence. A 'pleasing feature was the splendid reception given the- team, both 'before and after the match, the public cheering heartily and r/ppkuiding all good play by tiie visitors.