OTAGO v AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9515, 7 September 1896, Page 3

OTAGO v AUCKLAND.

(press association tei.ko.ram.) AUCKLAND, September 5. The Intorprovincinl football match Otago v Auckland took place to-day at Potter's Paddock, when 5000 persons wore present. It ended in a victory for the visitors by 8 points to nil. Mr A. C. Campbell, of Wellington, was referee, and gavu fair satisfaction. The visitors were captained by Dnncan, and Wynynrd captained the home team. Auckland won the toss, and opened on the western goal, with the sun in their favour, but no wind. Tomince kicked off for the visitors, and the baJl was quickly taken down towards Auckland's lino, but vi long kick by Smith returned play to tho centre. In the next few minutes tho borne full back was twice called on to Have. Avmit finally sent the ball out near the Auckland line, but on the throw in Gallagher transferred the game to his own twenty-five, whore Edmonds marked and central. After the kick Mackenzie and Wilson endeavoured to come through at the throw in, but Mason lucked into touch. The visitors' vanguard invaded the home teara'e territory, but smart play by Wynyard and Absolum was instrumental in again taking the ball to midfiold, and a daeh by Wilson, Hefternan and others took tho game close up to tho Olago goal. The home team appeared dangerous, but Wilson came to the rescue. Auckland maintained the aggressive for some time till the Otago forwards transferred tho ball to the Blue and White's side of half way. Duncan came through at the throw in at Auckland's twenty-fiw,, and Farquhar increased tho advantage, but Whitely aud Wilson dribbled right back to tho centre. Wood intercepted a pass from au Auckland man, and Stophenson made a long kick, McLaren picking up and scoring by goal posts. Mason converted. Upon resuming the home team got on several fine determined rushes, but the visitors' defence was too strong, aud their back took advantage of every opening which offered. Tho ball wu in ail parts of the field in succession, both full backs having plenty of work to do. When the bell sounded half-time tho visitors were in the home team's ground, some twenty yards from the line and looked like scoring. In the. second spell tho visitors had the advantage of what little sun there was, and taking the spell right through played a better game than Auckland, this being particularly noticed in the forwards. Wifeon i set the ball rolling and Wood returned into touoh at half-way. A nice forward rush, started by Priest and Harris, carried the ball to Auckland's twenty-five, where Absolum came to the rescue, kicking out at the centre. The AuckUnders came through from the line-out, and carried the ball with a strong rush to Otago'u twenty-five, where the attack was neatly etoppea by Duncan, who kicked out of touch. Tho southern men rallied, and a loose scramble of their forwards enabled them to drive the Aucklanders back again, play being carried on for some minutes in Auckland's ground. Several dangerous charges by the visitors were cleverly staved off liy the Auckland fullback, Smith, who woe playing a sterling game. Tho play continued in the Auckland twenty-five for some minutes, and eventually from a scrum Davis got the ball, and, after a short dash, transferred to Duncan, who in turn sent it to Woods, who was collared about fifteen yards from the line, but managed to get the ball to Stevenson, who rushed for the corner flag, where he woe tackled by Smith, but too late to avert a score, the southern man, by - superior strength, carrying the Auckland full-back across the line and scored Otago's eegpnd try. Priest took the shot at goal but failed. From this out, play was fairly even without * furthor score. On the whole, the visitor* had the beet of the game throughout, tfceit forwards in particular showing more daeh than those of Auckland. Both teams dined together at the Metropolitan in the eveningi and go on a harbour excursion to-morrow.