OTAGO v WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9521, 14 September 1896, Page 3

OTAGO v WELLINGTON.

(rr.K3S ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, September 12. The ir.at;h between Otago and Wellington took place at the Athletic Park to-day. The weather was beautiful, the ground dry, and there was no wind. Considerable interest had been aroused in the match, and there was the largest attendance since the Englishmen played here in 1888, some 4000 people being present. The people took unusual interest in the development of the game, and loudly cheered both sides all through. The game, as was not altogether unexpected, resulted in a draw, neither side being able to score, though each crossed the opposite line once, only to be sent back by the referee. In the first half Otago seemed to go in for a defensive game, and had the worst of it. In the latter they opened out more, and indulged in a little passing, always with effect. The play of their backs left the impression that had they refrained from kicking into tnuch so much, and indulged in more passing, they might have won, as on the whole the visitors had the best of the game, and were clearly wearing their opponents down for some time before the finish. The Wellington backs tried passing on every available occasion, but it was uot so accurate as usual. There was a lot of fumbling as well, both Gage and Roberts being less reliable than usual. A bright sun was partly the reason of this, and in one instance caused Kelly to miss an excellent chance of scoring The forwards, however, on both sides were too fast, and collared too well to give the backs any great show, in addition to which Otago were playing seven men behind the scrum. Their smart kicking and active foot work formed a defence too strong to break through. The game was not a very good one from the spectators' point of view, penalty- kicks, touchline play and scrummages being too numerous, as is not unusual when two sides are evenly matched. Otago kicked off, and owing to Roberts fumbling the return kick, they for sometime had the best of the game, and once went close to scoring. Annit made a fine dash, but was pushed out of touch, and then nearly placed a goal from a free kick. Otago persisted in the attack, and Stewart reached the line only to be dragged back by the heels. Roberts and Roache at last got away with some capital passing and were greatly cheered and Wellington tor a quarter of an hour kept Otago busy. After an interval of centre play the Yellows (Wellington) aided by Bennett and Gage's passing, again threatened Otago, but Duncan started a rush and Priest carried it on til the came into collision with the Yellows' lull back, Laws, who got his shoulder twisted and played at a disadvantage for the rest of the day. Several good rushes were stopped by the smart kicking of the Otago backs, especially Mason, whose screw punts sometimes directly behind him were very useful. These kicks were invariably directed out of touch, and the game flagged, nothing more of interest occurring in this half. On resuming tho Wellington forwards worked energetically, and for a short time played up so well that it looked odds on Otago being beaten. Relief was afforded by capital passing between Stevenson and Mason. For the firsttimeOtagohadresortedto these tactics and a dangerous rush was stopped by Roach. Mackenzie had a free kick but failed to lift the ball, and Bennett shortly after ran over the line, but \Vas called back for a knock on. If Pauling, who had passed to him, had kept on his weight would most likely have carried him to the line, which was only five yards away. After this Otago pulled themselves together, played up very finely, and mostly had the ball at the Wellington end. There were no remarkable individual feats, but Otago were gradually and surely getting the better of their opponents, but a little more aggressive play was wanted on the part of their backs to effect a score. One rush saw Law collared on the line, and from the scrum McLaren dropped over the mark, but was sent back for being off Bide. This was rather a pity from the Otago point of view, as another man who was not off side could just as readily have scored as McLaren. This was the narrowest shave the local players had. Crawford, who put in an immense amount of useful work in dodging and passing, which was not so well seconded as it should have been, once got close to the Otago goal, but a sharp pass was missed at the critical moment, and what opportunity there was disappeared. Mason, Wood and Armit executed a conjoint run which made Wellington's friends uneasy, and with one brief exception till the call of time play was at the Wellington end, and some times unpleasantly close. Just before the close Mason was unfortunate enough, in stopping a charge, to run his head against somebody's knee, and the plucky little player, who had been of the utmost service to Otago, had to leave the field half stunned. Nothing was scored, and the game ended with cheers for both sides. At the close many of the players bore traces of the ordeal they had undergone—not that there was any wilful roughness, but that in so sturdily contested a game some hard knocks are sure to be given. September 13. The Otago football team were entertained at a smoke concert last evening by tho exresidents of Otago. The company numbered upwards of 150, and included the Otago and Southland M.H.R.s, and representatives of all brandies of athletic sport. Mr H. D. Bell, M.H.R., was in the chair, and jbhe proceedings were of a most enthusiastic character. The toast of the evening, " The Otago Football Team," was proposed by the Chairman, aud responded to by Mr J. Duncan, captain, and Mr J. R. Montgomery, manager. The latter spoke of the magnificent exposition of football which had been witnessed that afternoon, remarking that he had never seen a game in which such vast superiority in the forward department had been equally matched by vastly superior play on the part of the opposing backs. The toast of " The New Zealand Rugby Union" was proposed by Mr J. Allen (M.H.R.), "The Wellington Team" by Dr. Chappie, and " Kindred Sports" by Mr A. Morrison (M.H.R.). Apologies for non-attendance were read from Sir Robert Stout and the Hon. Mr Bolt. The team were the guests of the Wellington Rugby Union, at a picnic to the Hutt, to-day.