OTAGO V WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10757, 10 September 1900, Page 2

OTAGO V WELLINGTON.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TEISGBAiI.)

WELLINGTON, September 8. There woe a very large attendance at the Otago v Wellington football match" to-day. The weather was beautifully fine, and tOie ground was in.capital ord«r. A strong "jwnd wsfe blowing. The visitors were slightly the favourites, but at the end of the first spell the scores were Wellington 3 points, Otego nil, and the game concluded as follows:—'Wellington 8 pointa, Otago 6 points.

The Wellington men were lucky enough to play with the sun and wind behind them in the first -spell, but only secured one try. Calnan crossed the line early, but his try was disallowed on the ground that he had not touched the ball down. There did nut seem good reason for the division. When i Otago secured advantage of the wind they were expected to pile up a good score, but in each instance the side playing against the [ wind showed the better form. The visitors were some time before scoring, and Wellington responded with the finest piece of play on the ground this season, which earned a try, and enabled Meredith to kick a good goal, making the score Bto 3. Even then Otago had a chance of getting even, as they obtained another try in front of the post, from which it seemed almost impossible to miss kicking a goal. Wallace missed, however, and no further chance of scoring was obtained." Both Otago's tries were the result of good play, but the actual manner of getting them .was rather lucky. , Among the Wellington backs there was no combination, and very T-ttle passing. The Otago men went in for passing, and backed up well, but their passing was not so effective as on previous occasions here. The visitors wer.a handicapped by losing the services of Poi-teous in the last twenty minutes as the result of a little squabble which led 'him to strike one of his opponents. When the matter is investigated it will be fowid a Wellington man was also to blame. The referee ordered Porteous off the ground, but apparently had not noticed the other man's conduct. At the last moment Judd! took the place of Coady (unwell) in the Wellington team. Mr Evans, of Christcmirch, was referee.