FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12282, 28 August 1905, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

NEW SOUTH WALES PREMIERSHIP.

United Press Aesocietion-i-By Electric • . Telogrepb—Copyright. (Received August 27th, 4.47 p.m.) V SYDNEY, August 27. The Association' Football Premierehip was won by the Sydney Club.

SATURDAY'S GAMES.

AUSTRALIA r CANTERBURY. WIN FOR THE HOME TEAM. The first match between teams representing Australia, that is, New South Wales and Queensland, which are the only two States in which Rugby football is in vogue, and the Canterbury Provincial District was played at Lancaster Park on Saturday, when the weather was fine,' and considering the heavy . rain which fell on the previous night, the ground was in very fair order, though a trifle heavy in places. The attendance was hardly as large as anticipated, at tho start, probably owing to the fact that tho game was timed to start at 2.45 p.m., instead of the usual time, 3 o'clock, but it increased considerably during the opening epell, and the crowd numbered about 3000 by halftime, the takings at the gates amounting to £137 ss. The play was interesting throughout, and at _times it was as fast ac tho most fastidious . critic could wish for, exciting t incidents following each.other in quick succession. This wae especially the case • at the opening of the second epell, when Aus- ' tr&lia, although, playing aaainst a fairly fresh wind, sit:once attacked strongly, but after tihey' Shad made one or two , f utHa attempts to score the local men got on a> fine rush, which terminated in Gray getting a try, -which Fraser converted into a goal, and as the visitors had gained a try, which. wau not improved> upon, in tlio first epell, the, home team* led by 5 points to 3. The play during the nret half, it may be said, -was eligjhtly in favour of Canterbjiry. hut they lost more than one chance of scoring by their erratic passing, while the 1 visitors made the most of about the'only advantage which'presented itself previous to half-time. After the home team 'had scored in the second spell the Australians, nothing daunted, put ' forth renewed energy, and made several dsmgeroufr-look-ing passing runs, but tihey were' met with very eound defence on the part of their opjxraenbs, and all- their' efforts' proved ruiilo. : The local backs did some fine kicking, and principally: by this means frequently v relieved the pressure,, and caused their rivals to act .;■:. on the defensive. Thus the game.- went" ..0n,,., 'first . one side and ; then the other being given a busy'time to keep their line Intact. Halfway;.through the epell, however, good work, by: Fryer, who played a- finp game throughout, and who.was probably the'best back on tho ground; ' gave, his side another, opening, and enabled Gray -to score again for .Ganter■uury.'.'- : r j.Th©'-.try,-was not converted,'and f as there was no further, score, the local' team won a keenly-contested game by Spoints .(a''goal from a. try.and "a try) .to 3 (&.try). The contest was fought out in the. best "of spirit but . there ■were a few slight accidents, the most . eerious being received by: l>. McLean, one of the "Australian | : wing three-quar-ieis', "who was;, kicked in tho head dur-' ing a lobse ; ,ntsh during.the latter part of thVganie,! and who wee so badly hurt that ft little ldter he liad to retire for the remainder-of .the; Mr F. T. Evans acted as referee in his 'usual impartial manner...- ■ '..'.''.'':"' ~ Tho start-of the game was delayed a short timei owing to the' absence of two '■ of the' sotfth&rn 'members 'of the terbury team, Copkd v and Brown, and as,they failed toput in an appearance, Murray.and.Shannon were chosen to fill, tihe.vacancies.-,, ,Cooke gave,no notice of ims;'inability: ; to; Vtako part in game, and: unless? ho can very good reasons for. his /action, the Canterbury Rugby Union" should severely «aal with nitni. ," Brown missed the. first expreaj,; but; .oame -fromAshMrton by the ordinary twill, "whicHi was timed to reach. at"2.30 p.m. However,pM train :wae nearly, half. an. hour late,-and 'when ho arrayed at. the grouh<lja..fen'. minutes after ?i -p.m:'-, tho game • had started,' and Shannon had been pvenhisi place. Wibkham, jtralian. captain,' beat AVeston, wbo led the, local team,: in tossing for choice, of. .peals, .to defend tho norr" ihern goal, and iat five minutes to three the teams • filed on to the -ground and took- up the following positions:— -.-.■-. ■■■.. '~ ';■■:■;':.-:■-■/. ,;;THE-:TEAMS. T ■■':■; '..'■" Australia (Blues);— Full-back, S. Wickham; ,three-quaTtefe, L. M. Smith, A--Penman, 8.. Smith, D. Mcliean j fiVe-eignths, A. Anleza.rk: half, M." Doi-e; forwaidsV A,' Burden, Luoas, A. Oxlade, W.V Rioharde,- E. O'Brien, ,W. Hiricfliburg, B. SwanneQ, end. C. Murwini ; ~-■,' .'..'.-.■', '■:: '■..■.■„■■.'">'■. '■' :. Canterbury (Red and Black).—Full^

'■•■^pk | ■■VS;^'Tt^ti^;^;,■til^βiHluartβrß,, Fi jS Fryer, A. E. Love, and G. Gray; five- J «;ighthe; J. Woston and "D. 'Fnaeer; half, j : P:,,-Burns j forwards; Dv Horgau, Slvan- 1 ■ nbni. Murray, * G. Chambers, Gaffney, 1 Carltbn,: C: Pearoe, tfnd W. J. Walter. < ■ "■.■■■•".■, ; ; : ;;-- '■THE,PLAY.; -,; a,-;..:" < Murray started the/game by kicking j off for Canterbury, rand/M.,Smith mak- ] ing a poor return,, the opposing play , took plaoe in. the Blues' quarters. A j run and kick by F.;B.vSmith relieved, and took the ball aa far as Turtill, who sent it out of touch by his own .twenty- > five, and further kicks by Fraserand Gray eliiffced it 'back to mid-field. The * visitors were awarded a free kick, but ' Fraser returned tho ball to the centre, , and. even . play was 1 witnessed for a time. Passing by, Burns, Westoh, and .\ Gray gained ground for.the;local men, • but McLean marked in his own twenty- ' five arid kicked to FryerV-whd returned in ; 'good etjl&f *md iafter some loose, play ! in- thb vicinity of t2ic Blues' twentyfive, the latter/were forced by dn© of '' the,. Red forwards', kicking too -hard. , . After tho "kick out the ball, wae coon back in the visitors' territory, but the latter were awarded a free kick, aod ' for eoino little time the play hovered between the tWo v twenty-fiye6. The rorwards appeared: very evenly match- , ed,.and although 'playing against tho ' wind the local men freauently gained t a good deal of ground py bhipir ] kicking. Erratic passing by tEo lleds enabled the visitors to carry*.the-ball to ■ past their opponents' twenty-five, but i I'earce, Gaffney and Walter headed a j forward rush to past behtre f ' and Fryer , further improved their position kick- ■, • ing out of touch well within, the visitors*. ■ twenty-five. Tlio Australian forwards worked the ball back/ but Canterbury ! Boon returned, and Weston marking, , Carl ton. mode a poor attempt at goal. | McLean kicked back, "but a passing rnn between . Burns, Weeton; . Frasex and , Fryer again placed the visitors on the , defensive, McLean once more coming to ] his side's rescue with a good kick. For " some little tima niter this neither team j oouW. boast of. having the better of the 1 ' pl*y, and then a passing run by tho ] visitore in which Penman, B. and M. ; Smith, were prominent, ended in the i Kast-TMuned scoring near tho corner, t \ • Wiokhaan-making a good thougli futile < attempt to convert. Alter, the kick' i :; out; scaitms s land touch-line- play, in '" were witnessed for-a ] time, end then tho hacks on: either sido ■ indulged in «i lot of elsohaoige. kicke, which, ended in'TurtiU s«tt3|ap: the ball ' over the line, .end forcingCtiei risHo're 1 doirn. essttyedv passing, i ■■but -'n, "tEe. •■■■ 'most-.'" part * it h wiaex very "erratic,,', and butV liW ] ■ i^^- r 'greund.l;;;Wias./r;gain*d..' A ( :*;tead»a,!.the full-back' ''iyrhea /-he.-passed "i '; ||^a6r;,bapks'i-ltt*t. r '|^igoodii|>liMrt»o&; ; pf; ; ecQri, ]

ing. Shortly before half-time. Fryer made another good run, but he was tackled on the line, and half-time we& called Avith the play still in the. Australians' quarters. ■'-.-.' On changing ends the play was at once taken to the local team's twentyfive, and M. Smibh made a dash at.the; line, but was tackled before he could crose it. The Reds then got on a good rush, and good work by GafFney and Fryer took the ball to the Blnee , twenty-five and Gray scored. Fraser kicking a goal from a. difficult angle. Score: —Canterbury 5 points, Australia 3 points. After tho kick-out, Canterbury quickly had their, opponents on the defensive again, the fast Following up of tho forwards smothering Wickliam's return, kick. The Blue forwards rushed the ball to the other end of the field, and passing between B. 'and M. Smith, Penman, and Doro saw the last-mamed pushed into touch close to the Reds' line. By smart passing the visitors appeared likely to scoro on several occasions, but the home team's tackling proved very good, and after a period of very fast play, a kick by Fryer took the play to the Australians' twenty-five. Wickham wjwi tackled before Hie could get in kis kick, and Gray further improved the home team's position by' finding the touch-line within a few yards of the Australians' goal line. The Blues soon removed the oral to safer quarters, and just afterwards Burdon was winded, and play was for a few minnt-EB to allow him to reooror; On continuing tho Reds again invaded feheir opponenW territory; and but for loose parsing a try should have been scored. A good kick by Anlozark re-, lieved this side for a time, and M. Smith gained further ground for his team by another kick. Wickham and B. Smith now changed places, the former coming up .from full-back to throe-quarter. The Blues then worked the leather ais far as the local men's twenty-five, but the latter -were relieved by *tihe means.: of a free kick, after which a lot of exchange kicks between tho backs ended in Turtill finding the touch-lino at the centre. Anlestark marked, but failed to gain much ground, and Fryer returnine in gocd stylo across the ground, the play was again in the. Australians' twenty-five. The Red forwards carried the scrummage, and took tho ball to the line, where Fraser got possession, and had a fruitless pot at goal, tho blues being forced down. Penman now replaced B. Smith at full-back for the visitors. Lovo returned-the ball out well, and Wickhoni marked, sending tho ball to Fryer, who got in a good kick: Penman returned, but fciwannell got sido into trouble 'by his off-sido play, and the ball was taken back nnd eoriwnmaged in the visitors' twenty-five. A few minutes later the, Red forwards heeled out, and Bums ec ttin S possession passed to ' Fryer, who had run across, and further passing between tho latt&i 1 , Fraser, Love and Gray, ended in the lost-named scoring, Fraser making a good tihotigb. futile attempt to actd the major points. Score:—Canterbury 8 points, Australia 3. After the kick-om. tho Blues were soon, called upon to defend their lino again, but Anlezdrk relieved with a kick out of touch past hds- twen'fcy-five. Canterbury quickly" returned to the attack, and Gray marking, Weston had a shot mfc gcal from a long rango,, wliich proved truitless. Penman lucked back, but the local forwards; headed by Gaffney and returned, and for some timo wp play was carried on in tlie vicinity w tJio visitors' tiventy-fiyo.' Tho Blue torwards by a good rush took the 'ball as far es the Retl's twentyfive, -but they were poorly supported, an<t Weston leiturned withe, kick out of touch at the centre. ; M'Lean had a kick 'in the htad, and although he oontimied playing tor ~& timo ho had to retire later on,.and for tho remainder of tho game the visitors played a man dhoft. Good work by O'Brien and Oxlade gave .the Australians an advantage, and tho Blues .for a time more than held, their own, but good-kicking by Fryer relieved his side, and another kick 'by the old found the touoh-line close. to the visitors' goal line. Scrums on the lino followed, and Weston, who had been, working hard all the afternoon, was nearly rewarded for his exertiona,. bufc ho was tackled on tho lino. , ,o'Brieh headed a rush to mid-field, and even play followed until just on time, -when Burns marked close to the Australians' line, but Eraser's kick failed, and the game ended ac above stated. . . - , ■

"'ln the evening the teams dined tbgether at Taittersall'e Hotel, where the Australians are staying. - ;

WELLINGTON COLLEGE v CHRIST'S COLLEGE.

The above, teams, held their annual match on Saturday ■ afternoon on Christ's College ground, -when the former rton by 32 points to 8. ;.-.There were si largo number of spectators. The ground was in fair order, though a trifle slippery after play had been in progress a while. The "teams com-, prised:—Wellington—Full-back, D. Wil*«n; three-quarters; D. Thomson, . 1. Shannon and B. Godbehere; five-eighths, i>. Hay; halt', A. Otterson; forwards, N. , McLean, C. Matthews, L. Short, J. Potercson, W. F. McLaren, T. Childs, It Banna, W. Grace, and H. Hoby. Christ'e College—Full-back,. H. Saunders; three-quarters, N. White," G. Parkinson and H. M. Chrystal; fiveeighths, C.'A. Ferguson; half, S. Ris: forwards,' F. Davidson, P. h. Parker, C. W; Hurigerford, G. B. Fisher, F. Esan, G. H. Anderson, H. Kmibley, and J. J. Murchison; The visitors Tvere- elightjy heavier than their opponents, and this, no doubt, counted for much.'Their 'backs were ■also superior, and gave by far the'better exhibition in passing, -though at times the ■wing men fumbled. .This was especially noticeable soon aftor the start. 'There was some /good individual play among the home team, however, though their combination.was somewhat weak.. Taken / throughcut the, oame was » very interesting one, and Keenly contested. ■ - '.. Christ's College (black . and ; wlute-) won tho - - toas, and Wellington (blacks) had --toi.. faco' the. , sun during ttbe« first spelL Play was in uouti-al terribory for, the opening stage, but Wellington soon; had the advantage, and by a series of passing rushes had t!he Whites in trouble. When looking dangerdus, however, a knock-on spoilt a certain score. A gqckTrun by Goodbehere (WelKrigbon) took play well into Christ's Callego twenty-five, and Wilson, potted a neat goal.: Christ'e College now. began to brighten up, though their passing.was faulty. A mark by the visitors soon 'had them defending again. Scrums and line play followed, of which. Wellington had the. better, and they gradually worked the leather right up to the home team-'s line, where," after a slight scramble. Shannon was successful in -scoring. Goodbehero failed with the kick at goal. Ix>osq rushes followed and Goodbehero bbiainins possession was well'stopped by the.Whites' fullback, but from a scrum which followed, Wellington again scored, Grace ing the try.; Christ's College then took play into • neutral territory, hut faulty passing.lost them a try. The Blacks continued to attack, and after a melee in the" local team's territory, Thosasdn scored. McLean, followed Ttith another try. Play then bacame .even ■.for* time, but Goodbehoie, by one of bie runs, got well up to the line; and passed to Hfly, who scored. «• Half-time v>'as.then,called." '■.-■ .■'•,' : .).'.'...',. ■' ' .;;'" ..■■■' On resuming, an eiohange of kicking was indulged .ia'J.,-. From a loose rush, in iho Southernere twenty-five, Goodbehere scored. .A scramble in tho came tjuar-, ter.ia few minutes later saw Hoby score, McLean being; successful with the kick. Christ'si Collego [''.nojr-.: began itp' play np tetter," and by good looso-rushes got treH;. ] intbVilieir.-'.ppppri«jtsy^tw.eniy-fivOj-kick being futile. Having now obtained

n score, the home team showed- marked. | improvement, and Paxkinson obtaining; the ball near the 'halfway flag, succeededin getting past the Wellington full- < back, and though •Goodbehere put in V cne of his sensational runs, it '■■yeas of no! use,, and the second try was obtained i for Christ's College, which Saunders ■' converted. Time was then called. Mr I It. W. Barry was referee. j

OTHER MATCHES.

A match Linwood Juniors v. Kaiapoi ended in a draw, neither side scoring. . Waltham Old Boys beat Telegraph Mcs"K!nger3 at t-he ' North Park . last j Thursday by 6 points to nil, tries being scored by H. Hill and J. Clemens. G. Seabourn and Mahoney plaj-ed well,for the losers. . ' ■ The return -match between the Richmond SohoDl Old Boys and the Old Boys of the Marisfc School was played on/the Richmond Domain and resulted in a win for Richmond by 7 points (a try by Fraser and a potted goal by Delamar) to 6 (two tries scored by i Carrutihers and U- O'Keith. Hood, Fraser, and Dingle played well for Richmond, as did Camithera and H. McSwigan for the losers.

FOURTH CLASS BANNER.

Imperial met Federal. at the North Park on Satiu"day, and defeated them by. 5 'poHVis to 3. For tha winners A Mills scored, and W." Dyer converted the try. Hawkins scored for Federal. By winning this match Imperial gain the 'banner. Mr J. Gregory was referee. . ■

SCHOOLS' JUNIOR COMPETITION.

. Tho above competition wae brought to a close on Friday by the match between Normal ana Opawa Schools. Normal won by 16 points to 3. For the winners Smalo scored three tries and Williams 1. Bremford converted two of the trice. For Opawa Newrcan kicked a penalty goal. Normal, who have won all their matches, havo now won tho competition. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. On Saturday, in'the "South Park, a trial match was played between the probable eleven to represent Canterbury against Otago at Lancaster Park next Thursday and a B team. The form shown was decidedly good. The final selection is:—Goal, Russell:(Sydenham); backs, Cornish; captain (Celtic), and Forrest (Christchurch); halvco, Newell (OhristchuTch), McCreanor (Celtic). Ramsay (Celtic); forwards, Ward (Sydenham), Hill (Chratclnirch), Harvey (Celtic), Racbiim (Celtic), Marshall (Sydenham). Any man not able to play on Thursday must notify tho Association secretary • at. onoe. ' Tho Otago men will arrive in Ghristchurch next Wednesday, and will bo entertained at a supper on Thursday evening by the Canterbury Assiociation.. ,

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

On Saturday, in'the'South Park, a trial match was played between the Erobablo eleven to represent Canterury against Otago at Lancaster Pork next Thursday and a B team. The form all own was decidedly good. The final selection is:—Goal, Russell:(Sydenham); backs, Cornish' captain (Celtic), and Forrest (Christchurch); halved, NoweJl (OhristchuTch), McCreanor (Celtic). Ramsay (Celtic); forwards, Ward (Sydenham), Hill (Christchurdi), Harvey (Celtic), Raeburn (Celtic), Marshall (Sydenham). Any man not ablo fo ploy on Thursday must notify tho Association secretary • at. onoe. ' Tho Otago men will arrive in Christchurch next Wednesday, and will bo entertained at a supper on Thursday evening by tho Canterbury Association. ,

NORTH CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION.

.Ta Ahuriri beat Oxford at Tuahiwi by 7 points to nil, Mr C. A. Cuff being lxjferee. . At A.mberley • Nortih - Canterbury (Rangiora) played Amberley, and won by 9 points to nil. Tries were gained by H. Lander, A. Sha-nkland and H. Cook. Refsree, Mr W.-Uru. - The game 'between Waikari-Hawar-den and Cust was postpomed. . .. The Rangiora, tewvm is now half a point ahead of the others, and as it has only one game to play, it ought to win the cliampionship.;

AUSTRALIAN RULES.

The season was brought- to a close on 'Saturday/ afternoon', the competing teams being Carlton -and Imperials, and us the result of tiho game was to decide, the club having the right tp hold the Challenge Shield for 1905, both"sides'.wore"-strengthened by the inclusion of several playens of repute. On the whole, ;tho game was < not brilliant, and at times lapsed into a scramble, members of botia teams persistently leaving their plaoas. Tho Oarlton won tho toss, and , took the advantage of the wind and light in.;tho first quarter. Early in the earoe tho Imperials were* put on, the defensive. West end Jacobsen passing in front resulted in a. minor, point, Edwards and Paisley saving • for Imperials. Richards, marking well on the fonrard line/ gavo Imperials • several. chances,' but Ihe failed to score. At tihe change' of ends Imperials had scored nil to Carl<ton's two fbehinde. Then the Imperials went forward with a rush, TJwitt marking well, arid Johnson from a pot-ehofc scored the first goal for PJey was again in Carltpn's territory, and Franklin- passed to*H. Morrison, and then on to : Paisley;; who punted Imperial's eecond goal. ' The only score of Oarlton in the meantime wasia behind by Ra-weon. After the spell Oarlton made the pace very hot/ and Hays taking charge potted the firs* "isis-pobter" for Oarlton. . The play then continued up and doivn ,the fipld/ and fine football was marred by <a' lot of boundary play. : : In. thL% quarter Oarlton scored 1 goal 3 behindsto their opponent's nil. . The sootcs ' becoming equal, the final spell was extremely exciting. Oarlton being awarded saveral free-£iciks close' up , were giveA tho cham» to score, and Jaoobsen end Rawson obtained , a goal ■ ««h;. The Imperials nailying, xwifct ..the t-wo flags, - and an exciting, game ended by the Garitoh -winning. with .5 points to epare. ' The scores -were:—Carlton; 3 goals 6 behinds (24 poiats) | ■ Imperials» 3 goals 1 ' behind (19 points). Beiides - tfliose already mentioned, Vatigban, Wdstj McDonald and Strange played excellent football for Oarlton, and for the losei-s Porter, WickLng, , . Oroolv, Edm'arde, Opus and iwro OOnSpICUOUe. - .";'/•.',.•■.:.■;.• ..;';,

CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON.

The following team to play fOT Cattterbury against. Wellington, afc Lancaster Parkj. next Saturday: —Full-back, W. Menzies; three-quat-ters, G. D. Gray, A. E; Love, F. Fryer; . five-eighth*,. J. Weston, D. Fiiaser;. half,- P. Burns; fotwa-.d8,-.. A. Brown, Wi Shannon, G.. Chambers, L. Murray, F. Drake,' E.Tyne, C. Pearce, W. J. Walter. -.■'••■.•■■ M ■ ;■■'■ . The following Junior-team will play the Ashburton County: Junior team at Ashburrony' on>vThursday:—Full-back, It. Read; J. Harrison, C. Cotton (eapfcain), F. Pengelly; five-eighths, C. Mies, C. Hard-ngham; ltalf, A. E. Doell: , forward*, L. Stevens, A. Ballinger, S. O'Brien. A. Alexander, W. Maxwell; R. Bromleyr A. Barrett. The team will leave by the , 11.55 a.m. express on Thuriday. Both of the ab*w teams are requested to meet at Tunkard's Gymnasium on Wodmasday evening, at. 7.30.

AUCKLAND DEFEATS WELLINGTON.

(rUESS ASSOCIATION TmEGRAIO WELLINGTON,; August 26. The Ranfurly Shield went, back today to jte original holders, Auckland,: who beat Wellington by 10 points to 6. This .mas. .'more-decided margin than it looks on paper, inasmuchae Auckland, secured two tries, while €heic own line;was not crossed. : Wellington had nearly the earn© forwards as have so distinguished themselves lately, but. thoy met men as good, or better, in their opponents, while the hacks were the-.weakest' combination. that has represented tlie citj? for years. . Their play, was quite pitiful at times, end wou <J liaro an ordinary club fifteen. ; They fumbled and mulledright and left,: end' when an opening occurred they mostly spoiled it by., hesitation and (indecision.\:, The Auckland rearguard offered a brieht' oontiiast by their • crisp marking and the certainty with wbrob, they; eoeured the ball. In thip first spell pJaji for, most of tlie •■ wa« open, and ■ attractiiriey dnd. tluJugh, Auckland scored '7i points there' ■.'was';'nofc'_a. great 'd^^to,'cb^p<^';be^eeii'i

the two teams. In the latter half, wthetw favoured by the wind, ' they should have improved and moiie than held their own, the local men fell off most unaccountably, and what did score was owing to penalty kicks, whercan Auckland put up another try, and altogether played a superior game. When the Wellington forwards secured an advantage their backs could , not hold it, and at the end of tho game the visitors were playmg up as strongly as ever, and tho longer the match had gone on the more they would • have scored. Rain fell during the :-, night, and there were 'Borne showers in; the morning, but the ground was ' not a'ffeoted so much -as was feared, being I nearly dry. In tho afternoon the sun came out, and there was an attendance of nearly-six thousand. There was a medium southerly breeze blowing all through, and Auckland (blue and white).winning tho toss, played with it behind them during the first spell. Wellington (black) kicked off at 3.9 p.m. At the outset the local men played up strongly, till a loose rush took the game up the ground. ..- Kiernan marked for an attempt at goal, which failed, and Mageo stopped a powerful charge with another well-judgea mark. The ball bounded back high and out of the fuil-back's reach. In attempting to drive it to the touch-line it went into Tylers hands, , and he bounded , ' down the side, where he xr£s pushed out at tlio corner flag. The gatnp then, became very lively, the ball scurrying all over the field. Tho visitors, intent on making the most of the advantage the wind gave thorn, attacked strongly, andi tho Jocal backs, were kept' flying about to save themselves. A bunch of tJirec or*four AuckJanders, with Todd j and Mageo at their.head, dashed into. I the line, and would have worked the j ball over, but one of- the local' men (Sprinted on all fours and: secured it. j Another penalty kick failed, but pro-' sently Todd got the ball from a scrummage, feinted nicely, beat his men badly, and passed to "\V3Tiyard, who romped in. Tnie- kick at goal was tmsuccesstul.'Scor«s i—f- Auckland 3, Wellington -nil. McKonzio landed tho ball at the. corn<sr, but a, mis-kick released Wellington, and the full-back," Spencer, took the ball through a number of men and" landed-it well down the'ground.. There was some smart work here by both sodes that earned loud the kicking and passingsboth being brisk, though most of the Latter was smothered. For. a while Wellington-had tho better of the game, and - ranged about their opponents' twenty-five, and for a few minutes jammed them on their line. The next moment, through seme miserable fumbling, tho ball was somewhere at tho other end. For once the visi-' tors were- smitten with somo disease/ and let it back by failing to .stop the ball, but this was about the only time they were, guilty of it. '•; Ryan put an end to a threatening ruch by. marking coolly, and for a while even play occu Tea in the centre pi ] tho • fieldU v : Tho .Wellington forwards made: strong attempta to master their antagonists, but the. defence; ; was. sturdy, and the effort having worn itself put, the Blues burst through, helped by a. palpable throw-on, which referee A .vigorous attack followed,. arid zio, getting a mark, TFrancb landed' an excellent goal.v Auckland 7, Wellington nil. The, spell ended shortly .after, leaving Wellington in a deficit tfcat, oven with a strong team, would require some wiping off." • . ~,, Looal partisans still pinned 'their foath ujjan *he ability of their forwards to win now that tliey": had 1 ' the ■\rind iii their?favour, but thoy became ragged and; patohy, and did' not play with the overpowering idaeh thatoom- . mended them so much in recent games. , The first thing tihathappe.ned J .wa3'that I tho -Wellington,full-back got .top-close , up, tho ball was kicked; past, him, the ' Blue backs , resorted, to.; paisaiiig, and McKonzio nearly Gcored. ; J Scruminagea followed on tihe Wellington. linolih one of w3uoh TrevaTthen appeareS ,to ;get over and bo;thrown' back; : . -Free kicks i' relieved tho preasurio but v'fhen'. Mc Auckland- 'baclcs- again lioado'' busy, and" l thdr. on-'ra hustle, . and.: coinplefcely" : overpowerina-. the opposition, ran over, in ainaes,. and Tyler Bcored. -An attempt to improve the points failed. ;,:Auckland 10, Wellington nil. Wellington were now beaten; though if one of/ their' backs ■Jiad !had the oapacijty of ;«■; a. MacGregor, there;, jrould still. have been a famt. chanooi'a.'' George Smitlli once -was a match * for Auckland, pn; the same_ ground ! by Bearing "tWP r tri'esi after has:eido wiius ,to-all-purposes hopelessly beaten.;- But to , bp found for .Welliaigton's; hour -of need/ ■'.; Auckland making light ■ of,- t3ie wind against tibem'still attacked, and Blacklock only just pulled" MacKenzio down as .'/ScobieV , nyas putttrig"on pace to run round tbo edge at the end of a euocession of '. For c quarter of en tour the:; del<endeite'' of I the. shield Biad an unoommpaily.";, had : time,. but at last. tihej got away, .arid Spencer 7 .took a ; shot at fioal. fromia eiicoess. ' Therfp^and; r workem were foiled by marking and rtoppingy •but";.vtnej'- got .near :: r 'enougli'fto ■ give Spencer another shot:.ifrom-wMch ; he landed a penalty -a0a1.,. r ,' Auckland 10. Wellihgtcin,;' 3;;, not faiirry ,tlieniselves,':' 4>he ( '■•" delaya ''.. being rallheir palpable at'times, "thougtL strictly witihin ,rules, but; the spectators,* die-; appointed* at the' failure.'of thoir ing' and 'administering :.• remonstriancesy Ryan executed "; a/"isharp ,ma>k, "■ but Auckland ,<sainie on full'of running, nnd Kierman.. bustling iand struggling" masterfully, nearly .pushed.through at" the goal'^posts.i;;-'■' Furtber wae , by. Todd 'g»ttang;burfc ana-retiring^for a wKHe,; ' vWhen he:. oam©;;on again thp W,oltoetott- -Tjatcks * dietingoished ".them-; selves and"later,*;'gettingviinfopening, each' ■man managed T t6 .stumble, or', mifle 'tlhei ■ball, id;'turn.'"' : ' Five; before? ■•■4>ronghi:vv.]the-' , -ecoiie' -to Wellington; 6 ,; *!-' very.good : > goal v from,; a penalty, but this was the last effort .before the, end. Auckland 'tihreafceried a, further ecore, anifl then t3io bell rang, leaving: them the 'victory they . had ■' thoroughly earned. ; *:■':■'■■ ; -'-~: : '* • .■-.■■-:: '--.:■

OTAGO BEATS SOUTHLAND.

:■ (rBKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) ; ....'■/ ' ]-yK:->J>V^EDlS,. August,23^- ; ' The match, Otagb v. Southland \v&& played onj the Caledonian .Ground "to- .' day in splendid . weather, rand, in tihe presence of about^SOOO'spectators. The ; game, . trhiohi. resulted in ' a win for. Otago by'-ll -points to 3, was fast and J interesting throughout, and from the -spectators' point of -view,; one -of the best played here for some tiiriel The win nuns meritorious one, as owing to an ■unfortunate accident, particulars of which appear elsewhere, Otago ' had to play with fourteen men for rather more

than half the game. ; Southland had : ratlwr.th© best of the sorum>B-ork, but, in the loose the home forwards showed up to good .advantage; ; Tho Otago backe were decidedly euperior to their opponents, fgiving, an excellent cxposi»tion in evefy denartanent. of the game, while Southland:lacked.-resource ana combination.. About five after the.start of the gamine -Mortoh olitained a try, for Southland after a good run down the line, -Reed-failing to converts JiLst before half-timo Southland, were: attacking strongly, "and it was at this stage -that Bailey' was injured. • Otego staved; off theVattack; Shortly . after the. resumption of play, Eckbold mad© ' a. &ao run and then passed to Bennet, who_ managed to ground the* ball ■ before being pushed into touch. Adams "failed .with tie Mok at. goal.. '< Atout half-way tihrbu^h.;: tho, -spell- jGlilray centred'with a fine ldckyan«3lurphy's being ohareed down, Mclntyre scoFod in a fair position;.. Adams, again ; almost added iMr'xnajtfr.'pqint6'.i t '... : .;^m«'. "mediately aft«rwar3e ; Otago returned ■ io tie' : attack, Bennet arid.Q3Tay. fail* :• "ing in ; an < attorapt■,■: .to: touch'the*' baU '{dowA; Wiethe; race for it pyer.-4hovline. 1 Torn ards the fiaish' Soflthland, be<am

aggressive-, and mksed scoring from a niark 'by/JenKins inside'the

Otego twenty-five, Heed making a fiuitless attempt to convert. "Jnst on call <rf time, time Gilray scored ;the third try for .Otego after- a- nice run, and Adams converted easily.

NORTH v. SOUTH OTAGO.

(r-RESS ASSOCIATIQII TELEGRAM,) DUNBDIN,'August 26. The match' North Otago* v. South Otogo wns won. by North Otago by 8 points to 3 ,

MANAWATU v. HAWKER BAY.

(yBKSW ASSOCXATIOV TELECS.UI.) PALMERSTON NORTH, August 26. Manawatu and Hawko's Bay played off their annual fixture here to-day,-the former winning by 9 points to nil. The v.*«rher was fine, though -wintry, -with a slight wind blowing, "The ground was exceedingly sloppy, but notwithstanding this tihe , game, particularly: in ' ; the. second spelT, when 'ManawatH. "were on the attack, -was fast arid exciting. ; . In the first "hall there was no score, but after crossing over, the home team, ■which had been*held penned;down, managed to rattle on three tries!.none of which, , however, were converted. The scores were the result of good back: play. The Hawkc's Bay forwards were a better combination, but. the 3lana- j watu'backs Trero faster, trickier, and.; safer than the visitors' rear. division. ■Fnrrie, Hewitt and McNae scored tho : tries for Manawatu. '. : .