FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12291, 7 September 1905, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

AUSTRALIA v MANAWATU AND MAWKE'S BAY CQMBL*«_D. .

(rBBSS ASSOCIATION TKLXCKAM.) PALMERSTON NORTH, September 6. A clear sky and a dry, • fast ground for the match, Australia v Manawatu and HawkoV Bay Combined today, and an attendance of 6000, contributed greatly to the success of tho matdh. The visitors had tlie best back team oni, but professed to be weak in the I forward through injuries sus- ' taioed at Dunedin. The teams were: — Australia—B. Smith, Wickham, Penman, Russell, McLean, Anelzark, Woods, lim-don, Oxland, darken, Luoas, iltrschrjerg, Judd, Swaanell, and Murnin. _ . Manawatu—Skelloy, Scott, Fume, Hewett, Stalker, Ward, Ongley, Munro, I McCarthy, Alex'. MoMinn, W. Smith, Cairlean, MoNae, Joi_ston, and Galloway. The Rev. C. C. Harper officiated as referee. " Tho Australians made the pace very willingly, particularly the forwards. Too backs were clever and clean at taking the ball, but, with tho exception of Woods ana Penman, weio inclined to pass erraticaiiy, or at wrong moments, and thus lacked a certain ability to score. Woods, at half, played a great game, initiating almost every passing atttucit, and "defending cleverly. The time-out work of the forwards was superior, while in tho scrum they adopted a phalanx formation, and screwed, but did'not seem to beat Manawatu for toe ball. Their two half tactics came oil superior as against one winger, the .Uanawatu half being pounced upon ueroro he had a chance to do anything. Tne gome early settled down in the home territory, Penman being prominent in attack. Wkskham essayed a goal from a free kick, but failed, and tnen some pretty fact work by the Australian forwards, and fast following up by Russell, again brought clanger to luanawatu. The visiting forwards worked weir in concert, and, with whirlwind rapidity of attack, were getting aii over the Manawatu vanguard. Sato bock play kept tho danger at bay. »Vhilo.Australia wero attacking a kick by Ongley was smothered, and tlie homo team Had to force, and things looked unpromising. Ward mulled badly, but Munro got his side out of difficulties, and then Furrie took the ' play out of Manawatu's territory. A few minutes after this Hewitt extracted himself from several long arms, and kicked ahead. McNae and three others, following up kept the ball going. The three-quarter and full-back failed to save, and then McNae giving.a final bump" to the bail fell over on it in scoring territory. Ward took the kick and converted. The ball was no sooner in motion again when Oxlode'got a mark, and taking a kick from nearly haif-way, Wickham placed a beautiful goal. Exciting play followed in mid-field, and when Australia had been striving all they knew, and excitement was at fever heat, Woods darted away and passed near the touchline to Penman. Penman sent the ball back to McLean, and the latter soiled over and scored. Wiokhom took the kick, but did not convert. Half-time came and went, and the game waged as before, Australia holding the Reds penned.' Murnin, Lucas and Swanneil were a dangerous trio. Then for a time Manawatu shook themselves, and had Australia hard held, bub only for a timo, for the Colours oame back again, and the Manawatu full-back was a busy man. ' He saved his side much. It was pretty to see the Australian forward rushes. Again and again they went away together, sweeping over everything. Tho last four minutes were fast and exciting. Both teams strove hard. Then the visitors, with a great rush, returned, and Burden and Wickham were within an ace of crossing, but it was not to be, and though the excitement was tense and play exceedingly fast, no further score was made, and the game ended. Australia 7, Manawatu 6. "That's the way we play on a good and a dry ground," observed the manager of the team, Mr Henderson. "That's' how the game is played in Sydney." Certainly; it was one* of the most exciting games over played in Palmerston. .Mr G. H. Mason, seen by a "Press" representative yesterday, in regard to tho grievances of the Canterbury Rugby Union aoainet the governing body . stated that he did not fay that "the Southland and Otago Rugby Unions were waiting for 1 Canterbury to take the lead in shifting tho headquarters from Wellington." What'he did say was that when ho was down South he was approached by several members, asking when the Canterbury Rugby Union were going to take the lead. He also stated that Otago had a foot of grievanoe to Canterbury's, inch in several matters. In repair} *<> other unions Mr Mason did not know anything about their troubles, i The annual match, New Zealand j Banks r. Australian, will be played on ' Saturday at the North Park, Christchurch ground, at 3 p.m. New Zealand Banks will be represented by Cotton, Tanks, Ollivier, Porteous, Maofrogor, Grant, Robertson, Lynskey, ender, Denham, Hill, Smith, Bloxani, and March. The Australian team is as follows:—Mathias, Beadel, Cunming--1 ham; King, Fraher,' Vickerman, Brock, Craddock, Willoox, Dixon, Douglas, j Mitchell, Smith, Thomas, and King. .