FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19112, 22 September 1927, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACK TRIAL. MATCH AT WANGANUI. (rSESS ASSOCIATION" TELEGHAM.) AVAXGAXUI, September 21. In ideal conditions the third All Black trial match was played to-day. The teams comprised pinyers from Taranaki, Wanganui, Wellington and Manawlie.-iua. An exposition above the average resulted. However, it was r.oticeable that continuity in Wunganui's rearguard was not- maintained as in the case of Wellington, where Kilby, JohnSon, Kickoils, South, and Enshbrook formed the back line. Playing for Wellington almost through the season these five possessed a = knowledge of each others play, which pioved the winning factor. What Wanganui lost m back play their vanguard more than retrieved. Headed by Ward, Leahy, Johnston, and Walters the pack shouldered into the 'tight play with vigour. In the firstspeli they kept Wellington defending solidly, and in tho dying stages played with a vim every bit the equal of their opening efforts. Reviewing the game and the individual players, it must be said that few impressed as 'being of All Black cla3s. Malcolm was undoubtedly the best full-back seen in action (four were'tried) and Darby was next, but neither displayed attributes above good provincial standard. South was the best back both on attack and defence. He is fast, handles cleanly, is a splendid tackier and game. Nicholls was the same resourceful player that loured with the 1924-25 All Blacks, and his knowledge of the line points helped Wellington. Kilby overshadowed Duncan at half. His passes wcro cleanly given and camo to the five-eighths like a shot from a gun. Of the Wellington forwards, Pringle, Galpin, Olliver, and Taylor wero tho most prominent-. Pringle's reach in the line-outs was of great assistance.

Of tho Wanganui-Taranaki backs there wore nono who impressed as being better than tho opposition. Duncan, .Johnston, Wakeling, and Brown figured in a, good deal o; play but wcro patchy. Johnston was probably the pick, with-Duncan, Wakeling, and Brown in that order Ward, of Taranakii was the outstanding forward. His ability to use his feet, his breaking through and.weight in the scrum 3 made him a hard proposition. Leahy and Johnston, of Wanganui, wero grafters right through. The former's speed and handling were often in evidence, and in tho tight Johnston was always prominent. Taranaki-Wanganui kept a good pressure up from the opening, and tho Blacks were penned close to their goal. Hopes of a score ran high among the local supporters, but Pringle with his long reach took the ball in a line-out and transferred it to Johnson. Nicholls took tho pass and sent if on fo South, who ran in to score- under tho posts. Nicliolls converted. Wellington 5, Wanganui 0. The scores at half-time were unaltered.

Changes wore made in the teams for tho second session. On tho Wanganui eido Darby replaced Petty at full-back, and Ncrris went on in ' place of McLennan. Thomas replaced Pringle in the Wellington team. At a later stage Malcolm, the Wellington full-hack, went off and Hunt took his place. Leahy was the dominating figure in a forward movement, tho ball going into touch. Following the throw-in, D. Johnston ran trickily but was brought down bj South. However, J. Johnston, Ward, and Walters carried tho ball on over the Wellington line, all three falling together for Walters to bo credited with tho Blues' first try. Brown's kick failed. Wellington 5, Wanganui 3. Kilby sent his backs away, Rushbrook coming in to act as an extia five-eighths. Johnson, Nieholls, and Brophy handled in turn, the last-named scoring, and Nicholls converted. Wellington 10, Wanganui 3. Prom a penalty, Leahy kicked a goal. Wellington 10, Wanganui 6. Soon after Wakeling took the ball on tho full and passed to Johnston. Brown and Norris then handled the ball, tho latter passing back to Brown, who scored. Leahy missed the kick. Wellington 10, Wanganui 9. The forwards worked solidly, but the AVellington flcfsnc© was safe.- Twic© K-ilbJi Johnsonj Nicholls, and South handled in attacking, rushes, but on both occasions the referee ruled against them. There was no further score, NAPIER AND HASTINGS BEAT TAIHAPE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) NAPIER, September 21. Napier and Hastings Rugby representatives to-day defeated a Taihape touring team by 38 points to 6. The winners total consisted of eight tries, four of them by Blake and three by Grenside. M. Brownlie converted three tries and Grenside four. The visitors' score comprised two penalty goals by Collier.

CANTERBURY B V. ASHBURTON,

Though there are many people who think that now the Canterbury team, the Shieldholders, havo been beaten three times, that they are far from being the best team in New Zealand, there is no doubt that the Province has good players coming on. So far this season our "B" representatives hflve won all their games, defeating West Coast, Golden Bay, and Ashburton rather comfortably. The form displayed suggests that next year wo could give these men an opportunity to play in big I football without disgracing themselves. Saturday's team is a good one, having a bright back division. The inside combination consists of Mullan (Christchurch), supported by Grant ('Varsity), and Mnrdon (Christchurch), the threequarter lino is Ogier (Old Boys), Calder ('Varsity), and Hart (Christchurch). The last-named played very well for the Senior ±5 representatives against Otago .Juniors last Saturday. The custodian is Neill, the promising Christchurch player. Fookes ( Varsity) occupies the wing-forward position, and should do well. A fine forward eludes Cotterell (Old Collegians), Baird (Old Boys), Speight (Old Boys), and Kearney (Merivale). The Ashburton team, who now ulay as a major Union, toured the Coast this year with success. Their representatives playing good football, Saturday's game should be bright and exciting.

AUCKLAND COMBINED TEAM. (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, September 21. Tlio Auckland-Northland team for the All Black trial game at Eden Park on Saturday against Waikato, Bay o£ Plenty Thames Vallev, and King Country will 1)0 chosen from'the following;— Backs —Butler, Jacobs, Wood, Sheen, Hook, Badelev, Berridge, Meyer, McManus (all Auckland), Findlay (Northland). Forwards —Keene, Hadley, Palmer, Rißaton, Knight, Cathcart, B. Fletcher, Fell, Mathias (all Auckland), Finlayson, Donaldson, Watson (Northland). The New Zealand representatives' not available are Lucas .(Auckland) apd Lomaß Bryden, 0 f Hamilton, will be the l-cferce. RUGBY LEAGUE. AUCKLAND DEFEATS WELLINGTON. (TOESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, September 21. Auckland to-day defeated Wellington in a Rugby Leaguo match by 41 points to 23. The winners showed better combination, and were the local representatives' superiors in tackling. . They also threw the ball about well. Tries were scored for Auckland by Bass, Wilson, Dixon (4), Hall, Webb, and Wade. Bass converted ono and Dufty five. For Wellington the scorers were Brace, Love, and Halliday (3), while Bowen converted three and kicked o penalty goal.

ASSOCIATION. ENGLISH CUP SEMI-FINAL. At English Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon an attractive sports programme lias been arranged by tlio Canterbury Football Association. The game Nomads v. Thistle will bo preceded by a half-mile cycling event, run in three heats, the first commencing at 2.45 p.m., and the final at 8.45 p.m., also a fifth grade match between Technical A and St. Albans for the Ramsay Cup. The big match should develop into a brilliant game, as both teams possess exceptionally good players, several having represented Canterbury in their recent interprovincial fixtures. The Nomads team is a good combined one, and well balanced, and should acquit themselves in every department of the game. Their forward line has few equals in the competition, and the defence is looked upon as impregnable, as their performance to date has been particularly meritorious. The Thistle Club is by no means a weak team, as their record to date shows that they have considerably improved in their " footwork, Bnd must be seriously reckoned with. The defence and attack of the latter will fully extend the Nomads, and it will cause no Burprise if the Thistle team proves itself the better on the day, and qualify for the final. The game is sure to resolve itself into a ding-dong struggle, and patrons of the Soccer code will be assnred of &u excellent afternoon's entertainment.