FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20027, 8 September 1930, Page 16

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON WIN. THREE-QUARTERS TOO GOOD. Showers at frequent intervals and the playing of a curtain-raiser left the Lancaster Parle oval iu a sodden and treacherous condition for the Welling-ton-Canterbury match, and what might have been a brilliant contest developed into a struggle mainly between the forwards, with occasional clashes among the backs, marked by a good deal of poor passing and mishandling so far as Canterbury were concerned. It was mainly due to a slight superiority in this department that Wellington achieved their victory by 11 points to 3, but the northern packsuien were just a little better, too. Canterbury's weakness lay in the wings, Oliver and Eobilliard, who found iu their oi>pouents, Olliver and Mackay, a pair of clever three-quarters versatile j enough to make light of the handicap of ' a wet ball and sufficiently good oppor-! tunists to profit by the chances which ! Canterbury weaknesses gave them. j Canterbury had only one outstanding forward, Stewart, while Wellington had two or three, and, eight for eight, the visitors packed better, their footwork was more finished, and their condition was unquestionably superior. A spell of bright sunshine before the match tempted about 7000 people to brave the chill sou'-west blasts which followed, and a few hundred, when the sleety rain did its worst, showed they regretted their choice and wended their way towards the gates. Spectators facing the wind from the east side of the ground experienced the worst discomforts. Long Passes. Perhaps the most noticeable feature of Canterbury's failure were the long lob passes given by the five-eighths, and the poor positional play of liobilliard, whose showing was a long way below provincial standard. The defection of G. F. llart through an attack of influenza was a serious loss to Canterbury, but even the speedy All Black three-quarter could not havo turned the scale. Wellington were weakened more by the absence of A. E. Cooke and C. G. Porter. Not to put too fine a point upon it, the Canterbury inside backs wero disappointing. Lilburne took a whole spell to find himself, in his latest role of centre three-quarter, and by that time Hay was becoming inaccurate with his passes, and Innes was worse than ever ia his futile dashes into the ruck, where sure hands always awaited hiia. Mulian has often been better, but he was behind a pack without much initiative, and rarely the ball came through a. scrum to him cleanly. In lino-o.uts the big Wellington forwards were victors time after time, and Mark Nicholls, to whom the oval travelled on most , of these occasions, tamely kicked out at every chance in the second spell. Spectators laughed or cheered ironically, but the more they did so, the more imperturbable Nicholls appeared, and he sustained these taeties to tho end. ? Kilby. was mercurial behind the Wellington scrum and the big Black forwards in line-outs, his mobility being greater than Mullan's. Foley, second five-eighths,* is very clever, and a sure tackier. He had Innes completely bottled up. Another very sound Wellington back is Ball, who looked after Lilburne very effectively. , ■Wellington Wings Superior. But it was in tho wings that Wei-j lington had a more marked superiority. C. Oliver had far fewer opportunities | than Robilliard, but by his namesake he was held very safe, while both Olliver and Mdckay had a very keen eye for the main chance/ There Was some very fine line-kicking by the Wellington backs, and by none better than Heazlewood, whose form was tip to the international standard for such greasy conditions. The home fifteen found him the hardest man to pass in the 'Wellington team. I'ulton was badly beaten by the Wellington forwards, with footwork once or twice, and. was not quick enough to avoid-trouble on other occasions, but, on the "whole, was fairly sound. His linekicking, was mostly good, while Heazlewood's was excellent. To sum up, the Wellington backs •were better than Canterbury's, and they saved their forwards more. Their handling and passing were surer, and in the matter of combination their superiority was undoubted. What would have happened on a dry ground it is not easy to say, but it is almost certain that there would have been some great football. Wellington played with wind and rain in the first half, Lilburne having lost the toss to Nicholls, and made the score 5-0 at the interval. Much of the play was ragged, and the referee was very strict, penalising all scrum breaches. Scoring Against the Wind. After" the interval the Wellington forwards took a greater part in and the visiting fifteen were able to register more points against the wind than with it, while one raking Canterbury rush reached the objective, after the home team had been cheated by misfortune more than. once. Once Fulton, near the Wellington line, cross-kicked rather foolishly to Robilliard, who was beaten rather badly by Mackay. Fortunately, the runaway try which spectators were anticipating did not materialise. When Ollivier scored, Ball beat no fewer than four men; with a clover swerving run weaknesses in Canterbury tackling were exposed, and once Heazlewood tricked threo to get clear in the second spell. Oliver's only real chances of scoring were spoiled when Lilburne gave him a pass right at his feet, and when he foil in possession. Wellington fielded some giant forwards, who would hold a place in any team. Price, wing-forward, did not dominate the game as Porter might have, but Barry, Diedrich, and Conlston were always in the picture, and the whole eight are apparently very fit. It was pleasing to see the way they combined in the loose.. Team-work by the Canterbury pack was conspicuous-by its absence. King got through some solid Work at wing, but was denied possession near the Wellington line for those tornado-like dashes with which Canterbury spectators have become familiar. Stewart was really ihe best forward in the home team by a long way, with Cottrell and Manchester heading the others. None of them knew as much about heeling baek to the half as tho Wellington men.

THE PLAY. The teams were:— CANTERBURY. (Red and Black.) Full-back: R. A. Fulton (12.7). Thrce-quart-crs: C. Oliver (11.10) J. F. Robilliard (11.8) 11. Lilburrto (12.0) (captain). Five-eighths: G. D. Innes (12.10). D. Ilav (11.5). Half-back: T. F. Mulian (11.0). Wing-forward: R. K. King (13.3). Forwards: A. ('arson (11.2), J. S. Chamberlain H 2.12), J. E. Manchester (13.-1), T. Robinson (13.-5). 11. T. Stewart 16.0), A. T. Cottroll (12.10), W. Poaso (12.1). WELLINGTON. (Black and Gold.) Full-back: Lr. lv. Heazlcwood (12.0>. Three-quarters: D. J. Olliver 112.0) D. J. Mackay (12.0) X. Ball (11.1). Fivo-eighths: E. Holey (10.6), M. F. Nicholls (11.5) (captain). Half-back : F. D. Kilby (10.12). Wing-forward : O. I'rico (ll.l). Forwards: E. Reid (14.1), N. E. Died rich (12.3), H. F. McLean (13.9), C. McPherson (15.0). E. Barry (14.9), E. Jessep (14.9). E. Coulstou (J2.4). G. F. Hart was absent because of an attack of influenza. J. F. Robilliard took his place on the wing. Thero was a driving rain from the sou'-west as the teams took tho held, Canterbury playing into it. A good line-kick found them on tho attack, and Mulian sent his backs away, but Lilburne's pass to Oliver was smothered. The ball shot out to the other flank, and Robilliard put in a good run, backed up bv Lilburne, but tho latter's in-pass went astray. Ball kicked to the lino, and into Canterbury territory. Wellington were given a free kick, but Lilburne fielded and sent it hack with a kick which earned applause. The Canterbury backs sparkled again, and King was hauled down only a few yards from the line. The ball was centred, but Robilliard. on the wing, could not field it, and Mackay broke right away downiield. finding touch at the half-way mark. Wellington secured from the scrum for the first time, but were penalised. _ They came again to within striking distance, and Mackay was dashing strongly down the lino when Lilburne pushed him out. The Canterbury forwards worked clear. Fulton failed to find the line, and Mackay bore down on the ball, and kicked downfield. There was nobody there, and Roid gathered in and was nearly over. The Red forwards packed round, but Price dived across to be held up, and a scrum was ordered. Kilby sent the hall on tho blind to Nicholls. who whipped it out to Mackay. the winger diving across ft the corner for a good try. Heazlewootl converted with a splendid kick from tho touchline. Wellington " Canterbury 0. Wellington nearly scored again soon after. Foley breaking right away from forty yards out. Price came up to help him but knocked on when a score seemed imminent. After a brief inter mission, the ram camo on harder than ever. M ellington started up another back attack, but Lilburne brought Ball down and sped off with the ball, and Oliver carried on, but threw out a blind pass. A series of Canterbury back thrusts proved fruitless, and D. Olliver, using his feet well, took the ball downfield, Fulton saving. Kicking with the wind, the Wellington backs sent it hack, hut Cottrell and Manchester headed the Canterbury forwards to take the plav to tho Wellington twenty-five. Innes was responsible for some good work. He made his way up the touchline, and gained ground by tricky piny, but passed the wrong way. and tho move 1 - inent broke down. A penalty to Canterbury for infringement in the scrum gained them ground. Thev went to attack, and some hot forward play ensued in the corner. Mulian sent out on the blind side to Innes. to Oliver, who was stopped. The movement was repented, hut King could not get far. and Wellington worked to midGcld. Lilburne was given a penalty, but the distance was too" great, and Heazlcwood kicked out well down the line. After participating in a back rush, Hay came round again to find the line, but Wellington worked awav again. Fulton saved cleverly in the face of; a fierce forward onrush. Though the rain had eased off. the ball was wet. Half-time score: Wellington 5. Canterbury 0. The Wellington forwards started oil with a rush after the interval, and Fulton was called on to save. From a back rush, right on tho Canterbury line, Innes missed the slippery ball, but Lilburne was there to kick clear. Wellington came again, and Fulton was caught in possession. IX Olliver made a dash, but C. Oliver I managed to kick to the line. Even then Canterbury were not out of trouble. Fulton marked on the line and got in a good kick, but Wellington came again, and Mackay got across in the corner. Heazlewood missed the kick. Wellington 8, Canterbury 0. . Nicholls was. away from the kick-oif, but Stewart and tlio other Red forwards brought play well down field. Wellington were playing a clover antl finished game; the slippery ball Ui<l not seem to trouble them, while Canterbury were not relishing the bleak conditions. At last the Canterbury backs cume away but Robilliard was not fast enough, and Ball caught him from behind. From a back rush Hay and Innes made ground for Lilburne to break right though, and Robilliard got i out of position, and was not where he should have been, so Lilburne's pass went astray. Lilburne doubled round to break through again, but tho movement was stopped. Then came a dramatic change. Lil- ' burne missed his pass, and Ball came through fast to snap up. He carried on past two or three Canterbury men to send on to D. Olliver, who dived over at the corner, -as Innes flew at him. Heazlewood's kick was a good one, narrowly missing. Wellington 11, Canterbury 0. Innes made a eood opening, and coming fast downfield, passed to Lilburne near the line. Heazlcwood stopped him and prevented him sending on to Oliver, who .was waiting on the outside unmarked. Wellington kicked clear. Carson was injured, hut resumed. Lilb"rne had a splendid shot from a penalty, missing by inches. From a back rush, near the Wellington twentv-five. Hay kicked to an open space. Robilliard sped down, and secured, and sent out to Lilburne, who had followed him. He was stopped, but went, on again, and touched down as he was tackled hv Henzlewood. Lilburne missed the kick. Wellington 11, Canterbury 3. A clearing kick by Fulton rebounded off Price, and. the situation looked dangerous, but a scrum was ordered. A forward rush was initiated by King but the Wellington- forwards were too resourceful Ironical cheers came from the stand as Nicholls kicked to the line whenever the ball reached him. The Wellington forwards wero olaving in great style, keeping close to the ball all the time. Hay relieved the pressure they were-sustain-ing by a good kick down field. From the line-out. a Canterbury back attack broke down, and Foley broke through, gaining a lot of ground.' Mackay beat Robilliard badly, and bore up field, but

was pushed into touch as time sounded. Final score: \ Wellington 11, Canterbury 3. Referee: Mr T. Macintosh (West Coast). TEAMS DINE TOGETHER. WELLINGTON CONGRATULATED. After the match tlio teams dined together at the Dominion Hotel, the president of the Canterbury Rugby Union (Mr A. E. McPbail) presiding. iu proposing the health of the Wellington team, Air Mcl'bail congratulated theni on winning tbo Raniurly Shield, and also on their lino performance right through tbo season. The sole selector must have felt very satislied. They in Canterbury had thought they might have lowered ,\\ ellington's colours, but. it had been a wet day match aud they could not manage it. Mr J. N. Mi 11.ml, manager of the Wellington team, thanked tho Canterbury Union for its hospitality, and said that naturally he was proud of his team. It' Canterbury was tho first to take the Shield from them next season, ho would be tho iirsb to congratulate them. Their match that day had been the third in succession played on a wet ground. In lnvercargill it had been wet; in Dunedin it had been wet, and they were now returning to Wellington to enjoy a game on a dry ground. Mr M. F. Nicholls, captain of the Wellington side, also acknowledged the toast,. Proposing tlio toast of "The Referee," Mr 11. Lilburne, captain of the Canterbury side, paid a tribute to the referee for the manner in which ho had carried out his duties. It was, he said, about Canterbury's turn to win the Shield, and if they brought it here next season it would prove a great impetus to football in tho orofinw. Mr T. Macintosh replied. That day's game, he assured them. had been played in an excellent spirit, and he thought the better team had won He offered the Wellington team the congratulations of the West Coast Rugby Union on winning the Shield ; he was sum tfyit the.v thoroughly deserved it The junior representatives dined tocetber at Coker's Hotel, and l>oth the Wellington senior nnd junior loams left for Wellington by Saturday night's ferry. WELLINGTON WIN AGAIN. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. Wellington mob the junior representative match against Canterbury, which was played on tho Oval as a curtain-raiser to the bis match, by 13 points to 7, Though Canterbury scored first, Wellington were moro aggressive in tho backs after tbes' had settled down. For a time both sets ot' forwards fought willingly nnd boro the < brunt of tho play. There were Bome good individual rushes oil both sides, but concerted rearguard actions camo only occasionally. Tho wet ground, too, made for treacherous footholds. At half-timo Wellington wero leading by one point, and then it was that their backs cume into the picture. With the wind behind them they dominated tho play. Forward play, however, was fiercely contested. After they had notched threo more points, Wellington battled hard at tho Canterbury line, and liad scoring chances on several occasions. They udded another converted try, after which the Canterbury backs began to throw the ball about, and these tactics gavo them their only try. , Wellington continued to attack, and it was good fortune, ra'lier than sound defence, which prvented a further score. For the winners, Yonns:, Guise, and Jesbcp scored, O'Connor and ilclvor each concerting one try. Fox for'-d Canterbury's only try, whilo Uondry kicked a good field goal. The teams were:— Canterbury—J. illT Fox, J. Maxwell, R.. Harrison; K. Britt, J. Hendry; B. Cooper; I'. Hinrhey, 6. Feddar, J. Reynolds. G. Thompson, W. Beattio, D. Loador, K. Wyman. W. May. Wellington—F. Hepburn: X. Jessep, P. O'Connor, 1). Young; J. Griffith, F. Wilkinson; F. Hislop: B. Guisp, It. Gower. N*. Duncan, R. O'Neill, W. Lind, B. Ilclvor, T. Cricliton, J. Bracken. Air A. Thompson was referee. SENIOR B GRADE. OLD BOYS BEAT CHRISTCHURCH. At Lancaster Park, OUI Boys won tho senior B grade championship, beating Christchurch by 3 points to 0 in the final. Tho teams had met on two previous occasions, Old Boys winning the first match by 14 points to 8, whilo Christchurch won the second by 6 to 3 Tho match on Saturday produced first-class football, and there was little to choose between tho teams. The forwards on both sides worked bard throughout, and although Old Boys hooked the ball from most of tho scrums Christchurch were their equal in line-outs aud loose rushes. The Old Boys' inside backs wero responsible for their win as their defence was always sound. On attack, too, they showed Bpeed and resource. Individually the Christchurch rearguard waa good, but they lacked team work, nnd too often a good opening was spoilt by selfishness. Old Boys had the advantage of the wind in the first spell and made full uso of it in the opening stages of the game. They were rather unlucky in not scoring on several occasions, one in particular when Candy got over tho line to loso possession. When Christchurch settled down, play went from one end of tho field to the other In spectacular movements. The defence of both teams was sound, and there was no score at half-time. In the second spell Vincent and Jlortlock, tho Old Boys' five-eighths, made the game open, and from a scrum near tho Christchurch line Candy scored a good try. For about ten minutes Christchurch had their opponents penned up in their twenty-five, and were nearly over several times, but the tackling was too accurate. By good line-kicking Old Boys relieved the position, and play was in midfleld when the final whistle went with the score:— Old Boys f!, Christchurch 0. Roferee, Sir A. S. Woodsford. SOUTHLAND BEATS OTAGO. j (press association telegram.) DUNEDIN,- September 6. Southland defeated Otago at Oarisbrook today by 17 points to 11. Intermittent rain showers and an extromely dirty ground and greasy ball, following on all night rain, made finished play impossible. The game was evenly contested for the most part, but in the latter stages of the second spell the Southland forwards asserted- themselves. Seven minutes from the call of time the score waa 12-11 iu favour of Southland, but continued pressure by the visiting forwards had the effect of increasing the margin before the final whistle sounded. Otago had the better of the first spell, and after temporary dominance by Southland, kept play continuously in the visitors' twenty-five. The first score of the game came when Otago was awarded a penalty in Southland's twentyfive, Souter making no mistake with the kick. Southland equalised with a fine try by Metealf, which Portor failed to convert. Honours were definitely in the homo team's favour, but at lialf-time tho scoro wa3 3 all. Rain continued for the greater part of the second spell, although tho sun broke through for a short period. The Southland forwards were in better form in the second half, and play was much more even. A free-kick to Otago gave Bradanovich an opportunity. Ho short-punted and shot up to field the ball and pass to Proctor, who beat Geddes to score at the corner. Souter's kick failed. Southland equalised when Bell broke through and following an infringement by Otago Portor kicked a goal. A little later a kick by Finlayson was charged down and Geddes raced over at the corner. Porter's kick missed. Obstruction on the part of Otago put Southland ahead, Geddes kicking a fine goal from about thirty-five yards out. Bradanovich secured aud completely outwitted the opposition with' successive dummies, -passing to Proctor in time for the latter to score. Souter converted. In the final stages of tho game the Southland forwards broke away, and within two minutes of timo Hazlett dived over to score in a handy position, Geddes uoaverted. Fivo minutes lator tho final whistle sounded with the score: Southland 17, Otago 11. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND V. THE REST. In tho annual Kugl>y match between the Bank of Now Zealand and * team from the other hanks in Chrietcliuich, played at Ha "ley. Park on Saturday afternoon, the Hank oi 2\ew Zealand won by 11 points to