FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 275, 13 August 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

SOUTH CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON, ;The intorprovinpial match, South, Canterbury v. Wcilington (No. 2 team), was decided yesterday afternoon in good, but cold, weather, when South Canterbury proved victori-. ous by 8 points to 6. The ground was in capital order for . football, and about 1000 spectators were present. ' Taking the game from start to finish the visitors may bp judged as this beftor team of the two, but seeing that the local team had not had a game together before, much praise is duo to them for the plucky fight they put up. In the first spell, with tho advantage of the wind, South Canterbury had much the best of matters, ■ but on changing round Wellington made a much better showing. Roddick played a great garno for South Canterbury;

lie was prominent throughout, and his try between the posts was most creditable. For Wellington, Avery, on the wing, was responsible for some very fine play, and Beavis, wing three-quarter, was also ■ noticeable for tho good work he accomplished. Tho teams were as follow.—

Wellington,—Full-back, A. Thomas; three? quarters, Beavis, Hitchings, and N. Gordon; nve-eighth, J. Ferguson; half, Tilyard; forwards, H. E. Avery, F. Gardiner, Caleinai, Osborne, A. Cameron, Perry, De la Maro, J. Murphy, and Houlihan. ' ' South Canterbury.—Full-back, D. Scott; three-quarters, G. Bradley, G. Priost, and G. Spillane; five-eighth, E. Horgan; half, 11. Darcy; forwards, J. Roddick, E. Husband, A. Budd, G. Niall, W. Scott, G. Fitzgerald, Carlton, J. O'Brien, and M. Melville. Roddick• kicked off for South Canterbury with the wind behind him. Avery shono out immediately for Wellington by starting a for,ward rush which took play to their opponents' twenty-five, where Spillane saved. Another rush headed by Beavis and Gardinor sent' play again into South Canterbury territory, the ball going out at the pornor. From the enduing line-out Melville and Husband carried the ball at then' feet into the Wellington twenty-five, whero tho local men were penalised, and from the kick South Canterbury opened their score by Spillano placing a fine goal.

South Canterbury 3 Wellington ... ' 0 Up and down play followed, but it was not Ion" before tho Southerners had Wellington hotly 'defending, a force-down relieving. Good work by De la Maro and Gardiner reversed play for a timo, but South Canterbury, from a sorum, got possession, and play was again being fought out in tho local team's twentyfive. Avery secured, and after putting m a' good run passed to Forguson, who kicked into touch. Wellington failed to press home their advantage, • and wero driven back. Good passing between the visitor's backs followed, wlion Daroy sent the ball out to •Bradloy, who transferred to Hqrgan, but tho last-named was well-tackled by Bcavis. Shortly after Avery wns prominent for Wellington, but though ho made a good run, his pass was smothered. Tilyard then set the Wellington backs 'in motion. The ball went to Ferguson, to Beavis, and to Hitchings, but tho last-named player was tackled before he had time to transfor. For an infringement on the part of a South Canterbury player Wellington were awarded a free kick in & good position, and Gardinor equalised the scores by placing a neat goal.

South Canterbury ... ... ... 3 Wellington .... . ... -3 Tho' visitors from this ■ out to tho end of tho spoil had tlio local mou hotly defending. Half timo sounded' with play right on Wellington's goal lino, with no alteration in tho scores,

On resuming, Wellington showed up much hotter, and used tho wind to good advantage. Their scrum work was also moro effective. Tho visitors wc-ro forced to defend ; until... Roddick broko away and passed !.ito-.' r.Bradley,. but tho latter's kick crossed Wellington's lino, Wellington being, forced.' Avery started tho local- forwards on a forward rush, and-play was taken to the South Canterbury lino, whore a series of scrums followed. Scott relieved the pressure for South Canterbury. Exciting -play now took place: Spillano (South Canterbury) mado a great dribbling rush, which was stopped Ijy Avery, who took a flying kick, and a race ensued for the ball between Avery and tho South Canterbury back, tho lattor cleverly securing and kicking out of touch, Gardiner had a futile shot at goal for Wellington from a penalty. Play hovered about tho visitors' goal posts after .this, and from-a scramble on tlio lino Wellington increased their score from a try by Perry and Gardiner, who touched down simultaneously. Gardiner failed to improve the score.

Wollington ... 6 points. South Canterbury i.. 3 points. • Tho reverse infused extra spirit into tho visitors, and Roddick and O'Brien started a, dribbling'rush v/hich was maintained right to tho local, twenty-five, where South Canterbury were awarded a free kick. Roddick's'.kick at goal; however, was ■ fruitless. From a line-out in Wellington territory Scott passed to Roddick, who beat the whole of the Wollington team and scored 9. splendid try right between the posts. Roddick was successful with the, kick. South Canterbury ... 8 pojnts. Wellington 6 points. Each team, now-took turns at attacking, Darc.v. breaking away for the visitors once, but. his pass was clevorly intercepted by Gardiner. From this out both teams tried hard to score, but the whistle sounded with no alteration in the tally, the game endingSouth Canterbury 8 points. Wellington ... ... 6 points. Mr. P. Laws was referee. / ;