FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 282, 21 August 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI. MATCH AT NEW PLYMOUTH. ' TA.RANAKI'WINSBY 15 TO o. ' (Nt TELEGRAPH—PRESS- ASSOCIATION.) New Plymouth, August 20. The conditjpns w.erc not ideal for tlio Taranaki v. Wellington football match to-day, several light sliowsrs fallilig'during'the''first spell. The ground was 'somewhat sltippy, Bttt so great was the paco : 'iit which the match was played that the ground seemed to. he littlo disability to the players. The feature of tho match was the accurate liandliug'of the wet ball and the line-kickihg, - the local hacks neutralising every effort, of'thoV6ppdsing vanguard in the loose, and-thc dribbling work of the Taranaki forwards' was superior to that of the .Wellington men/ but in line-out and foloso work the visitors had the advantage.-. The gamo was exciting and admirable to I watch, although Wellington rarely threatened ; the local line. They, greatly missed 1 Roberts'; who, owing to indisposition) Was unable to play. Tho game ended iii a victory for-Tara-naki by 15 points to nil; and, 1 on the day's scoring opportunities, fairly represents the diffterenco. between the teams which todk the field as follow:— Wellington. • FULL B YCk M. 1 jail THREE-QUUUnS Evcnson, Mitcbinson, M'Leod. FIVE-EIGHTHS - Magde and J. Ryan.:,,, | . half-back:,.;'; Green 1 .. -v | FOR WARDS: Winger: Dewar. 1 ' Hardliani, "Ranji" Wilson, Rushy M'Kellar, Hamilton, 'O'Brien. Taranaki: ■ FULL-back: . i Hardjrai'os. -''I; r: r ' :.' f . Dive, Cameron," C. Slieahan,' ' • FIVE-EIGHTHS: ; ' •' Hunter, Mynott. HALF-BACK Frewin.- • •.■ FORWARDS:

Winger:. Colman., . O'Sullivan, Rothery, Crowley, Pukcre, Tamu, Whittington, Cain. First Spell. , Column set tho ball- rolling).'Mageo' returning and from a mark in the line-out M'Leod lined at centre. Thb Wellington forwards broke away, but Hardgraves stayed the progress, and, though tackled, got in a splendid'kick, and immediately afterwards sent back a high return enabling tho local men to charge down on Ryan, who kicked out closo to his goal-line. O'Sullivan, Dive, and Cameron niada a dash, but an infringement lost a likely score. Divo again secured and centred under Wellington's goal, Mageo bringing off a smart mark, and clearing lines "Ranji", 'Wilson, and Hardham were prominent in a Wellington forward rush in tlio Taranaki end, which Mynott stayed. Cameron got away and passed' to Hunter, the lattor Bonding a bad pass to Dive, which Mitehinson intercepted•''aiyd j) di , ibbl6d 'across tho line;, but Cameron luokihv forced for Taranaki. Returning tlio'"kicl^oiit'"'Ranji" Wilson and Hamilton charged'down, placing Taranaki on tho defensive, but with a fino forward rally the danger ..was .removed. Mitehinson returned aria, then O'Brien' - and Hardham took up tho running, '.but"Mynott's defence was riot pierced. Tho local forwards rallied headed by O'Sullivan,' Crowley','' and Tamu and transforrod the play to tlio visitors' quarter, where fast play ensued until Crowley and Rothery dashed through' tho opening and dribbled past' the Wellington full-back, J. Ryan cutting back and'savins a certain score. A good rush by the Black forwards was thrown' back over half the length of the field '' by' : a long lino kick, by Hardgraves. Hunter "s'ecurod'from tho, forwards und passed .to Dive,' who dashed' across, but. was* callod back-for 1 infringement. "Ranji"-' Wilson, Mitcliinson, 1 and M'Leod were promiriently 'associated, ill the succeeding rush, which ended in Hunter being thrown . out near .the ■ local line, but again'Hardgraves relieved with'a'long line finder. Play'continued"for some'tiirie on tlio Taran-aki side* of halfway, till'. Huiiter' and Mynott got ftway, O'Sullivan'and Tamil carry* ing tho ball on at a 'dribble' arid '-'collaring M. Ryan before be could'kick'.' " The visitors qarried tho next scrurii, "hdwove'r,''aild took tho play to midfield, where'M'Leod improved with a'ppod kick into local 'territory. ; Sheahan failing to tako tho : liall almost orii his own line, nearly let tho'vis.itoTs'in, but tho local forwards carrying' all beforo them swept to midfield, whero a jMllfilty enabled Hardgraves to transfor tho play close to the Wellington' lino. Snappin'g"-up a .return from Mageo, Cameron and;;Divo made a 'dash through tho Wollington'vbaeks, tho former transferring to Mynott'near-the lino, and Mynott scored between tlio posts. Cameron kicked a goal. i'T ..;

i, Taranaki, ... 5 ! - Wellington ,»•''AO I '.''." ; The visiting forwards: camo away: in . a solid phalanx after the ■ kick-out,.; iicd •'Vlaranaki being penalised Mitchinson ■, foundtho • liile at tlie local goal-lino. Green n.arked ..the throw-in, and J. ilyan had a fruitless shot at goal, Cameron returning past-halfway. "Ranji" Wilson was noticeable-- dribbling through the local baeksj 'but .-.Hardgrav.es was equal to tho occasion.T.amuand Crowley were prominent;'in a-.rfoirnrd rush in which the visiting backs-were,beaten,, and tho. ball-went out near .-Wellington, goal-line. Fast play followed in tho.. visitors' twenty? five, Wellington eventually brn'ng compelled to force. Returning tho kick-out, Taniu, Dive, Hunter, and Frewin participated in a passing rush, which ended under Wellington goal. Hot play ensued, but .eventually J. flyan, Mitchtnson, and M'Lcod, with a olever effort, removed.-; the play to,, a less dangerous position ..sounded. During this.spell there >vas/uot..a, groat deal to chooso between tile teams,- Taranaki having, if anything, tho advantage, the pace being hot, and few expected it to. be: kept up during tho second,,half.:. Such .proved the case, howover, and the game novel- slackened off till the final whistlo sounded. "'' Second Spsll. An exchange of kicks marked'the, opening of tho spell, ending in Divo . marking- in liis own twenty-five, and Hardgraves, with a fine kick, sent tho leather well past Wellington's'quarter flag. Whittingtou marked tho throw-in, but nothing was gained; ltyan marking the kick und<jr his goal, and kicking back to safety. Here Dive hesitated with the ball, "llanji" Wilson pounced on him, and took tho play to the centre, but Hardgraves neutralised, tho effort With a line-kick. Fast following up enabledSheahan and Cameron to tackle Evenson \yith tho ball, which secured, and made a dash across, but. Wellington forced. Slieahan returned tho kick-out into Wellington's quarter. Pukero secured from tho' thiowin, and a forward passing i'ush took place between Bother,y and O'Sullivan'. Tho latter crossed ' tho lino at tho corner! ' The kick at goal failed. : .. Taranaki. • ... ... '8 Wellington ..." ... ... ' .... 0. Tho local backs' safe fielding and kicking neutralised all the'efforts of'the visitors, and play , hereafter rarely got past tho half flag. Mynott almost got across; but was' Called back for infringement, but Hardgreavos'returned Mitchinson's kick from tho contro right to the corner flag. A struggle ensued ou tlio line, and "Wellington got ' relief from a ponalty.' Tho local forwdixis maintaiiiied,

a. hot attack, but the defence of Green, Mit chinson, Magee, and M'Leod, Was very solid,'Colman, with tho ball at too, was almost' over when Mitchinson came to M. Ryan's rescue, and almost immediately afterwards Wellington again forced. Divo took the kick out and dashed for the corner, centring in front.of tho goal, but Magee beat Cameron for the ball and marked., Cameron, fielding the kick, passed to Jlardgraves, who essayed to pot, and-Wellington forced. The defenders were' given no respite, and fast following up ono of his kicks Dive collared M'Leod with the ball. Tho forwards kept going, and. Mynott crossed the . line, but touched down on the dead ball line. Give returned .the kick-out high and Tamu, following* hard, was.just beaten for the ball entile Wellington lino by Dewar, whose forwards rallied round him and camo away with a fine rush, which was spoilt by a breach. " llangi" Wilson and Hardman shone out in another,fine.rally; but Hunter snatched the ball from their feet, and dodging past transfeved... to.. Shoahan,, and .tho latter to Cameron, who_ peorod good try. Cameron roado a good but .unsuccessful shot' at goal. • Tisran'iikl " "... : ... li Wellington ... ... ... ... 0The Visiting forwards still had plenty of dash loft, "Raiiji" Wilson, who' was playmg tile finest forward game on the ground, •led his'vanguard well'iilside the local quarter; but Divo, Cameron, Hunter, and Mynott replied i.with a passing rush. A penalty against Taranaki gave Wellington another chance to invade, but-failing to find the line gave Ha'rdgraves a chance,' which lie accepted, and, as a result of a fine kick, play sent right back -to Wellington's goal-lino. Here jjcive-and-take play "followed," Hunter eventually- "corkscrewing" his way through tho Wellington! backs, and when locked in sent/a long pas 3 to Divo, who Coolly dropped a goal. Taranaki ... ]5' Wellington '. ... 0" "Ranji'.'J-'jyilspft, O'Brien, and . Hardham, following the kjek-out, held the play in the Yellow:, 1 ' territory for a time, but the backs got .moving, 'and charged the vonuo to tho centre. Green, who had been well smothered all the gamo by Colman, now got moving, and, with' "Ranji" Wilson, placed Taranaki for a brief space on thei- • defensive; Slieahan removing past tho; centre." Tho local backs'.had littlo difficulty in now confining tho play to Wellington quarters till the end of tho game, with the exception of a good dash by Mitcbinson and a tricky ; dribblo down the lino by 'tho Wellington'forwards to within five yards, of tho local line. These rallies were only momentary, however, and play ended with the Taranaki.'- forwards attacking strongly, the scpro ■ being :—. . Taranaki ...; ... is . Wallington •• ! 0

Thb fielding of tlio Wellington backs, with tlio exception of Mitehinson and Mageo, was not'too sure, and'tlio kicking all round.was' inferior ■» to' tlio exhibition given by tlio- local.' men. J; Ryan and M'Leod were also prominent. Green was too light for. tho heavy' going, but playod pluckily. "Ranji" Wilson was- head and shoulders above his his dashing play evoking much applause. Hardham, Dowar, 'Hamilton, and O'Brieu wore prominent in an untiring pack. For the wirmors, Hardgraves gave one of his best exhibitions of line-kicking, • but was never called on to collar. Cameron was tlio'cleverest.!baok, but-Dive, Hunter, and Mynott were also in form. . Tho, local forwards showed a great improvement, O'Sullivan, Tamu, Crowley, aJid Rothery wero probablj tho best. v . Mr. Bassett (Wanganui) refereed. ASSOCIATION TEAMS FOR SATURDAY, The. following teams havo been selected to play in, the. Association League, matches ~ou Saturday.- ' - " . Senior First Division. Swifts v. Petone, at Petone (2.10 p.m. train) .^-Swifts —Tattle, Pyc-Smitli, Elson, 1 Gravosj''White, Kerschberg, Scott, R6jj'era,i , Ollkijji'jHnyward, and Twphiil."..' BiOTew v. Y.M.C.A.. (Basinv Reserve). — ■ Rovers—Penlington, Martin, Duignan, Bothell;, Barnett, W. ,o'Shea, Casliman, Barry, C, T o' Shea, Martin,, arid Miller, Thistlo v. > Diamonds. — Duncan, M'Ardle,. Cummins, M'Lellan, Birss, Noilson, Pitkethly, Hall,- Sandford and- Blackwood. Reserve,- Findlay. ' ■ I • Senior Second Division.' • Rovers v. St. Johns B (No. 4 South Miramar).—Rovers—Gibson, Sauvariu, Martin, King, Kirkwood, Clements, Robinson (2), Inns, May, and Cotterill. . ' Swifts v. Hospital, Porirua. (1.20, p.m. trajn).—Swifts-r-Salmon', ' Wilson, Maffio, Guise, Pye-Smith, Robinson, M'Loan, Moffatt, Green, Pater soil, and MiUington. Y.M.C.A. v. Waterside, No. 3, Miramar. Y.M.C.A.—Hollis, Austin, Adair, Elford, Forgo, Baker, Self, Macklin, Kingwell, Beckcrstaff. Reserve, Aldred. ; Junior Teams.' Y.M.C.A. v. Kaiwarra A.—Y.M.C.A.— Milne, Chancy, Reed/ Wilson, Pritchard, Scanbury, Baily,- Phillips, • Wilkins,- Roberts, and Warne. Emergency, Hughes.' ' Swifts v. Petone,'2 p.m.-^Swifts—John? ston"; O'Neill,' Ovcrcnd,' Williamson,' Rollins, Murphy, Edge, Holmes, llankin, Carruthers, Footc, Cole, and Coleman. ./ ■ St.- ;Paul's\ieam —}\ r ,. Simpson,. F. Aickin (cajjtaiu), .CI Tcmperton, W. Grubb, J. Whitirigton', J, Warehani, L. Scott, V. Geary, J. Desmond, and. F..Evans. Reserves: T. Fitzgerald', and . Y.M.C.A. v. Nowtown, No. 2, South Miramar. —Y.M.C.A. —Hocton, Wilkins, Nicol, G'rindrod, Hewitt,/Finch, Tullot, Wilson, Bryent, Calfort, Cusack. Emergencies: Pearce f,nd' Logs. • *•: Y.M.C.A. v. Technical School, No. 7, South' Miramay.r—Y.M.C.A,—Gibbous, Ward, Hur-ley,,-Worboys, Swain, England, Carolano; Shannon;; M'Kay, Scott, and - Swinmoro. Emergencies: Furness and Butler. ' ■' Swifts ■ team.-*-Luxtoii, Kutnor; ■■ Shield, Spearman '(2), • West-brook, Humphries, Feo, Burgess, Mulcahy, and Burns. 'The'following teams have-beon selected to represent' St. John's Club to-morrow: —v. lija. Ora,(3rd. class), Hutt-No. I—Watson, Muldoori, Elliffo, Redgrave, Dyctt,! Jackson, Androw, • Noedl, Bertuishaw, Finlay, Coad, Shaw, Wfiyto. v. St. Jaine's (fourth class). East's No., 3—Prain, Menard, Duskc, ltyaii, Rcid, May, Melody, Alexander, M'Kay (2), Lynch, .Stafford, Andrew, Riggs, Bradley, M'Morrari.