FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 601, 1 September 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TROUBLES OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE. The following letter, referring to the unfortunate deadlock which seems to have occurred between members of the Wellington Rugby Selection Committee,' speaks for itself:— ' Wellington, 31st August, 1009. .. Sir,—ln yesterday's Dominion, under roy letter,, appears' an "interview" with; Messrs'. Pudney and Meredith. Allow me to aty that, the "ties of. blood" did." -not influence me in tho selections, and that I am only related to one player, and not players, as. stated. . Hight through the meetings heid from time to time I advocated the claims of, certain prominent members' connected . with various ' clubs, but could; hardly ever get beyond a hearing,: my judgment not satisfying the two other selec-. tors. Now, I do not/contend that theyshould have accepted all my selections if they judged differently, but what I do contend is that,. as I gave way to them in many instances, even when my judgment was, quite contrary to theirs, they should have extended' the samo courtesy to me, and in : common fairness, gone on the principle of' "give and take." This they would not do," ana so' the' Selection Com; raittee practically resolved;.itself into a comlinittee of two. Messrs. Pudney and Meredith may assert that the'only "certainties" for the southern tour w.ero' the .15 players seleoted to play against Auckland, but facts are stubborn things, and I am. prepared to prove that the - emergency men were notified that; they were expected togo south. At any rhte, they were asked to go' into training, and at the gyinnasium practice on the Thursday previous to the Auckland' match, the members (including emergencies) w.ore asked by the selectors present whether they could go south, and those unable'to go were asked-to signify the same. On the strength of an,official notice from the secretary, as well as, a: definite understanding from the. selectors, certain members got leave of absence. In two instances at least (possibly ] four) they, have not. been selected. Now, sir, where is'"the'justice of such, a practice? '■■■',!',. • .-.-.' '"Report", and "they;say"'loom largely in the interview, but lam prepared to definitely., substantiate what I: havo -written: here, and'' am prepared to prove ;my statements. /! Now, with • regard to methods'of-selection'.-' Dent, of Petone,' was selected as first emergency, for-the Auckland match. How is it that he is'hot selected to go south; seeing that two' extra • forwards have/been taken. : Joe Ryan (Petone) was one-of the three emergency backs originally: chosen for the representative taiam. Not only does'he not get a; place.in,the team' for south, 1 but abtually is not ohosen fori the "B" team!. " " ,': , ■'•'.'.;,.';■ ,-,.;- ;.

■it is sam tnat i.am not accept the position in as gracious a mariner as I'might have done;. Well./aften all, one'.'gets■ tired of graciDtisly, taking-a back seat,all : the timorso I thdiiiht it about. time to enter a protest: againsl! itho. -unfair' methods adopted by my tito fil'low selectors.—l'am, etc.,/ ' . H.ROBER'.r.'i., .; ;■ ' THE "WALLABIES," -'.'' ','.'■ l||t : . THEIR LATEST SCHEME: ; || According'* to latest ,'Sydney files, -sit appears tolerably.certaini that -fourteen "Wallabies"; intend to take;part in- matches', against JEtho "Kangaroos"' this riiqhth. -The , first -of'/,'.he games is ■to be, ployed .under Rugby. Union rules; the 'second/under, the N.U. codej and the third;.as decided, upon/by drawing. ,For their share in the matches the "Wallabies" •still.■ it is. understood, receive JJIOO.. There could-be no .doubt but, that the cream of the "Wallabies" was negotiating. Interviewed, a prominent Rugby Union offioiat stated that it 'was; hard to think that players, who had cost the union £500 a-piece for the late trip, Home would begin negotiating with-ah opposition Body .before they' had;, figuratively ;-. speaking,found their "land-legs" on their .return.. "It, ,'• he. added, "we .can'sheet home" an act of pro. fessibnalism to'any of; them;' we will quickly show the public that we have plenty of backbone." ■"■ ■;.-. : ';--■; '/. ......7.;

./; ,' , post";of'fice i ;match. - - > .. .A football .imatch between' teams represent-, ing .'the-.'Auckland, and-AVellington Post Offices \vas, played yesterday,'afternoon,' at Miramar, before a fair number, of. spectators. A moderate breeze blew 'across 'the 'field, but gave no 'advantage to' cither"side. -Shortly after- the commencement'.of the game;.Scott/(Wellington) nearly scored after'a gobdinin,' but unselUßhlyii

passed to Tyroll, who missed-'tho ball.. A little later, Hurray. (Auckland) failed at goal with a penalty, and at half-time there was no score. In the Becond spell Wellington had the better of the play at the start. Hubbard intercepted a pas 9, and: set out for tho line, scoring a fine try.near the posts.' Player failed with nn easy kick. Auckland now had a 'look-in, but could' not score,, although Murray had an easy kick at goal from a penalty, and shortly afterwards just missed potting a: goal,from the field. A free-kirk, to Wellington ;gave ". Player another kick at goal,- but the ; ball went wide, and the whistle sounded, leaving Wellington victorious by l 3 points to nil. Scott was the. best of the Wellington backs, and Player, Coard, and Findlay the pick of the forwnrde. Murray,(an Auckland representative) was the best of the Auckland backs, his long line-kicking being of great use to his side. Mr. T. Quinn.controlled, tho game. ' ■

INTERPROVINCIAL TRAMWAYS MATCH. A football match has been arranged to take place at Athletic Park, Wellington, on Wednesday, September 15, between tho .Wellington and Auckland-Tramways loams. Several wellknown players are included in the Auckland team,' while tho .'Wellington- Tramways team is to be strengthened by tho inclusion of R. M'Kay,-who,-has boon playing:a-fine game for St. -James this season, and also W. Morris, who is well known in first-grade football in the South Island. The..fixture will probably be mad© an annual game, and next season'n' Chxistohurch Tramways'team will compete. A shield is to be given in connection with the contest, under conditions similar to those governing Ranfurk? Shield contests. •..-■ AUCKLAND (15), WANGANTJI (3). '>'■ . (Uj TcioKrapU.—Press Association.) . ' ' Wanganui, August 31.': The representative football match; Auckland v. Wanganui was played this afternoon in tho presence of a large number of people. Play was of an uninteresting nature, tho visitors being too good for the local men, Who, though they played well, had not the necessary weight to stand up against their., burly opponents. From, tho kick-off play ;was of an even nature for some time, Wanganui keeping the ball on the Auckland side of the: half-way. Play was mainly confined .to tho forwards, the backsrarely getting possession. .'Eventually, M'Leod (the- local captain) kicked over the goal-line. Millar raced round Campion arid kicked, out five-yards ■'from -the lino. ; From the throw.-in Aitken got the ball and scored near tho corner. The kick at goal was futile, y Wanganui, 3 points; Auckland, nil. Hard and olose ploy followed,: Auckland keeping Wanganui on the defensive. From a line-out near the Wanganui "25 Renwick' kicked straight down the . field. Meuli,' the Wanganui full-back, took the .ball, but -Wilson charged down on him, got' possession, and scored near the corner. M'Gee: made a good but unsuccessful' kick. On resuming Wanganui invaded- Auckland territory, but the Auckland forwards, headed-by Francis", . retaliated- by transferring play to'Wanganui's 25, where Meuli saved by kicking,out.. A 6eries of marks, scrums, and line-outa in. niidfield followed till a fine bit of passing was don© by M'Guire, Waddell, Francis, Wilson, and Renwick, but tho last-named player ipassed for-: ward when jn a'good position. '.Wanganui then became aggressive, aud, kept Auckland on the defensive,• till, a free-kick .'relieved: the pressure.. Play in niidfield followed, but "Auckland gradually drove the ■ local men. back: to their \2i'. Her© Auckland were-awarded'a free-kick, but Mage© just missed, tho posts, and tho spell | ended 3 all. : . : :• -'■-..

. Soon after: the second spell opened; Wanganui.'.vr«re kept busy, defending > their goal-line, till'a free-kick removed the danger. The . Wanganui : forwards then'worked back to' the, centre, where oven play ensued. From a mark Magee had a, goot shot at, goal, but failed. ■Auckland repeatedly entered local ,:.■ territory, but the Wanganui forwards as frequently took 'play back to the oentre or put the visitors 7 on the defence for a' time. From a scrum on .the Wanganui 25 line Waddcll kicked high, and Jago' overran the.ball, Wilson coming up and scoring in exactly the same, manner as in'the camVof his first'try. Auckland, -6 points! •Wanganui, 3 points. The next score was soon registered. \ Auckland quickly reentered' Wanganui ground, but the local men got .back to the. centre, where the ball went out. Francis got. possession, : from the' throw-in, and rushed .through, scoring an. easy ' try.' Auckland, 9 'points j. Wanganui, '3 : points. \ 'On'! resuming Wingahui-became- aggressive, but,' from a scrum in midfield, Francis repeated his per•formahco of-a few. minutes earlier. Auckland, 12 points; Wanganui, 3 points." Shortly after recommencing, Auckland were: cwarded a- freokicfci'in:.agood position,::,butiMagee.;mißsed;

Francis, Nicholson, Waddell, and Wilkes then took play up to tbo local goal, where atcrnra occurred. Webb pot the ball and passed to Mageo, to Renwick, who. got: over. Auckland, 15 points; Wanganui, 3 points. For the remainder of' the game ploy was fairly even, though Auckland were the .aggressors. Mr. Spnrdlc, of New-Plymouth, was referee. The visitors wero entertained' at djnticr in tho evening. ■■-:'. •..,,:,: