ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1197, 4 August 1911, Page 7

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

4 RUGBY FOOTBALL. north island country men. a<.;a i.vst t,u;a\aki. (Ej Telesrr.nph.-Press Association.) , New Plymouth, August :f. t Hie Taranaki representatives to-day met and defeated the .N'nrth Inland (ouring country team l>y eleven points to six. both tennis were at full strength, and llio match was exciting and strenuous from start to finish, the issue being always in doubt. The weather was bright; ami sunny, and n largo attendance was. prosent. The ground was in-good order, but in lmdneld it "was slippery as the roult of heavy showers during the previous couple of day?. The visitors, who represent seven Rugby unions, showed remarkably good combination, and there are amongst their members players ot individual brilliancy. The team was m splendid training, and Ia»l«i out a hard-fought game right to the closing moment. There was a semblance of rough play in some of I he tight work and same rather foul and obstructive tactics. Ihe larnnaki team was practicallv the same as that which met Wanganui recently, ifynott, a s eapbin, was responsible for the victory, his stamina and generalship being a> fine as ever. The ionvards were the usual weighty pack, and, as usual, failed to get moving properly until well into the second spell, .lliere was not five points difference between the two teams, for the North Island country representatives did the bulk of tho attacking, but Taranaki were moro dangerous when within striking distance ot the line. The visitors had the best, of ;he first spell, but Stohr scored "first blood" for Taranaki by goaling from a penalty, given for the deliberate obstruction of Mynolt by Lennard. Then Jl'Kenzio goaled for the visitors from a penalty for off-side play, the first half ending with the score three points each. The first try of the match was scored br O'Connor. Stohr speculated in midfield, and Darby caught the ball, and sprinted, centring nicely to Winiata, and Mexted and O'Connor managed to baffle the-onpo-sition in the corner. M'Kcnzie failed to goal. Mynott then engineered a grand opening for Cameron, who crossed the line, and Stohr kicked a magnificent goal. The latter also kicked a splendid penalty goal a little later from about four yard's inside the half-way, and well over to the side line, bringing the scores to—Taranaki 11, North Island 6. Tho visitors continued to attack, but were unable to increase their score, and the match ended with, the totals as stated. The North Island country team were entertained this evening at dinner, and leave by the morning express.for Wanganui. SOUTH ISLAND COCNTRY TEAM. (By Tolecraph-Prese Association.) Christchurch, August 3. The South Island country representatives played their first match this afternoon against Canterbury at Lancaster Park. There was a fair attendance, and the game resulted in an easy win for Canterbury by IS points to 3. The Canterbury backs had far too much combination for their opponents, who were under tho disadvantage of not having played together previously.

MAORIS, 3; WAIHAHAPA, 3. IBj Tcleeraph.-3Dec.ial Correspondents Cartcrton, August; ,1. Weakened by the absence, of Barry, Desmond, and the M'Kemzio. brothers, Wairarapa met the touring Maori team. The game ended in a draw, three points all. Hodgo kicked a penalty-gonl for Wairarapa, Kodgcrs doing likewise for the Maoris. The display given by the visitors was disappointing. Their back attack lacked finish, and some of theiv forwards arc oil tho "beefy" side, and cannot stand a hard game. The Wnirarapa forwards, although much lighter, were more than a match for the Maoris, particularly ill the loose. Kaipara was the bright spot among the Maori backs, and most of the work foil lo him, particularly in defence. Piki (half) and Ilodgers (three-quarter) were the only other hacks to shine. The. Maori pack tired very much in the second spell, and will require a hard preparation before they can hope to mako any show against the stronger unions. The best of the forwards were. Takarangi and Konka. Paratene did nothing to convince anyone that he is tho coming champion "lock" of Now Zealand. Tho Wairarapa backs on defence were a better side than their opponents, but their attack was weak. It. was Wairarapa's fast forwards, assisted by safe, defensive backs, that put the Maoris out of step. Brough was the best forward on the ground, with Bond and Spackma-.'.i next, although all medo ;i good show, and. in the loose, were far Miperior to their more weighty opponents. The. game was, at times, fast, and finished with Wairarapa attacking strongly. Mr. E. M'Keitzio was referee.

NORTH AXD SOUTH MATCH. A meeting of the. Management Committee, of the Xew Zealand Rugby Union was held in Mr. Avery's rooms, leatherston Street, yesterday afternoon to appoint selectors for tho Xorth and South Inland football match, which h to be plaved in Wellington on October 7. Mr. X*. Galbraith presided. After a little discussion it was derided to appoint, the same selectors as last year, viz., .\or(h Island: Messrs. l>. Gallagher. A. Fliinipbrios, and If. D. Thompson ; Smith Island: Messrs. It. Harris. R. Galbraith, and S. Wilton. It. was decided to issue an invitation'to the selectors to attend the Xorth add South Island country teams' match, which is to be played here on August 12. THE LIST OF TEAMS. Owing to pressure on space- it has been' found impracticable to publish the lengthy list of Wngby and Association teams which were fnriv.-irdcd h,v the secretaries. As the personnel of tho various teams is now fairly well known, only "house" teams can appear for the remainder of tho season.

Mr. Bob Lloyd and Miss Xellie Power, now appearing in Messrs. Fuller and Sons' Vaudeville Company in Auckland, when in this city recently donated a gold medal to bo won by the player in the St. James football Club senior team who, in the .opinion of the members, is the second best forward. Mrs. Connor has also donated medals to bo won by the best back and forward in the sarno team.