ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1203, 11 August 1911, Page 8

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MAORI TEAM AND TARANAKI. . "SOMEONE BLUNDERED," LAST GOAL KICKED AFTER TIME. (By Telegraph.-Special Correspondent.! Stratford, August in. Tarnnaki may be said lo have, fluked its win against Parata's Native team today when, right in the last kick of the same, they snatched a one-point victory alter time was up, by fully throe or four minuUs, and the ball had been dead ouco or twice. The opinion is general that some-body blundered over the time, and that Taranaki may congratulate itaclf on a very lucky victory. The kick which won the game was by Stohr, from a mark by M'Lcod, and was a magnificent effort. The ball was placed by Jfynott five yards inside of liall'-way, almost in front of the goal, and, as Stohr made his run nt the oval, the silence amongst the crowd was as amongst the dead. The leather ro*n fast, and soared in a circling drive thirty feet above the goal, and lauded fair over the.centre of the bar. The crowd, too amazed to cheer. 6impl,v drew a. deep breath, and Taranaki won by 17 to ll>. As a spectacular display, the first spell was tame and tho second full of incident, and it was in the second half that the Native backs showed a vitalising mobility, which or time* actually paralysed tho efforts uf tho home combination, and smashttl their defensive tactics to smithereens. Taranaki had a slight wind in their favour in the first spell, and in addition- ployed down hill. They set a slow pace, lipwever, and, where, they should have scored 20 points, they secured only li. As usual Stohr led off with a goal, which was followed by a try each by Brown, gtohr himself, and-, Tamu, one of the scores being converted by Cameron. This brought Taranaki's total un to 14. The Maoris played halfheartedly, and were weak in defence. They were only twice in the Taranaki twenty five in the half, but towards t.li? end of the spell '(when they got there) they put some very necessary "ginger" into their movements, and the speedy Eogers notched-a try by out-running the Tnranaki full-back in a chase in goal.

It was not considered that the second half would be any different than a repetition of the first, but the reverse was the cose. Aided hy tlie bullocking rushes of Monna. French, Grace, and the evergreen Takarangi, their backs set a. pace which absolutely bewildered Mynott, M'Lecd and Co. Goc-d as these heroes are, on some occasions, the leather was slung all over thy field with a dusky-coloured ; demon attending it at every step, and, in fifteen minutes of the spell, the Maoris had scored II points. Takarangi was first to get over, and then followed Moana, with two or three Taranaki men clinging to him. Takarangi's try was converted by ■Rogers, and the game then stood U-to li. Taranaki made a desperate effort to pull themselves together, but to no purpose, and. try as they v;oiild. they could not rrcieh their opponents' twenty-five. To add to their troubles, tho Maoris, like the eat, "came back" in another series of fireworks, and. in a brilliant burst, Ryland raced.over the line, making hoth'sides level. Rogers kicked a fine goal, thus giving his side a two-points lead, and a large number of Maori spectators added to the excitement by "performing." There was then alx>ut eighteen minutes to go, nnd the battle raged with vigour. With defeat looking them in the face, Taranaki strained every effort, but to no purpose. They were outplayed and out-gcneralled, and back and forward, the Maoris more than held their own. In. fact, they nearly scored again. "Time" was up but not called, with Tarauaki battling at halfway, but then, when hope seemed gone, M'Leod marked, and Stohr landed the goal already described. The winners were not really up to Taranaki form. Their backs have no system in attack, and their forwards are too"slo\r. Stohr, Cameron, and Mynott were the test of a.iiiediuiu lot of backs, but Stohr's place-kicking was a distinctive feature. Ho appears to be as good as a six-points lead to his foam for his place-kicking alone. The Maori backs played attractively in the second spell—Rogers. Nukul Ryland, .Kaipara, Wiuiata, and Piki per-, forming brilliantly at times on tho attack. Their defence was good only in spe-ts. Of a fair lot of forwards Takarangi, French. Moana, and Grace were the most prominent. About £60 was taken at the gates. DOMINION RUGBY UNION. v SHIELD MATCHES. The committee of. the New Zealand Rugby Union met'last night. There were present: Messrs. N. Galbroith (in the chair), R. M. Isaacs, A. Lauranson, M. J. Crombie, TV. J. Lawton, F. G. Wallbnrton, and ,T. D. A very, secretary. Tho president of tho union (Mr. G. H. Dixon) was also present. Thero was considerable correspondence before the committee regarding the Poverty Bay Union's challenge for tho Ranfurly Shield, but, as this matter had now been arranged, so that the match is to lake place on Saturday, September IG, there was no need for much discussion. Mr. Dixon explained that the difficulty had been that the Auckland Union had to arrange to meet the South Auckland challenge first, and then to find a Saturday for the Poverty Hay challenge. Tho Auckland Union were anxious that their e.lub football should not be jeopnrdisarl by shield fixtures, and it was not considered advisable to play matches very late in the season, when the grounds were very hard in Auckland. Acommunication from the Marlborough Rugby Union stated that an endeavour to arrange 'a shield match with Auckland had brought the reply from the latter union that there was no .date available. The Marlborough Union now wished to issue a special' challenge through the New Zealand Union. There was considerable discussion on tho question of whether the challenge should be allowed or not. According to the rules governing the competitions, the holders cf th.o shield aro bound to pay the expenses of the travelling team up to , the full extent of the gate receipts, and matches may be-played up to the end of September. This season, the holders of the 'shield are undertaking n southern tour, and have already arranged to'meet.two special ehallenpn-s. Mr. Liwton-moved: That the Auckland Union be asked if they could arrange to play Marlborough for the' shield on September 23.—This was carried. A letter from the AVellington. Rugby Union stated that it had been decided.to play the annual school fixture Wellington' College v. St. .Patrick's College as a '"curtain-Miser" , to the North v. South country inntch on, Saturday, and. printing out that, as this would' prove "a gocd "drawing card," the Wellington Union should be allowed extra percentage of the (rate. •' Mr. Isaac? moved: "That the Wellington' Union be allowed .13 l-3rd per cent, instead of the usual 25 per cent., a= per agrrement." ' ; Mr. Crombie moved as an amendment: ''That the Wellington Union be inforinnr] that the New Zealand Uhirm cnuld iint 'to its way to accede to the request, but would', point out that the union would benefit by tho increased attendance, as the price'of admission would be'one shilling instead of the usual Saturday, eh.irgo of sixpence."—The amendment was carried. . • ~ •V further request from the Wellington Union, that college boy.i should bo admitted In the ground for sixpence, was granted.

.RANFURLY SniELP. in? TcleirrapU.—Press Association.) ■ Auckland, August in. The Rurtby Union lia? rlwiilcd to offor PoTprfy Bny September 10 for the Ranfiirly Sliiold" match. NEW AMATEt'i; DEFIXITIOX. Us Tclccfauli— l'rc'33 .■.ssociatlon-Corrrisht Sydney, 10. The'Xow South AValos Football Association, under British Afsoointion rules, lias- withdrawn from the Sporting l'odnrotion, and adopted ,t new- amateur dr-iini-tion. wliich will pormit professionals in other branches of sport to play as amaleur*. provided they are not paid for football. Players from outside the Commonwealth are deem°d to be amateurs on landing in Australia.

THE AMATEUR STATUS. Dγ Tclocraph-l'ress Association-Copyright (Kec. August 10, 7.50 p.m.) Melbourne, August 10. The Amateur Athletic Association has decided tbat the. acceptance by footballers of payment for less of time and incidental expenses pauses the forfeiture of (heir amateur status. AUSTRALIAN GAMES. Adelaide, Augu?l lft. At tho football carnival South Australia defeated New South Wales, and Victoria beat Westralia.