THE COLLEGE TOURNAMENT. WELLINGTON COLLEGE WINS.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 52, 30 August 1894, Page 4

THE COLLEGE TOURNAMENT. WELLINGTON COLLEGE WINS.

A finer match than that whioh took place at Pptone yesterday, when the first heat of tho College Tournament was played, has never beon seen in Wellington. The contesting teams wore the first fifteens of tho "Wellington College and tho Wanganui Collegiate School, tho former proving victorious by 30 points to 11. The ground was in very fair order, and the gamo was fast throughout, the play from start to finish being really brilliant, and the excitement amongst the spectators, numbering about 1000, was great. The Wanganui boys, dressed in white, looked nearly a stone heavier than their opponents, and were greatly fancied by the majority of the spectators, but the match had not been long in progress before it was evident that the visitors were not the equal of the Wellington team, whioh played a great game, thanks to the admirable coaching which it has been receiving for some time past from Mr. T. E. Ellison, ex-captain of the redoubtable Poneke Club. Wanganui kioked off against a north-west wind, and, the ball being badly returned, a sorum was formed near Wellington's 25's. The local boys, however, soon worked down to the other end of tho field, and were within ten yards of the Wanganui line when a bad pass back was made, the result being that a lot of gronnd was lost. Again Wellington invaded thoir opponents' quarters, and Fitzherbcrt (Wanganui) placed bis goal in danger by mulling the ball. Tho pressure was, however, relieved, and outside Wellington's 25's Wanganni was allowed a free kick, H. Cooper (captain) making a fine attempt at goal, the ball going over one of the posts. Soon after this Hewitt and Duncan, of the visiting team, started a fine rush, but Tripe stopped their career just in time. Richardson, M'Kenzie, and Gray were conspicuous in a brilliant rally by the Wellington boys, and but for Cooper a scoro would have resulted. Wellington again pressed, "and Gray was within 10 yards of the Wfwganui line -when he Slipped, and was unable to recover himself. A few minutes afterwards the Wellington backs exhibited some grand passing, and M'Konzie, receiving the ball from Maoara, dropped over the line near the corner. Tripe failed with the kick. Wellington, 3 points ; Wang2J"JJ! °' On P ] *y tein & resmned, Gra _ (Wellington) intercepted % pass and transferred to Hales, who was grassed by the Wanganui full-back just in time. Maoara tenoned down a few moments afterwards, but M'Kenzie, who had been instrumental in his getting the try, was unable to convert, the ball striking the post. Wellington 6 ; Wanganni, 0. Just before the spell ended Gray passed to Macara, who transferred to Payton, and M'Kenzie i getting the ball from the latter succeeded in again crossing the Wanganui line, kioking a goal from his own try; and increasing his team's score to 11 points. In the second Bpell Wanganni, with the wind m their favour, obtained 11 points, and Wellington more than doubled its score. For the first quarter of an hour the play was very oxoiting, and neither side was able to score, although Wellington was within an ace of doing so, at least twice. Eventually M'Kenzie received a pass from Macara, and sent the ball spinning over the Wanganui bar. Wellington, 14 ; Wanganui, 0. Ihe visitors now put forth a great effort, and some passing between Boberts, Marshall, and Cooper enabled tho last-named to oross the Wellington line. Marshall was nnable to increase. Wellington, 15 ; Wanganui, 0. Less than two minutes afterwards the ball was passed between Hewitt, Eoberta, Marshall, and Cooper, and the skipper scoured a second try for Wanganui, but he was unable to obtain the coveted goal. Wellington, 15; Wanganui, 6. Wellington again pressed, and Gray intercepting a pas he was able to gain some ground before h was collared by a Wanganni forward, an he also did some good work immediate! afterwards following up and bowling ovo Cooper whon tho latter was olose to th a Wellington line. A loose rush by the visitors followed, and Hewitt' touched down, Marshall converting. Wellington, 15; Wanganui, 11. The next foature of tho game was a brilliant pieco of passing between Payten.

Macara, and Tripe, and the last-named Boored for Wellington, but failed with the kick. Wellington, 18 ; Wanganui, 11. Soon after this the same trio indulged in some more passing, and M'Kenzio potted a goal. Wellington, 22; Wanganni, 11. During the last 10 minutea Gray croased the visitors' line twioe, and Tripe succeeded in converting one of the tries, bringing Wellington's aoote np to 30 points. The Wellington boys owe their victory to their fine passing, oicollent combination) and good kicking. The beat of the backs were M'Konzie, Macara, Wallace, Gray, and Tripe, each ot whom did Bplendid work. The whole of the forwards played excellently. The pick of the visiting backs were Cooper, Hewitt, Marshall, Koberts, Burke, and Cornford, while those who did host in the forward division wore Williams, Be thai, M'Kenzie, Wilson, and Booth. Mr. G. Fache waß referee, Messrs. Keid and Woon being the line umpires. On Saturday afternoon the second heat of the Tournament will be played, when Wellington College and Christ's College will try conclusions.