WELLINGTON BEATS AUCKLAND

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1894, Page 4

WELLINGTON BEATS AUCKLAND

|Br Tbleora.l'ii.l IUHITKD PKEBB ASSOCIATION j Auckland, Ist Soptcmbor. Tho sixth intorprovinoW football match between Auckland and Wellington took placo at Pottor'B paddock this afternoon, ana roßulted in a victory for Wellington by 13 points (two goals ana ono try) to nil. Tho name was played under the moat unfavourable circumstances, tho ground bdng n a terriblo condition owing to the heavy iain that fell on Friday night, and which continued throughout the whole of the day. The match was played amid torrents o£ rain, the playerß boing compelled to retire from the field on three occasions, there being a hailstorm and thunderstorm. Caradns. Captain of the Hawko's Bay team, officiated as referee. The attendance, on account of the weather, was small, only from 2000 to 3000 being prosent. Auckland won the toss, and eleoted to defend tho western goal, haying the advantage of tho strong wind that prevailed. Campbell set tho ball rolling for tho visitors, but one of the players being in front, a scrum was ordered at mid-field. The Wellington forwards started a fino dribbling rußb, sweeping down upon their opponents' lino, and though Oliphant relieved for tho homo team, Poland. Pringle, and Campbell enmo back, and for some minutes tho local men wero oalled upon to dofond thoir hnoa. Oliphant, Murphy, and Donald wero conHpicuous for hard work, and succeeded 'in clearing tho way. Tho Wellington baoks wero, howover, playing a mncu better game than Auckland. Gago, Wynyard, and Bennett handled the greasy ball aplondidly, whoreos the Auoklanders fumbled and failed to return. After playing for 20 minutes tho teams were compelled to return to tho pavilion owing to a heavy hailstorm. When thoy. resumed, tho play was^of an ovon oharaoter until Gage made a strong dash into tho Auckland twenty-five, and the forwards working hard, tho homo team was compelled to save. Murphy made a shot at goal from a mark, but tho attempt was a poor one. Fitchetfc, one of the Auckland throo-quarters, collided heavily with Gago, and retired for several minutes. Towards tho end of tho spell Wellington madoaatrong attack on Auckland's lino, and Auckland was again forced. Half-tirao was called soon after, no score having been registered. Murphy opened tho second spell for Auckland, and Pudney roturned into touch. From tho throw-in Campbell and Bennett were prominent, and caxried tho oval to midfield. From tho throw-in Duncan made a good kiolc, and tho forwards following up fast, Auckland was obligod to absume the dofensivo. On account of tho heavy ram play was again stopped. Tho first 15 minntesof tho Bpell was very oxcitmc. tho Auckland men defending thoir goal very woll. Tho visitors kopt tho homo team on tho dofonsivo until tho end of the gamo. After the first 15 minutcsj play Wynyard mado a good dodgy run and passed to Bennett, who scored _ an easy try Campbell landed an untnistakeable goal. Wellington, 5; Auckland, 0. Tho Wellington forwards continued to have the best of tho game, and a straggling rush carried the ball aoross the lino, and Wynyard scored, Campbell converting. Juat before tho call of timo Wyuyard again scored near tho oorner flag, Campbell failing to convert. The game ended : Wellington, 13 ; Auokland, 0. The play of tho Wellington backs far oxoelled tho local mon's, but in tho forward play tho AnckUndor. hoia tbeir o,vn. OagO played a grand gamo throughout, handling tho greasy ball splenuidly. He also mnde several strong dashes, and on ono occasion had hard luck in not Bcoring, boing thrown into touoh at tho oornor flag. Bennott, Pudnoy, and Davidson (?) got off Borne olover passing on sovoral occasions. Ono pleasing foaturo was tho impartiality with whioh tho visitors woro applauded on any speoially meritorious act. At tho conclusion of the gamo tho crowd assembled at tho dressing-room, and pavo tho visitors throo hearty cheers, which woro responded to by tho Wellington boyg. [The previous matches botwoon Wellington and Auckland resulted as follows :— 1875— Won by Wellington by 1G points to 1. 1880— Won by Wellington by '1 points to lovo. 1883— Disputed draw; Wellington, 1 goal and 1 try (disputed) ; Auokland, 1 goal. 1886— Won by Auokland by 4 points to 2. 1889— Won by Wellington by 1 goal to 1 try. Inolnding last Saturday's match, Wellington has won four out of six matches.]