FOOTBALL. NEW SOUTH WALES v. WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON VICTORIOUS.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 61, 10 September 1894, Page 4

FOOTBALL. NEW SOUTH WALES v. WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON VICTORIOUS.

The expectation thut Wellington would bo victorious in tho match I'lajeel at Nowcown Park on Saturday afternoon with tho reprosontativos of New South Walos was realised, tho visitors being defeated by 9 points (three tries) to 5 (a goal from a try), 'liio match was the Bixth in which tho Australians havo been ongagod since their arrival in Now Zealand, and in ovory instanco they hivvo beon beaton. The fact that thoy had been unsuccessful against tho Aucklandorß, who wore aftorwards dofeated by tho Wellingtonians, induced many people to expect nn oasy victory for tho local team last Saturday ; but, much to tho surprise of ovory body , tuo Btrangors played well from start to finish, and at one stage of the game wore leading by two points. Tho weather was not favourable, a cold southerly wind blowing throughout the match, but, fortunately, no rain i'ell until after the public hod loft tho ground. There had, however, been Boveral showorß during the morning, and, tho grass being wet, the ball was soon bo greasy that the players were unable to nandlo it well. Thiß, combined with the wind, rendered it impossible to indulgo in muoh passing, and the play was eonsoquontly shorn of a good deal of intorcst. The attendance was larger than at any football match played in Wellington during tho past two yours, abont 4000 people being proHont. The spectators included tho Governor and suite, who were received at the ontranoe to the ground by Mr. E. D. Hoben, Hon. Secretary to the Now Zealand Rugby Union. His Excellency was cheered by tho teams boforo they took their placos in tho field. The teams were placed as follows : — New South Wales— Full-back, Cobb (list 01b) ; three-quarters, Dibbs (lOat 121b), Lusk (10st (Üb), Surman (capt.) (12«t): half-baoks, Kiloy (list), Galloway (12st); forwards, Henlon (13at 61b), Lano (Hat 121b), Hanna (13=it8lb), Carson (13at), Aloook (13st81b), Lol'ian (13st>, 'Wyburd (13at41b), Scott (list 41b), Edwards (12at 21b). Wellington— Full-back, Davidson (list): threo-quarters, Duncan (12st), Wynyard (captain) (list 101b), Gage (12st) ; half-backs, Bennett (list 91b), Pudncy (lOst 121b) ; forwards, Swindley (12st 61b), Young (13at 81b), Campbell (12at 101b), Jack (12at 131b), Maber (list 121b), Bishop (14st), Pringle (12st 41b), M'Kenzie (13st Gib), Kelly (Hat 101b). FIBBT SPELL. Campbell kicked off for Wellington against the wind, tho New South Wales skipper having won the toss, and Surman returning smartly, a scrum was formed. Tonng started a dribble, and tho ball was carried over tho visitors' lino near tho cornor, Jack touching down two minutes after tho start. Tho kick was taken by Campbell, bnt owing to tho vory diflioult angle ho was unable to , convort. Wellington, 3; Now South Wales, 0. The ball having been kicked off again, Gage Blipped in attempting to take it, and a scrum was formed on the line near tho half • distance. In a few moments, however, it was back again in Now South' Walos' territory, but Riley punted baok in fine stylo, and tho play was shifted to the Wellington end of tho field. Surman obtained possession, and streaked for the local team s goal line, but was collared by Gage boforo he could got in. A dribbling rush, in which Bishop and Maber were conspicuous, was stoppod by the visitor's full-back kicking at tho moving ball, and the New South Welshmen worked their way towards Wellington's quarters, Galloway and Lane showing up prominontly. The defence of tho local men, howover, was too good, and the ball was Boon baok in the contre of the ground, whero Duncan reoeived a pass, and made a short kick, a scrum boing formed just outside the visitors' 25 lino. Wynyard obtained the ball, and attempted to cross tho enemy's goal lino, but was brought down after going a fow yards. He mado a great mistake in not passing to Duncan, as the latter was standing in such a position that he would have had little difficulty in scoring. Surman got away from a throw in at tho half distanco, but Gage was too muoh for him, and tho lattor's performance was loudly applauded. Tho Now South Welshmen were on tbo defensive for a tirao. Lusk relieved with a fine kick, and a minute afterwardß mado a neat pass to Dibbs, who punted right np to the Wellington full-back, who was not asleop, and tho ball was soon in midfield. Tho visitors again mado thoir presence folt, bat Bennett saved with a fuco dribble to thehalf-distance. About 20 minutes before tho spell closed Edwards, of Now South Wales, broko away, and with the assistance of Lnne and Carson the ball was dribbled at a great rate past Gage and Davidson, Carson touching down amidst groat excitement. The manner in which the try was obtained was worthy of all praise, and the Australians received a round of applause. Lusk was entrusted with tho kick, and the ball went over the oross bar — Wellington, 3 ; New South Wales, 5. The play for a time after the ball had been sot in motion again was of an uninteresting character. Wellington at length dribbled along tho touch-line up to New South Wales' 25, but wore driven back. Tho local team again pressed, and Galloway cleared his linea with a fino kick, Wellington being forced down as the result of a return by Edwards. Lane reoeived a pass from Galloway, and mado a great effort to score, but was brought down by Davidson, and a rush by the Wellingtonians followed, Cobb bringing the ball ont in the nick of time. No further scoring took place before the ond of the Bpell, Wellington being thus two points bohina. SECOND SFXLIi. Wyburd put the ball in motion for New South Wales and a scrum was formed in the eontro of the ground, whoro the visitors were awardod a penalty kick, Lusk sending the leather well towards Wellington's territory. Wynyard started on a run, bnt before he had got many yards Lane was on top of him* ,and his career was stopped. A fast dribble by the Australians followed and Wellington was on tho defensive. Inside Wellington's 25, Now South Wales was allowed a free kick, and Lusk made a fine attempt at goal. A rush by the looal forwards was nicely stopped by Riloy, but immediately aftorwards the Wellington men repeated the performance, and there was some very exciting work on the visitors' goal lino, whioh was at length oleared. New South Wales rallied, and Lane and Lusk woro conspicuous in a rush, whioh oarried the ball up to Wellington's goal, Davidson saving by kicking up on to the bank. After some play in tho centre, Kelly started a dribble and worked the ball up to the New South Wales line, where a struggle ensued, and in tho scramble M'Kenzie got over the line, scoring his second try. Campbell failed to convert. Wellington, 6 ; New South Wales, 5. Soon after the kiok off Lusk missed, and the Wellingtons were again dangerous, tho visitora being forced down. The New South Wales team lagged for a time, but pulling themselves together they mado things lively for the looal men, Wyburd being within an ace of sooring. Pringle relieved with a grand kiok. Another dangerous rnsh by the visitors waR stopped by Pudney, and soon afterwards the New South Wales line was orossed, Kelly, Pringle, and M'Kenzie doing the work. The last-named touched down, bnt Campbell again failed with the kiok. Wellington, 9 ; New South Wales, 5. The Australians made a great effort to increase their score, but were unable to do so, and Wellington thus won by 9 to 5. REMARKS. The game was a disappointing one, the play being decidedly inferior to that seen in many looal Cup contests. The visitors played well right np to time, a' oomplete reversal of what occurred in previous matches, when during tho latter half of the final spell they fell completely to pieces. The forwards, who aro a big, strong, and fast lot, were tho maators of the Wellington team in the sornm work, and again and' again prevented Padnoy from accomplishing his usually olever and dexterous feats of whipping the ball out to his confrere. They also beat the Wellington division on the line ont, and this caused the Wellington backs' collaring abilities to be brought very often into requisition, as Wyburd, Lane, Carson, Edwards, and Lohan frequently broke away at the head of some splendid rushes. Tho visitors exhibited some neat dribbling, and the try whioh Carson secured was the outcome of a brilliant pieoo of work in this department by Wyburd, Lohan, and himself. Where all played so well it is difficult to seleot any individual men for special mention, bnt Wyburd (who was particularly prominent), Edwards, Carson, Lohan, and Scott, was noticeable. Lane, on the wing, was brilliant, and quite played up to tho reputation whioh preceded him. He and Wyburd's dashing play more than once neutralised the best efforts of the Wellington book division. Henlon, on tho othor wing, was not so conspionous, and could be seen frequently disregarding his work to engage in a game of bustling with M'Kenzie, the opposing wing player. Of their books, Galloway at half played splendidly, and the ex-Wollingtonian showed that he has lost none of that dash and cleverness which distinguished him in tho days of tho old Rival Club. His collaring was not often brought into requisition, but tho quick feinting passes, abort dodgy runs, and nieoly.timed kicks into touoh gained great ground for his Bide. Riley, tho othor half, bad comparatively little to do in comparison, but displayed fair pace and trioky play when nocossary. Snrman, at three-quartor, kicked well, and on one occasion made » brilliant run, but tho ex-Christ-ohuroh player found that tho collaring of the looal mon, particularly that of Gage, was too good, and for the best part of the game ho refused to bring his great running powers into use. Tho folly of attempting to ooliar his opponents ronnd the nock was quickly made manifest. It is apparent that speed has enabled him to build up his reputation. Lnsk kicked well, and Dibbs was prominent in sovoral passing rushes. Cobb, at full baok, played a sterling game, and tho Newcastle orack's performance was a feature of the baok pl»y of the New South Wales team. Tho brilliant rashes of the Wellington forwards at times brought all his resourcoful tactios into requisition, but he rose to the occasion, and his long drop-kicking and punting gained ground time after timo. .He took tho ball cleanly at the feet of the opposing forwards, and altogether - - gay« a roally firstolass exposition of a fnll-baok's play. The team as a whole played with good combination, and tome really pretty dribbling and passing rushes wero seen. The local men's display caused some disappointment. Thoit baok play was deoidedly weak, while the forwards wero beaten in all departments, and it was only an occasional brilliant rush of the latter body, in whioh they seized tho opportunity to score, that won the game. Some excuse is urged on the ground that tho ball was greasy, and that from its peculiar construction it was impossible to hold it. DavidBon at full made few mistakes, collaring and kicking welL Of the three-quarters, Wynyard gave a sorry exhibition. Gage put m an occasionally splendid pieoe of play, bnt frequently fumbled tho ball, and committed two or throe gravo orrora, muoh to the disadvantage of his side. His collaring, however, wob perfect, and loud applause followed some of his feats of bowling over nu sturdy opponents, particularly Surman

Duncan was the best of the three- quarters, and what little work ho had to do was neatly mid quickly dono. Bennett, at fave-eighthß, waa c-nspiouous at times for fast following vi) ami gooil ririhl.linsr, but missed several cli.iu-o-i (,'ivpn him l<y Pudney. Pudney, ..,.! i-irlurnivr the ctlib:e of the forwards opnos.flto him gave a really creditablo dis,i;il and whipned the ball out from the scrum in fine style, while ho never neglected any opportunity ol grassing his opponents. Kelly, on the win;?, waa brilliant, aud two of tho tries scored were due to his rapid following up. He also proved a preat thorn in the side of the opposing Imlves. On his present form ho must bo considered to be one of tho best wingmen in tho colony. W. WKenzie, the other wine, played in his usual dashing atylo, and followed up well. Of the forwards, Bishop and Young did an immense amount of scrum work, and were good in the loose. Pringlo and fllabfir, particularly the latter, wero noticeablo in the loobo, ond headed aome fino charges. Swindley and Jack were prominent at times. On tho whole, tho combination of the forwards was unsatisfactory, and contrasted greatly with that of their opponents. , . „ . Mr G. Faohe mado an admirable referee. Mesars. A. E. Sefton (N.S.W.) and E. Davy (Wellington) were tho lino umpires. FISH BUPPBR. The team were entortainod at a fish supper at tbo Trooadcro at 8.30 p.m. The supper was laid ont in excellent style, and reflected much credit on the establisument. Mr. H. D 8011, M.H.R., and President of the Wellington Union, occupied tbo chair, and Mr. E. D. Hoben, Hon. Sec. of the New Zealand Rugby Union, the vice-ohair. The Chairman, in proposing the toaßt of the evening, referred to the impartial manner in which tho crowd had applaudod both sides. Ihe game had been one of the most even he had scon. The team had bo far not been lortunato in its matches, but he hoped it might havo greater success as it proceeded, and Now Zoalanders had to bear in mind ttat, though superior at football, a second or third cricket team of New South Waft* could beat them Mr. A. E. Seftoss, muimgor for tho visiting t«am, m replying to the toast, roforrcd to rumours as to the conduct of somo of his men which had found their way into tho press, and which he characterised as almost entirely groundless. Ho oxpresaod, on behalf of bis team, groat pleasuro at the bearing of the crowd, and especially with the excellent refereeing of Mr. Faoho, whom it considered the best roforoo it had met in New Zealand. Mr. Snrman, captain of the team whioh had playod that day, commented on the friendly spirit in which tho game was played, and on the croat satisfaction givon by tho referee. Mr. "Wynyard, captain of tho Wellington toam, replied. Mr. Sefton proposed tho toast of tho New Zealand Union, expressing a hopo that any portion of tho colony which now remainod ont would soon see tho folly of its course, and that the oolony would soon be a united football people. Unity_ and organisation was a necessity of the times, and the New Zealand Union had already j done great good. He also referred to the j Australasian Union morement initiated by < Mr. Hoben, and which, he said," would j shortly bo established. Mr. Hoben replied j on behalf of the Now Zealand Union, and in • doing so said he had beon asked by Mr. Sofion to appoint Mr. Faohe to referee < in the New Zealand match, and he would : promise this on behalf of the New Zealand Union. Mr. Hoben also proposed the toast 1 of the Wellington Union, to which Mr. Morpeth suitably replied. A number of songs wero excollently given during the evening, but the programme had to be cut abort to permit of the team leaving for j Christchurch by tho Omaporo at 11. Before • parting, cheers were given for the chairman, and for the referee, and the affair concluded with tho singing of ' Auld Lang Syno. There was ft considerable crowd on the t wharf to sco tho team off, and as the stoamer ■ moved away cheers were interchanged, and j tho New Houth Waleß men gave fnrthoc ] cheers for tho referee.