FOOTBALL.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 49, 26 August 1895, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

TAKANAEI v. WELLINGTON. It can safely be Baid that no matoh has iroused suoh great pnblio interest during the past few-weeks as the meeting of the above teams at Newtown on Saturday. The all-absorbing topio for some time past had bean whether Taranald would Bnstain itf invinoible record o£ laßt year and its great reputation in bygone seasons by defeating the looal player*, or whether Wellington, oould check the oonrse of the viotoriotu Northerners and place a win to ita oredir, Tarannki has always pointed, aud with pardonable pride, to iti past nuocesses, and the heavy defeats inflicted this season on , Waiiuanui and Hawkes Bay, coupled with the fact that both the forward and baok dm- < sions comprised some of the finest players iv the colony, made it feel sure that its banner wonld be carried to viotory on Saturday Naturally the visitors were installed warm favourites, and they were very oonfident of viotory. The Wellington team, however, has always been difficult to beat on its own ground, and never since 1877 has it suffered defeat from an interprovinoial team on the 1 looal football field. The team which manfully upheld the honour of the Empire City on Saturday had been greatly changed from that wbioh met Canterbury the previous week, and the inolusion of suoh redoubtable forwards as Swindley, Poland, and Pauling, and the presence of Galloway, Pudney, and Davidson aroused hope in the bre"™ of the Wellington supporters, who felt that if the team was defeated it would at least make a gallant straggle, and give the Taranaki boys all they knew to win. From an early hour in the afternoon people wended their way to the Park, and .*t the time of starting the matoh fully 5000 were present. Many of them, we regret to say, evaded payment by making a oirouitous oourae over tb.6 hill adjoining and jumping the fence. The two teams, headed by the Garrison Band, left the City Buffet shortly before 2 o'olook, and on arrival at the ground no time was loßt in stripping for the play. Pudney, the oaptain of the Wellington team, .won the toss, and eleoted to play againßt the wind, whioh blew in great gusts from the north-weEt aoross the ground. The Wellington men stepped upon the field neatly attired in their black uniforms with gold monograms, and were followed a few minutes later by the Taranaki boys, olad in blaok kniokerbookers with black and gold jerseys. The public gave the visitors a hearty oheer on their, appearance on the field, and their physique was favourably oommented upon by the spectators. The composition of the teams were as follows .— Wellington. — Full -baok, H. Davidßon (lOat 121b); three-quarters, F. Galloway (12st 21b), J. Koaohe (llBt), W. Boberts (list 41b); five-eighths, H. Kelly (12st); half, J. Pudney, oaptain (lOst 71b) ; wings, J. Kelly (list 91b) and W. M'Kenrie (13st 41b) ; forwards, F. Young (13st), J. Swindley (12st 101b), J. Paulingr (list), J. Poland (I3st 81b), A. Campbell (12st 61b), W. Hard:OMtle (12st 61b), and J. M'Lean (12st 51b) ; average per man, 12st 31b. Taranaki.— Full-book, Bobinson (list 51b) ; three-quarters, H. Good (14st lib), A. Good (12st). and L. Allen (list 101b) ; five-eighths, A. Bayly, oaptain (12st 101b); half, A Humphries (9st 101b) j ' wings, J. Laing (ISst) and C. Young* (18st 31b); forwards, B. O'Dowda (12st 121b), W. Lambie (12st 71b), D. Hughes (13st), Buokley (12st 21b), D. Watson (13st 51b), F. Livingstone (12st), and W. Wells (12st 81b) ; average per man, 12st61b. Hughes, who it acoounted one of the pest forwards in the colony, came down speoially to play against Wellington. Standish, owing to injuries received in the Hawkes Bay match, was unable to play, and hie plaoe was filled by Buckley. THJI FLAT. Watson kicked off for Taranaki, and at once the Northerners lushed the ball . into Wellington territory. Roberta, by wretched kiolring, almost let the visitors in, Laing in particular being prominent at this stage for Taranaki. A forward rush of the Wellington players, headed by Swindley, M'Kenzie, and Pauling, relieved the pressure, but the Taranaki forwards were not to be denied, and once more owing to bad kiolring by Boberts, who evidently was quite unable to lift the ball, they were able to approach the Wellington line, and Galloway forced down in time to prevent Laing, Hughes, and Wells from scoring. From the kiok-out H. Kelly, by a splendid and neatly-judged kick, brought the play to half way, and Pndney, evading the Taranaki wingman (Laing) and outwitting Humphries, made a short dash down the field, when the ball went into touoh. The Wellington forwards were now playing a great game, Swindley, Poland, I'auling, - Young, and Campbell showing up in fine style, while Kelly and M'Kenzie on the wing wore bustling the Taranaki half and five-eighth in a way whioh those players eriftenUi did not appreciate. A free kiok to Wellington, and Campbell made a splendid attempt at goal from nearly half way. The ball sailed splendidly in the direction ,of the bar, but the breeze inoreasqd at a oritical moment, and it hung for a second, and dropped short, and Bobinson foroed down. Bayly kioked out, and Boaohe mulling the ball, the Taranaki forwards, headed by Hughes, Laing, Lambie, and Bayly, took the play into Wellington territory. Eoberts and Boaohe relieved their line by a pretty little passing rush, and took the ball into the Taranaki quarters, and a vigorous onslaught by the Wellington team, M'Kenzie, Hardcastle, and Kelly being prominent, was only stopped by a splendid pieoe of play on the part of Hughes. The Wellington forwards were beating their opponents time after time by securing possession of the ball and screwing the scrum in fine style, and completely baffled the efforts of Humphries and Bayly. Fierce Borummaging in Taranaki territory, and Laing by neat dribbling, and Hughes, O'Dowda, and Watson by good footwork, brought the play to half-way, where Kelly and Pudney shifted operations again to the visitors' 25 flag. The play at this stage was very eioitinp, the Wellington forwards making repeated attempts to soore. J. Kelly broke away, and by a brilliant dribble took the ball within a few yards of the visitors' goal line, H. Good averting a Bcore by looking into touch. A good chance to soore by the looal men was lost through H. Kelly making a wild pass to Koache, and H. Good and Bayly swooping down in quick ■tyle had Boaohe in difficulties. He, however, managed to kick into touoh, which onoe more Bhifted play to neutral territory. The Wellington players, however, quickly assumed the aggressive, and Humphries being beaten by J. Kelly, who smothered his attempt to pass to Bayly. Pauling and Hardcastle came away with a dribble, the former taking the ball well into the Northern 25, where A. Good kioked into touoh, and relieved his side from danger. The Taranald forwards now attacked, and good play on the part of JSoache nullified their efforts. M'Kenzie at this , , stage distinguished himself by a determined run, and a little later on by a high kiok and good following up he foroed the visitors to again act on the defensive. Pauling, who was very noticeable, aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators by a dribble, but Bayly spoilt what seemed a certain soore by pioking up smartly and kicking into touoh. No further play of note ocourred during the remainder of the spell, and the whistle sounded with the ball in Taranaki territory. Campbell, after a short interval, resumed operations by kioking off for Wellington, and almost immediately our forwards rushed into their opponents' 25' a. Matters were now being made very lively for the Northerners, and the plaintive appeals of Humphries for his forwards to hold the scrums were of little avail. Swindley, Young, and Poland were now playing like Trojans, and giving their adversaries a taste Of their quality. For a time it seemed ac if Wellington must score, but at last Humphries smartly eluded M'Kenzie and Pudney, and, after a short run, passed to A. Good, who, however, mulled the pass, and J. Kelly, Hardcastle, and M'Lean quiokly smothered his attempt to mend matters. Sorummages followed in Wellington's 25's, owing to Galloway knooking on, and then the Taranaki forwards, by a grand rush, in whioh O'Dowda, Lambie, and Hughes were prominent, took the ball past everyone but Davidson. Nothing apparently could prevent Taranaki from scoring, but Davidson afforded ample proof of his abilities w a full-back when at a oritical stage by picking up the ball at the feet of the visitors, and relievinghia aide from danger by a nice . kiok into touch. It was a magnifioent piece of work, and fairly "brought down the house." M'Kenzie was next conspicuous for good work, and by a serviceable kick and good' work on the part of Boaoh, H. Kelly, and Pudney, the play was brought almost on to the Taranaki goal line. Exoitement ran high, and the Wellington backs spread out in anticipation of a pass. Taranaki, however, cleared its line in grand style, and with an irresistible rush took the ball past -the Wellington half and fiveeighths and Bayly, securing possession by a high kick, removed the play to half-way. The crowd heartily cheered Taranaki on its fine performance. The Wellington forwards, however, were not to be denied, and once. more narrowly escaped scoring, Bobinson, by~ cool play, averting disaster. For some time play hovered in neutral territory, and then H. Good, scouring a pass from Bayly, tore off at a great rate to the Wellington line. Boaohe stopped his career, and a penalty kiok awarded to Taranaki enabled Watson at half-way to make an attempt at goal. The ball, whioh rolled just as h* was making the kick, fell in close proximity to the post. The next feature in the game was a fine piece of work by Sjoaone, who intercepted a pass from Bayly to H. Good, and by a well-judged kick brought the play again within the visitors' 25. He was heartily cheered for his fine play. The remainder of the play does not call for particular mention, the ball being taken up and down the field by a series of forward rushes, and the whistle sounded with the play at half-way. The game thus ended in a draw, neither side having been able to touoh down. Infringements of the rules were frequent, and the looal team lost considerable ground in the second half from that oante. BBKABKB. The strong gale which blew with' terrific foroe across the ground militated against a first-class display of football, consequently there was an almost total absence of baok play, the game being oontinually made up of soummages and line work. The niatoh was, perhaps, from a forward point of view, the hardest contested game that has been fought out on a Wellington football field for many years, and the Wellington team is to be congratulated on a fine exhibition. Each and every man worked like a Trojan from start to finish, and at the present time the team wonld take a lot of beating frojn any other fifteen in the colony. The game,, of oonrse, gave the backs little opportunity to shine, and consequently the publio had no ohanoe of seeing the wellknown, powers of the Northerners' baok division. The Wellington forwards beat their opponents' in the sorum, and were far cleverer than their opponents in all-round work. The foot-work, combination, and dribbling of the visitors were, however, excellent. Wellington team —Davidson, at full-back, played with coolness and judgment, never making a mistake, ■nd on one oocaaion extricated hl» aids by a

most brilliant pieoe of work. His faokmg, more especially when facing a strong wind in the first spell, was well done- Bobert«, at three-quarter, ias gone off oonaiderably in the last two matches, and there is now a total absenoe of that dash which was once ao marked a feature of his play in olub matches. 'His play on Saturday was «»• tainly below firsWasa form, his Poking being particularly weak, and owing to that oauße he nearly allowed Taranaki to score twice at the outset of the game. Galloway has also been seen to better advantage. Ho stopped severaldangeroußruahes, and put in a considerable amount of effective work at rimes, bnt fitted to take the ball oleanly, thus causing his sido ti lo?e ground repeatedly. Voaohe played a capital game, md improves with every match. Hia defensive work was first-c'ass, while his licking and collaring were without blemish. Ua bids fair to be in the front rank of >ew Zealand three-quarters. H. Kelly at fiveaighths gained ground by good kicking ana tunning, and put in a lot of useful defensive work Kelly also played with considerable dash, bnt at timeß did not exhibit commendable judgment when in possession ot tne ball. Pudneyshowed first-class form behind the sorum, and his short, quiok dashes and smart following up were moat servioeable. His passing wao also good. The forwards played a. great game, Swindley, Poland, Pauling, and Young doing well both in the scrum and looße. M'Lean, Hardoastle, and Campbell, aljo performed good service. Campbell, wno up to the Taranaki matoh had not shown form to justify his inclusion in the team, made ample amends by his display on Satnrday, and played a really fine game from start to finish. The wing men, Kelly and M'Kenzie, were muoh in evidence, and completely baffled the efforts of the opposing wingsandHnmphriesandßayly. M'Kenzie put in some particularly clever play t and gave the best display of football we have aeen from him this season. Taranaki team —The visitors possess a really «rood fuU-baok in Bobinson, who got through his onerous duties very oreditably. The three-quarters had little opportunity to shine. H. Good, who is a fast powerful player, made one really fine run, but found Koaohe a thorn in his eide. Allen, who has a big repntation, played at centre, but was hardly notioeabls in the game. A. Good was the best of the three-quarters. His kioking wan first-clasß, while he followed up his kioks well, and on two occasions he smothered Galloway and Roberts. Bayley at timea put in some good work, bnt found H. Kelly, Pudney, and the Wellington wings a oonatant source of annoyanoe, and he consequently was unable to play with very great uocess. Humphries!, who also came down with a big reputation, failed to play up to it and was completely outclassed. Laing, on the wing, who was in the local Athletio Club the early part of the season, played well, and at five-eighthß was instrumental in starting some good rushes, while he frequently spoiled the work of the opposing backs. Young, on the other wing, did nothing wonderful. Hughes stood out conspicuously amongst the forwards. He was always to the front, and is a Bplendid stamp of a forward, following np well, and dribbling and sorumming in a manner whioh elioited the aoolamation of the spectators. Lambie and Watson were the most prominent of the other forwards. Mr. J. P. Firth aoted as referee, and Messrs. Faohe (Wellington) and Courts (Taranaki) were line umpires. Boring the game Good received a nasty kiok on the head, and Laing on one occasion was ordered off the field by the refereo for illegal play* The results of the contests played between the two Provinoial Districts are as follows :— 1894, at Hawera— Taranaki won by 6 points to nil. 1895, at Wellington— Dr«w_ ; no eooro. In the evening the teams dined together at the Trocadero. The Taranaki men left for their homes this morning. Their match with the Mana watu representatives will take place on 3rd September, and on the 6th they will meet the AucfcLanders. The Wairarapa representatives came baok from the South yesterday afternoon. Pearls defeated Cresoents for the Thirdolasa Association Onp by 14 points to nil. Inglis (6), Dean (3), Bethell (2 tries), Clark, C. Colpus, and Longton 1 try each, were the sorters. Excelsiors drew with Bed Cross, each side scoring one goal. Cloke put the ball through for Excelsior and Clark for Bed' Cross. The team whioh is to represent the Wellington Association in the Association Tournament at Auckland left for the North by the Mahinapua last evening. AUCKLAND v. OTAGO. [BT TBI.KQRAPH.— FUEBB ASSOCIATION. | Dukcoin, 24th August. The football matoh Auckland v. Otngo was played to-day on the Caledonian Ground, in the presence of between 7000 and 8000 people, and resulted in a win for Otago by 11 points to 8. The weather in the afternoon was excellent. Soon after play started Mnrray scored a try for Auckland, whioh was converted. Another try by Stephenaon for Anckland was not allowed, bnt he scored shortly afterwards, no goal resulting, however. An duokland back getting into difficulties, triedt{L£&£e_biB aide by lying on the ball, ana M'Farlane plaoed a goal for Otago from a penalty kiok. In the second spell a goal from a try for Otago equalised the scores, and both teamß worked harder than ever, until at length, after some good passing play, M'Kenzie scored for Otago, no goal resulting. Time was called a minute or two afterwards, Otago thns winning by 11 points to 8. The game was a most interesting one, though marred somewhat by incessant talk. The visiting backs were seen to much belter advantage than the local men, their passing being especully smart and dean. Gage was far in advance of the others, though Masefield, Absalom, and Braund were occasionally very good. Murray was the most prominent of the forwards. Cran on defensive and M'Kenzie on offensive play were the only local men who played up to form. Mason was too light to be of mnch serwoe. The game was won for Otago by tho hotter form shown by the forwards. CANTEBBURY v. WAIRABAPA. Chbistcudech, 24th Augußt. Canterbury and Wairarapa mot to-day at Lancaster Park. Ihe weather waa favourable, and the ground good but soft. There were 1500 spectators In the first spell, Canterbury scored font tries, Johnstone annexing two, and O'Brien and Karr one each. ' Neither wan converted, I and as the second spell produced no score on either Bide, the game ended in favour ol ,the local team by 12 points to nil.