FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 55, 2 September 1897, Page 2

FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI.

I Wellington inflicted an unexpected defeat upon Taranaki yesterday afternoon by 3 points to nil. .Aa the match was played almost in a dead calm it was hoped that at least a oreditable exhibition of back play would be made, but it was a repetition of the struggle of 1894, with the exception that the Wellington team won. On that occasion there was nothing but packed scrums, with decided inclination to keep the game as tight as possible. So it was again yesterday—all forward work, with here and there a flash of good individual back play, chiefly by the local players. It was a disappointing game right through — much inferior to some of the club contests. Almost the only brilliant play in the first spell was one magnificent piece of passing which took the ball from about the Wellington 25 flag to within a couple of yards of the Taranaki line. With its powerful back division — which included, for instance, Allen, Bayly, and Humphries, of New Zealand rep. fame—the Taranaki team's chances were much fancied, but the backs did nothing wonderful, although few mistakes were made. The forwards were, as a whole, very raw, and were short in condition. The Wellington backs all round did better wprk than their opponents. They got more chances, but should have had still more. There was not the dash and combination of the forwards that was shown in the match against Auckland, while the ball should have been heeled out more smartly and cleanly. Wellington's vanguard was superior in the loose to Taranaki s, and secured possession of the ball oftener, but in the actual shoving there, was little to choose between the teams. In line-out play the advantage rested with the local men, but not in great degree. In actual play, too, they had the best of the bout, and were given more opportunities of scoring. It was the dreariest and weakest exhibition of football that a Wellington public has witnessed'in interprovinoial play. Watson kicked off for Taranaki. Jielly soon distinguished himself by good play, and M'Kenzie, taking a pass from Woods, made a big attempt to get over the visitors line, which O'Dowda averted. A great rush by the Northerners' wingraen, Pearson and George, carried the ball well down the field,but Baumber stepped it in fine style. In the local territory Humphries got a mark, and Watson made a good but ineffectual effort to score. A dangerous rush by Allen was followed by a clever piece of concerted passing by Woods to Kelly, and thence to Wallace, who knocked on when an excellent opening presented itself. Wellington shortly pressed the visitors, and Kelly getting the ball made an opening and passed to Tripe, who in turn was collared by Young. Then Young streaked down the field and passed to George, who spoiled a good opportunity of scoring by fumbling. Shortly afterwards came the brilliant instance of passing by the Wellington backs already mentioned. Wallace, getting the ball from a return kiok, ran a few yards, then transferred it to Kelly, from whom it passed on to Woods, Hardcastle, aud Adams, then back to Kelly, and finally to Wallace, who was brought down almost on the visitors' line. Kelly made a terrific dash for the line, but luckily for the visitors relief came through an opposing player being penalised. Next a strong rush of Taranaki forwards was nicely checked by Baumber. TaranaKi being granted a free kick, Watson unsuccessfully attempted to kick a goal. Alf. Bayley was splendidly tackled by Kelly, and Hardcastle, Ji'Kenzie, Speedy, and Gallagher coming away with the ball at their toes put Taranaki on the defensive, but Good stopped the strong advance by a fine kick. A passing rush by Kelly, Hardcastle, Woods, and Gallagher threatened Taranaki's goal, but L.Bayly checked it, and the first spell ended without scores. j Early in the second half some fierce scrum- i maging on the Taranaki line was followed by Baumber getting possesion of the ball .'and essaying a remarkably good pot at goal. Taking the ball very smartly from the line, Wallace worked the ball to his opponents' territory, and Kelly spoiled an opportunity i of scoring by a miserable attempt to send the ball over the posts. Matters looked bad for Wellington when Watson, O'Dowda, and Hughes by a dribbling rush brought the play well into local territory, and Allan got a mark almost in front of the goal posts, Watson making a big but unsuccessful attempt to score. A dangerous rush of the local forwards, headed by M'Kenzie and Gallagher, caused Tarauaki some trouble, but A. Bayly saved. The ball ultimately came to Woods, who made a tricky run along the line and sent the ball up the field. Hardcastle followed up quickly, and, L. Bayly making a miss-kick, the ball was rushed over the \ line, aud King scored amidst deafening cHeers. Though almost in front of the posts, Wallace failed to convert. The play for the remainder of the game was in favour of the lo(!al men,_excepting on one occasion, when Watson, O'Dowda, and' Pearson made a mighty effort to break ' through the local defence. The Wellington pliiyers nearly succeeded in scoring more than once. Baumber at full played a capital game for Wellington, while Kelly, Wallace, and Woods were the best of the others. Kelly did not feed his three-quarters enough, and was disposed to takctoojnuch on himself — otherwise his play was first-class. M'Kenzie and Hardcastle were'much/ahead of the opposing wings, aud Gallagher (particularly), King, CampbelUand Speedy wire best of the pack. For thevjsitpr?, Good, A..Bayly., and Allen were the "most noticeable; Bayly did some very serviceable work. Humphries did fairly, but was overweighted by the opposing forwards. O'Dowda, Hawkin, Hughes, and Watson bore the brunt of the pack. Mr. A. D. Thompson was referee, but his decisions in many cases were questionable, and infringements of the rules were often allowed to pass unnoticed. —■