FOOTBALL.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1904, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI DEFEATS AUCKLAND. [MY TEI/EOnAPIt — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 27tli August. The Auckland-Taranaki mntch, played in Alexandra Park to-day in lino weather, resulted in a blow to Auckland supporters, inasmuch no tho visitors won by 3 points to nil. Tho local men lost the toss, and started against a strong wind and Ihc win. Despite theso disadvantages, they scorned to be quite holding their own till towards the end of the first, spell, when from a penalty Glenn landed « goal for Tarnnnki. In the second spoil the visitors devoted thrnvolves mainly to defending, and kept their opponents off thoir line. Auckland attacked with vim time' after time, but could not get past. In tho second spell Auckland lust both Gallaher and Nicholson. The former wrenched his knee, and the latter had his nose broken. Murray (centre three-quar-ter) broke his collarbone, but played on. Tho visitors generously allowed Doran and Trevarthcn to take tho field. Following wore the teams: — Auckland. — Full-back : W. Harrison ; three-quarters, Carlaw, W. Murray, A. Renwick ; tivc-pighths, R. M'Gregor ; half-back, H. Kiernan ; wing-forwards, D. Gallaher, Seeling j forwards, Q. Tyler, A. Sandall, Cunningham, Q. Nicholson, W. Mackrell, Joyco, Ilayward. Taranaki — Fnll-bnck, Dr. Fookes ; three-quarters, E. Burke, J. Hunter, A. Abbott; fivo-eighths, 11. Mynotl; halfback, Frewin ; wing-forwards, Guy, R. Duthy ; forwards, J. Thomas, F. Glasgow, J. O'Sullivan, W. Glenn, R. Douglas, Young, M'Kay. Nicholson kicked ■ off ( for Auckland against a. strong westerly wind. After loose forward play between JinJf-way and Taranaki's twenty-five the lattcr's forwards took piny beyond tho half dietance, and kicking hard prevented Carlaw from mnking a good return. Several penalties enabled Auckland to got back. It was noticeable up to this stage that Taranaki generally got tho ball from the scrum. One or two passing runs by the Auckland backs did not improvo the position, but Harrison relieved by a Avell-judged kick. Mackrell got tho ball from loose play and passed to Nicholson, and a rush to the opposite end ensued. Taranaki were kept, dofending, but wnd passing nullified the efforts of the Aucklunders, and Taranaki tranaferred play to centre Harrison missefl a long kick, and Tnranaki were awarded a penalty, because of this player lying on the bull. Glenn kicked a goal — Tarunaki ' ... 3 Auckland! ... ... ... 0 There was no further ecore when ha-lf-timo ims called. In the second half, Taranaki kicked off against the wind, which was still frewli. Just when tho Auckland forwards wore having all tho hotter of tho game Gallaher retired. Doran took his place at wing. The play following was uninteresting. Nicholson broke his nose in a collision, and his place in the forwards was taken by Trevarthen. After twenty minutes' ploy Auckland got up closo to tho Toranaki line, Murray kicking nut near the corner. Thi» wa« but a momentary advantage. An exchange of kicks enabled the home players to gain the opposing twenty -fivo, but Auckland could not maintain the advantage. Murray, owing to «n injury to his shoulder, retired to full-back, his place in the three-quarter lino being token by Harrison. There was but a few minutes to go, and while tho Auckland men were playing hard and giving Taranaki some trouble they missed a lot of chance*, tho backs bcinff the principal offenders. Getting near tho closo Auckland kept up a hot attack, -nnd excitement woa intense Kiernan mudo .i good opening, and Harrison, fqlVming up, made a dive for tho line, but fell short. The game finished — Tarunnki 3 Auckland. 0 Tho teums were very evenly matched, and adopted very much the same stylo iff play.