FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON v. SOUTHLAND. A DRAWN GAME.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 59, 7 September 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON v. SOUTHLAND. A DRAWN GAME.

[BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, 6th September. The Wellington • Southland football match was played to-day' in glorious weather on a dry ground. The game ended in a draw — six points each. It cannot be said that either side gave a good exhibition of the game in' all departments. There was little good combined back play. Wellington were deficient in stopping rushes and' this was fainl to them, as Southland's scores were indirectly brought about by forward rushes. The Wellington forwards played a fine clashing game. They shone in the loose and on the line, and their rushes .were deadly. Had they been adequately supported, possibly the resnlt would havo been different. The Southland forwards played a qolid gume. with occasional flashes of dash. In the second spell they performed most creditably against faster men. « Southland was fortunate in making the game a draw, as the final score was secured on the call of time. The average weight of the teams was about equal. Although everything conduced to a good exhibition of back play and passing, that attractive feature of Rugby was rarely in evidence. The match was full of exciting incidents. From tho kick-off the visitors played an aggressive forward game. During the first thirty minutes Collerton scored a try, and *.T. Spencer placed a penalty goal. Southland looked dangerous on two or three occasions, but their nearest approach to scoring was a kick by C. Purdue from a. mark in front of Wellington goal, the ball going outside tlie posts. When Wellington turned their backs to the 'Sun it was expected they would win, but tho Southland forwards played a great game, and principally owing to the fino work of the local vanguard Hughes scored right at the beginning of tho spell. Grace did likewise just on the call of time. Blackhani in the hitter case, missed the shot at goal.