FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 62, 11 September 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL

1 WELLINGTON y. OTAGO. A DBAWN GAME. [B7 IKLEGHAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, 9th September. The match between Wellington and Otago was played on the Caledonian Ground to-day, in wretched weather. Light rain fell ab intervals during the morning, and just before the game started, thick drizzling rain, driven by a strong' wind, swept down the field, continuing until play ceased. The ground was very heavy and greasy. It was almost impossible for the players to keep their .feet. Handling tha ball was a matter of extreme difficulty. The game, which was witnessed by about four thousand spectators, resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. In /the first spell, Wellington, playing with the -wind, kept Ofcago on the defensive most of the time, but under the conditions systematic attack was out of the question, and the visitors were dangerous only at rare intervals, though the home team had to force down on several occasions. Shortly, before hajf-tiine the Wellington forwards got away owing to Borrie (Otago's full-back) falling, and they just missed: scoring, Eckhold forcing in the nick of time. The conditions were reversed in the second spell, ,in' which Wellington were defending nearly all the time. On a few occasions Otago looked like scoring, by something unexpected happened every time, and Wellington, by good footwork, kept the line clear, although having to force several times. Taking the match on the whole there was little to choose between the teams, the game, though somewhat uninteresting, was as good as could be expected. The backs of both teams fielded the ball remarkably well, and the kicking generally was good, but the attempts at passing were not attended with much success. The Otago backs were more successful than their opponents in line-kicking, frequently gaining long stretches of ground by their efforts in this direction. The Welligton forwards showed to better advantage than those in the Otago team. In the scrums the visitors kept their feet better, and were successful in hooking the ball in the majority of cases. Some very good loose work was done by the Wellington forwards, whose footwoik and combination generally were very good, being of inestimable value in defensive play. The Otago forwards, on the other liand, often over-ran the ball, and thus lost a favourable opportunity of doing good service to their side. Both teams played better on defence than on attack. Any mistakes made by the attacking side were promptly turned to advantage by the defenders. Two of the players were very fortunate in not being ordered off the field for engaging in a 6cuffte on the line. Mr. Barry was referee. ' THE AUSTRALIANS' TOUE. MATCH AGAINST TARANAKI. A WIN FOR THE VISITORS. HAWERA, 9lh September. The Australian Rugby team to-day beat Taranaki and Wanganui combined by 18 to 13. A large crowd witnessed the game, and was very enthusiastic and impartial The game was fast throughout. Heavy rain had not made the ground bad, but it was a little heavy. -In the combinedvteam Hunter replacod Thomas as five-eighth. The Australian team was practically the one that played Manawatu. - t Australia won the toss, pmd after the kick-off Taranaki broke away, and shortly after Hardgraves got possession, y and went v ddwn the field alone. He crossed the line witli the ball at his toe, but it went into touch-in-goal. Australia soon • relieved, and Wood, shooting the ball out, a- pretty run was made to the Taranaki twenty-five, where M'Lean picked up from a' scramble and looked like scoring, but he kicked out of touch. Murnir then broke through; but Colman checked him. The Australians again passed out; they ran too slowly, though, had Oxlade given M'Lean a good pass he must have scored. M'Lean was bumped out on the corner. Dore .marked in front of the home goal, and Wickham converted. Australia ... ' 4 Taranftki 0 Immediately after, Luca3 got 'the ball, and dodging through, pasted to Hirschberg, who in turn passed to "Wood. M'Lean then got the ball, and streaked off, but Colman collared him and saved. Dore was next to break through, but got blocked. v Taranaki then temporarily transferred the scene of play. Hardgraves broke through and passed everyone, but was overhauled and thrown out near the cornor. While the Taranaki men were in Australia's tu - enty-five, Guy got the ball, and made for the line. He dropped the ball and dribbled. Ryan camo after him, and, picking up, scored. Hardgraves made a splendid attempt t6 convert, but failed. Australia attacked, and Colman once more saved the situation by collaring M'Lean. Taranaki relieved, and from a free-kick Hardgraves kicked a good goal. Murnin fractured a collarbone, and Colton replaced him. Halftime was called. . Taranaki ... ... >„ 7 Australia '4 Penmann, who had played poorly in the first spell, was now put full-back in place of B. Smith. Swannpjl got a very bad kick just above the 'dye, and had to be taken off > He was loudly applauded on resuming. From a Taranaki forward rush Guscott scored. Hardgraves made a great kick, but did not convert. Shortly after, from a, passing rush B. Smith ran in for Austvalln. Wickham failed to convert. Some fine passing by the Australian backs resulted in M'Lean scoring, but the try was not converted. Taranaki >l 4 10 Australia 10 M'Lean next scored, and B. Smith kicked a fine goal. M'Lean soon again scorodl Australia, 15 ; Taranaki, 10. Soon after Hardgraves kicked a penalty goal. Australia '„. ... ... 15 Taranaki 13 Just on call of time Colton scored, and the game ended. Australia > 18 Tnrnnaki 13 The better team won. The vi&itois' passing waa a treat to witness, whilst in the later stages of the game they instituted g, series of dribbling rushes which proved irresistible. In passing, scrum, and footwork tb.B home team was outclassed.