FOOTBALL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 49, 26 August 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. A WIN FOR THE LATTER. AN INTERESTING GAME.* Nolhing better in the matter of weather could have been desired for the annual meeting of the Auckland and Wellington Eugby * representatives, and the attendance of the public at tho Athletic PaTk was large, being variously estimated at from seven to eight thousand. The sun shone brightly, and the breeze (a northerly) was not fresh enough to interfere with a scientific display of football. The field of play was, however, very sloppy. Just on three o'clock the '"curtain raissT," in the shape of a match between Wellington and Horowhenua junior teams, was finished, aand about ten minutes later the performers in the game of the day made their appearance, Wellington, captained by Roberts, leading tho way, closely followed by the Aucklanders, with Magee in charge. Chceis were exchanged, and then a, vocal compliment was paid by tho combined fifteens to Sir J. G. Ward and party, who, with" several members of the Legislature, occupied the centre of the stand, which at a remarkably early hour bore the' legend — "Standing room only." THE TEAMS. Auckland — Miller, Murray, Twiname, DiUamoie, Mageo, Hall, Farrant, Hayw«Td, Williams, Francis, M'Guire, Kinder, Herring, Smith, and M'Donald. Wellington — G. Spencer, J. JRyan, F. Mitchinson, P. A. Anderson, F. Cleary, W. J. Wallace, F. Roberts, J. Spencer, D. Calcinai, A. Wilson, D. Rush, W. Alexander, T. Jordan, F. Ready, and A. King. FIRST SPELL. Roberts won tho toss, and chose the northern base, with wind and sun against the enemy. It was soon made apparent that if the Northerners hoped to win it must be through the efforts of their forwards, who were a solid lot, and hard grafters, with, maybe, a slight tendency at times to "make haste slowly" in tho matter of following up. In this respect they improved considerably towards the finish. The game was not so exciting as scm* that have been pla.yed between the old rivals, but it was full of interest, and fast, to the evident delight of the spectators, who were soon afforded an opportunity of displaying their enthusiasm. The ball from the kick-off was not returned with- pro-nptitude, and for a space play hung at the blacks' twentyfive. Here the home team were awarded a free kick, which removed the venue to half-way, and then the black backs gave an indication of the good that was in them. Roberts centred well, completely catching the blue and whites off their guard, aad Wallace and Anderson came on the run, but Magee saved the- situation. Tho danger was not oveT, however, as Wallace immediately afterwards biok'e a-way, his bold bid being followed by one by Mitchinson. Neither was successful, but the excitement had not had time to cool down before Cleary made a determined Tush, being pushed over at the corner by Miller just in the nick of time. The vigour of the onslaughts seemed to nonplus tho Aucklandei-s, whose backs did not field' the greasy ball at all well, while the Wellington men played with, under the circumstances, amazing acouracy, some of the passing' bouts being a treat to witness. The tackling of the Aucklanders was good, and their forwards, ably led by Francis, Hayward, and M'Guire, were doing slightly better than their opponents. Slowly but suTely they pushed their way to safety, but the nippy Wellington backs once more caused them uneasiness. A faulty 'speculator by Twiname gave the home side a good opening, but Wallace, Cleary, and Mitchinson in turn mulled, and) the crowd, which was prepared to cheer, breathed hard instead. There could be no disputing the fact 'that Wellington was playing the better back "game, -and that Auckland was keenly, feeling tho need of men like George Smith and others who had for so . long helped the Northern province to win and retain an enviable position in the, Rugby world. But the most had to be done with the material at hand, and the visitors, the vanguard! particularly, fought as hard as any team eoald to secure victory. One excellent Tush by the blues was stopped by Robeits, who sent out near the Auckland quarter flag, and then Mitchinson crosskicked, the ball being taken by Calcinai, who made a praiseworthy, but „ futile, attempt to pot a goal, aiiuu the huzzas of the populace. Quickly following this incident, Auckland was forced. Ihen came what the majority of the crowd. had been so anxiously waiting for. Wilson took the ball from a line-out, and passed smartly to Cleary, who sent it on to Wallace. The latter in turn transferred to Mitchinson, who gave it to Ryan, and then followed up fast for tne return pass, which he received and crossed tho Auckland line, to the accompaniment of vigorous applause. Wallace failed with the kick at goal. Wellington ... .. <... 3 Auckland 0 l'he blues' play was Tagged for a whilo after this, and it looked odds on that the blacks would add to their score, on© very likely movement, in wnich Anderson, Wallace, and Mitchinson took part, being only frustrated by deadly tackling. Auckland now canied play into the enemy's camp, Francis, M'Donald, Farrant, Hall, and Murray doing good work, but the advantage was nullified by a penalty for an infringement. They mine again, and George Spencer, who, by the way, was somewhat uncertain at the start, but played in his best form subsequently, mulling, the Auckland team looked to have a chance to equalise. They fought well, but weak play by their icivguard lit them down badly, and by hard kicking and fabt following up Wellington turned de-fence into q-tt^ck, tne visitors having to eventually to seek relief in a force. Not « whit disheartened, they put much rneisy 'i nto their play nfter the kick-out, but Roberts and Anderson came to the blacks' rescue, v good kick by the lastnamed player finding the line well down the fipld. M'Guire, Francis, Hayward, and Herring got through from the lineout, and, a penalty kick helping them, the Aucklanders \i ere, in a twinkling, down on tho home base. As the only means of escape from a tight corner, a Wellington player canied the ball over. The Teferee ordered a scrum near the line, and the Aucklaiukrs made a- valiant effort to score, but Wallace cleverly relieved. After home uninteresting moments, wjth tho scene of action about midway, Wellington ran <lown the opposition, Clearly being bowled over right at the corner, the ball escaping into touch-in-goal. Shortly afterwards the bell eounded half-time, with Wellington in a three points lead — not much to com© and go on. SECOND SPELL. It was thought that, with the wind in their favour, the visitors would put up a better fight than in the first spell, but as a matter of fact — although they scored— they did not do so. Tha Wellington forwards played well'together, -both in sclum an/J loose, o^nd r.obci ts had far more opportunities ifyyx hia vis-a-vis of opening up the game. And when the Wellington backs got going there yfts trouble. It nays much, for the determination of the visitors'

that a bigger score was not recorded against them, and although one could not write a great deal in praise of the general play of their back division nono could deny that tho tackling was well up to the mark. Smartly following resumption, Wallace (who, after his exhibition on Saturday, could even hint at Wallace being a back number?) secured the ball, and centre-kicked. Anderson accepted, and gave Mitchinson a chance, but it was not taken. The Aucklanders now tried their hand at a bit of passing, Farrant making an opening. It proved ineffective. Magee took the ball well, but there was a weak link in the chain, and the next moment tho Blacks replied with a general charge, "horse and foot," ren- i dcred ineffective by Mitc-hinson's refusal to hold a pass. But the time for another score was at hand. Roberts worked the blind side, and in a trice Cloary ■ was away, with Anderson in attendance. The wing three-quarter had a fine head of ster-m on, and he easily beat the opposition, scoring in ix good place. G. Spencer kicked a goal against the wind. Wellington 8 Auckland ... ... ... 0 Patriotic Wellingtonians then settled down with a feeling pf satisfaction to watch the residue of play, for now they felt that, for thi6 year at least, viclory on the Rugby field must, bar accidents, -rest with their 'men. While this feeling was but natural, it v/as tinctured with sympathy for their opponents who had fought well, and were not by any means yet done with. ' Grim determination marked tho play of the Blues after this second reverse, and it looked at one period as if they weie about to wipe off a portion of the deficit. However, the moment had not yet come. They got the ball well into the Blacks' quarters, . and here Wellington was penalised for an infringement by by a forward. Hall tried a pot, but the ball was brought back on account of an Auckland player being in front of the kicker. By good work, in which Farrant. and Francis were prominent, the visitors got to within striking distance. Then therq was another of those quick changes which had throughout been characteristic of the game. Just when the Auckland supporters were beginning to hope that for them there might bo a chance to indulge in a cheer, there was a desperate Black rush, a gallant, resistance, and play had been transferred from one end of the field to the other. , An electrical transformation, truly. Then the übiquitous Wallace put in a fast run, and gava tho ball to Mitchinson, who was held \ip on the line. Had the centre three-quarter passed, a score was certain. However, there was no cause for despondency on the part of Wellington players. Roberts, who had been playing like a skilful general, once more got his support in motion, and a splendid bib of passing, during which the ball went from Roberts to Wallace, to Mitchinson, to Anderson, ended in the last-named finishing up a strong run by scoring his second try, and the third of the match. George Spencer made a good but fruitless, kick at goal. Wellington 11 Auckland ' 0 The Wellington representatives were playing like a winning team and several times looked decidedly dangerous, but the Blues were not effectually vanquished. The forwards broke through with a splendid rattle, and Wellington had to force. The dose was repeated, but this time over-eagerness was the cause of the Blues' failure, and fumbling on the part of the visiting backs enabled Wellington to clear to half-way. Again, from a' line-out, the Auckland forwards moved along to some purpose, and now their efforts met with due reward, Francis touching down amid applause. Hall's attempt to increase the score was very indifferent. Wellington „,. 11 Auckland 3 Time was short, and the vigour of the play did not flag. The closing stages were marked by, a smart run on the part of Roberts, a fierce rush- by Francis, Herring, M'Guire, Hayward, and the rest of a well-tested pack, which ended in a race over tho. Wellington line and a, force-down, an equally fierce reply by • the local players which compelled tho visitors to force, and the 1907' meeting of Auckland and Wellington was a thing of the past, victory resting with the home team by 11 points to 3, after a game i remarkably interesting throughout, and at times very exciting. Auckland's weakness was undoubtedly in its back division. Magee and Hall shaped fairly well, Miller was feeblr, and the others patchy. Of a good set of forwards, Francis, Hayward, M'Guire'and M'Donald were, perhaps, most prominent. Wellington's backs gave a fine display considering that the ball was hard to hold. Mitchinson did not take passes quite so well as usual. The forwards worked strenuously, and fairly held their owji. Mr. J. Williams, o£ Dunedin, was reforee. He kept up with" the game, and his decisions were prompt.

Following nre the results of matches played between Auckland and Wellington : — 1880— At Auckland. Wellington won, sto nil. IPP3 — At Wellington. Draw, 5 points each. lEB6— At Auckland. , Auckland won, 4to 2. I£B9— At Wellington. 1 Wellington won, 3to 1. 1831— At Auckiimi. Wellington won, 13 to nil. 3895— At Wellington. Wellington won, 9to 5. JBo6— At Auckland, Wellington won, 3to nil. 1897— At Wellington. Auckland won, 11 to 4. 1898— At Auckland. Auckland won, 10 to nil. 1898— At Wellington. Auckland won, 14 to 3. 1900— At Auckland. Aucklnnd won, 14 to 4. 3901— At Wellington. Auckland won, 9to 3. ISO2— At Auckland. Auckland won, 18 to 5. 1903— At Wellington. Wellington won, 4to 3. 1904— At Auckland. Wellington won, 6to 3. ISos— Afc Wellington. Auckland won, 10 to 6. 1906— At Auckland. Audkkind won, 11 to 8. ISO7— At Wellington. Welling! on won, 11 to 3. Played, 18. Wellington won 8, Auckland . won 9; 1 draw.