FINE EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 140, 13 June 1912, Page 3

FINE EXHIBITION

THE WELLINGTON-TARANAKI RUGBY GAME VISITORS WIN BY NARROW MARGIN. fK tilkoeaph.3 (From Our Special Reporter.) HAWERA. Tliis Day. Brimful of incident from kick-off to noside, the Taranaki-Wellington match, played oa the show grounds at Hawera, will long be lemcnibered as one of the finest exhibitions of Rugby ever eeen in Taranaki. In fact, one can say without fear of contradiction, that no North v. South Island match ever provided a better spectacle. It was a gam© featured by brilliant' passing, clever tactics, and no roughnass — truly a contest to enthuse over. Although Taranaki lost, the three thousand or so spectators were practically unanimous in the opinion that the better team won, and as the visitors filed off the field a hearty tribute to their prowess was paid. Wellington's clever rearguard was responsible for the victory, the combination of Roberts, M'Keuzie, ' Itamsclen, and Murray at times being well-nigh perfect. ,In the first two minutes they gave Taranaki a taste of their quality, and right until the final whistle were always dangerous when handling the ball. Taranaki also possessed clever backs, but as a combination they failed badly. Hardly once was their rearguard seen in a combined movement, Stohr, Brown, M'Leod, and company being content with, solus effort*. Forward, toe teams were fairly matched, Wellington making up what they lacked in brawn by cleverness. They were en to. the Taranaki backs lik« lightning, and their play in this respect contrasted more than favourably with that of the home forwards, who were rather slow in' breaking up from the scrums. The Taranaki hookers obtained more than their fair 6hare of the ball, but Skinner usually nullified the advantage by nailing the half-back. Wellington's placekicking was weak, Taranaki in this respect setting a. good example. Stohr only had three shots at goal, the ball on two occasions sailing fairly over tho bar, while, the other shaved the posts. THE PLAY. When Wilson kicked off for Wellington, what little wind there was favoured Taranaki. Tho ground was dry, if «>omewhat uneven, and there was no sun. The first scrum was held in Taranaki's twenty-five. Paton broke away, but was stopped by Prince. Another scrum was formed near the Taranaki line, and the Wellington backs got going. M'Kenzio, however, dropped a pass and lost a good chance. Ram&den picked up and worked j Lambert into a good position before the defence was beaten, but the pass went astray, Roberts (Taranaki) clearing to halfway. The ball passed rapidly between Roberts, M'Kenzie, Ramsden, Murray, and Kinvig, the latter being tackled, on the line. The Wellington backs never had as opportunity of throwing the ball about, and an attack speedily developed on the open side again. M'Kenzie dropped a pass when in a good position, and M'Leod relieved. Wellington were having all the best of matters, the pace being very fast. Thft backs were passing cleverly, and but for the afore-mentioned fumbles, the Taranaki line wculd have been crossed. Hills, Patton, ' and Skinner were associated in a rush,' which ended only a few yards from the home line. Overeagerness prevented a score, and Tamu punted to halfway, and for the first time Taranaki were dangerous. Brown made a splendid opening for M'Leod, but the latter held on too long, and was graesed. ' Stohr dashed up, fielded well, and had hard luck in not scoring, falling a yard or bo 6hort of the line. The forwards gathered round, and matters were looking ominous for Wellington, when Elliot broko through and brought relief. Back again came Taranaki, and picking up in the loose, Roberts made a. Sno opening ' for Dewar, who ccored. Stohr converted. < Taranaki ,*, , H ... 5 Wellington 0 f Roused by the reverse, Wellington forwards, Wilson and Skinner in the van, took play to Taranaki's territory, where a fierce fight ensued. The backs got going more than once, but sound tackling kept them out. Taranaki eventually raised the siege, and for some time after play hovered at midfield. Stohr made one good run, but spoiled a good chance by hanging on. Meanwhile the Wellington backs were throwing the ball^about in delightful fashion, and aftei\ combined movements Taranaki's litye was crossed. Roberts tried Lambert's wing, but the Wellington Club man was tackled. The ball was worked across the field, and Kinvig scored, after bright passing between Robert*, Ramsdeii, M'Kenzie, and Murray. No goal. Taranaki 5 Wellington, .../ 3 Two minutes later Wellington wer« in again, Elliott profiting by a fumble and scoring handily. Capper missed the goal. Wellington 6 Tarauaki 5 Thence till half-time each, side attacked in turn, Taranaki per medium of heavy forward charges and Wellington by beautiful passing rushee. The football waa excellent and as fast as one could desire. , < SECOND SPELL. The had freshened somewhat when the ball was set moving again, and it was the opinion of most spectators thai- Wellington would run up a. big «core. Their form had eei'tainly warranted^ the assumption. Howevei*, the home forwards showed greatly improved form, and for some considerable time had the better of the game. They kept together well and used their weight in the tight.' Several of their lushes were decidedly tigerish, but always the Wellington backs went ■ down to them. The pace* wa;> so fast and incident so crowded incident that it would take columns to chronicle the play in detail. The Wellington backs pa6i>ed on every occasiou, and the Taranaki -forwards nearly always retaliated with fierce rushes. Midway through th« spell the whole of the visiting backs went away in a sweeping charge. Taranaki appeared to be completely beaten, and a try seemed assured. Stohr, however, turned the tide by a brilliant solus effort. He intercepted a pas& x and ran practically the length of the field to score a "try which he improved on. \ It was brilliant individualism. Taranaki ... 10 Wellington 6 Taranaki were in front, and how the crowd cheered ! Maintaining the pressure Taranaki worked to within striking distance again, but Wellington rue-hed them back and attacked in turn. Roberts had a shot at goal from halfway, Taranaki forcing. With tho ball in play Wellington backs attacked desperately and completely broke down the defence. Mui'ray's pass to Lambert — a hard one, however— was dropped. The Wellington winger had a clear run in at the time. Several scrums followed, and eventually Roberts sent his backs away iv beautiful line. Down the field, passing faultlessly, they went, and Kinvig, the lash back in tho chain, scored. M'Kenzie failed with an easy kick. Taranaki »,. 10 Wellington ... U Urg«d^on by tl» crowd to play up, .Tfltaflaja brukg away, but tlie forivardt

were tired, and Wellington came again. One brilliant back movement merited a try. Roberts obtained possession at halfway, passed to M'Kenzie, who threaded his way thi'ough a knot of home forwards, and passed to Ramsden. The latter cut infield, transferred to Sullivan, who sent it on to Murray, to Lambert. Lambert, however, again failed to hold the ball, and Prince booted to safety. Four minutes from time Wellington by brilliant play passed th« Taranaki scone. Roberts, Ramsdeu, M'Kenzie, Murray, and Kinvig all lent a hand, the latter scoring. Lambert failed to convert. Wellington" „. 12 Taranaki 10 Taranaki made one last desperate effort, but the whistle sounded with the ball at midfiold. Mr. Spurdle refereed.