FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 11655, 16 September 1901, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

INTER-UNION MATCHES. AUCKLAND DEFEATS WELLINGTON. Onco more the Wellington footballers have had to admit the superior prowess of the Northern representatives, Auckland Avi nning a hard-fought game at the Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday, after- ' i.noil, by 9to 3. Heavy rain fell in the vi\:ht, but the ground had dried into ex•Hunt condition. A strong wind blew <\ >wn the park, and the sky was rather :':ri.'i(tening, but still there was a large at- , . dance, between 4,000 and 5,000 beinf , i 'L-iit, including the Governor and Lady :; aiifurly. The spectators, took a keen intc- ,. st in the proceedings, and kept their v: ii'cs going all the time. Mr Restieaux if Dunedin) was referee. Wellington, laying with the wind in the first spell, were expected to do well, but they made a poor showing, and the Northern forwards ray all over them—and, in fact, scored first blood. This, it turned out, was a mistake. The ball was kicked over the line to Slattery, who grounded it, let it go, and Rod. M'Gregor fell on it. The referee's view was intercepted, and when he arrived, finding M'Gregor in possession, he awarded a try to Auckland. Wellington shortly equalised matters, and for a long time played so much better -that they flattered their friends into the belief they would win. The defence and kicking of the Auckland backs, particularly Asher and Sutherland, were strong enough to keep their lines intact, and in the last quarter they took the aggressive with such good effect that Buckland ran in twice. Both were fine tries—especially the second, which was not creditable to the local backs. Sutherland and Spencer, the full-backs for the respective sides, played capitally, and were frequently called on; while Asher and Buckland shone on the Auckland side. The former's swift, dodgy runs were greatly admired, but he would have done better to pass more. Smith was not greatly in evidence, especially after getting bumped abit in the second spell. Wellington's display after their recent performances was most disappointing. Had tho forwards played the same gamo in tho first as in the second half they would have done better, but could scarcely have won. Victory went to the better men. The game started punctually, and the visitors, with tho wind against them, went off at a great pace. For a time their forwards were romping over their opponents and smothering the backs. Wallace, with high punts, shifted play, and the Blacks came driving down and almost got across. Row marked, and Wallace sent the ball ju*t outside the posts. The Blue forwards continued to have the best of it both in the loose and packed scrums till Tlodd made a bolt down the ground. He was not backed up, and lost fae ball. The game was for some mbru-cs in Auckland's twentyfive. Thci' the forwards came with a gal'on i-.ii'C! clean.d their lines. Sutherland ("•iK' :;i for much applause for his cool and i.vi-;aisi work. He never missed the ball, and always got his kick; and the same may be said of Spencer. Asher here became prominent with a strong run, ending lit passing to Smith, but, with a keen remembrance of his former performance on the same ground, the flying three-quarter was too well watched to get away. Wood ;mrl Wrigley responded with neat runs, spoiled by throwing forward; but the Blues then got en a tremendous rush. Man after man was bowled over in trying to secure the ball, and Auckland went over in a. bunch, but, unfortunately, in passing the ball one of them knocked it on, and the try was disallowed. Smith got a mark from 30yds. Cunningham had a place-kick, which went high. In returning it Wellington were penalised for off-side, and Cunningham had another kick, this t:me 10yds nearer. It was equally unsuccessful, but the forwards followed ;t fast, and Rod M'Gregor was awarded a try for securing the ball, which had already been touched down by a Wellington back. No goal resulted. Auckland, 3to 0. The crowd, which had been freely using its voice, was not slow to manifest its displeasure. Wellington next took a hand. Kelly led np to the goal, and there the ball passed to Slat-tery, who forced his way over by mam strength. No goal resulted. 3to 3. Auckland still kept np the attack, and had all the best of the remainder of the spell. They spoiled a lot of fine work by continually" getting off-side and knocking on, half a dozen decisions being given against them in quick succession. It was explained that the Northern referees interpret the knock-on rule less stringently than the Southern ones, and it would be an improvement to the game if their example was generally followed, as there is no doubt the rule in its present form is an impediment to fast and open play. There was no further score, and the spell ended with the notches even. When they had to face the wind Wellington were expected to crumple up after their poor showing so far; but tho forwards played up splendidly, and for half an hour had rather the best of it. This time they beat their opponents in the open, and, using their feet continually, took the ball among and through the Northern backs. Asher and others resorted" to long kicking, and Spencer was called upon repeatedly. The Blue forwards kicked rather too hard ;'iid overran the ball. One fierce rush by Wellington took the game close to the Auckland line, where Buckland just managed to kick out. Another saw Dodd apparently get over, but he was collared on the line. The game travelled up and down a j_'ood deal, Buckland putting vi some effective screw kicks, which nullified a lot of hard froward work. Rod. M'Gregor was hurt about here and left the field, and Smith previously had received 2. c?uple of bumps which seemed to trouble him. Towards the end of tho spell Auckland came into the Wellington twenty-five and they never looked back. The backs gave up kicking and took to passing. This proved effective, for after a wild scramble in front of the goal the ball travelled through several hands, and Buckland ran in near the corner. No goal was kicked. Auckland 6 to 3. Immediately after they rushed the Black goal again, and Spencer was dragged over the line with the ball in his arms. Some loose play followed at tho side. Buckland ran hard and chased the ball, vainly trying to take it on the bounce, but the Wellington backs, who could have kicked out of touch or over the dead-ball line, did neither, and tried to get their hands on to it too. The result was that Buckland ;U» last secured it, and his rush shot him over the line in a sitting position. No goal resulted. Auckland 9 to 3. Similar tactics nearly scored once more for Auckland, but Gage saved a difficult position well, and noside was then called. Buckland's feat was very similar to Smith's in a previous match in Wellington. Each man won the game for his side by scoring two tries in the last few minutes, and in each instance the Wellington defence unexpectedly went to pieces at the last moment. WANGANUI BEATS TABANAKI. ACCIDENT TO A. BAYLY. The Taranaki representative team played ! Wanganui on the latter's ground on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a good number of spectators, and were defeated by the narrow margin of 1 point. Wanganni's score of 9 points was made up of a try secured by Stedman and converted by Robinson and a potted goal from the field by Robinson. Taranaki's 8 points were the result of one try each by O'Dowda, (converted by Hawcs) and Mynott. The- game was interesting and exciting throughout. Taranaki's passing and rushing were a treat. The backs played a great game, and had hard luck in not scoring on several occasions. Wanganui were not too good collectively, but the individuals distinguished themselves. A regrettable feature of the game was an accident to Alf. Bayly, by which he broke his leg, and had to bo removed to the hospital. The game was; played in a stiff wind.