FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 12603, 7 September 1905, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON v. SOUTHLAND. The Wellington y. Southland football match was played at Invercargill yesterday in glorious weather, with a light breeze blowing across the field, favoring neither side, and on a dry ground. ' The spectators were treated to a fairly attractive contest, though it could not be said that either side gave a good exhibition of the game in all departments. It was fast, certainly, but this was doe not to brilliant and sound play but to the multiplicity of mistakes made on both tides, which brought the attacking team for the time being swooping down on the unfortunate wight who bad failed to support his men. . There was really little good combined bock play. If there was any advantage in rearguard work, Wellington probably had it, as they could at least field the ball solely and get their kick in. They were deficient, however, m stopping rushes, and this was fatal to them, os Southland’s scores were indirectly brought about by forward rushes. The lied backs had no particular combination, and it was fortunate for them that they had pillars of strength in Fraser, Grace, Bain, and Burgess. The Wellington forwards played a fine, dashing game, shone in the loose and oa the line, and their rushes were deadly. If they had been adequately supported it is quite possible the result would have been very different. The Southland forwards played a solid game, with occasional flashes of brilliancy and dash. In the second spell they performed most creditably against foster men. Southland were fortunate in making the game a draw, as the final score was secured cm the caH of time. But from another point of view they should have won handsomely. At least two goals should have been added to the list, and much regret was expressed by the spectators when M'Nie was qpt given a final chance to improve on the total The cheering which greeted the concluding score was only equalled by the expressions of disappointment when Blackham failed to pilot the leather over the bar from an easy position, and so convert a draw into a victory. The average weight of the teams was about equal, and although everything conduced to a good exhibttkm of bock play and passing that attractive feature of Rugby was rarely in evidence, and the only reason that can be ascribed for the deficiency of good back play was that important links in the combination chains of both teams were weak. In addition, each side had a couple of wingers told off to do spoiling. The match, which resulted in a draw, was foil of exciting incident from beginning to end. From the kick-off the visrtoiß played an aggressive forward game for the first thirty minutes, during which CoCerton scored a try, and J. Spencer placed a penalty goal Southland looked dangerous on two or three occasions, but their nearest approach to a reduction of defeat was a kick: by C- Purdue from a mark in front of Woffington's goal, the ball going outside of the posts. When Wellington turned their back to the sun it was any odds in their favor that they would win, but the Southland forwards played a great game, and principally owing to the fine work of the local vanguard Hughes scored right at the very beginning, and Grace did likewise just on the call of time, Blackham, in the latter case, missing a shot at goal. ’Hie game ended— Wellington, 6 points (a try and a penalty goal) ; Southland, 6 points (two tries). AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU AND HAWKE’S BAY.

There was a clear sty and a dry, fast ground for the match Australia v. Manawatn and Hawke’s Bay combined, played at Palmerston North yesterday. The attendance numbered 6,000. The visitors had their best back team out, but professed to be weak in the forward division through injuries sustained at Dunedin. The teams were:—

Australia. —B. Smith, Wickham, Penman, Roapell, M’Lean, Anlezark, Woods, Burden, Oxlade, darken, Lucas, Hncschberp, Judd, Swanndl, and Mnrain, Manawatu.—Shelley. Scott, Puma, Stalker, Hewitt, Ward, Ongley, Munro, Alex. M'Minn, M*Carthy, W. Smith, Carlson, MTtfae, Johnston, and Galloway. The Eev. C. G. Harper acted as referee. The Australians made the pace very wining, particularly in the forwards. The backs were clever and clean at taking the ball, but, with the exception of Woods and Penman, were inclined to pass erratically or at wrong moments, and thus lacked a certain ability to score. Woods (at half) played a great game, initiating almost every passing attack, and defending cleverly. The line work of the forwards was superior, while in the scrum they adopted a. phalanxlike formation and screwed, but did not seem to beat'Manawatu for the ball. Their two-half tactics came off superior as against one winger, the M ana wain half being pounced upon before he had a chance to do anything. With the sun in their eyes Manawatp shot out like a thunderbolt, but soon had their faces turned homeward chasing after Penman, who went with long bops down the held, and with a short, high kick endangered Manawatu’s goal-line. Skellcy (full-back) denied easily. The game began to fettle down in the home team’s territory," Penman being prominent in attack. Wickham, essayed a goal from a free ti-lr, but failed, and then some pretty fast work by Hie Australian forwards and fast following np by Bussell again brought danger to Manawatu. The vuritmg for■wxuds wqvq ■working weJl in concert, and with whirlwind rapidity of attack wore getting all over the Manawatu vanguard. Safe Hack play by the combined team kept the visitors at bay. Cadson and iTNae were the two mainstays of the home forwards. The former shot out several times, and kept the Colors' backs buoy. Woods’s clever snappy. work behind the scrum and his short, brilliant runs now began to catch the public eye. While Australia were attacking, a kick by Ongley was smothered, and the home team bad to force, things looking unpromising. Ward mulled badly, but Munro got his side oat of difficulties, and then Barrie took play out of Manawatu territory. A few minutes after this Hewitt extricated himself from several long arms and kicked 1 ahead. M’Nae and three others fofiowing np smartly kept the ball going. The three-quarters and full-bark failed to save, and then M’Nae, giving a final bump to the ball, scored. Ward took the kick, and converted. The hall was no sooner in motion again when Oxlade got a mark, and, taking a kick from nearly halfway, Wickham placed a beautiful goal. Exciting play followed in mid-field. It was pitiable to see the wild attempts of Manawatu to collar the bulky visitors, who bumped through just as they Eked. In fact, they adopted this class of play to excess once. A likely passing run by Ongley, Stalker, and Purrio earned the spectators to rise and shout, but Scott failed to get Fume’s pass, and the chance was lost. Then, when Australia had been striving all they blew, and the excitement was at fever heat. Woods darted away, and passed near the touch-line to Penman, who sent the ball back to M*Lean, and the latter scored. Wickham took the kick, but did not convert. Afw half-time Australia had the Beds permed. Mnmin, Lucas, and Swannhll were a dangerous trio. For a time Manawatn shook themselves up, and had the Australians bard held; but only for a rime, for the Colors come back again and the Manawatu fall-hack waa a busy man. He saved his aide a great deal. It was pretty to see the Australians’ forward rushes. Again and again they went away together, sweeping over everything. Barrie got dean away, and dodged some and ootnaivi some, but the foil-back got him, and the was lost. In the last four inmates play was fad; and exciting, both toaTna striving hard- Then the viators, with a great rush, returned, and Barden and Wickham were within an ace of crossing the line, but though the excitement was tense and play exceedingly fast no further score was made, and the game ended— Australia, 7 points; Manawatu, 5 points. “That’s the way wo play on a good and a dry ground,” observed the manager of the team (Mr Henderson). “That’s hpw the game is played in Sydney.” Certainly it was one of the most exciting games ever played in Palmerston.