SATURDAYS FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 14163, 13 September 1909, Page 3

SATURDAYS FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. WELLINGTON BEAT OTAGO BY 13 TO 3. Toe- perfect weather conditions gave added zest to the pleasure which 8,000 ■pectatora found in the keen, open game played between Wellington and Otago on the Carisbrook Ground. The only fly tn tb* amber of contentment was that the Northern team carried tho day. But no good "sport" can grudge it to them. Our men had their chances in the first spell. Ah fine a pack of forwards as ever represented Otago handled the game as thev fiked for thirty of the forty-five minutes, «id dipped their backs on a dozen hopeful sorties. But the backs failed lamentably to deceive or outran the formidable Northern players, and all the brilliant, impetuous play of the forwards was thrown away. Then in the second spell tho Wellington pack—nevej completely dominated—woke into energy, and cleared the way for their backs, whose straight, clever running worked havoc in the home defence. There were a good many casualties in the game. though it was played without rancor. But by agreement between the captains tho injured men were in every ca.se replaced. About £330 was taken at the sates. Mnch faith in the home team'? ability to win was based on tho fine phalanx of forwards wearing the bine jerseys. Rarely has Otago boon represented by a stronger pack. They played up to what was expected of them. ' If Wellington had the better bavks. Otago's uuperriority forward mor.< than outweighed that Advantage for over half the game. In the scrum, on the line-out, in tight work, or in the loose the Otago pack were masters of the Wellington vanguard. The Wellington IV: wards were not so altogether outplayed as to ever make the forward battle rcaiiv one-sided, but Wellington supporter.-." cordially allowed that they were getting the worst of tho deal. Ono thing W.'iiingtonians admired was the control our inrwards kept of the ball in their dribbling rushes, whereas the visiting pack nn.ro than once made the mistake of too hard kicking. It is .always a good sign of combination when forwards start passing rushes, and when Casey, Ivimey, and Paton put in that fine straight rush down the wing it was an example that Otago's backs would gladly have followed.

That was Otago's trot.ble. On attack. the home backs had many opportunities made for them by the forwards, but their passing was forced straight across the field. OSullivan had several chances, but every time he % tried to turn in for the line there was an inner phalanx, .sometimes of two or thre<> men, waiting for him. Once he was over the line, but could not ground the ball.

On (he other hand the Wellington backs, though they had fewer opportunities. showed a better knowledge of effective attack. Alick M'Doriftld" was getting to Green behind the scrum veiy quicklv, and smothering his attempts to pass out" But the evergreen Roberts does not require to be spoon-fed to mnke openings. His characteristic darts wore liable to cleave the field at any moment. And lie demonstrated once more what a hard man he is to tackle. E. .M'Donald was tackling, perhaps, better than any of the Otago bavks, »nd he found this but. The second, spell opened more quietly than the first, and the comparative calm boded no good for Otago. It was seen that the Wellington forwards were holding their own better. Things came to a climax with Otago's crowning misfortune—the mishap to Ivimeys knee, and his consequent retirement. He had been playing a lion's game in Otago's pack, and after he left the Wellington forwards gradually gained a. slight ascendancy. There were no more clever little ruses worked on the line-out by Casey, and Otago had no longer command of the scrum. Wellington did not do much hooking in the scrum, but thev pushed the Otago pack off the ball. True, Otago got on some, fine loose forward rushes, some of which went right to the Wellington line, but ability to scoro seemed to be wanting, and Roberta, hard as iron, was always an obstacle that grimly blocked the way. With their own forwards more than holding their own, the Wellington backs had a field more free than before, and the Otago defenders had their hands full. E. M'Donald did some fine tackling, sometimes bringing his man down with a flying leap from behind that looked like a forlorn hope. Scott had his hands full in doing not only his own work, but in retrieving the mistakes of the threequarters, particularly Davidson. Earlv in the game Scott had failed to find the'line with certainty, but with increasing pressure he showed up better than before. Clarke's foolish speculation in front of the post* was a costly mistake, as it gave M'Leod his try. As to the Wellington backs, Green, Roberts, and Mitchinson were always threatening trouble. They did not allow themselves to be forced across field, and their straight dashes made things easier for Evenson and M'Leod, a very likely and speedy-pair of wings. The public got one glimpse of Mitchinson. at his beet. With one tremendous swerve he effected a demoralising cut in ; a momentary gathering of himself together, and another swoop like that of a swallow on the wing, and he was gist the Otago backs and right to the line, e might have Bcored the try himself, but lie passed, and enabled a comrade to run round behind the posts absolutely unopposed. This was undoubtedly the try of the day. THE PLAYERS. On the Wellington side Cunningham, at fuE-back, was sure in his taking and accurate in his kicking. He is a very safe player. Avory, Tannahill, "Ranji" Wilson, and Bruce were about the best of the forwards. Evenson, " the wing three-quarter, has plenty of pace, but most of the chances went to the other wing when the Blacks were attacking in the second spell. Mitchinson came out of his shell in the second half. His run and feint pass, which gave his side their last tiy, was a real heady bit of work.

Wakh is a big, powerfn] player, who would have been of more service to has side had he burn played at five-eighth all through the game. Freddy Roberts 16 a general at workup things. He wat always ready to seize an opening and get his backs going. He is up to every, point in the game. M'Leod, the es-AJhambra player, also showed up to advantage at times, but his passing was not too good. Green is a plucky little scrum hali. Ho gets the bill] away smartly, and is sound on defence.

On the Otago side Scott played a great game at full-back. He was the only reliable Otago back. He took the ball well, kicked strongly, and frequently got his aide out of difficulties in the second spell. O'Snllivan had hard luck in not getting a try after getting over in the first spell He was deserted all through the second spell. Bonnet >.vas in better form than in the Southland match. Davidson seemed to be suffering from nervousness. His line-kicking was excellent. E. M'Donald tackled well and kicked strongly. Eckhold shone in the thick work, but showed little or no attack. Sutherland has given better displays of passing out from the scrum. Ho often sent the ball aloug the ground. Steve Casey was the cleverest forward on the ground. Pa ton. M'Kenzic, Ivimey, and Mitchell all played well. One of the Wellington young forwards was M'Kellar, who attended the Boys' High School at Dunedin five years ago. ' THE PLAY. ' —First Spell.The coin having «pun in their favor. Otago played from "t':e railwav end of the ground, whence a light, firkle" breeze, gave Mi inappreciable advantage, Davijkon

centred the kick-off, and the Otago forwards , drove over Mitchinson before he could get away. The impetuous sorties of the Otago forwards drew the Wellington five-eighths close in, and then hardly checked them; till suddenly and most dramatically Roberta supped round the open side, and the Wellington backs dashed across in magnificent fashion. M'Leod and Mitchineon and I-.venson ail handled it beautifully, and when,, the last-named tucked the ball under his arm it was up to Scott, and Scott only. Otago's full-back met the fleet wing's swerve with a splendid tackle, and the crowd roared again at the first inkling of brilliance. But nothing could withstand the impetuous dashes of Otago'6 forwards, and presently they worked to within striking distance. Sutherland flung true from the scrum, and Eckhold running to the second five-eighth handed on to Bennet. O'Sullivan was over, running straight, when he met a double tackle and went down without being able to ground the ball. The Otago forwards hud given their backs at least three clean chances in fifteen minutes, and each time the Wellington backs had edged them straight across the field. Wellington bnoks hung off waiting for th© characteristic throw-out on the open side. It never came. Casey, Ivimey, .M 1 Donald, and Paton bored through like a wedge, and then spread out suddenly almost on the line. Unfortunately, Ivimcv received his pass off-side, and Wellington had a moment's breathing-space. Wellington forwards seized the opening with eager skill, and "Ranji" Wilson. Tannahill, and ■\v.tv broke through in open order, hurling Otago back to halfwav. The succeeding scrum was Wellington's easily, and Kolwts. running round to evade Eckhold, got past, and then cut in straight for the Mno, supported by Mitchinson and Walsh l-.oiwrts Hung aside five-eighth M'Donald's swooping tackle as if it had been a child's, and threw to Mitchinson. but Bennet slipped neatly in, intercepted the pass, and as the rush eddied over him passed straight back to Davidson, who got in a tine line kick. Casey recovered all the ground lost by a smart feint on the line, i l il Sa T rte iT7 b J- Tvime y and Paton > deluded the Wellington forwards, and swept Item to the last ditch. Ivimey had a shot in fair position. It . as fruitless, and Wellington forced their 1 •• °J , a . c,an ? er ous corner, Mitchinf.°p S .!', l : n t-, ,el!, g farlher on by hanj. VVi son and Bruce. At halfwav s v ut K th ?,. f H- Wards to get behind the snuggling Wellington pack. Out of the nick emerged M'Donald and Paton and R0h.... i e,1 7, !0 P , "« «/"*". M'Leod, and if " ,,, " ll,crin ß l '«'• attempt* to get , ':" i,ffi, - v ' aiu fiiu.Lly penning them '■'■"t in a corner. (.)„ the line a fiercelvm. mite, before Casey again asserted. the and true anA t , ~ u , •sJSI i",'" 8 romKl 'ho scrum"! fMUheiljnrl shpped h,s backs successfully o no purpose. Once more Roberts and fieM Z n u T rAT vißht ™°» the ?he I J ack ' ng 0 '««»»-an just '" tllw .' a desperate chop in to evade u worrying Wellington backs! o \Sulli an. succeeded ln giving a standiim « ■oui . ano; Wellington forwards easilr ■ mothered ,t Next minute, thou'h. oi V h,S , f ° int °" tl,p I'"* an* TMinej s fierce rush carried him over the me. Ihe crowd cheered. Paton's k "k

Otago Wellington q Although their backs had 'let them down .haiuefulU- the Otago forwards p la° c d uith perfect dash and cohesion, and constantly threw the backs into action after ,-ymg them the chance by drawing the half and ms.de five-eighths to their rushes But neither (rSullivan nor Davidson could sonTnd °F M d f™S of Mitch nd for ♦? T" 1 ' T d In the end jt ™s all for the forwards to do over a-ain OUiro cornered Wellington again, and the orwards, holding the ball in the back of he scrum ; tried to carry it over ti hj I hem. ri„ s hustled the Wellington back, and lt , their eagerness to get round for the next move they conceded a pcnaltv, which Paton very nearly kicked. Right" to ha - tiol but the weak, hesitating tactics of the backs negatived every effort of the for-"-ards. and the Wellington backs, alert and aa.le smashed the attack.in two, and threatened even from their own line. Fortunatelv, Scott proved eminently safe at full-back. At half-time Otago had only the lead of 3 points. } —Second Spell— The visitor* pressed hard from the start o the second spell. Then Green shot the ball out to Roberts, who passed to Mitehinso,,, who sent the ball on to Walsh The .ast-nained raced inside the tiventv-five, fc * ' Donald , tackled I,i '» fi»dv M Donald N marked it. Evanson and on i"TV h} - klcki ?*' Jlad the ™ue S on the defensive. Then from another passing rush started by Walsh, M'Leod ■spoilt a good chance by throwing forward Ivimcy led a rush to halfwav .but Roberts was quick to the rescue with a timely ku-k The Blues had so far not played with their usual dash. Ivimev toCff "f., k T at Ule Same «me ? and had to gooff. Clarke went on in his place. Tho l\fV M.n e th s° ugh in de;,dl >' fc-'hion, but EM Donald stopped their the loose Roberts pawed to Evenson*. who was downed near the corner bv PatWakh <wh he , 0t / g ° f ° nvards d *™«- but VVdish (who had come up to five-eighths, M Leod gomg wing-three-quarter) sent the th he a i k fT m - We i lifl gton were having the beht of things, and Scott's defence was taxed to its utmost once or twice trorn another pass out Mitchinson Thp hn' Ut iU t,,C tw «*y.Bve "VIhe ball was sent out again, and Lennet tried to cut off the "pa."*, hut mused taking the ball. Then Clarke speculated and kicked back. M'Leocl who was lying handy, with no one near him, picked it up, and went over at the corner He was tackled as he grounded iLft ' aD r • br ° ke , a rib ' Which t. ted his retiring. Mackenzie went on in W P ,r\ b6, ' te took thc at goal stood ball Went Wide ' and the score

Otago j Wellington ... ". 3 ST" *?£ a fine lnark > but Davidson, with a beautiful line kick found touch at the corner. The bail was thrown out quickly, and Paton ™ a gap on the line, and only missed dropping over by a foot or so/ Th 6 ball w s then carried oyer, and Wellington BIIC . ceeded in forcing. Davidson missed an easy take and the Blues were hard pressed. I<rom some loose work the ball was sent out to Walsh, who went through the Otago backs to the line, where he passed to " Ranji " Wilson who went over near the posts. Mitchinson easily converted, and with fifteen minutes to go the score stood : Wellington 8 '„. ;;; 3 The Blacks' forwards were pushing the Bines, and the backs were getting the baR to play with The Otasro men seemed to have shot then bolt. There was not the 'same dash or vim in their work that marked their play in the finst spell. The Wellington forwards, on the otlier hand, were playing as they had never played previously. The gamo had only been, restarted a fe'w minutes when another accident happened Walsh hurt his knee, and had to go off. Alexander went on in his place. M'Kenzie broko away, but Mitchinson took the ball off his toes, and. turning round fooled the Otago men by a feint passing. He ran lo tho corner, and then passed the ball to Mackenzie, who ran round behind the posts, whero he touched down. Roberts easily converted. Wellington 13 Otago 3 Tho Blues' backs tried passing, but their opponents drovo them straight across the held, and it. was very obvious that Ota<'o were a beaten team. -Wellington had them at their mercy, and rushed the ban back- to their opponents' territory Ihe Blues' backs again passed, but they had to stand to do so. ;md Wellington "''■'' flil •■" !1 - !1 - N" further incident of not.' or< in-rxl. and the final score read : Wellington ... 13

AUCKLAND DEFEAT TARANAKI. 1 The last interpro. fixture of the season at Auckland (a challenge by Taranaki for the Ranfurly Shield) was played under. ideal conditions— a bright sun with scarce a breath of wind. In the first spell Magie and Murray scored tries for Auckland, neither of which was converted. The home team continued to assent their Superiority in the second half, tries being gained by Hayward, O'Leary, and M'Gregor, but the attempts to gain the major 6core were all resultless. Then Cameron (Taranaki), with a brilliant run, beat fully half a. dozen men, and wound up by scoring near the post, Dive kicking a goal. Auckland came again, M'Gregor kicking the ball over and scoring. The game ended : Auckland 18 points (six tries); Taranaki, 5 (one try, converted). THE INTER VARSITY MATCH. the New Zealand and Sydney University Fifteens met at Dunedin on the 4th inst. the Cornstalks proved victorious by 15 points to 5. The return match was played at Athletic Park, Wei, lington, on Saturday, arid the New Zealanders succeeded in turning the tables by 17 points to 14. They had the wind with them in the first spell, and the score at half-time was 14 to sin their favor. The visitors managed to put up a good fight, but were not equal to squaring matters. Tries for New Zealand were scored by Curtayne 2 (Victoria College), Robinson 2 (Auckland University College), and Ongley (Otago University), O'Leary (Victoria College) converting one. The five tries were all obtained by backs. For Sydney Broughton, Fisher, 'and Pockley obtained tries, one of which was converted by Fisher, while Hughes kicked a fine penalty goal. VINCENT v. TUAPEKA.

Though Vincent had a weak team against Tuapeka County at Roxburgh they proved more than equal to the task. A cold, howling gale raged throughout the afternoon, and marred the chance of any good football. Tuapeka, playing with the wind in the first snell, scored a trv and a penalty goal. In the final half Vincent scored three unconverted tries, and R. Varcoe, potted a goal as the result of a good piece of work, thus running up 13 points against 6 by Tuapeka in the opening spell. WALLABIES DEFEAT KANGAROOS.

The Wallabies (the Rugby team who toured England last season, and who wore recently expelled by the New South Wales Union for embracing professionalism) defeated the Kangaroos at Sydnev bv 15 points to 6. The winners played "brilliantly and completely outclassed the Kangaroos. It was a strenuous game throughout. OTHER. GAMES. Manawatu (14 points) beat Wairarapa (5 points) at Palmerston North. The Taranaki Maori representatives and Wanganui Maoris met at Wanganui. The visitors won by 20 points to nil. Rovers (Hastings) and Ahuriri plavcd a drawn game at Napier for the Hawke's Bay Championship Shield, each side scoring 6 points. Marlborough Juniors (14 points) boat Nelson Juniors (6). AUSTRALIAN RULES. Playing under Australian rules, the Auckland representative team defeated Canterbury by 50' points to 46. The game was fast and interesting. ASSOCIATION. KIVE-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT. The annual five-a.-side tournament was played under favorable circumstances. Ther;e was a good entry for the different grade competitions, the finals of which resulted : —Senior Grade.— City 6 points, Mornington -J- point. —Second Grade.— Christian Brothers A 7 points, Ravensbourne 6. A close contest, several drawn spells resulting before the issue was finallv settled. —Third GradeNorthern B 3i, points, Christian Brothers 0. —Fourth Grade.— Ravansbourne 7 points, lli"h School 0.8. A i point.