FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 5 July 1923, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

:. ■■■■■'. j —:-^-—»' \ z - A-GREAT STRUGLE. . -,-»«^feM/ •■■■-■■ '■•;■ ?_>-•■'-■; 'V :" "' >■■ - ■,•;;.:..,~v TARANAKI (6) v. WELLINGTON (3) HEAVY WEATHER CONDITIONS. Another of the thrilling matches between the two provinces arranged foi Winter Show week has eventuated, and as a result Taranaki have notched one of the few victories she has secured. Most unluckily the weather condition? were most unfavourable for, viewing the match in the light of this handicap, it is--certain that under happier conditions a titanic struggle would have been wit- • nessed worthy of the best records of the game: As it was the play was fast and keen and of a high order, the way • .the ball was handled under such adverse circumstances being remarkably good arid providing a display that delighted the crowd of some thousands who, despite the rain and the wet ground, gathered to watch the struggle. THE TEAMS. The players lined out as follows : — WELLINGTON (black). Full-back.—Wright. Three-quarters.—Hickling, Gibson, Faber. - Five-eighths.—Svenson, M. Nicholls. Half.—H. Nicholls (capt.) Rover.—Rose. Forwards.—A. Thomas, W. Thomas, Rogers, Duncan, Pringle, Butcher, Osborne. - - TARANAKI (amber and black). Full-back.—Coutts. ■Thre-quarters.—-Hart, Brown, Bruce. Five-eighths.Tr-Johnston, Cameron (captain.) Half.—Berg. Rover.—G. Taylor. Forwards.—Spratt, Fryday, West, Paterson, Kivell, Wylie, L. Hunt. THE PLAY. Taranalsiwa, the toss, electing to defend the-tMpn goal, and Wellington kicked olf against the wind. The return was spoilt and Wellington forwards swarmed on to the line. Offside play gave relief and West put in a well- - judged kick. Pushing home their ad-' vantage, Taranaki forwards came down field, and for offside play by a Welling- i ton man got a penalty, which Brown' almost put over the bar, and Welling-' ton forced. From the kick-out play ! veered up and down without much ad-j vantage to either team. Then Wei-1 lington forwards, led by Pringle, came1 up field and kept Taranaki -busy. But down swept their forwards to the Wei-! lington line, where Wright saved brilliantly Keeping up the pressure they Sot right to the goal. Wellington rallied and commenced a fine rush, but one getting m front a penalty was awarded and Brown took the kick. The ball struck the cross-bar on top and skidded over. Taranaki 3 Wellington ......'...•!!!...'.';!'!] 0 From the kick out Svenson made a line.run, and play went to Taranaki's line where, luckily, Taylor made a good mark and saved his side. Back came Wellington forwards, and things looked bad for the local men, when Johnston effected a fine save. Again the Blacks swept up-field till Coutts checked them ■■in great style. Then Taranaki forwards went down-field in a great rush,

ball at toe, and Johnston spoiling the Wellington return they took play almost to the lino, Paterson, Fryday and West being prominent. From a penalty Brown had another shdt, which failed. Then Wellington rushed upheld, and for offside play M. Nichofis had a shot that narrowly failed and laranaki forced down. They kicked out, and Johnston securing, put in a fine run and passed to Cameron. The forwards .ballat toe, seconded their efr2' "St^ 1, 1? headed a fine fo™ard rush. The ball came to the backs and , a fine passing bout was seen, Bruce on . the wing failing to take and losing a . great opportunity of scoring.. The for- [ wards took p l ay to the corner and almost got across, but Hickling made a fine save. The Taranaki bfcks were ; handling the ball well and put fa^-i eial nice rushes. Wylie headed a for-' ward rush and play we nt up to Wel.lmgton's line. Wellington rallied but away went the local backs again Cam- ' on°to S6Tn Ulff,' aUd t ftt r an ™ dash «ent on to Johnston, who beat two men and . at the right moment passed to Brown I .who ran-across and scored the first tr?' ' It was a very fine «fftort and well Si ;i served success.- The kick failed Taranaki Z Wellington '"!ll'.'."l!l""'.'." o hand^ C°fif^ Ued „**'■ backs nanulmg finely and giving Wellington sJrt'^&, a,Bo",'''* «i <*_t '_d _* ___,"^_?. a»«» "** kick Taranaki . ft Wellington -..V.V.V.V.V.'.V.V."'.'.'.""'-3 'hof Tfia'S 6 kif-° Ut Taranaki »tup a waS ' I? te, rSon and Hunt led a2 ! cleared «t,i \ fif ee T struggle Taranaki i Wellington backs got away and « pretty movement 4aa stoS by Cam ' tirrusf °b„tta^ Ung- Gl%Sl KTp" ! Brow_m_£ 1 • ,Came. ron» Hart, and t ! gafned^ tt J°° d V&Sf n- rush ' which '« I wiir a ot of ground- Back came r ■'& ■ BnA ßent tHem back with a fine ? kick They swept un once niore in a great style, and the b - - J n ™le £ J Berg he sent it on to Jolinston and' G w who was well taken Then Wellington forwards swept Sown but were sent back by Coutts. Agafn Tara- ' 5 snoYltlf 'T^i* acro? S field> b«t-Bruce •« ana* g W d Chan. ce by failin St 0 ta^ ] fail?™ + g rUSheSj V th sides narrowly,] for "f^ S°^t' a l nd -the wh»«e went W thl f ™i th. play _ln Taranaki quarrlvJ+ J° Cal }ea^ bei "S victors after ' Joints Sf l€, by a mar Sin of three ? points. Ihe final score was: I Taranaki _ q a Wellington !!"!!!!"." 3 Mr F. Julian gave every satisfaction c as rereree. i I s