FOOTBALL

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 215, 18 September 1911, Page 3

FOOTBALL

WELLINGTON v. MARLBOROUGH

THE LOCAL TEAM OUT-

CLASSED

BEATEN BY TEN POINTS

AH road® led to the A. and P. Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon., where, long before the time for star faing the return football match between Marlborough and Wellington, a continued stream of vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians made their way along the main route to the battle-field, and by the time the match had started there was a large attendance of spectators. The match had been eagerly looked forward to by the local sporting population over since the question of a return match had been mooted, and for the last week or so had been the chief topic of conversation. AsMarlborough, with a we&k forward team, had suffered defeat by the best Wellington team by the narrow margin of four points earlier in the season, it was anticipated that this province, with what was generally thought lo be a stronger team, would prevril over Wellington, who were, if anything, weaker in the back division. But these hopes were' rudely dashed to the ground, for after an inglorious display by the local men, they "went to the wall" by thirteen points to 3. The ground was in excellent condition for fast football, the recetit rains having been of great benefit. But that persistent "Noah Wester" made his presence severely felt, and throughout the game a gale swept down the "field, the team playing with the wind having a great advantage. Previously to the match the weather was inclined to be showery; but rain kept off during the game, although, at- all times imminent. The play was not of a very high order, the only attempt at spectacular football being made by the visiting backs, who handled the leather really well. The visitors were superior in every department of the game, and thoroughly deserved their win. It was the worst' exhibition that MariboTough has given for many a, long day. THE TEAMS. Wellington (black): Pull-back, Lambert; three-quarters, Daly, Bradley, Ppole; five^-eighths, Kelly and Ryan; Jialf, E. Roberts; wing, Cunningham; forwards," O'Brian, Donaldson, Bell, Gillespie, Wilson (captain), Elliott, Houlihan. ' '

Marlborough (cardinal): Full-back, Costello; thre^e-quarters, O^Brien, Daly; five-eighths, Tworney and Manning ' (captain); -half, O'Rourke; wing, Casey; forwards, G. Forbes, Southgate, •R. Forbes, Webster," McDonald, C. Hegglun, Sheridan.

THE PLAY. Wellington won the toss, and played with a strong nor'-westerly wind in their favor. Manning kicked' off, and J. Ryan returned with a- Ions; kick to touch beyond the half-way flag. Manning gained possession of the oval and saved a critical situation. A scrum followed the throw-in, end O'Rourke passed to Manning, who sent the ball on to Twomey, and be to O'Brien, who kicked. Ryan relieved with a long kick to touch. The throw-in saw the ball go to the visiting Daly; but Manning beat him badly and passed to Twomey, who sent the leather back again, and Manning carried play from his own 25 to the Wellington citadel, where he was pushed out of touch. After the lineout Manning caused his sido to bo penalised,through being off-side, and Ryan found touch. A passing-rush was instituted by the visiting backs; Ryan passM to Bradley after putting in a good run, and the latter kicked over the line, and the home team forced. Manning found touch with a good kick. A scrum was ordered immediately after the ball came in, and like a shot it came out to Roberts, ! who set Bradley going; but he v/as grassed by Manning, and Twomey broke away, and passed to Manning, to Daly, who returned to Twomey, who kicked, and Roberts marked. The visiting „ backs—Ryan, Kelly, and Bradley—essayed a passing rush, which was spoiled by the ~ last-men-tioned1 being off-side. Marlborough here had a shot at some passing initiated by Twomey, who ran well up the field/ and passed to Daly.' This player kicked after running en few yards, and followed up well; but iis namesake beat him for the oval, and kicked it over the dead-ball line. Marlborough were penalised a few minutes later ,and Ryan once more found touch in the home team's 20. Play was becoming very exciting at this stage, and the local men were more than holding their own against; the visitors. On several occasions the

attack of the visitors was turned' to defence just when it appeared that .% score would be registered against rhe home team. Twomey secured a brilliant mark off Cunningham's too, and Manning found touch. A great struggle continued, end the ball travelled back and forward along the

field, the full-back on each side doing yeoman service in clearing the respective lines. Mogridge took a pass from Twomey at half-way and kicked up the field,- and, following up, smothered Lambert's return, the ball going out. The Wellington forwards broke away with the ball at the toe, but O'Rourke whipped' it up and broke through, and then' passed lo Mogridge, who centred, and Kelly kicked to touch. Roberts'marked tiio throw-in, and Ryan found the line in Marlborough's 25. Manning got possession of the oval when it was thrown in, and kicked down the field; but

Lambert sent it out at half-way. Roberts secured <a mark from the ■throw-in and kicked across: to Ryan, who passed to Bradley, and he •to Kelly, the last-mentioned failing to hold hisl pass, and -a scramble ensued, from which Roberts kicked the ball to Poole, and he kicked down the field, and, following up, scored a good try on the corner. Ryan mad© a good but unsuccessful attempt at goal. Wellington V 3 Marlborough 0 Wellington attacked immediately •after the drop-out, and Bradley threw the ball over Kelly's head to Dialy,

who was pushed out of touch when within striking distance of Marlborough's line. Wellington attacked for a few minutes longer; but Marlborough came away, and for The greater portion of the remainder of the spell the visitors were kept hard at it clearing their line. Play w;is fast, and the local men were attacking when the bell sounded the end of the spell. With the wind in their favor it was considered that the home team would I play ducks and drakes with the visil tors in the second spell. The winri proved of little avail, however, and early in the spell it was noticed- that the severe strain upon the untrained Marlborough men had told its talo. 1 Their plcy lacked the "devil" .which o

had characterised their effort in the firsf spell. They had run themselves off their legs, and the line-kicking of the visitors did the rest. The spell opened quietly, and for a time nothing but line-play was witnessed. The home team tried hard to make headway; but the visitors1 sent them back each time. McDonald headed several forward rushes, but the ball was sent out by Lambert with the coolness and precision, which indicated! that he revelled in his" work. Tho home team tried time and again to break through; but the visitors blocked them with &■ kind; of "Thus far shalt thou go but no farther" style, iand then quickly tried to do what they stopped! their opponents from doing. Several times the ball was thrown about by Ryan, Kelly, and Bradley; but a lot of good play in this direction was spoiled by kriocks-on. Roberts got the ball and Sassed to Kelly, the ball going to -van, who missed, and O'Brien, intercepting, ranA right from; Maryborough's -25 %o the Wellington fullback, who tackled-him, well -and saved his side, the ball going out within a few yards of the line. The game w^s delayed here for a few minutes owing to O'Brien's being injured., A scrum followed the throw-in, and.Doiialdscn, .O'Brian, and Gillespie broke through the pack with the ball at their toe. O'Brien" stopped the rush with a' welltimed kick to touch.. Marlborough attacked for a. time, when once again the visiting pack broke away, and carried the oval to beyond thY halfway line, where Wilson picked it up, but was sent out of touch. Roberts got the ball when it' was sent into piny, and passed to Daly, and he to Cunningham, who knocked,"on. Thp oval came out of the side of the scrum, and Manning secured it and passed to Daly, who was penalised for off-side play. Marlborough were having a say in affairs when, Twomey kicked) down the field," and. Bradley marked. Lambert kicked to Daly, who mulled. A scrum-followed, <ond the ball came out to ;Roberts, who worked' the blind side, ,but was collared by Oasey, and Manning ran in, and, getting the ball, kicked down the field; "but Bell returned^;iand^Oostello marked.1. Manning kicked to Lambert, who took the ball, but was well *x>llared by O'Rourke, and Manning, getting the ball, passed to Twomey. Wilson intei'cepted the pass, and, putting in a good! run,-' passed to Bell, who scored, although well tackled from behind by Daly. Roberts added the major points. Wellington 8 Marlborough 0 Shortly after the kick-off Roberts whipped up the leather and sent it to. Kelly. Thence it went to Ryan, Bradley, and Boole, and the lastnamed, putting in a brilliant run, scored behind the pests. Roberts again converted. Wellington 13 Marlborough " -■• 0 The home team rallied now: for i time, and McDonald, Sheridan, and G. Forbes were conspicuous in a, rush which carried play to the visitors' territory; but Marlborough was here penalised for off-side play, ?-nd a really good chance was lost. A passing ruslr ensued among Manning, O'Rourke, Daly, and Twomey, but the last-named was sent out on the corner. O'Rourke marked the throwin, and O'Brien landed a. splendid goal from a difficult angle. Wellington ••• 13 Marlborough '. ••• 3 Encouraged by this score, the homo team got to work again ,and were making some decent headway, when Southgate was penalised. Both sides were now tiring very much, more particularly the home team. Each side .attacked' in turn, .amd.-Welling-ton, having the better condition, weve troubling their opponents. Once or twice the visitors tried to'open up tho game, but this failed. Manning, ac a parting sliot, tried one of his dodgy runs, and succeeded in passing a number of his opponents, but . was eventually grassed, and play returned to the half-way flag. No-side sounded shortly afterwards with play in neutral territory, and Wellington the victors by <a margin of ten points, after having given a spirited and crisp exhibition of Rugby. Mr A. A. Wedde refereed.

and aggressive forward teamy with safe backs. But after Saturday's display this policy will, have to be changed, or else Marlborough will not be able to la" claim to having one of the best teams in the Dominion.

Saturday's struggle was. one in which youth won, the younger, lighter, but keener Wellington forwards outclassing the older and heavier men comprising the .Marlborough vanguard. It is time the selector eliminated the "old brigade" from the personnel of his team, and substituted younger men who on performances have proved themselves superior to those who merely gain their places on reputation. Only about twice did the pack combine in solid phalanx as of yore, and that was early in the game; after that their efforts were very spasmodic.

Keen disappointment had been felt when the Wellington team was announced, and when it was amended to include some of the superior players, still the public' was not quite satisfied, and would have been better pleased had the "crack" combination crossed the Strait. But what would such a team, have done with Marlborough oft Saturday's iormP When Marlbbrbugh 'lost the toss, and had to play against the prevailing gale, it was anticipated that a tall score would be piled up by the visitors.1 But in the first twenty minutes, although against that formidable wind, the visitors were kept at bay by splendid line-kicking by the local men, especially by C. Costello, O'Rourke, and Twomey. And when, after a hot Wellington forward rush to the line, Twomey and Manning twice relieved their side by. long, dodgy runs, the public were in hopes of seeing good football. But this was not to be, for soon after Poole scored a good try, easily beating Costello for the ball.

Marlborough at times attacked, but a costly mistake was made by the forwards in not keeping the ball in the tight. When it was let out hard kicking sent the - ball to Lambert, who invariably found the line with well-judged kicks. 'And when the visitors' backs were in motion, .there seemed to be something wrong! with the Marlborough defence. Manning repeatedly went for his man round the; neck, instead of the legs. Evidently he did not want to put himself out of- action. To recapitulate what happened in tKe second spell would only bring back memories of a beaten team making no attempt, with about three exceptions^ to play the game as it should be played, and uphold Marlborough's prestige. They played without life, the forwards, with one exception (Sheridan) being apparently without life, and, although playing against the wind, Wellington scored two more converted tries, and generally "walked over" the locals. The play was in Wellington's favor for about three-parts of the game,1 and taken all round their exposition, both forward and back, was- very creditable. Their main strength lay in their backs, who gave a first-class exposition, being very fleet, and handling the leather really well, s while their combination was a feature of the game. They had a big asset : in Lambert, the full-back, who proved a veritable wall to-the local team,1 his kicking and, running being well-1 judged. Roberts played a clever game , behind the scrum, and always set his backs well in motion, frequently working the blind side to advantage. Ryan created a favorable impression by his 'excellent line-kicking, while Bradley andrl*Qple;were'the pick of >the rest of a good set. Houlihan arid Elliott were excellent hookers, and cleanly heeled; the ball out nine times out of ten. The appearance of "Ranji" j Wilson was watched with a good deal of. 'interest, but he fully. justified j the rosy opinions expressed of.^him. i Cunningham did a lot of spoiling work at wing-forward, and shiejded his half; well. . There was only one player m the local team who can be said to have, played a. really good game, * and that was O'Rourke. Throughout he • followed up well, and his tackling was a revelation to all, while his general allround work was a liigh order. O'Brien was the unfortunate man of the team, as he received several nasty knocks which once or twice rendered ; him incapable. .But nevertheless; he played a good game, foliaring and kicking well, while he put in two good solus runs. Twomey was at times brilliant, and kept up .his reputation as a dashing player. Costello fielded and kicked sometimes with good effect, but his tackling wasi defective. Mogridge made few mistakes, and Daly did better than usual.

Manning played only a fair game, and was inclined to be selfish.

There w.as only one real "live" forward in the team, and that was Sheridan. It is a pity there are not other players of his calibre in the district.

. Casey, was outplayed at wing-for-ward; Jackson would easily have bettered his performance. The refereeing' of Mr Wedde met with general satisfaction, and he earned the approval of the public by stopping the game at one period to clear the line of the eager "small fry." • In conclusion, the result of this match. should do Marlborough good, and perhaps in future the men will be given some practice together before participating in an important match. Perhaps it will mean a change in the personnel of the team, which has been practically the same for the last four years. At any rate, it is sincerely to be hoped so.