Rugby Football.

Free Lance, Volume X, Issue 477, 21 August 1909, Page 18

Rugby Football.

fI . HE seventeenth match f f the representative* of Wdlfflfr X ton and Taianaki was played oai the Athletic Park Last Saturday beZe an crowd of between five and six thousand spectators She team that had the good foatone to be playing with its assistance.^ * • The game was a surprising one, espeSy to those who have fixed ideas Sfto how Rugby should be ptayed. IW instance, it is a hoary tradition that the team pkyi*&«g«f^ * wuid in the first half of the game SSnH be on the defensive aB the tame, with the object of keeping their opr^r 6 sS^fl ss.* °sss eu from then great tonur of tihe British Isles with the ultimatum that the best defence is attack,' 7 and the Wellington representatives seemed to have Jearnt the lesson well, for iaghH> through the first forty-five minutes tihey troed to keep the game open, despite the fact ttlheut the wind was blowing tin. tneir faces all! the time. That the men from the butter province d!id not score more than six tpoints under these conditions proves either /that their soorimg abilities were not as high as they should have been, or else the Wellington team were too solid -n tackling to alow them to score. It is true thast the local men s defence was very sound in this balf, but it is equally a. fact that the Taranaki players did not sheet home their attacks with the diecAsaveness they shoxtM. In their journeys to the coveted chalk-dme they passed the ball and otherwise made excelent progress until they got fauly within, striking distance, and then sometbmg went wo-ong, and the expected try did not result. That the Welkngton men reached the bell-time with but &ix points scored against them, and whiie they had sucoeeded in placing three points^ to their credit — said three points being the opening score of the mateh — says much for the determined manner in which they played the gam©, although they lapsed from orthodoxy considerably in to doing. "The Wellington team wil go aJB to pieces in, thelaist twonty minute® 1" was dinned into my ears at half-time by an authority on how the game was played twenty years ago. I never argue about foofball — leaving that for others whose opinions are ailiwiays floating about on, the breeze— but I felt inclined to agree with the trainer of the IBocaJ team, whose opinion was that the finaJ iresuK) wouM be 16 points to 6 in their favour. As his forecast was only a point out, I give him this notice, at the same time wairning him that his successful (prophecy in this instance must not be taken as a sign that it is an easy matter to forecast the result of a football match. • • • The game, taking it right through, was an interesting one, oansadering the circumstances. There mar have been many things that happened that were not exhibitions of fi/rst-olass R/ugby. but, on the other hand, many times and often were the spectators ihriiEfvl by the way in which the ball; was kicked or handed about the field.

The ball was the objective of the respective players pi actually all the time, and there was no bitterness in the stiugglo. It was a clean, weMr fought-out game, m which most or the honours lay with the locals, and the win of 15 points to 6 was thoroughly desi'ived on the play. • • • A few of the incidents may be woaitlb. mentioning. After the opening exchanges, dining which btohr narrowly escaped placing a goal from ata kick for Taaanaki, Gardner, Mitcbinson, and Ryan were associated in a passing run the latter being pushed out nve yards from the Taranaki line. lirvensen was nearly in next, and a rice kick by Taranaki was followed by a dash by vtcKeilar, which penned the visitors -up again. Ycung came away with the ball at his toe, but a score was registeied before Wellington couDd be beaten back, Green being hanidv as the bald) went ovei the hue at the head of a forward rush. This leverse loused Taranaki, and 'Mynott, Sheahan, and Cameron associated m a passing lun that looked dangeiou* O'Sußvan Thurston, Mynot and Beamish next m turn handded the feather ; and three more Taranaki backs— -Thiii stan, Mynott. and Cameron this t me— got going in good style, the latter side-stepping J. Ryan pret Tily and just scoring at the corner flag' E livan bustiling him into touch-in-goal after he had grounded the bal. The visitors were new rising the wand, although some of the forwards forgot how strongly it was blowing and kicked to the dead-bali' area occasionally Allii my notes, though, seem to be worded the same way, and the names of Thurstom, Mvnott, and Cameron crop up in them all the time. From a scium on the line. Gioen broke through the opposition, and Tannatnll and Wifeon, geifcbwug in toaieh with the balil, the play sped right up the field to the Taranaki full-back, who, however, was equal to the occasion. Mynott, Sheahian. Cameion, and OrowiLey were next in eyidemce for the visito-is* but the Wellington backs accounted for the man opposite e>ach of them respectively every time Green and Mitchinson found a llaine through the Taaanaki backs, and the latter, getting right to the full-back, punted over his head. It was a good moye, and promised siico^ss, but Mitchiinson was tackled, altliough the ball had gone, and the leferee's whistle for a free kick stopped play for the time being. * * * The most interesting feature of the game followed at this stage, pi actually the whoAe of the Taranatki team being joined together in a series of passing rushes that earned the play and the ball with it light down to the goal-line. The visitors were held up for a white, but from a, scrum formed a few minutes afterwards the ball came out on the side, and T. Sheahan pounced on it, bringung has side's tally up to six pouits. The only oiiher incident of moment m tihis haJf was another fine run by Oameron, Ryan forcing him out almost at the corner, although just previously the littlte fellow had earned rounds of applause by beautif uiEy fooling three Weailinigtoinj backs who were making for him at one and the same time. The visitors opened very aggressively after ends were changed, and looked dangerous for the first few miinutes. Growlley and 'Mynott joined together m a passing run, a,nd the .latter sent a long pass to Garneron, but the baJSI did not qu'te reach him. The wind, however, was the principal factor the Taranaki men had to contend against at this stage, and the local mem, taking full advantage of it, soon had thef defending their line. Directly Tamu, the burly Maori forward, got too eager, and from the free kick awarded against him Gardner kicked a fine goal and made the scores equal. Walshe and Ryan broke away alternately, andi Mynott and Cameron responded on. beihaftf of the yisitoxs. Bruce, in. a line sc/ho effort dribbled the balil over the Krae, where "Ranji" Wilson obligingly fell on it and WeTHnngtoi\ were* T/liree up Tarmaihillil 1 headed a rush and the Welin^tomi backs tri©d some passing, but their efforts were

pooi. A big rally by the visitors took the play io the other end of the field, Tamu, Beamish, Cameion, and Mynott being the most noticeable players in thus movement. Tho baiM), liike the cat, came back, and diareotily Bruce, vVa.ls.li, Mit/olunson, Green, and McE.enzie rno-\ yd in line to the oppoSLtaooi citadel, the Latter side-stepping the man that attempted to tacldie liilm in good style, especially for a new recruit in lepiesentataye ma-tches. Wellington, 12. Taranaki 6, was the state of the score-sheet when this try was not impioved upon, and the game was all ovei bar shouting. E. Ryan, however, Jiad a couple of chances off j>c >i ing. In? the' hrst instance, he failed to taoe a pass from 'Mitohinson v hen w ell! m his stride, amid in the othei lie tiied to emulate 'JVLcKenzie's feat of side-stepping the full-back, trait found a lodging-place in Dixon's arms. Mitclimson made a good mini, and from si mark by Gardner he placed a goal to the credit of his side, bringing the respective tallies to Wellington 15, Taranaki 6, the bell' ringing shontilly aitea wards with these poiauts unalL tered. • • • J. Ryan had a haad row to hoe in the first spoil, but canne out of the deal with ciedit to himself. His cikkmg and fielding were first alass, ki-ckmg and fielding were first class, Cameron s>de-stepped him neatly what time he scored, but the New Zealand wing three-quarter is very quick om has pins, and a man has got. to be extra good to stop ham off his own bat. E. Ryan was forking for a chamce- to distinguish himself, and gave a much better showing than m his recent championship games Mrtcbinsoai was ifoe shining light in the Wellington backs, New Zealand's centre three-quai ter being in every- 1 tning that was going. Walshe and Evensen did not com© much to the surface, both receiving a lot of attention, from their opponents. They were solid, -without being brill!liant, and McKenzie did weJB) for a first effoit and justified the selectors' confidence m him. Green played as 1 well as I knew he would —good enough for his place in the WeJiljugtom. representative team every time He opened out the game in fine style, ran and passed we'll, and was always handy when a mark was wanted to stop the Taranaki forwards. • * • Bruce was the outstanding forward in the Wellington vanguard, the St. James player keeping haid at it all the time. Tannahill was seen m splashes, and followed up persistently. McKelikr did many bnlia.nt dashes and mnrh solid work, and "Rinji" Wilson on the line-out and m the open was the same dashing pdave.r a© of yore. Houlihan and Reedy (in the front) and Wilson (lock) formed a good basis on which the scrummage was packed, and the fact that they held the heavier Taianaki men, and pushed them occasionally, proved that the whole of the seven were pushers. Gardner captained the side, and T>layed wing-forward. Ido not remember a penalty being given against him, either for off-sidie or obstruction, so he must have been playing the legitimate game. • • • Cameion was the player that was in the limelight alll the titme. Taranaki's left wing three-quarter, and a New Zealand representative as well, was full of play, dodging, _ running, sidestepping, and kicking in the best approved style. We shaJil see him here again next week in the North and South Island match, and if he repeats Saturday's performance 'the spectators at that game will be more than satisfied -with his display. Mynott of fond memory of many Taranaki games, and one of the "AiQ. Blacks," was nippy and fast, and, contrary to previous experiences of him, threw the ball aibout in a maruner that was pleasing to wa-tdh.^ As a matter of fact, on one occasion in this ma.toh he wias rather oinseMsh. losing whait looked lake a certain try if he had gone on himself imsiead of passing oxrfc to. Cameron.

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I lhad read such a ik>t about C Sbeaihan that I looked for great things from Mm. Possibly, I expected too much, for has exhibition was not as good as I anticipated. Stoihir is a promising lad, and 1 h« dnowed up well, aitthough handicapped with a knee that was bandaged up. Dixon. was safe at fuli-back, and Beamibh well seconded. Mymott's efforts ait five-eighth. Thurstom was a bundfo of energy at haM-back, passing omt quickly and neatly. He was a lattiLe bit impetuous, however, foi when the bal did not ooime away fast enough for him he went into the scrummage after it, and got his side into trouble thereby. o'Sullivan, another of Taranalu's "AH HLacks," was amongst the forwards, and he showed surprisingly good form considering he ihas only played two cup games tlhis season The Taianaki pack was a weighty one, notwithstanding the fa<ct tlhat the official programme assessed its average weight to be only lib m<xre tlham the Weffington vanguard. Tamil, a burOy Maori, turns the scale at 15st 31b and a natifcbmg good forward he is too! As a matter of fact, the set that packed the scrummage was. a good one, comprising as it did- Orowfey 13sfc 71b, O'SudUivan 14st, Tamu 15st BMb, Smith l4st 71b Young 15st, Cain 13st 71b, and Osborne 13st 71b. These weights were given mo by a Taianaki supporter a® being absolut^y ooneot and' tihey average 14s* 2Mb per man, or llfflw more than that stated in the official]] programme. T Slheahan was the wingforward, and, amongst other things, scored a veTV clever try

Mr. J. Peak, of ChTistohuxch, was the referee, aivd made a very favourable unpiessoon on tine spectators, maiinr ly from the fact that he was quick and impartial m his decisions. There were many things tjhatfc escaped lias notice, but it is pleasing these times to find a referee that can miss a few of the smdEer happenings, for too much whistle is sometimes worse than too much of anything else you like to mention. Mx. Peak's conception, oi a, mark, and also of an intentional oarry-back over the go&Mime, do no* agree with. my ideas of these elements of the Rugby game, but he is not the only referee who is m. the same box. We could do with Mr. Peak as a referee in a representative match., however, again in WelHingtoai, and tihe renewal of an old frieaadslh'ip with Tri™ through his appearance on. Saturday gave me much ■pleasure. The annual match between the Wellington and! St. Patrick's Colleges was played as a curtain-raiser to the representative match last Saturday. The former team had considerably the better of the argument, and eventually won by 22 points to nil) Tries for the winners were scored by Ramsden, Natusch (2). Martitn, and StewaTt (2), goals being kicked by Childs and Ramsden. The game was a pleasant one to watch, the passing bv the Weffinetom College boys, especialliv in the fiirst lia¥ of the game, when they had l fhe wind behind them, beimg exoeDHient. The whole of the backs -nlayed weffl, Ramsden, a younger brother of the Albert Ramsdfn who wore the Weßington rer>resentative jersey some years ago, being a top-notcher. Others whose form was pleasing, included: Natusch (wing three-quarter), Stewart (centre threequarter sometimes, and wing-forwatrd at others), OhiMs Oral f -back), and Stainton (captain and centre threequarter). Amongst the forward^ crood play was shown by McOo3l (wing-foir-ward), Beard (lock) Martin, and Cameron. The St. Patrick's CoQiEege boys did not show form consistent with that given by the team representing that mi-

stitution w past yeans, and were a badly beaten side. It is but fair to them, however, to say that influenza had played navoc wifth the fifteen diuring the week previous to the match. For mstance, the two wing three-quarters were out of action from that cause, thiCM pllaccs being hßed by two-fifth-olass boys, and four of the forwards had only recovered m time to take their places in the team, and were much bellow -their correct foim in. consequence. Doherty (half -back) ga% o an _ excellent showing, markinig and passing the ball ouft like a veteran. Kane (fiveeighttti) was a powerful lad and a strong member of the team, and forwards that impressed me weie Outtrim, Campbell, and Mahiomr The takings at Hast Satui day's TaTa-naki-Weilllmgton match amami'ted to £301. Among the sp rtators at t!he Athlletic Park last Saturday wara Snip Alan, an old Is&w Zealand and 1 TaTanaki representative three-quairter. The North v. South Island match is bo be played at the Athletic Park next Wednesday Before this is read the team wjlTnaye been announced, as the seJlector® met in, Auckland on Tuesday bo decide the matter The Kia Oira team celebrate the winning of the junior championship with a smoke concert nn the Lower EOutt Town Hall to-night (Friday). I liave to oxtena my tlhanks for an invittatioiii to bo present, at the function. "Admission, Is; Stand, Is." Thus is the announcement mad.c by the Weljingtoin Rugby Union as to the charges for che final matcb between the Poneke and Petone teams to-morrow (Satuidayi Much cqmlld be written <m this subject, but I wil content myself with saying that tlie Rugby Unioin us proving * itself to be after tihle dollars every time. This is the first time in tihe hi<ytiory of the game in Weffimgbcun that a shilling has 1 been charged to see a cup match I hope ilt will be the jast The Southern Clmb are to be congratulated on winning the fourth-class champiouiship. The record of the team this season js a good. one. They won all their matches, scoring 246 points, with only 10 points being irejgi&teired agamst them. None of their opponents succeeded in. crossing tlhe^r lines, which in itself is evidence of the .superjjoritv of the team over those tlhey met during the season. WetheraJil, who sooiredi 18 tries, was the most prolific scorer in the team, Capper, Parkei, and MoQTsoni being the best pJac-e-kickois Next Saturday what is generally regarded as the match of the seasomi will be played at the Athletic Park. 1 T-efer to the annual match between the representatives of Auckland and Wel'hnigton The holders of the Rianfurly Shield are the popular favourites, but at the time of writiing thoie appears to be a doubt whether the AuckLandena wiE have their strongest tea/m to represent them mainly because of the recent tour of the Pnnsonby dub to Svdnx^v Whatever happens, however, the p-amp is bound to be a gjood 1 one, and full of interest.