FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8659, 31 August 1891, Page 6

FOOTBALL

THE AUCKLAND " REPS." SATURDAY'S MATCH. Tixe match last Saturday between the Probable and Possible representative teams attracted a large assemblage to Epsom; The same was a surprise at all points. The Probables exhibited notonly a great lack of combination, but almost everyone seemed individually to be very much out of form. The result of this deficiency was apparent early in the ijame, and the Possibles, who worked with flash and cleverness throughout;, defeated them badly by 14 points to 3, after having Had all the best of the contest. There wore several alterations in the teams as chosen originally. Hefl'ernan and H. Poland were absent, and Marshall (from 'the Possibles) and Cantley (emergency) took their places in the forward division, while Rhodes replaced Herrold at half ; while the Possibles filled up their vacancies with several outsiders, the teams going into the field with equal numbers, as follows Probables: Full, Kissling; threequarters, Masefield, Jervis, Peace; halves, Elliott, Bravmd, Rhodes; forwards, McKenzie, Smith, Mills, J. Poland, Cole, F. Murray, Marshall, Cantley. Possibles : Full, Stichbury; threequarters. Breen, Gaildin, Roberts; halves, Tanfield, Pearce, Stephenson; forwards, Bruce, " Stone, Penalligan, Airey, Williams, Loomb, Brady, Caulton. The three selectors, Messrs. Ameil, Wells, and Henderson, controlled the game. Open play f began after the exchanges had settled in neutral ground, and a pass and run by Roberts took play past the midway line. Jervis and Cantley rushed backhand, the ball went out near Possibles' 25. Rhodes made a strong dash, but being stopped Gaudin returned well, and Peace sent out in neutral ground. After a line-up Braund started with a clever feint and pass to Elliott. He ran, but was stopped, and Breen had to force. Masefield replied to the kickout by a rim past centre, and a rush by McKenzie spoilt Breen, and the bail was out at Possibles'corner, The Possible forwards by strong work gained ground, and Stone rushing fast spoilt the reps.' return. The latter, however, started _ a clever charge, and Smith leading in a nice dribble got over the line, and scored. Smith took the place, but failed—(Probables, 1 ; Possibles,!)). From the kick-out work was in midfiekl, Peace stopping the Possibles in a rush. The Probables charged, and, after a wild pass, Masefield got away, but Breen stopped him cleverly. A scrum at centre followed, and the reps getting a free kick sent the ball down, but it was returned to neutral ground. A. Braund passed out to Poaee, but he was stopped quickly, and Roberts getting possession started off. Several grasped at him in neutral ground, but he dodged them all. Eluding the threequarter lie dodged Keesing easily, and got over safely in a good, place. ; Penalligan, by a good kick, converted the try—Possibles, 3; Probables, 1. The kick-off was sent back well by Stephenson, and Airey by a fast follow spoilt Jervis and Masefield in their returns. Stephenson got the leather and passed well to Roberts, who ran well, and though Peace tackled him well in the reps. 25, the - former got the ball away and Stephenson picked up smartly and carried it on. The forwards chimed in with a rush and carried the ball over the line, Loomb scoring at the corner. Penalligan made a good .'shot, but failed. (Possibles, 4; Probables, 1.) From the kick out the Possibles again charged down on their opponents and Stone showed a piece of good work in the open. The ball worked across and went back to Gaudin. He picked up very smartly, and with a clean drop registered a neat goal. (Possibles, 7; Probables, 1.) ; The Probables after this quick scoring rallied, and Cantley, by a good pass, enabled Elliott to get away. He ran well, but Roberts was too fast, £,nd grassed him by a fine collar, the ball going out half way between centre and Possibles 25. After some line work and scrums, Gaudin marked and sent up field., Breen and Tanfield, by some clever passing followed by a punt, took the play into the Probables'. 25. More quick passing was done, and ■ Stephenson was across, but the ball was out. . Williams and Bruce showed to advantage in a loose dribbling attack till Braund relieved by kicking down field. Stichbury returned well, and the Probables got a free kick,- which sent the ball into touch outside of their 25. After the throw-in Pearce, Breen, ; Tanfield, and : Gaudin did some nice combined work, and took the ball across, and the forwards, with Stone : and Brady leading, had play again in Probables' quarters. Another free kick to Probables, and a counteracting rush of the Possible vanguard, and Jervis sent the ball out in neutral ground by a good kick Masefield got away and passed to J ems, but Breen and Tanfield were on the watch, and play remained at midfield.. The Possibles started a sweeping charge" down to Kissling, which he stopped splendidly, kicking into touch.; Smith and Mills by clever dribbling took the oval as far as Stichbury, but he arrested ■ their progress coolly, and Loomb and Stone took it back to centre. A lot of scrambling work ensued on the Possibles' side of midway, and a couple of mulls followed, which gave Kissling a chance to dodge through and pot, but his effort was a futile one. trom the kick out A. Braund .started a clever run from the centre and passed well to Masefield, but Stephenson collared him well, and Gaudin got the ball, and, dodging the forwards, ran and finished with a fine left foot punt to the Probables' corner. A line-up took place, and after a fierce scrum the ball went out. Elliott threw in, and Stone breaking through in a most determined manner scored. The shot was long and oblique, but Penalligan was eqaai to the occasion, and kicked another goal. (Pos- ! sibles, 10 ; Probables, 1.) Play was, after resuming, on Possibles' side centre, but Airey I took advantage of misses on the part of opnosing backs and dribbled past centre. A. Braund passed, but Jervis faded again in his l take. Stephenson and Roberts ran and passed, but were collared, the play being now halfway between Probables 23 and centre, Braund took the leather, and by fine feinting and a good kick, sent it back, but Tanfield returned ; smartly. Loose work?-and Stone passed . neatly to Tanfield, but he was stopped. McKeruiie and Murray rushed the oval back, and the latter kicked hard, all the forwards following fast. Poland picked up and passed to mirth, and he to Elliott. The latter was wide, and ran round and scored near the bars. Murray took the place kick, but failed. (Possibles, 10; Probables, 2). Loose play followed till half-time was called.

In the second spell there was a couple of changes made : Peace was removed to centre thireequarter, and Jervis put on the wing; while Roberts, threequarter of the Possibles, exchanged with Rhodes, half of the Probables. The Probables started strongly, the forwards, with Marshall, and Cole conspicuous charging in a hard rush. Loose •quick work ensued about the . Possibles' tls line, till Braund snapped up "the leather and passed to Masefceld. The latter •dodged arid ran through his opponents and broke over near the bars, scoring Probables' third try. Peace was tried, but l could not increase the figure. (Possibles, 10; ! Probables, 3.) From the kick out hard and fasti [ open play ensued, Gaudin, Peace, and then Mills, showing to advantage. The Probables kept the ball on their opponents' side till Stichbury relived by a long high kick. Following hard to put his men on side, he got to the ball and dribbled past Kissling. Oaultou and others joined in a fast rush, andStichbury spoilt two efforts to pick up, and finally carried the ball over the Probables' line and scored, after a bit of exceedingly fast play. Penalligan took the kick, but just missed. (Possibles, 11 ; Probables, 3.) Exchanges took place to Possibles' 25, and the Probables came clown (fast, but Stichbury, by a (lashing run, broke through and got his kick with great cleverness to neutral ground. In the open play following, Breen picked up, and by splendid feinting, got well through when he passed to Tanfieldl, who, with Gaudin, backed up carefully. The former, with a characteristic dash, eluded Elliott and ran over the line. Penalligan placed another goal. (Possibles, 14 ; Probables, 3.) From this point out the game lost interest, as the Probables were apparently badly beaten. Masefield made several attempts by strong runs to retrieve the fortunes of the day, but was stopped well by Breen, Stephenson, and others. Caulton shone conspicuously in all the forward work, spoiling Kissling and Jervis badly. With Stephenson, he made a splendid dash down field, and Kissling just managed to send it beneath the barriers to avoid a score. McKen/.ie and Smith retaliated afterwards by a rush, which compelled Pearce to force. Again the Possibles invaded their opponents' quarters and Breen potted. He failed, but Brady nearly scored by follow. After some exchanges the Probables, with Murray leading, got on a fine rush, but Pearce who had been playing well throughout,punted to neutral ground. • Th» Probables, however carao again, and Robeits mac' a nice dodgy run. He -. as stopped, but . forwards charging fl it, pasiied Breen und Stichbury, but Rhode = .lad got back, after a strong run punted So svJety. Tail field ran again and dodged, to centre, and After some loose play time was called, the Probable team, with only intermittent exceptions, having been overmatched in nil departments. THE NEW SELECTION'. On Saturday evening the match committee of the A.R.U., Messrs. Arneil, Wells, and Henderson, met to consider the respective merits shown by the aspirants to I rep. honours. After the disappointing work done by so many, it is not surprising that they made several changes, and the teams are now ohosen as follows „ tjrst" ' or Thames and Taranaki): Full, H. 1^ Bslu, K; threequarters, R. Maseheld, I'. Gaudin, F. Jervis;. halves, W. ;

Elliott, A. Braund" A TanfieldTwlZJ"' S < H. Poland, R. Ca,u\ton R Mr-K"^ ard ». Smith, I Mills, C.. Pena\li£ n , R K Si & Stone. Emergencies: Forward Pvr & back, T. Roberts. nVtlrd ' F " Murray. Second " Reps." (for Tauranw,) —Fnll r> Stichbury ; tares-quarters; L Hill* » P™ C * '$W1 A. Otway ; halves, W. RW*'Vp Pea °«. F.Brady; forwards, J. Colo. C Mft'rJkttf 0 ?' ?°C ! l d tUy' WiUi ' MS - Wb > toSSf. ■ The committee team to play agaaist the second rerm «S n * £1" tta first are a, the Tlmm on Breen, W. Hales :; h livesV 1 e '"®» Roberts r ' Breen, W. Hales ; halves, H. Bales TW?' son, P. Mackie ; forwards F. Murray, W. Harvey T. Murray, beamish, Andrew ' , . Wilson, Williamson. Leathart; emereencW >* v * Rees, McConnell,: Blewden, f Cooke^tmUK?' D. Smart, Cruickshank. - It has been deS to practice every evening in the Metropolitan = ground at j five p.m., and any of the select 1 in cither teams -.who. cannot get leave of ah '' f - fence are requested to send in word to £• - - effect before Wednesday next. Th ft reps, leave for the Thames at five pu OI : Friday next, and, returning here, go on .VW day foroiioon to Taranaki. The second ■ ' , play at Potter on the sth against the i»am as given above, and leave for Tauraii"* «>! SiPl Friday, 12th, at seven p.m. ° • ; . NOTES BY JASON. ' ' The defeat of the Probable team on Safctir day in so unmistakeable manner was vewlSSv surprising, and seems to point to great imtf. / vidual carelessness or over-confidence. Th« main fault lay with the forwards, who di* ; played no combination. In the scrums thev were pushed, and rarely-took the ball, in i^p open they were lairly equal to; their ormon. ents but did not show the same stamina, oi 15 dash, while in the line play they were quite S "#" overmatched. The best of; a poor lotVasß V* McKenzie, and next to him came Milk ' Murray, and Smith, in the order named j have never seen Cole of so little' use .on » field, and Marshall pushed and rushed bard 1' but did nothing better, while J. Poland.Sas ' about the same. The s halfback play was' -r & also poor. Braund did a lot of good work but v V was not quite himself. Rhodes was slower than I ■ usual but made few mistakes save a tendency " to pass wild in the first spell. With Braund » hampered by inefficient forwards, Elliottfu play suffered, and on defence I cannot recol. lect him stopping one rush or punting back ' '' with any effect. In the threequarter division Jervis was asleep, and his form below junior calibre, for his kicks may be counted on the " fingers of one hand, while he missed frequent * ' passes and blundered ,in tackling and stop. ping rushes. Peace bore out my prediction tftl of not being a wing player, and though he '>t acquitted himself better when placed in the' $$ centre, his display was throughout of mediocre quality. Masefield played a "lone hand," but he did his work well in all departments, working with dash andcuteneaj ■ ' throughout. Kissling did some good work but had a lot to do, and lie made several bad i' slips. Stichbury, on the Possibles side,' £ showed improved form, and played with con! 1 fidence and dash. ;on the day's form being .* superior, in #my opinion, to his rival. Vf Of the Possible threequarters Gaudin was in fine fettle, playing with great steadiness," < and he deserves hi.3 promotion. Breen proved - that in form lie is the best kicking three- ■ - quarter we have got, though he was out of his place, and quite out of practice, Indeed on his excellent display many would award him a place in one of the teams now, and I " cannot see whut reason actuated the commit- ■ tee to pass him over, and choose Hill and T Otway who were absent and gave no exliibi- '- tion of what form they are in. r Robert? was doing dashing work till he was most unjustly - '■ changed >to half, a place in which he la un-1 T 4 . accustomed to play, and the same blunder "" had a prejudicial effect upon'Rhodtta' play., Tanfield was undoubtedly the best halfback ■ • on the ground, and showed fine form in all : . departments, and his inclusion in the first reps, will be well received. ?Of the forwards " Stone was perhaps the best all-round forward • ' on the ground, he with Bruce and Penalligan, taking-the latter'a kicking into account,' are well deserving their places. Though Caulton was 30 dashing in the open I am aot ' •" *. so certain of him, and would retain F. Murray • •- in preference. The form shown by Cole and J. v. * Poland is inexplicable to me, as two fast strong ' forwards like this pair should have shone ;in Sll the quick, straggling play on Saturday, instead of which ; they were practically lost, save in very rare flashes. Marshall in a good •' 1 second team man, but not a first. That the team required "alteration there/was little room for doubt, but it is extremely difficult <#" i : to decide upon what grounds' several of the moves were - made, as past form appeam to have been the recommendation of some, arid resent form that of others. . The team is, owever, a fairly good one, but will need to ' practice hard in the evenings to get a larger' measure of combination. F. Murray and T.. Roberts, the two emergencies, are not to go toli the Thames, but to play with the third filte-ea ' '4? against the second reps on : Saturday. By.". 1 ; the-bye-X suppose it is because of probable absence that Stephenson is altogether left out of all three fifteens— not, he is very badly treated; indeed, his work on Saturday ; ? gives him at least an equal claim with Brady * • v and Rhodes for a position in the second team. '.

On Saturday two teams of junior players ' came up to try conclusions with a couple of' local fifteens. Waitemata 11. (Thames) had a tough match with City. 11. and defeated 1 them, and Rovers H. beat Newton .B. . by several points. The visitors were jubilant at i. r their double victory.

[By telegraph.— association. ' ' Dunedin, Saturday.—The annual football v^l match'between Christ's College : (Christchurch) and Otaco High School was played A? 1 to-day in beautiful weather, and resulted in a decisive I win for the Dunedm bovs by 14 ' / points (four goals and two tries) to 6 points - - - (a goal from a/ try, & goal from a penalty kick, and a try).. The game was highly I • interesting, and on the whole very open ana fast.