FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9284, 21 August 1893, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

j AUCKLAND V. WAIROA. : /A DRAWN GAME. The annual football match between Auckland and Northern Wairoa took place } at Potter's Paddock, Epsom, on Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance, about 2500 spectators being on the ground, amongst whom was a considerable contingent* of football enthusiasts from the Wairoa. Hunter's Band was in attendance, and enlivened the proceedings by their excelleut musical programme. Mr. T. O'Connor acted as referee, and did his work in an eminently satisfactory manner. The ground was in splendid condition, and the weather was also favourable for football playing. The spectators took a very lively interest in the proceedings, and were quite impartial, dealing out hearty applause to exceptional merit when shown either by a local man or by a visitor. The game was in some respects a peculiar one. In the first spell Auckland did all the scoring ; putting up no leas than 13 points. When the second spell opened the match was looked upon almost as a certainty for the Auckland team, but it was not long before the visitors secured their first try, and continuing to improve their position; they ended in putting up a score exactly equal to that of their opponents. Thus the match ended in a draw, the scores ueing 13 all, Auckland doing all their scoring in the first spell, and Wairoa scoring their 13 points in the second.

- KIKST SPKLL. ' ' Wairoa kicked off and followed up well. A scrum ensued __ near the centre. Lowrie passing out to Kitching, who kicked into touch. From the line out Auckland got on a good rush, Johnstone eventually saving. After some scrummage work Rutland got the ball from a pass, and by a good run brought the ball to the halfway flag. Auckland responded with a forward rush into Wairoa territory. The visitors got out of the difficulty with a smart dribble, Kissliug saving bya kick into touch. From the liue-out Wairoa worked down the field, and Blewden saved by a kick into touch. Auckland came back again, and some close play ensued in Wairoa territory. The Molloyß at length headed a forward rush, Clayton eventually saving. Cole got a mark, and gained a good deal of ground. Soon after this a long kick compelled Wairoa to force. Edmonds, Clayton, and Braund here did some fine work, and after some further play Williams got the ball and passed to Edmonds, who in turn transferred to Kissling. The last - named managed to get across the line, and thus scored the first try for Auckland. The attempt at goal was a failure. After the kick out Wairoa rushed the ball to the centre, but Auckland came back again. K. Molloy picked up and passed to C. Molloy, and the latter transferred to Kitching, hut he was brought down by Clayton. Wairoa were now placed on the defensive, Braund, Mackie, and Blewden attacking well. From a line out Williams got the ball and passed to Laujjsford, who made a splendid dodgy run, and scored a try. No goal resulted. Auckland 4, Wairoa 0. Wairoa here made a spirited attack, but a passing run in which Edmonds, Kissling, and Maekie took part, again placed them upon the defensive. After some further play Auckland swept forward, and Braund scored their third try. The attempt at goal was again a failure. Auckland (3, Wairoa 0. Almost immediately afterwards Wairoa was again in difficulties, Edmonds securing a try. No goal resulted. After the kick out Wairoa worked down the field, Lowrie heading a forward rush; but their opponents were soon down upon them once more, and Moore scored again for Auckland, Edmonds converting. The first spell then ended, the scores being: Auckland 13 Wairoa ... ... ... 0 SKOON'P SlM'.Mi,

Cole kicked-otl' for Auckland, and Elliott returned. Blewden sot away smartly, but was collared by Molloy. Bonella, Phelau, and C. Molloy got on a dribbling rush, bringins the play into Auckland territory. From a line-out, the Wairoa forwards got on a rush, which ended in L. itching scoring a try, which was not converted. Auckland, V.i; Wairoa, 2. After the kick-out, Kissling made a useful run, and the Wairoa line was soon in danger. The visitors rallied, and brought the play back to the centre, Clayton saving. Blewden and Kissling gained ground by a passing run. Wairoa worked up the field, and after some fast open play, were allowed a free kick, Johnston sending the ball across the bar : Auckland, 13; Wairoa, 5. After some close play Neill got the ball, making a short run and a useful kick. Wairoa now pressed their opponents sorely, Kissling being conspicuous in defence. Neill picked up, and after a short run succeeded in potting a goal : Aueklaud, 1:1; Wairoa, 9. After the kick off some open play ensued, Johnstone eventually getting a mark, from which Elliott kicked a goal. The score was now 13 all, and the excitement became very intense. Auckland made a strong attack, but Wairoa responded quite as strongly, and play centred. liutland carried the ball into the Auckland's 23, but Auckland got sonic relief by a free kick. Neill picked up and made a useful run, but was neatly collared by Clayton. Brauud gained some ground by dodgy play, but a mark by Rutland caused Auckland to force. After a brief rally by the local men. Wairoa dribbled back, Kissling saving. The Auckland men here made a brilliant passing run. Rraund eventually got the ball, and seemed to have a clear run in, but the superior speed of Lowrie save Wairoa. Soon after this time was called. The game thus ended in a draw, the scores being Auckland . . 13 Wairoa 13 THE DINNER.

In the evening the two teams sat down to a well laid out and enjoyable dinner at the Royal Mail Hotel. A number of officials of the Union and gentlemen prominent in football circles were also present. A few short and appropriate speeches were made, and several songs were given and heartily applauded. Altogether a very pleasant evening was spent. THAMES V. AUCKLAND. VICTORY FOR AUCKLAND-IS POINTS TO NIL. [FROM OUR own corrkspondknt. I Thames, Saturday.

The annual contest between Thames and Auckland representatives took place at Parawai this afternoon, and the weather leaving nothing to be desired, drew together an enormous attendance of onlookers, who, from the start of the game to its finish, were kept in a state of great excitement. Each side was well represented, though it was confidently asserted by almost everyone that the local players' chance of corning through unscathed was a very remote one. However, the local players gave a very good account of themselves, and it was undoubtedly only the superior back play of the visitors that enabled them to come off the field victorious, Thames being defeated by nine points to nil. The following were the teams as they lined out on the field of play Auckland (blue and white) Back, R. Masefield; tlueequarters, 0. Riley, C. Peace, ]?, Gaudin; halves, Caradus, W. Elliott; forwards, Donald, Mills, McMillan, Rhodes, Green, Stone, Speight, Pennalligen, Laird. Thames (blue and black): Back, R. McGregor; threequarters, E. Bestic, J. Coote, W. McGregor : halves, J. Laing, J. McGregor; forwards, 11. Hrownlee, 1). Stewart, Roto, M. Mullins, H. Woods, A. Billing, M. McMahon, D. Downes, T. Quinn. Auckland won the toss, and elected to defend the southern goal, a slight breeze which blew straight up the field being in their favour. Stewart kicked off for the Thames, the oval being returned well up the field by Elliott. Back came the ball in double quick time, and the first scrummage took place on Auckland's side of centre. Concerted action on the part of Auckland brought the ball through, and Donald dribbled splendidly up to Thames' 25. The local men, however, were iu good fettle, and carried play to Auckland's 25, when Elliott picked up neatly and, after a short, dashing run, transferred to Peace, who was grassed at the 25 flag. After a little give and take play, Rhodes picked up and passed rather erratically, but Mills, Stone, and Speight, following up, kept the ball rolling towards Thames line, and it was only the splendid defensive play on the part of Thames that prevented their opponents from scoring. Eventually Gaudin got possession of the leather, and he made a splendid but successful shot at goal, and at tins point Thames were compelled to force. . Stewart kicked out, and the efforts made by Laing and McMahon succeeded in centralising play for a short time. But Elliott, Caradus, O'Riley, and Peace were performing well, and through their exertions backed up by those of Pennalligen and Donald, Thames' territory was once more invaded, and the latter player, heading a rush, carried the ball over the line, and falling on it scored Auckland's first try. Pennalligen essayed to add the major points but failed. Auckland ... 2 Thames 0 From the kick-out Auckland agaiu showed their supremacy, and after a sharp attack on the Thames Hue, Elliott picked up and dashed across and scored the second try for Auckland. Pennalligen again took the place, , and this time was successful in piloting the oval safely between the poles. i Auckland ... ... .. ... 7 . I Thames ... ... ... .. 0

Soon after the kick-off, Elliott dashed up the field and eventually passed to Reilly, who was only brought down on the line by R. McGregor (fullback). The latter, however; in collaring Reilly, received a nasty knock, and in consequeuce had to. retire, thus leaving Thames only fourteen men to fight their brilliant opponents, but though placed at a considerable disadvantage, the Thames forwardp made matters lively for Auckland, and with great determination they carried play to the blue-and-white's line, and for a short time a score seemed certain. , However, Donald, Mills, and McMillan, relieved the pressure, and though both sides were playing all they knew, the one to increase their score and the other to create their initial points, their respective efforts were unavailing, and the first spell ended Auckland ... ... 7

Thames ... ... ... ... 0 On resuming play, Thames played with more combination, and the dodgy runs of Laing, assisted by good forward work, Auckland had to assume the defensive, and Stewart kicking rather hard, the blue and whites were compelled to force. Gaudin kicked out, J. McGregor returning with an effective punt. Downs, Stewart, and Billing following up briskly, took the leather to Auckland's 25, where some very exciting play took place, and ultimately it resulted in Auckland once more forcing. Gaudin again set the bull in motion, Coote returning in fine style. Auckland's line was once more spiritedly attacked, and for about five minutes play was of a very exciting nature, but Donald at last started a good rush, and the oval was taken down to the halfway flag. However, it was soon brought back again '~ by Laing and D. Stewart, and from a throw-in the latter got possession and carried the ball over the line, but being attacked by Maseficld he lost it in falling, and Auckland forced. The blue and white men again rallied, and after some really brilliant passing carried play to Thames line, which Peace succeeded in crossing, and increased Auckland's score two points, Pennalligeu failing to convert. Prom this up to the end of time no further score resulted, and Auckland thus won by 9 points to nil. ... As regards individual pl&y it would be invidious to particularise where all acquitted themselves so well, but among the visitors special mention should be made of Masefield, who played a safe reliable back uame, and he won high encomiums for his brilliant performances. Peace and O'Reilly at threequarter, and Elliott at half, also filled their positions satisfactorily, the latter especially having played with great dash and determination. Donald, Mills, and McMillan, were the pick of the forwards, and materially assisted in Auckland's victory. Of the local men, R. McGregor, up to the occurrence of his mishap, fully born out the. reputation he has earned for himself, as being the best and \ surest fullback obtainable on the Thames. His two brothers, J. and W. McGregor, and Laing, Coote, and Bestic, acquitted themselves with credit, whilst the forwards, one and all, especially Stewart, deserve high commendation for the efforts put forth by them. In the evening the visitors were entertained by the local Rugby Union at a smoke concert, held in the Provincial Motel, after which they attended a concert in the Academy of , Music, by special invitation. They left on their return.journey by the s.s. Rotomahana, at eleven p.m., being accompanied to the wharf by a large number of local footballers, and as the steamer left the wharf hearty cheers wers given and responded to.

ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE V. WELLINGTON COLLEGE. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PKKSS ASSOCIATION.] Wki.tjsoton, Saturday. The inter-college football match between St. Patrick's and Wellington Colleges was won by the former, by 10 points to 2.

WELLINGTON V. MANAWATU. Pauikrston* North, Saturday. The annual match, Wellington v. Manawatu, took place to-day in the presence of about six hundred spectators. The weather was fine, with a strong south-wester blowing during the first spell, of which the visitors had the advantage. Williams (Wellington) scored a try. In the second spell Jewell (Mauawatu) crossed the Hue, the try being converted. About five minutes before the termination of the game, Hauinber potted a goal, and Ward scored a try for Wellington, the game ending :— Wellington, 8; Manawatu, 5. Raumber played grandly at halfback for the winners; while Orchard (Manawatu's fullback) played brilliantly on the defensive, saving his side repeatedly. In the opinion of the visitors, Orchard is the best fullback in the colony. Fache, of Wellington, was referee, but did not give satiscfation to the local players or the public.

NELSON AND MARLBOROUGH. Rlkkiibim; Saturday. The representative football match between the Nelson juniors anil the Marlborough juniors came off today. The game was one of the best ever played here, being fast throughout. Marlborough won by three tries to nil. THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS. PROPOSE D TESTIMONIAL. Wkllinv.ton, Saturday. The East Christchurch Club has forwarded a contribution of a guinea towards the fund for a presentation to the New Zealand football team, by way of emphasising the appreciation of the manner in which they upheld the credit of the colony.