THE FOOTBALL SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12071, 15 September 1902, Page 7

THE FOOTBALL SEASON.

INTER-ISLAND REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. fJORTHEiINS DEFEATED BY 20 POINTS TO 14. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WFXWKGTON, Saturday, The match between the North Island and South Island teams this afternoon attracted 'an attendance of between 5000 and 6000 spectators, and but for the heavy rain that fell an hour before the start of the game the crowd would no doubt have been a larger one . Fortunately, the rain cleared off before play started, and the sun shono out during the afternoon. Despite the recent rains the Athletic Park was in a surprisingly good condition, and Iho spectators were treated to an excellent exposition of football, and a most exciting contest for supremacy, the Southerners winning by 20 points to la. The first spell was ail in favour 0 [ tllo North Island men, of whom the Auckland contingent were ihe bright partieulaj stars, hut when ends were changed the Southerners swept ad before them, the Canterbury section staging out in marked prominence. The "\'orlh Island backs had a good innings !ki the fiist spell, as their forwards kept play loose, arid fed the back division, but jn tho latter half of the game the red forwards carried all before them, and their baoKS, showing great improvement, theSouthern combination were enabled to pile up 14 points while their opponents could not increase the total to their credit at halftime. On the whole, it was one of the most exciting games ever witnessed in Wellington, and at times the spectators were aroused to a high pitch of excitement. Antony those present were His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly), the ActingPremier (Sir Joseph Ward), and the Hon. Mills, and each received an enthusiastic reception on taking his seat. '.Hie teams were as follows: —

North Bland (blues): Fullback, E. MeKcnzic (Wairarapa) ; threequarters, A. Asher (Auckland), W. Wallace (Wellington), E. N. Tregear (Wanganui) ; five-eighths, R. .McGregor (Auckland); half, 11. Kiernau (Auckland); wings, J. Laing (Auckland), B. Armstrong (Wairarapa); forwards, E. Dodd (Wellington), E. Wyllie iManawatu), A. Cunningham, P. Long, R. MeDuff, G. Nicholson (Auckland), and A. Cadwallader (Wairarapa). The average weight of the $eam was I2st 10lb.

South Island (rods): V,. B. Booth (Otagc): threequarters, \y. Smith (Nelson), B. F. Harper (Canterbury), D. McGregor (Canterbury); five-eighths, M. E. Wood .' j la i fj p. Harvey (Canterbury) wing;,, H. G. Porteous (Otago), A. Brunsden 'Canterbury); forwards, W. Duggan, B. Fanning. R. Cooke, T. Cross (Canterbury). A. McNie (Southland), A. G. Fenwiek, and «T. Roddick (Otago). The average weight was 12st 71b.

The Southerners won the toss, and defended the southern goal, having a very light southerly breeze behind them. CunBingham, kicked off, and during the first few minutes the backs on both sides mulled the ball a good deal. The Northerners' backs Boon settled down to work, and play was centred in the reds' territory. Then lieKenzie. the North Island fullback failed to take a long kick from Harper, and the ball travelled by itself to the goal-line. Smith and Asher raced for it, and the latter had tire best of the struggle, and kicked into the fence. Shortly afterwards McGregor (Canterbury) obtained the ball from a broken-np scrum, but made a l&iskick into touch. The North Islanders elected to take a scrum, and Porteous, getting the ball, cleverly dodged round, and scored. Harper failed at goal: South Island 3, North Island 0. After a spell of uninteresting play near centre the blues got on a passing rush, in which Laing, McGregor, Wallace, fregear, and Long were prominent, and the lastnamed crossed the line near the corner flag. McKenzie could not improve the score: South Island 3, North Island 3. The Northern forwards continued to keep the forward work open, giving their backs every chance, and a few minutes afterwards Asher received a pass from Kiernau. He mulled it, but Kiernan, who was close up to him, grabbed the ball about the 25 Sag. Smith fell as he was about to tackle, and Kicrnan had a clear run across the line. No goal resulted : North Island 6, South Island 3. Almost immediately on resuming the North Island team was awarded a free kick in a splendid position, but Cunningham failed at goal. The blues continued to have all the best of the game, the Southern backs being very ragged in their play- On one occasion, however, the reds' forwards got on a great rush d(j*m the ground, and a free kick being awarded to them, Harper only missed the, goal posts by a few inches. At this starve play was stopped for ten minutes on Account "of an injury to Harvey, who sprained his ankle. He had to retire, and Fled. Roberts (Wellington) took his place □I halfback. On resuming the blue backs were again to the fore, and, as the result of some splendid passing between McGregor and Wallace, Asher obtained the ball. His ■pace stood him in good stead, and he scored a meritorious try. Wallace landed a beautiful goal: North Island 11. South Island 3. Soon afterwards Roberts kicked the ball as it came from a scrum, near the South Island line; it rebounded from Armstrong's head, and Wvllie, securing it. scored. Wallace failed at goal: North Island 14, South Island 3. Just on the call of half-time the Southerners were riven a penalty kick for offside play, and. Harper put the ball over the bar: North Island 14. South "island 6. From the kick-off in the second half the Southern forward- swept down the field. Wallace stopped the rush, and passed to ■Kicrnan, but D. McGregor intercepted, and streaked for the line. He eluded all opposition, and scored behind the posts, Cooke landing an easy goal: North Island 14, South Island 11. The red forwards continued their attack, and Harper narrowly missed a goal from a free kick. Asher here put in some good defensive work, but eventually the Southern backs got on a passing rush, in which Wood, Harper, and D. McGregor were prominent, the result being that the Canterbury man ran across and equalised the scores. The kick at goal was a failure: North Island 14. South Island 14. For a few minutes the North Islanders were on a vigorous attack in the Southern territory, Asher being collared by Smith when he looked dangerous, and Kiernan just missing a goal from a mark. The reds' defence proved too strong. D. McGregor made a long kick from his own 25, and Asher, in attempting to take the ball, was beaten by Smith, who had followed up smartly. Smith passed to Cross, who in turn sent the ball to Wood. The latter made a. brilliant run, dodged all his opponents, and scored under the posts. It should have been an easy goal, but Cooke was unequal to the occasion : South Island 17. North Bland 14. Within a few minutes Brunsden picked up the ball after a scrum, and sent it on to Wood. The latter after a short run. passed to Harper, who, when lollared, transferred to McGregor. Harp<u followed up closely, got the ball again from McGregor when he was in ♦rouble, and ran across at the cornet flag. Harper did not increase the score: South Bland 20 North Island 14. Time was called shortly afterwards with play in neutral territory.

For the winners, Harper, JicGregoi, and Wood, were in great form. Smith, who made several mistakes in the first spell, redeemed himself in the second half. The forwards all plaved a hard game. or tno Northerners, Trc-gear shone out most prominently among the hacks, and Kiernan plaved a narticularlv good game. Cunningbarn, Long and Dodd were the pick of the forwards. ' ' The fullbacks of both teams ■were weak. The Rev. G. Coleridge Harper, of Palmerslon North, made an excellent referee.

During half-time the Governor presented the Ranfurly challenge shield to Mr. (_.. i<. Dixon, who received it on behalf of the Auckland Rugby Union. Wellington, Sunday.

The South Island and North Island teams, together with a number of prominent cmsens, wer entertained at dinner last night by the Now Zealand Rugby Union. Sir Joseph Ward in responding to the toast of the Parliament of New Zealand, spoke of the keen enjoyment he had derived from the afternocn'a contest. He also proposed the toast of th- New Zealand Rugby Union, and paid & tribute to the governing body for its efficient control of the -game throughout. Closing, ho expressed a hope that the negotiations foi the visit of a New Zealand team to the Old Country would have a successful issue. Mr. A. 0. Norr.s, secretary of the union, in responding, stated that the North >. South match would be an annual fixture, and would be played in all the principal centres in turn. Every effort Would be made by the union to send a team Home. He indicated that there was a possibility of South Africa being included an the tour. The Rev. Harper (referee) congratulated both teams upon the excellent spirit that had prevailed throughout the match.