FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12955, 26 August 1905, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. -HR Auckland touring representatives play their second match this afternoon, meeting the Wellington Rugby Union learn on the Athletic Park ground. On recent form one could hardly other than take a. gloomy view of the prospects of the 1905 Auckland team ill the matches against the sister provinces but their defeat of the Taranaki representatives makes the outlook more hopeful, and they may, after all, put up a good game against Wellington to-day. Our forwards appear to have had all the best of the deal against the Taranaki men, and if they only enter the held this afternoon determined to do their utmost for (ho province they represent they should make a creditable stand strong though the. Wellington forward division undoubtedly is. If the Aucklanders can hold their own forward the team may regain possession of the Ranfurlv challenge shield, which was taken South by the Empire City players last season. Everything, of course, depends ou our forwards If they play the game up to the hilt our backs, though falling below the standard of a few years ago should compare favourably with those of Wellington, as the Southern'centre has been but indifferently served in the matter of backs during the present season, and three of their cracks-Wallace, McGregor and Roberts-are on their wav to the Old Country with the New Zealand team. Neither Wrigley (the Wairarapa threequarter, who showed such line form against New Zealand and Australia for Combined Wellington), Winiata, nor O'Leary will be eligible to play against Auckland to-day, the unions from which they were drawn not being affiliated with the Wellington Union. The Wellington forward division will, however, bo practically the same that kept the New Zealanclors so busy and ben.t the Australian forwards in-last Saturday's match. It is from them that the Auckland team has most to fear.

THAMI'S V. AUCKLAND. The Thames-Auckland match last Saturday was entirely spoilt from a spectator's point of view by the heavy state of the ground, and nflci the first 'fifteen minutes the game practically resolved itself into a mud scramble. The visitors relied entirely upon their forwards, who proved themselves to be a solid lot and more at home- in the heavy going than the locals. As for back play, it was impossible to handle the sodden, greasy ball, and the few attempts at passing that were made resulted in openings being given to the opposing side. The one bright particular feature of a most uninteresting game was the play of the fullbacks. The popular cry in Auckland for several seasons past has been, " Where are we to find a fullback?" That query was answered most emphatically on Saturday, and at present wo have the choice of two. Ncwdick was fried in Auckland a couple of seasons, ago and shaped creditably, but did not impress one as being first-class. However, in Saturday's game he made a fine showing, and did all that was required of him in a most finished manner. If his form continues he will always have to bo considered in representative games. Magee, the Auckland defender of the sticks, was playing in the position for the second time. His first game, against Havre's Bay, gave the impression that he would develop into a good fullback, and his second appearance amply confirmed that opinion. His all-round play reached a high standard, and many good judges consider him the best fullback we have seen in Auckland for a long time. He is also capable of playing more than a useful game at five-eighths or threequarter, and should be of immense assistance to the province in future matches. The only other back to show good form was Todd, who is developing into a brilliant five-eighths, while in Wynyard we have another young player who promises exceedingly well.

HERE AND THERE. The Auckland representatives conclude their Southern tour with the match against Wangnmii on Tuesday next. Otorohanga lias won the Waipa Rugby Union competition foi the caps, having come off victorious in eight of the nine matches played. The- referees for the volunteer union matches this afternoon will come from the following:—Messrs. Nicholson, Laing, Pearson, and Lenihau. The non-inclusion of W. Tyler in the New Zealand (tain to play the Australians will come as a surprise to followers of the Rugby game. 1 believe 1 am perfectly s-afe in saying that at the present time Tylei has no equal in the colony a;- a wing forward. The annual football match between Ponsonby Cruising Club and Otahulni Sailing Club teams look nlncc at "Otahulni on Saturday last. After a very interesting game the Otahulni team won by the small margin of 7 points to (>. Both learns sat down to dinner in the evening, anil a most enjoyable time was spent. It is due to the visiting team to express the general approval of their exemplary conduct and gentlemanly behaviour during their stay in our midst (.-.ays. the Northern Advocate, in referring to the Auckland junior representatives). Roth on and oil the field their conduct has helped to keep the game in the front rank of respectable sport. Owing to the postponement of the return match with the Thames, which is now fixed for September 9, the Secondary Schools' Old liovs' Rugby Union representative fifteen will be opposed by the Auckland Rugby Onion representative team, and not, by the 1! team in the. match on the Kingsiaml ground next Saturday. this should lend" additional interest to the fixture, THE WEDNESDAY TRADES UNION REPRESENTATIVES. In their first big engagement on Wednesday last the Auckland Wednesday trades Union representatives were beaten by 16 points to nil by the Franklin Union team. The team's display in the first half ol the game was most creditable, but the strong wind and weighty team-tho visitors were a good deal heavier, particularly in the lor-wards-against which they had to tend took all the steam out of them and the e was a noticeable absence of dash in lilt second spell, during which mistakes anion*, the backs were also frequent. H™**"' 1 ' must be said that the Franklin men de«rve great credit for their win, which, was wen earned, largely by the grit and munition of their front rankers. . Their team is an exceptionally heavy o t. particularly in the forwards, who "™« average well over 13 stone, and the bar,, though rather weak in attack, are veiy sum. defenders. ' Rodge, at full, tackiod dde mined!,, but was otherwise w#JJJ Fitness at thrccquarlcr, quite di gn.sh himself as a place kick, anting tli,u. |°g out. of four attempt... Tnrbott »s™% showed good defensive qualities. »V V half, was probably the pick of the baJtt though he had every opportunity to » as the Auckland wingers rouble 1 h™ ™* little. Kirkwood had little to do at jo eighth,, and Bayley and MeEennan a « i»p forward played hard, but were utky n escaping the- referee's notice when oil age Which occurred rather frequently. 1J« strength of the lean, lies in it °»wa.i , who !,rc a fine combination and «« then weight to great advantage. 01 . g« • , probably Foofe is the'best, thong lolaWl, McCormiok, and McGuiro run I m l o« ; The tlisappoii.tme.it of ho Auc and team was Nicholson, who entirely failed to ex Libit his club form; but for him Aucfcun would have matte a much bottei sbo „ Watkinsatfidlgotridof the U^y When he secured it, but was a H«"- f|)i , ()f ,. in his fielding and picking up. *■'•-, „ quarter line had nothing to do , no »M l d failure of the half and five-eight i- ■ ,_ the ball along. I'urdie made some dey ate attempts to make openings u Ul(> casion making a. brilliant dM« (o length of I he. field, but had nog 1 " 1 exhibit his scoring ability. fe '", bb " Littlealso neglected, but defended "noi; y • as John played below liimsell, W* ,ut his well as ever. Burton worked »""',;" lack of weight seriously hampered n ;.. The forwards gave a a'}' 111 ?,, nl t quite ! mined exhibition in the first spol, » Most their form ill the second nan. ' h ving ; uphill game in the opening' » u«t , , Evidently taken all the life out oi

ttTrt U G of thmost con it ,Hr an 1 ant were the ""■ouST^L? t0 ** *■* right ««'SV Wed ", ,; ' scla y will against PaeSmt Note S W C,Pd f ° r tO - day ' s match tromlMffi \ Wair °a are very different Through the protest of the Grocers and »& n s Ti (1 ? Bl,tchMS i,ot b S the can '-,!. atter , !? ome the winners of I. civ in .1, i l 1" '1 they were somewhat " ldy in their opening games, the winners ™«le some good fight towards the end of W rl season and °? the whole deserve every credit tor their victory, ' No less than four junior teams have enteied the union, and though very late in the season have requested the union to make at east four fixtures for them, so that they will get a little organisation for next year' the remaining fixtures for the senior teams are as under:-August 26, v. Northem Wairoa, at Dargaville; August 30, v. laeroa, at Alexandra Park; September 6, v. Thames, at Thames; September 13, v. franklin, at Pukekohe (approximate). THE ASSOCIATION GAME. The, chief attraction this afternoon will bo the A and 1? match arranged with the object ot choosing a, team to meet Taranaki on September 9. On paper the game looks like resulting in a win or the A team .practically the whole of the members ot which should find places in the combination to represent Auckland. Mr. Nyborg will act as referee, ami the teams will bo as lollows: —

. A Team: Coal, Bayly; fullbacks, Hardmg Webster; halves, Audinwood, Yates, rlitchio; forwards, Dimery, J. Clark Foreshaw, Tabcrncr, Ollivcr. Emergencies: Olden and Fleming. B Team: Goal, Brewer: fullbacks, Goodie, W. Robinson; halves, Blaekie, Meldrum, Bradshaw; forwards, Menzies, Skipper, Dacre, Stokes, Harvey. Emergencies: Larney and Hart. The principal event at the Domain last Saturday was the second-grade match between Corinthians and W.Y.M.I. A. The game was fast and even throughout, and ended in a draw, both sides, scoring one goal. The defensive work of Booth (W.Y.M.1.) was splendid. It has been definitely announced that a Taranaki representative team will visit Auckland this season, the secretary of the local association (Mr. Mayall) having received word to that effect during the week. The match, which has been fixed for September 9, will be played at the Kingsland ground, as the Domain Cricket Ground has to be vacated by the end of August. The Corinthian Club's senior team will visit Taranaki this season. The team will leave Auckland for New Plymouth on .Thursday next, and their first match, will probably he against a New Plymouth eleven. The second will be against Inglewood, after which the team will play a combined Taranaki team. Last year the Corinthian team went South and played two matches against New Plymouth, winning one and losing one. Last Saturday's' matches brought the third-grade competition to a close. Tabernacle carry off the honours this season, and are (o be congratulated on their success. By drawing with W.Y.M.I. last Saturday Corinthians secured the second-grade championship. Should they succeed in defeating lvanhoe this afternoon they close with a splendid record, having suffered defeat on one occasion only during the lasttwo years.

It is proposed to pick a. team from the second-grade players to meet a senior team next Saturday. Should this be done the "youngsters" should keep the seniors on the move.