WELLINGTON BEATS AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16950, 9 September 1918, Page 3

WELLINGTON BEATS AUCKLAND.

SOME AMENDED RULES PLAYED." [BT TELEGBAPH.—PBESS association.] - WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Auckland and Wellington Rugby representatives mot at Athletic Park to-day, when the ground was wet and ft bitter southerly gale was blowing. A huge crowd was present. Several of the Auckland or amended rules wero u&d during the game. There was no wing forward, there were absolute free kicks and the referee put tho ball into the scrum, the result being a fast, open, attractive and exciting game. Auckland played with the gale behind them in the first, spell and ran up 11 points to 0. Auckland's first score was obtained by L. McLean, who landed a fine penalty goal. Wellington battled against tho wind, but only occasionally got anywhere near Auckland territory. Half-way through tho spell Auckland set up a passing attack, and though the ball was dropped it rolled over the lino and J. Thomas scored. Just before half-time Wellington were attacking vigorously, but in an instant play changed to the other end of the field, and Wilson, making a fine run, enabled Laxon to score unopposed. L. McLean converted. Within a couple of minutes of the change over Wellington crossed the Auckland line, C, Thomas scoring. Auckland Tallied and from a loose passing rush Wilson got over. From 'his on Wellington attacked almost without cessation. From a scrum near the Auckland line, Nicholls sent a smart pass to Morris who scored ft good try which Nicholls converted. A clover mark by Valentine ten yards inside the half-way gave Nicholls a successful shot at goal. Then, from a forward rush, Arthur Parker scored, while ft littlo later Nicholls carved a way right through the scrv.m and banded the ball to Albert Parker, who scored. Wellington's next try was by Ebeihardt from a linoout. The final try was Ihe best of the day. B. Thomas scoring at the tail-end of a beautifully executed passing rush, leaving Wellington 23. Auckland 14.

OTAGO LOSE TO CANTERBURY. [by telegraph.— association.] DUNEDIN, Saturday. The Otago Rugby representatives met Canterbury to-day in dull, cold weather, the ground being on the heavy side owing to the previous day's rain, Tho attendance was close on 4000. Otago quickly took up the offensive, and from a too kick Campbell kicked a beautiful goal. Plenty of incident followed, and then Canterbury scored a sensational try. From a force-down Guiney punted lightly and regained possession, passing out to) Mullius, who sent tho ball out to Hirst on the wing. Hirst ran strongly and badly beat two blue backs and scored in a fair position. No goal resulted. The Canterbury backs were snowing greater finish, and from a scrum at the twenty-five passing took place between Fitzgerald, Guiney, Mullins, and Boag, the last-named scoring' near the post. McLeod goaled. Juat at the end of the first spell Todd, Otago, was all but over. Play was fairly even id the second half, both sides taking turn at attack. In _ tho last few minutes, from a loose scrum, Guiney gave McLeod a fine pass, and the latter scored in a good position, and converted tho try. 'There was not a great deal to choose between the opposing l packs, but the Canterbury backs -were too clever for tho Otago rearguard. The game ended: Cantorbury, 13 points; Ctago, 3.

BENEFIT MATCHES. Two benefit matches will be played on September 28 in aid of a well-known veteran Rugby player, " Dick'_' McGregor. A combined college team will play the "rest of Auckland under 20 years of age," and a past representative team will meet the present representatives. Mr. Tilly is secretary to the Benefit Committee

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

SELECTOR'S TEST MATCH. „ AUCKLAND TEAM CHOSEN. The selector's test match played at Victoria Park on Saturday between two picked senior teams. ii and B, resulted in » victory for the former by 86 points to 15. For tho A team tries were gained by Davideon (2), Clarke, Ifwersen, and McGregor. Mc* re cor and Davidson converted two each and Castles one; Ifweracn and Castles scoring one apiece from penalties. For the 1) team. Mitchell, Thomas, and Avery scored one try apieoei Keenan converting eno and scoring from » penalty.

! The teams for the Auckland-Cantesbury match, to be played on the Domain on Saturday next, are:— AUCKLAND. Fullback: Minogue (Ponsonby). Three-quarters: McGregor (Grafton), Ifwersen (Grafton), G. lies (Newton). Five-eighths: I Davidson (Maritime), McClymout CPonsonby) Oafftacfc; forwards.' tl'oasonbyj, Cast/eg (Norton), iiemog Ki«ftiou\, HaAdsn. (GvVjl / Reserves; Backs: Stewart, Thomas. Forwards: Williams, Pullcn. CanterburyGasson, Smith, Mitchell, Smythe, Ball, Bill, Bench. Moffatt, Zimmerman. Kruse, Young, Sales, W. King, F King. JUNIOR MATCH, Fourth Grade.—Telegraph, 13 points, dofeated Newton, 2, THE ASSOCIATION GAME. THE TEST MATCH. A test match, arranged by tho selector a view to choosing an Association representative team to play Wellington on September 28. was played at North Shore on Saturday, and resulted in a draw, 2 goals each. For tho A team Williams and Dacro scored, and for tho B Cross and Pearson. Tho following team was selected to represent Auckland:—Goalkeeper, Neil; backs, Skinwith. Stewart; halfbacks, Marsdcn, Dance (captain), Scott: forwards, Williams, Hayos, *Cross, Dacro, Harrison. Reserves; Le Grice and Pooch. Y.M.C.A. v. Presbyterian.—This game, plaved at Devonport, resulted in a win for Y.M.C.A. by 4 goals to 2. The ecoreis were: For Y.M.C.A., Smallwood (2), Ken* i2>; for Presbyterian, Harper and Barbour. Brotherhood v. Ponsonhv.—This, game, also played at Devonport, was won by Brotherhood by 3 goals to 1. The scorers were: For Brotherhood, ElLiffo, Bissett, and Bennett; and Rowo scored for Ponwnby, O'Leary Shield Final.—Technical College A. 1 coal, defeated Takapuna, 0. BROWN SHIELD MATCH. CANTERBURY RETAINS TROPHY. [lit TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] CHKISTCHDECH, Saturday. Canterbury Association football representatives defeated Wellington to-day by 1 goal to 0 in the Brown Shield challenge match. There was no score in the first spell, of which Canterbury had the best of the play. From the kick-off in tho second half Canterbury attacked, but Wilson returned the ball to Bisset, who placed it well forward. Norman, following up fast, boat Ives, and then Winter Bcored with a fast, low drive. This was tho only score in the game.

JUNIOR MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—KRES3 ASSOCIATION ] CHBISTCHimCH, Saturday. In the Association football match between teams of boys under 13 years of age, Canter' bury beat Wellington by 5 goals to 0, The St- Albans Club and Otagn Boys' High School played a drawn game, tho scoro being one all.