FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 914, 6 September 1889, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

The representative trial match on Saturday resulted in a win for the Possibles (who only played with 12 men against their opponents' 15) by 13 points to 7. Tries for the winners were scored by Nicholls, Collins, Moore, Moorhouse • and Mclntyre i2). Nicholls converted two of the tries into goals, and Fairbrofcher potted a splendid goal from a mark. For the losers Gillon scored two tries one of which he converted into a goal, and Burns got a try which was also converted by Gillon. Very good form was shown by the winners, their passing at times being very good. Collins played three-quarter during the first spell, and he proved a great success, making some grand runs. Fairbrother also d d very well at three-quarter. H. Roberts made his re-appearance on the field after an absence of several months, and, although out of concsition, and still suffering from the effects of the injury to his foot, he played excellently,, his passing being as good as ever. It is to- be hoped that he will be well enough to play in;the match against Auckland, as his inclusion would considerably strengthen the representative teach. The" other backs played - well. The’forwards all acquitted themsfelveß well; Reich, Mocre, and Meintyre in particular. Oh the Probables’ side, Aetill and White (forwards) and Gillon find Ross (backs)' were the best.' ' 1 The Junior Cup matches on Saturday resulted a 3 follows Wellington ' second beat Rival first by 9 points to 1 ; Pirate first beat Melrose second by 2 poitfts to nil; St Patrick’s College defeated Epuni second by 23 points to 1. Tries for the winners were scored as follows : —O’Shea, 3j {sheedy, 2- W. and H. Houldsworth, Malone, and Fay, 1 each. McMahon placed a goal from one of the tries, and Sheedy sueceeded in 'converting six of the tries. The Athletic second and Union first fifteens began their heat at Newtown Park, but after playing'about ten minutes they were requested to retire from the field in order that sue representative trial match might be played, the other ground being occupied by ftp Association At first‘several of the players refused - to . recognise the request, which was made by two members of t'he Ground Committee, aiid appeared ueterminedto continue the game. Eventually, however,- they agreed to leave the'field, but expressed themselves very warmly on the matter. No doubt they were fully justified in complaining, and it is to be hoped that suoii a bungle wilt not be allowed to occur again. It must have been known to the Committee before the trial matph was arranged that the erounds had already b<Sen Allotted, aiid’it was therefore their duty to have made other arrangements. 1 The heats for the third class Championship on Saturday resulted as follows : Union second beat Melrose third by a goal to a try. Howe scored a try for the winners, which he converted ; Campbell scored for the losers. PitCne second v. Oriental second, won by former by default "Rival third v. Athletics third,'won by foimer by default.' The heats —Wellington th’ird v} Pirate sedond and Willing ton' College v. St! Patrick’s 'College . second, will’be played on September 21st', ■The match played' on Sutur’d ay ffiy'tho members’of" the'Royers’ Ciub’ —England v. Scotland —resulted in a win for the lattPr by three points' to nil. For'the winners Brown kicked two goals and Fergusson one. Brown for the winners, and ’Valentiue for the loners, as usual, played wejl, A match was played bn Saturday between teams representing the establishments of Messrs Ballinger Bros, and T. Ballinger, the former winning by two tries to one. Faulkner and Stuart scored for the winners, and Blirke for the losers,

In addition to the fifteen selected to play in the trial match last Satiirday, the following players are requested to attend at the Poneke Club’s gymnasium this evening : - R: Taiaroa, Ridding. As till, Campbell, Faulknor, Broderick, Rose, Fisher, Gillon; Atkinson (2). The Match Committee are anxious that there should be a good attendance. The Auckland footballers arrived here by the Waibora on Sunday morning. There was a large crowd of local footballers on the wharf, and the visitors were greeted with three cheers, to which they responded. The members of the team visited the Parliamentary building during the afternoon, and were “ shown round.’’ When they left by the Wanaka later on they were heartily cheered by the crowd on the wharf, _ They were well' received everywhere, and will be treated in the best possible way when they return. Nothing remains now in the way of animosity between Wellington and Auckland footballers, and when the match i 3 played the general wish will be, we are sure, thau the best team will win. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Rugby Union was held at the Club Hotel on Monday night, 'here being present Messrs Campbell (in the chair;, Smith, Hyams, Gillon, and the Secretary. A telegram, Which had been received from the Secretary of the Canterbury Union stating that W. Wyoyard and R. Taiaroa, two members of the Native team, hail b.t-n suspended by that Union for disputing the referee’s (Rev J. i-loatsou) decision in the match played between the Canterbury representatives au<l the Native team, was considered by the Committee. It was decided on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Secretary, that while sympathising to the fullest extent with the Canterbury Union in its endeavours to uphold the authority of the referee, the Committee, without direct authority from the English Rugby Union, did not think it was advisable to take any action in the matter. I he Secretary stated that he had written to the Nelson and Marlborough Unions stating that it was impossible for the Wellington Union to send a team a * ay this season, as they had so many other engagements to fulfil, The Secretary informed the Committee that he had received a letter from the secretary of the Wairaraoa Union asking that the Wellington Union would allow them £ls out of the takings' at’next Saturday’s match, and he had replied that he did not think the Committee would grant therequest, The Com? ruittee decided tp endorse the secretary s action, Jc was decided to eutettain the Wtfirarapa team at lunc' eon on Saturday. An application from the Rovers’ Association Football Club for the ipe of the ground at Newtown Park during the present month was referred to the Committee appointed to arrange for the allotment of the grounds. The meeting then terminated. (per press association - .) Auckland, August 29. The Auckland footballers left for the South at noon to-day. Lecky could not go, and Breen was included at the last moment. The Auckland representative footballers who are to play in the southern provinces left Auckland for Wellington on their southern tour to-day by the Waihora. The team is as previously telegraphed, except that H. G. Kissling has been included. T. N. Clayton accompanies the team as manager. September 2. The Junior Football Cup has been won by the Native Rose team. Blenheim, August 29. The Marlborough representative fifteen left for Nelson this evening?' They meet a team from Nelson province on Saturday, t ' NAPIER, August 31. The football match played to-day between Auckland and Hawkes Bay resulted in a win for Auckland' by 8 points to 3. It was a very hard fought-game indeed, and consequently very enjoynolb to'the spectators. The feature of the play was the Auckland men’s passing, which Was brilliant 'and effective, and really won the game for them. In all Respects, except in passing, it is questionable whether the local team was not superior to the visitors, who manifested great faults, the principal being an almost ridiculous weakness in kicking and a strong tendency to play off side. In. the scrums the local forwards were always the stronger, but the Auckland hacks wefe far and away better than those of Hawkes Bay, who were weak throughout. The local players pushed Auckland very hard during the. first 10 minutes of the first spell, and they scored the first try. This reverse stirred the visitors up and they played all they knew, and several times forced their opponents in addition to getting three tries. In the second spell, so far asajl rqnnd play was cpncorqecj, tli@fp.caj team mire than held their own, but the passing of the visitors was so exceptionally good and effective, that it neutralised all the efforts put forth by Hawires Bay, and if the visitors had been strong in kicking they would have mado a much larger score. The points made by Auckland were gained from five tries and a potted goal, - Hawkes Bay scoring three tries. • ' Dunedin, August 3L The football match between Christ’s College and the Qfcago High School was played tu-dayl'’ For the first quarter of an hour the visitors more than held' their own, but after that, the combined play of the Schools and fine running of their backs was far too good for the visitors, who were defeated by 18 points to nothing. In the second spell two High School boys were htirt, and one h’ad to retire altogether, but even'then they were more than a match for the visitors. As soon as the game was finished the annual ’ match—Southland v. Otagc—whs played. The Southland team played a splendid game, forcing the local men down several times. Their forwards, though’ "lighter, 1 quite held their own. Thdugh Otago won by 15 pointsi‘to one, the game was not so one-sided as might be supposed 'from "" the scores. The game was played in a must friendly spirit. • ‘ " " NE^oif,' August 31. A football match was played to-day between teams representing the Provinces of Nelson and Marlborough. The Nelson team surprised their opponents in the first five minutes and scored a goal. The play during the first spell was very even, and at the beginning of the second spell Marlborough

got a try but failed to convert it. The visiting team played an excellent game j but could not increase the score, and the match was Won by Nelson by 3 points to 1. Christchurch, August 31. The Rev J. Hoatson has selected the following team to play against the Auckland team on Wednesday Full back —Marshall ; three-quarters—Surman, Hobbs, and Wilson ) halves—-Cochrane, Donnelly, and Lowry } forwards —-Bean, Childs, Evert, Evans, Hepburn, HubtoD, Garrard, and Weekes. The match played to-day between probables consisting principally of the above players) and improbables was won by the latter by 17 points to 7Dunedin, September 3. The Rugby Union Committee to-night endorsed the action of the Canterbury Union with reference to the suspension of R. Taiaroa and W. Wynyard, and suspended them from playing this ssason in the district of the Union. AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, September 4. The match between Canterbury and Auckland was played at Lancaster Park today in splendid weather—not too warm, the edge being taken off the sun’s rays by a refresiling breeze, which blew all the afternoon. Ev»ry condition favoured a fast game, the ground being in particularly good order, showers which fell during the night having left it firm yet springy to the tread. Though everything pointed to fast play, this was not realised, as the game at times grew very tedious. Canterbury gained the try which won them the match in the first spell, and that Auckland did not make _a draw was due to rather hard luok, which is referred to in the report of the play. Weeks, the Canterbury captain, won the toss, and naturally took the wind. The Auckland team all round, both forwards and backs, consisted of larger and heavier men then Canterbury, who, though giving away a fair amount of weight in the scrums, yet had the best of them. O’Connor, Elliott and Lusk did not play for Auckland, who felt their loss when the pinch oatne. At the start the play was sharp and decisive. Herrold and Braundwere the first toshow up with a piece of • clear, pretty passing, which Wilson stopped in the Canteifiury twenty five. Tho Canterbury forwards replied wish a series of sharp bursts, and Evans coming through the scrum with the leather transferred it to Lowry, who was bowled over by Masefield just as he was looking dangerous. From the scrummage that was formed Lowry, from his position at centre half, secured the ball, and throwing to Hobbs, the latter whipped it across to Surman, tlie fast man of the team. Surman showed his opponents a clean pair of heels, and had got across the line when Warbrick tackled him and threw him into touch in goal- This piece of play was so smartly carried out that not an official was in a position to see if’the ball had been grounded before Surman was thrown into touch. After an argument had been held by the umpires, captains, and referee a f,.rce~dowu was declared. Following this H obbs intercepted a pass and went up to Warbrick, and in a hot rally that ensued Wilson was handled in a manner that put him all abroad for some minutes ; indeed, it took a lot of the steel out of him,, and for theremainderof thegamethere wasan absence of his accustomed dash, it was about tnis time that Rees sent the ball out swiftly to. Masefield, who met with no opposition at all from Wilson, and very little from the Canterbury full back,' who seemed completely unnerved for the moment, and' Masefield was allowed to pursue his course down the field unchecked. When within about half a’ dozen yards' of the Canterbury line, how. eveff Hutton overtook' him and brought him down, and' a grand chance of scoring was lost through! a neglect to back up. This neglect in backing up waß the worst feature of Auckland’s play. The forwards followed up without the slightest particle of dash, and consequently lost many opportunities which might have been turned to profit. The play that followed Masefield's run was of an exciting nature for a few minutes, ana Hobbs and Surman were kept at work in stalling off the attacks of Herold, Masefield, and Jervis. Canterbury fitfully cleared their quarters, and Hepburn, -Surman, Lowry, and Donnelly were instrumental in carrying the play into, the Auckland twenty-fives. Hefferiuau broke through the Canterbury forwards, and with McKenzie and Maynard maefe the best: rush of the day. Herro.ld and Jervis joined in, and a score was prevented by Canterbury forcing down. Following the kick out, Hobbs gave Surman a pass, which, had it beon taken, must have resulted in a score, as Surman was unmarked at the time. Then Lowry got the ball to Surman, who, after running within a few yards of the line, kicked .across to (Cochrane, who had no difficulty in getting across. Garrard failed in the kick at goal.' Eor sonie considerable tune, after this, Auckland were compelled to play, a defensive game until McKenzie, Xlerroid, and Rees carried tlie play past the half-way flag. Bean and Ebert transferred it back by very clever foot work, which wa3 stopped just short of the Auckland goal. The 'second spell was a mixture of fast forward play, good passing, and tedious line work. At first Canterbury had slightly the best of it, keeping the play for some time in the Auckland quaicers. Lowry, Hobbs, Surman and Cochrane made repeated attempts to get through the. opp.osing backs, "who oweci th<? siuefcy of their lines to their splendid collaring. Almost right in of the Augklqud goal Canterbury were allowed a free kick for an Auckland forward handbag the "ball in‘ the scrummage, bqt Marshall made a' very poor attempt, with the place kick. Jervois, Herrold, Rees, Braund, and Masefield put in some splendid work, passing, running, and kicking in splendid style, but the forwards lacked life, their p'ay at times being very weak ; several showed a tendency to wind the scrummage, a game which lost them far more than it gained. Hobbs and Lowry, particularly the former, played magnificently for Canterbury. Hobbs seemed to be übiquitous, his grand play in every department bringing forth repeated

cheering from the spectators. As the end approached, Auckland infused more spirit into their play, and rnade most determined attacks on the Canterbury goal. Herrold wtis stopped just short of the Canterbury line by Surman, and immediately afterward Rees secured a pass from the line out, and it was only by the greatest of luck that Wilson prevented him from scoring. As it was, Rees managed to pass to Masefield, who stood out by the touchline all alone, without friend or foe near him. Surman’s great pace was the means of saving Canterbury, as he caught Masefield just in time to stop a score. Canterbury carried the scrummage that was formed, bur the ball going to Herrold he kicked it over the line and chased it. In falling he missed it, and in missing it lost Auckland’s chance of a draw. No-side was then called, leaving Canterbury winners by one try to nil. The play of the Canterbury team was a surprise to everyone, while disappointment was expressed over the Auckland display. Their backs were very good, but the forwards, though at times lively, on the whole were wanting in dash. The following players have been selectsd to represent Wellington agaiust the Wtfirarapa team on Saturday :—Fallback, Sim ; three-quarters. Gage, Fairbrother, and Collins ; halves, Nicholls. Moorhouse, and Roberts ; forwards, Edison, Cockroft, Moore, Coultou. Stuart, Johnson, i.eich, and Mclntyre The following are the Junior Cup fixtures for mxt Saturday ;—Union first v. Athletic second, No. 2 gioucd, Newtown Park ; Oriental first v. Rival second, at Island Bay ; Wellington second v. Epuni second, at E.uuni ground. The Poneke second having withdrawn, their match with St. Patrick’s College will not come off. the latter taking a win by default.