FOOTBALL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1748, 6 September 1905, Page 47

FOOTBALL

AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND. AN INTERESTING GAME. VISITORS DEFEATED. DUNEDIN, September 3. The weather for the match Australia v'. New Zealand was wretched in the extreme ; in fact, it could scarcely have been worse. So discouraging was the prospect on Saturday morning that the question of postponing the match was seriously considered, but as the manager and the captain of the Australian team were anxious that the game should he played, it was decided to proceed with the fixture. • Owing to almost incessant rain since Thursday night, the Caledonian ground was unfit for play, and the match took - place at Ta-huna Park, which was in remarkably good Older. Showers fell frequently during the progress of the match, but, notwithstanding this, the contest, was witnessed by about three thousand enthusiasts. The New Zealand team proved a good deal superior to their opponents, and eventually, won by 14 points (four tries, one of which was-converted) to- 3 points (a try). Australia had the advantage or a strong wind in the first spell, but did not play up to form, their display being very disappointing. Their hacks showed marked weakness in fielding the ball, and it was frequently noticeable that they did not make a. serious attempt- to cope with the dashing rushes by the New Zealand forwards. Australia were dangerous on only two or three occasions in the first spell, the New Zealanders doing the bulk of the attacking;. At half-time, with honours even, it was practically a foregone conclusion that New Zealand would win, as they had played a much better game in the first spell, and bad the- advantage of the wind in the second half. The display given by Australia against the wind came as a. surprise to most of the spectators; who thought New Zealand would simply run over tlxeir opponents. Though New Zealand added 11 points, the game was. more evenly contested than in the first half, Australia playing a. very good defensive game. Their- forwards put in some good rushes, but they did mot- have as much control over' the ball as the New Zealanders. The forwards were fairly evenly matched as regards getting possession of the ball in the scrums, but in the loose New Zealand showed more dash and better combination: The Australian backs did not achieve much success in passing. As a ax’hole, they xvere inferior to- the New Zealanders, their chief weaknesses being

in fielding the ball, and, in the first spell, in stopping rushes. 'The game was remarkably fast throughout, and when the players made mistakes they seldom had much opport unity for recovery. Mr J. Williams controlled the game to the satisfaction of all. Most of the spectators got a good soaking, and standing on the damp ground was very disagreeable. THE TEAMS. Australia. —Penman, Wickham, M. Smith, B. Smith, McLean, Anlezark, Dore, Burden, Oxlade, darken, Judd, Richards, Hirschberg, Swannell, Lucas. New Zealand.—Tux-till, Gilray, Bennet, Macpherson, Wrigley, Smith, Burgess, Dodd, Watkins, Cross, E. Purdue, Fi'ancis, Spencer, C. Puidue, McMinn. WELLINGTON DEFEATED. MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, September 2. The football match between Canterbury and "Wellington was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon in wretched weather. Heavy rain fell last night and during the greater part of to-day, and in consequence the ground was in a shocking state, resembling a quagmire. Before play had been in progx-ess vei’y long the attendance was confined to a mere handful of spectators. Under the circumstances, the game was, to a large extent, a mud sci*amble, and was confined largely to the forwards. The greasy state of the ball made it very difficult to handle, but on occasions the Wellington backs essayed passing rushes, and they took the hall very well. Canterbury’s defence was. however, on the whole, very sound, W. Menzies, at full-back, playing an excellent game. In fact, one of the features of the match was the fine work of the two full-hacks, G. Spencer’s sound kicking proving of great service to Wellington. The victory of the home team by 6 points (a penalty goal and a try) to 3 points (a try), just about represents the difference between the teams. In the first half Canterbury had the better of the play, while- the second spell was evenly fought out, Wellington claiming a slight advantage. Among the Wellington forwards Hardham was perhaps the soundest worker, being at the head of most of the rushes, though Gillespie and Driscoll put in some useful dashes. SATURDAY’S RUGBY MATCHES. The heavy rain which set in on Sat-ui-day morning and continued throughout the day diverted all interest from the football matches set down for decision at the Athletic Pai’k. Only about fifty people witnessed the scramble between the Wellington junior repz-esen-tatives and those from Horowhenua and the club match, Palmerston thirds v. Athletic fourths. The Karori-Kia Ora game, which was to have been played at 2 p.m., was abandoned. Athletics beat Palmerston by 6 to 3; and Wellington defeated their opponents by 3 to nil. In the junior match, played on No. i ground, Wellington had the best of the game throughout, and had the ground been dry, scores would have been freqxxent. Horowhenua, however, brightened up spasmodically, giving the local men considerable trouble at times. The first spell did not produce a score; but Tobin, a Wellington forward, got over the line before the second spell had been long in progress, and registered the only score of the game. Although the try was gained close to the goal-posts, the score was not bettered, so heavy and unweildy was the ball. It would he unjust to single any individual player out for special mention. All did their best under the circumstances. Mr Hylton acted as referee. The Palmerston-Athletic match, played on No. 2 ground, was similar to the game fought out on the adjoining field. The play, throughout was of an even character, alternating from end to end. For Athletic, Tolly scored a try in the first spell, and King got over the line in the second half. Stock, of Palmerston, succeeded in crossing the line in the second spell, the game ending : Athletic, 6; Palmerston, 3. Mr G. Howe carried the whistle. AUCKLAND DEFEATED BY WANGANUI. WANGANUI, August 29. The football match Wanganui v. Auckland, played this afternoon, resulted in a victoi’y for Wanganui by four points (a goal from a mark) to nil. The game xvas splendidly contested from start to finish. Wanganui Avon the toss and played with, the sun behind them. They attacked most of the time, the forwards holding tlxeir own. and the backs tackling surely. Auckland showed supeiioxfinesse, and the tricky play of Kiernan, Todd and McKenzie almost led to scores on several occasions. Half way through the spell Anslow marked from a line-out, and Craig kicked a magnificent goal for Wanganui. Auckland immediately got to woi*k, and Kiernan made a very fine run down the. pefitre of the field, but was well tackled, by Poxviiall. Good work by Fraser and W. Tyler on the wings continually gave* Wanganui trouble, but the backs were 'retry safe and used the line effectively. At the beginning of the second spell the Aucklanders .seemed determined to score. Their forwards, headed by Fra-

ser, W. Tyler. TrevaiTlien, and J. McGuire, daslied down the field, and during the first ten minutes Wanganui had to play their utmost ,to avert a score, and had several narrow escapes, but the sure fielding and kicking of Poxvnall, Takarangi and MacDonald saved their side. In this attack Auckland apparently played themselves out, and Wanganui in txxrn attacked. Concerted play 'between Takavaugi, MacDonald and Mitchell ended in a biilliant xuin by the latter to the Auckland line. Play during the last ten minutes was desperate on both sides, and excitement was intense. Four minutes before time Wanganui was penalised on: the line, and Kiernan had an easy placekick right in front of the goal. Apparently a misunderstanding between the placer (Trevartlien) and Kiernan delayed the kick. Wanganui charged, and Kiernan was awarded a “no charge,” but he just missed the goal. During the last two minutes Auckland charged into Wanganui territoiy, but were frustrated by McGregor and Corby, the Wangamxi l wings, the game ending in neutral territory. The Wanganui '‘hookers” beat Auckland badly dor the ball, but the northern! vanguard screwed and dribbled better than the local forwards. Kiernan, Todd! and McKenzie were the best of the Auckland backs, and Fraser, W. Tyler, 'Marshall and J. McGuire were the most prominent fonvards. Mitchell, Pownall and Takaraixgi were the best Wanganui backs, and McGregor, Corby, Anderson, Thompson, Guseott and Jones the best forwards. INTER-COLLEGE MATCHES CHRISTCHURCH. August 29. The annual football match Wanganui Collegiate School and .Wellington College, played this afternoon, resulted in a win for Wanganui by 6 points (tries scored by E. Dive and Beckett) to nil. Playing with a strong breeze in the first spell, Wanganui did not show their best form, and at half time no scoi’e had been recorded. In the next spell Wanganui played a much brisker game, their forwards in particular making it too strong for Wellington. NELSON, August 30. The inter-college football match Nelson College v. Boys* High School resulted in a win for the former by 25 points to 8. • • JUNIORS v. WEDNESDAY REPRESENTATIVES. A WIN FOR THE FORMER. At Athletic Park last Wednesday the Wednesday representatives and the Saturday junior representatives played a well contested game which. resulted in a view tor*y for the latter by 12 points to nil. There wasta fair attendance of tore, and the weather condition's were excellent. The teams were as follows: Juniors (black) —Full-back, . Thomas:' three-quarters, G. Mouatt, Read and Inistone; five-eighth, W. Mouatt; half-back, Cleary; forwards, Wright, Murray, Baker, Tyrrell, Tobin, Evenson, Mcßae, Dennihey, and Brenchley. Wednesday team (black and white) —« Full-back, Taylor; three-quarters, Everson, Lauchlan, Marshall; five-eighth, Ritchie; half-back, Adams; forwards, Iviney, Kelly. Mouatt, Sullivan, Lilley, Symon, Dwyer, and Ready. OTHER MATCHES. BLENHEIM, September 2. The junior interprovmclal football match, Nelson v. Marlborough, was won by the latter by 9 to 6 (three tries to two). The Nelson tries weie scored by' Abercrombie. A junior team from the Oriental (Wellington) Club was defeated by the Waipuna (Marlborough) Club by 13 to 3. PALMERSTON, September 2. Manawatu beat the Wairarapa Thursday Union by 12 points to nil. The game was all in favour of the home team, the visitors being dangerous on x*are occasions only. Hewitt, Furrie, and Johnston scored tries for the home team, and Hewitt kicked a goal from a free-kick. G. McMinn and O’Connor were the most prominent of the Wairarapa team, and Hewitt, Furrie, Skelley, and Ongley did the best work for Manawatu. AUCKLAND, September. 2. An Auckland football representative team played a match against, the secondary schools’ team, and won by nine points to nil. WANGANUI, September 3. The Wanganui football cup contests have resulted as follows:—-Senior Cup, Old Boys; Junior and Third-class Cups, Kaierau; Thursday Shield, Melrose. ASSOCIATION, pxoriw.: CHARITY OUP. Tlje senior Charity Cup competition commenced oxi Saturday in anything but inviting weather. Though it was wet most or the morning, the postpone-, ment committee did not meet, and the matches took place. The Rovers— Queen’s Park fixture, arranged for Newtown Park, was transferred to Miramar, but neither team put in an appearance. The Y.M.C.A.-Swifts fixture was won by clxg latter by 7 goals to 1. No junior matches eventuated, but the third-class final between Marist Bros, and Swifts took place, and again resulted in a draw —2 goalseach. Some very good form was shown v in this game. THIRD-CLASS FINAL. Too replayed final fox* the Third League, between Swifts and' Marist Bits Old Boys, again resulted in a draw of two goals each. Meeeh and Sinclair scored for Swifts, and Gosling and Lowe for Mai'ist Bi'os.