FOOTBALL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1750, 20 September 1905, Page 48

FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS IN ENGLAND. A GREAT~VICTORY. NINE GOALS BY WALLACE. LONDON, September 17. The New Zealand footballers played the fix’st match of their British tour against Devon County yesterday, and were victorious by 55 points to 4. The score of the visitor's was comprised as follows: Points. 12 tides ... ... ••• 36 8 goals from tries ... ... 16 1 penalty goal ... ... 3 Total 55 For Devon one goal was potted. Tries were obtained by the following:— G. W. Smith (Auckland) ... 4 W. J. Wallace (Wellington) 3 J. Hunter (Taranaki) ... 2 W. Nicholson (Auckland) ... 1 F. Glasgow (Taranaki) ... 1 J. W. Stead (Southland) ... 1 The whole of the nine goals were kicked by Wallace. Thei’e were about six thousand persons present at the match. The New Zealanders ' met with an enthusiastic reception. AUSTRALIA v. AUCKLAND. CLOSE OF THE TOUR. AUCKLAND, September 16. The match between the Australian and Auckland fifteens was played at Alexandra Park this afternoon. In view of the x'ecenb successes of the Australians at Manawatu, Wangauui, and Hawera, the greatest interest was manifested in the match, and, although the weather was. somewhat dull and threatening, about five thousand people were present. As was anticipated, the Australians gave a remarkably good account of themselves, and while Auckland succeeded in scoring five points to Australia’s nil in the first spell, the visitors turned the tables in the second spell by registering ten points to Auckland’s three. Australia thus won by ten points to eight. The ground was in first-class oi'der. THE TEAMS. Australia. —Smith, S. Wickham (captain), Smith, J. McLean, C. Russell, M Dore, F. Woods, A. Burdon, J darken, E. A. Oxlade, H. J. Judd, W. Hirstberg, T. Colton, E. O’Brien, B. T/ucafi Auckland. —Newdick, McKenzie, Magee, Wynyard, Todd, Kiernan, Fraser, Tyler, Herring, Dunning, Fi’ancis, McGuire, Ti'evarthen. Bonella,, McGuii'e. THE PLAY. In the first spell Auckland, kicking with the wind, maintained the advantage, but owing to the sound defence of the Australian backs —among whom L. Smith was particulai’ly prominent—and to the better play of the Australian forwards in securing the ball from the scrum, and thus preventing the Auckland backs from opening up, the local men were unable to gain anything material. In the second spell the visitors made use of the strong wind which was blowing, and by splendid line-kicking, kept the play confined for most of the time in the Auckland twenty-five. The visitors also passed better, and at the same time maintained the advantage in the scrums.

FIRST SPELL. _ Auckland won the toss, and played with the wind. The Australians, following up the kick-off, landed play in Auckland’s twenty-five. The local men, however, were equal to the occasion, and soon transferred the scene of operations to the visitors’ territory, where some smart passing work ensued amongst the Auckland backs. A free-kick for obstruction relieved, central play ensued, and for ten minutes the game was confined to the forwards. Then Wickham secured possession, and by a piece of smart work landed play in Auckland’s twenty-five. The Auckland forwards soon came away and carried the leather, by a pretty piece of work, right down the field. Some smart and exciting play ensued in fropt of the visitors’ goal, McKenzie, Magee, and Wynyard, who were responsible for some fine passing work, being especially conspicuous. A free kick was awarded to Auckland, and Francis attempted to place a goal, but the angle was difficult, and he failed. Auckland continued to press, and lost a score through one of the backs making a mistake. From loose play m front of the visitors’ goal, Todd potted, but, although the attempt was a good one, it was not successful, Australia being forced. The home team resumed the attack, and looked like scoring almost every moment, but through faulty passing upon the part of the backs they failed to register a score, and were forced back. A capital passing rush among the Auckland backs was then witnessed. The leather finally was sent to McKenzie, wing three-quarter, who, by a good piece of work, placed the oval over the line near the cornei. Francis converted. Auckland ... <••• ® Australia ... "

The visitors wei’e again placed upon the defensive, but not for long, as their backs, who were playing together, b. ; dint of good kicking, soon cleared their lines. The visiting forwards, following up splendidly, then placed the contest inside Auckland’s twenty-five for the first time, and it was here that Doi*e and McLean made themselves conspicuous. Picking up the leather in the loose, Dore transferred to McLean, wing-three-quarter, who had a fine opening. He succeeded in getting within a few yards of the line, when Newdick stopped his progress. McLean, however, recovered, and ci'ossed the line, bub lost possession of the ball, and only a force resulted. Shortly afterwards half-time was called. SECOND SPELL. On changing ends, the looal men assumed the aggressive, and in spite of the fact that Australia had the advantage of a strong wind, Auckland gave the visitors a particularly lively time. Fraser and Trevarthen put in some very good work. The Australian pack ultimately came away with a fine rush, as the result of which play was transferred to centre. A regrettable incident then occui'red. Amid a scramble among the forwards, Judd lost his temper, and struck one of the local men, and the referee ordered him off the field, leaving Austi'alia with only fourteen men. The Australians rallied, and by a smart piece of ‘work placed the scene of operations in front of Auckland’s goal. Russell then potted a beautiful goal. Auckland ... ... ... 5 Austi’alia ... ... ... 4 .Austi’alia continued to press, and looked dangerous on more than one occasion. From a scrum upon the line, the ball was sent to Fraser, who saved the situation by kicking down the field. McLean soon broke away, and after a short run transferred to. B. Smith, who made a good dodgy run, passing all the Auckland hacks, and scoring near the goal-posts. Williams’s attempt at goal was a poor oneAustralia ... ... ... 7 Auckland ... ... 5 Elated by tlieir success, the visitors, playing well together, again made matters warm for the local men, who finally rallied, and worked the ball by stages down the field. Exciting play in front of the Australians’ goal ensued, till Wickham, with an admirable kick, brought relief. A free-kick to Australia saw Wickham make a good though unsuccessful attempt at goal. On the Auckland men returning, B. Smith broke away with one of the finest runs of the day, and when near the line, passed to Wickham, who endeavoured to get over, but was collared close to the line. [The Australians at this stage evidently scored three points, but the particulars are not included in the telegraphed account.'] The lpcai men were then awarded a free-kick, from which Todd placed a nice goal. Australia ... ... ... 10 Auckland ... ... ••• 8 Shortly after time was called. L. Smith at full-back, £ Wickham and McLean, three-quarters, and Woods, fiveeighths, distinguished themselves for the visitors, while among the forwards the best were Oxlade, Burdon, and O’Brien. As full-back for Auckland, Newdick played a very sound game. The three-quarters also exhibited good defence, but had not much opportunity in attack. Kiernan and Todd played fairly well. Among the forwards, Trevarthen, Francis, and Bonella were most prominent, while Tyler and Fraser, upon the wings, troubled the opposing backs a good deal.

WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI. A HOME The twelfth match between Wellington and Taranaki was played on the Athletic Park on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Wellington by 6 points to nil. It was a very poor game to watch, and as this was anticipated there were only about two thousand spectators. In the second spell a good number of them were not inclined to take the match seriously. THE TEAMS. WELLINGTON. TARANAKI. G. Spencer Co-lmaa Ryan Burke Anderson Greville Dawson Bourke McDonald Hunter Ramsden Frew in Dodd Guy Wylie Rothery J. Spencer Osborne Driscoll Cooper Alexander Young Hardham Crowley Avery Ryan Warner Hanierton Gardiner Masters FIRST SPELL. Wellington lost the toss, and kicked off on aThard ground and. against a strong northerly wind. The home players flashed up—field at once, and attacked strongly. McDonald made a splendid opening, and then sent a good pass to Anderson. The ball was not caught, however, and a chance to score was lost. Taranaki dismissed trouble for a moment by a long kick from a mark, and a couple of minutes later got

out of more trouble by forcing down. The visitors settled down to work after that, and away they went to the attack. In quick succession they lost two or ' three fine chances to score by bad management of cheir passing, and Wellington cleared their line on those occasions by taking advantage of the mistakes of their opponents. Twice Wellington were able to force down because of too hard kicking by the Taranaki forwards. In a rush .near the city line Frewin had a shot at goal for Taranaki from a freekick, but he missed the posts. Some little time later he had another shot at goal from a mark, hut he missed the posts again. Throughout the spell Taranaki continued to attack, and although the line was under their very noses practically all the time they failed to cross it. The spell ended without either side scoring.

THE SECOND SPELL. With the wind behind them Wellington opened the second spell, and although the first spell had shown that Taranaki would he beaten, the city team was not anxious to win by more points than was necessary. ' They displayed laziness all through a spell marked mostly by straggling, ragged play. The redeeming feature of the match was Wellington’s first try. The hall came to Ryan at three-quarter immediately after the kick-out near the Wellington line, and away he went with the ball tucked under his arm. Anderson streaked after him, and he -was given the ball when Ryan was tackled. Then Anderson got rid of the ball, and it passed through one or two more hands. A couple of yards from the line it was thrown high, and Dodd grabbed it, and dropped over the line. It was a great piece of work —a football sensation for the Park, for it is a rare sight indeed to see a team start a passing run on their own line, and finish ir~ with a. try at th© opposite end of the field. G. Spencer failed with the kick at goal. A few minutes afterwards Wellington got another try. The bgll was sent from centre-field to Dawson at wing threequarter, and with a splendid run ho went for the line. Cleverly timing his final sprint, he threw himself across near the corner flag, amidst great applause. G. Spencer missed the posts again. Another chance to score was thrown away by McDonald when he had made his opening attempting to punt the ball to Island Bay. There was nothing woi’th recording after that, except a couple of flashing attacks from Taranaki. Mr Barry, of Christchurch, was referee, and controlled the game like a man horn to the business. Of the twelve matches played between the two provinces, Wellington has won five, and Taranaki six, while one has been drawn.

OTHER LOCAL MATCHES. In a match for the fourth-class championship on Saturday Athletic heat Oriental by 16 points to nil. The season’s championships have been won as follows: —Senior, Petone; junior, Petone; third-class, Wellington College; fourth-class. Athletic A ; fifthclass. St. James. WINS FOR TWO WELLINGTON TEAM'S. At the Athletic Park last Wednesday the Wellington Wednesday representatives met and defeated the Wairarapa Thursday representatives by 7 points to nil, and on the same convincing-ground the Old Boys of Wellington College inflicted defeat' upon the Wanganui Collegiate School Old Boys by 6 points to nil. The matches attracted a fair number of spectators, and were played on a field that was very soon in an extremely muddy state. The Welling-ton-Wairarapa match was a very ragged exhibition, the college old hoys putting up a much more interesting and faster game. Following are the details: WELLINGTON v. WAIRARAPA* In this match the teams were:—Wairarapa (blue and black): Full-back, Holms; three-quarters, Jackson, R. Smith, McGuinness: five-eighth, McMrJsn; half, O’Connor ; forwards, Cook, Hardy, C. Ross, Levick, Dawes (captain), S. Smith, A. Ross, and Kyle. Wednesday representatives (red, white and blue): Full-hack, Baskiville; threequarters, Marshall, Taylor, Lauchlin; five-eighth, Pollock (captain); half, Adams; forwards, Dwyer, Lambert, llornig, Baker, W. Adams. Symons, Ivina ey, Overton, and Sinclair.

WELLINGTON v. WANGANBI OLD BOYS. In the old "boys* match, Wanganui Collegiate School were penned in by the local team for the greater part of the first spell, hut towards the close of the fipell the visitors livened up, and Wellington College forced once. Blacklock ran in from a scrum five yards out, and scored the home fifteen's first try. After a bit of fine play the spell ended Wellington College, 3; Wanganui College, nil. The second spell opened very fast, and towards the close the visitors* weight began to tell, and they kept Wellington on the defensive. The latter broke loose with two or three passing runs, and off one of these Alexander scored. The spell ended after a well-contested game Wellington College, 6; Wanganui Collegiate School, nil. AUSTRALIANS DEFEAT A TEAM OF MAORIS. ROTORUA, September 13. A football match, Australians v. Maoris played at Pukeroa Hill this afternoon, was won by the Australians by 12 points to 8.

MANAWATU BEATS TARANAKI. PALMERSTON, September 13. Manawatu defeated Taranaki to-day by 6to 3. The game, played on dry ground, was "willing” and exciting from start to finish. The teams were evenly matched. The work of the Manawatu forwards was superior and they were in better condition, but the visitors had the best team of back®, taken all round. Burke scored a clever try for Taranaki, and Johnston crossed* twice for Manawatu. None of the tries' were converted. Rothingham (Taranaki) injured a leg, and had to retire,

BULLEIR v. WESTLAND. WESTPORT, September 16. The first annual match between representatives of Buller and Westland Rugby Unions was played at Westport to-day, and resulted in a draw. A penalty-goal w r as kicked for Buller by McNally, and a try was scored for Westland by Gillingham. Though the ground was in a very bad state, and a shower fell during the match, play was very fast from beginning to end. WAIRARAPA v. MANAWATU. M ASTERTON, September 16. Wairarapa beat Manawatu to-day at Greytown by 19 points to 9. Manawatu had a very weak team, and were outclassed in hack play, but held their own in the forwards. Wrigley, J. O’Leary, Beard, Spackman, and McKenzie scored tries for Wairarapa,. two of which Avere converted. Archie McMinn, Adams, and Johnston scored tries for Manawatu. Wrigley,. J. O’Leary, and Logan played splendidly in the Wairarapa backs- Th© others did avoll, except the full-back. Williams, Spackman, and Wickens Avere far ahead of the other Wairarapa forwards. NAPIER, September 12. The football match Poverty Bay v. the Hastings Sub-Union Avas played at Hasting® to-day, and resulted in a Avin for Hasting® by 11 points to 8. OAMARU. September 14. In the football match betAveen Otago second and North Otago the latter Avon by 13 to 7. ASSOCIATION.

_ CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINALS. Th© semi-finals for the Senior Charity Challenge Cup were played on Saturday, Avhen SAvifts defeated Rovers by three goals to nil, and Diamonds heat St. John’s bv six goals to lavo. The score of th© latter game is really no criterion of the play, as St. John’s had their share of the work all through. SAvifts had mainly the better of the play against Rovers. The corner-kick-ing of both teams AA-as very good. Swifts defeated Ramblers by three goals to nil in the semi-finals of the Junior Challenge Cup, and Diamonds A defeated its B team by sto 1. In the Henderson Memorial Cup (Third League) SAA'ifts defeated Kahvarra by three to nil, and Marist Bros. Old Boys defeated Petone Wanderers by three to one. It Avill be noted that SAvifts and Diamonds are represented in the finals for each Challenge Cup they entered for. JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP. Diamond A had most of the play against Diamond B, and won easily by five goals to one. The Avinners’ scorers were William (2), Black, Robinson, and Bone. Swifts defeated Ramblers by three goals to nil. The Ramblers played with the Avind in the first spell, but AA 7 ere unable to beat the strong defence of Grave®, Guise, and Robinson. On turning round, SAvifts maintained a strong attack, and but for Storr’s fine goalkeeping, a larger score Avould have been put up. The winners’ Scorers were Geddis, C. Lowe, and A. LoAve. HENDERSON MEMORIAL CUP. Marist Bros’. Old Boys defeated Petone by three goals to one. Swift® defeated Kaiwarra by three goals to nil. BOYS’ LEAGUE, Swift® defeated Marist Bros’. Old Boys by three goals to nil. Marist School defeated Petone by three to nil. Diamonds defeated Y.M.C.A. by seven goals to one.