RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1851, 28 August 1907, Page 39

RUGBY FOOTBALL

“ALL. GOLDS” TOUR •>g>n'-.i-f ,/rvffw. H* SECOND MATCH. AN EASY WIN FOR .THE. NEW VfZEALANDERS. ■ ’ • T //• .. -/••' ; • . V r ’ Tv" ' . . SYDNEY.,. August 21. Fine. weather prevailed for the second match, between’ the New Zealand and New South Wales professional Rugby foot bail teams to-day, and there was* an attendance 'of three thousand spectators) 1,. • ■'The following were the teams:— New South Wales—Back, Hedley; threequarters, StuntzV' Pry, Messenger, and. Deverettxf halves, CJheadle and Holloway; forGlanVillef Dobbs, Courtney, Hennessey;Mable, Pearce, Canri. and Graves. ’ New Zealand—Pull-back, Turtill; threequarters; Mae'gregbr, Todd' and Howe; ttveedghthS, Wrigley and Wynyard; halves, Gieeson ' and Tyler; forwards, Mackreir, Gallam, . = Cross,' Wright, Treyarthen, Johnson, and Lile. A strong south-westerly breeze was blowing, and the local , team were weaker than on Saturday. A good deal Of ragged play took place at the opening,!, during which the home team .got the ball from the scrum more often than their opponents ; but . they - were generally kept on the defensive. - A superb run was made by Messen-

ger, who feinted in and out. through N ' the Blacks, but his effort was finally spoiled by a forward pass. The New • Zealanders again drove the Blues back, compelling them to force. Several times the New Zealanders were within an 2 ace of scoring, but the luck was against them. Shortly before halftime they scored three tries in quick succession. Wynyard and Todd cam© away, and the latter neatly side-stepped Fry and scored. Turtill failed to register a goal. New Zealand... ... ... 3 1 New South Wales ... ... 0 The Blacks dribbled hack, and, from a scrum, the ball came through to Wrigley, who. dived around the pack and scored. Turtill again failed with the kick. ,In the next , few minutes Rowe got a try, which. Wrigley failed to convert, and the spell ended — Now Zealand... ' ... ... 9. New South Wales ... ... 0 • In the second spell the' game was fairly even for a time, and then the local men placed the Blacks on the defensive, but Todd, intercepting a pass, - got down field, and scored in the simplest fashion. Wrigley converted, making the-score 14 to nil. The local men appeared demoralised, and the —Standard of play fell. They managed < to obtain a score, which was the result of a fine piece of passing, in which Cheadle, Holloway, and Cann participated, Holloway scoring. Messenger kicked a goal. New Zealand... .... ... 14 New South Wales ... ... 5 On. resuming Dobbs, was rather badly hurt, and the local .team played a man short. From a throw-in Tyler got possession and ran in, Wrigley converting and making the score—New Zealand 19, New South Wales 5: There was no alteration when the ganie ended a few minutes later. • ■ , .

FERN 1 ,. LEAF MEN WIN THIRD ' ' MATCH. A NARROW MARGIN. Saturday’s Score. New Zealakd ... ! ..; * 5 New South Wales ... .;. 3 Result of Tour. August 17 ... ... N.Z. 12 N S.W. 8 August 21 N.Z. 19 N.S.W. 5 August 24 ... N.Z. ’5 N.S.W. 3 Totals ... ... 36 16 (Received August 24, 8.8 p.m.) SYDNEY,, August 24. The third and last football match between professional'teams of New South Wales and the Dominion of New Zealand was played this afternoon, and resulted, as did former games, in vic- • tory for the Maorilanders; though in this instance it was only by the narrow margin of a converted try to a penalty goaL The weather was fine, but the attendance fell far below those of previous Saturdays, being estimated at not more than eight thousand. ; ‘ " THE TEAMS.. t The following were the teams.:New., Zealand—pack, Turtill; three-quar-‘tfersvSmith, Eowe; and Lavery; five-eighths, AtTrigtey and - Wynyard; halves, Kelly and -Tyler; forwards, Watkins, Mackrell, Cross, Johnston, Wright, Trevarthan, and Byrne. •New Soiith Wales—Back, Hedley; three--quarters, Sturtz, Fry, Messenger, Devereux; .halves, Cheadle and Holloway; forwards, Glanville, Abercrombie, Mable, Pearce, ,Cimn.Grayes, Hammill, and Brackenrigg. ’r • >• . :

Messenger, who played such a fine game- against the amateur “All-Blacks”, during .their visit, and who recently joined the ranks of the professionals, captained the local men, and fortune favoured him in .the spin of the coin. Shortly after the New Zealand “-All- - had kicked, off, the New‘South Welshmen shifted the scene of play to their opponents’ territory, and there they penned them for a quarter of an hour. .The strain was relaxed by Wrigley, who kicked into the local twenty-five’s, and, following up smartly, was down on' his man before he 3ml.time to gather up the oval. Messenger j however, was near at hand and saved a score against his side by kicking out into dead country. On resuming play was once more in New Zealand’s ground, where for off-side play in their twenty-five’s the visitors were penalised by 'having a free kick given against them, and Messenger successfully piloted the ball over the bar, drawing .first blood. ,

New South Wales ... : ... 3 New Zealand;.. ... ... 0 .As the ball was sent into play the Blacks swooped into their’ opponents’ twenty-fives, and the Blues had all their work cut out to. prevent them from scoring. Johnston made a desperate effort to : get. over, and. looked like scoring, but "Hedley—the local fullback, who was putting in some excellent defensive work—collared him right on the line. Hedley gained possession and sent the hall- into the centre of the field, wjiero play hovered for a time. Then Smith made an effort to break through the opposing men, but was unsuccessful, and the Blues, who were if anything more than holding their own, gradually pushed the New Zealanders back.

Kelly showed some slowness in securing the ball from the scrum, and the Blues smothered the New Zealanders before the backs got to work. Both sets of forwards were playing a hard game, but the visitors, with a dribbling rush after a long interval of_ play in the neutral zone, broke through and got into the Welshmen’s twenty-five’s, where the superb defence of Hedley onoa more saved the position. The local men were making use of the line to greater advantage than their opponents, but Turtill, the visiting goalkeeper, prevented any one from invading his ground. Half-time sounded with ~ three points up for the home team and nothing for the New Zealanders. The “All-Golds” started the second spell by at once placing New South Wales on the defensive, and there they kept them for some time j but the visiting backs were unable to get going, though 1 time and again they charged desperately. Often when the New Zealanders had what appeared like a chance to score it was spoiled by erratic passing. This gave the Blues a chance to move forward, and, charging down, they kept the visitors hard pressed and battling to save a further score against them. From a free-kick - Wrigley sent the ball down field, and Messenger failing to take it gave Johnston—who had followed up Wrigley’s kick—the opportunity to snap up the leather and cross the line. Turtill was entrusted with the kick, and, placing a goal, made the Score read— New Zealand;.'. ... ... 5 •-New South Wales ... ... 3 Open play, mostly in the centre of the field, followed until Turtill kicked back to Granville, who worked the game, into the visitors’ quarters, and securing a mark Messenger had a futile shot at goal. A few minutes later the game ended;

. . HOME FIXTURES LIST WILL INCLUDE ENGLAND AND WALES. ' . SYDNEY, August 22. The New Zealand professional team has been advised by cable that it 3 headquarters in England have been fixed at the Grand Central Hotel, Leeds. The following are the fixtures for representative matches:— December 18th —v. Yorkshire, v January Ist—v. Wales. January 8th —v. Cumberland. . January 11th—v. Eingland. . January 18th—v. Lancashire. January 25th—v. Northern Union. SA RECRUIT. : , - SYDNEY, August 24. Messenger, a prominent, three-quar-ter back, has joined and plays with the New Zealand professional team throughout the English tour, ’ u'l >:l » . . -'.-vr. >'! ?■ vc' - . ■ ' v Uviui ft a l

V- •> INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH. " AUCKLAND' DEFEATED BY ’V7 TARANAKI., new Plymouth; Augaisi, 22. The interprovincial 'Rug’by . match— Auckland v. Taranaki —was played ;in Western Park to-day in the presence of several thousand- spectators. The weather was dull, rain falling during. Him second spell, making the ball difficult to handle. The game Ovds •a. hard fought and exciting one, but except for occasional flashes aid not. reach a very high standard. The two' outstanding features of the game were the fine attacking work of the Auckland forwards and the magnificent kicking of Ilardgraves, tlie Taranaki full-back, whose kicks at times were sensational, and invariably found the line. The handling of the ball by the Taranaki backs and their kicking were also better than the visitors, whose strength lay in their .welltrained forwards. Taranaki had all .rue better of the first spell, during which Cameron scored a brilliant try. In the second half the • Auckland forwards improved greatly, and time after time beat their opposing vanguard, but the defence of tbe Taranaki backs was generally, solid until Murray and McCormack badly beat them, the latter scoring. Both teams had; further chances to score, but the tackling was too sure, Taranalo winning by five points to three.

THE TEAMS

Auckland (blue and white) —Full-back Miller, three-quarters Dillamorfe, Tviliame, Murray; five-eighths, Magee and Hall; half, Fan-ant; wing-forward, McDonald; forwards, Maguire (2), Heron, Kinder, Francis, Hayward, William®. ; ' Taranaki (amber and black) —Fullback, Hardgreaves; three-quarters, Bourke, Cameron, Sheehan; five-eighths, Hunter and Mynott; half, Coleman; Wing-forward, Sheehan; forwards, Thomas, Roth ary, Smith, Crowley, Prouse, Whittington, KivelL THE PLAY. Taranaki kicked off and play returned to mid-field. From a loose rush Taranaki secured, and set up a passing rush, Bourke going out in Auckland territory! Hayward broke away from the line-out. The Auckland forwards backed up in solid phalanx, but over-ran the ball. Mynott centreing and following up secured from Coleman, and found the line at the twenty-five flag. Mynott again secured, but kicked too hard, and Auckland forced. After the kick-out the blue forwards broke away, and Sheehan made a mis-kick, Hardgreaves coming to the rescue. Sheehan and Hunter secured, a,nd carried play past half-way, where Auckland penalised, and . Hardgraves kicked out near the visitors’ line. Francis and C. Maguire broke away, but Whittington marked, ’ and Hardgreaves sent the ball . back. Coleman secured from a scrum, and set up a passing rush, which gained little ground. Coleman and C. Maguire came into collision and the latter retired, McCormack filling the breach. Taranaki were penalised, but Francis’s kick gained no ground. ' Mynott secured and kicked to Miller, who missed. A good opportunity to score, was lost by the local forwards, over-running the ball. Headed by Kinder, Francis and Hayward, the Auckland forwards transferred the scene of play, but Hardgraves twice in succession sent them right back. Uninteresting line play was followed by a displav of kicking amongst the backs, the ball going out at midfield. Twiname marked, and Francis’s shot, was charged down. Coleman penalised Taranaki, and the Auckland forwards 1 set up a strong attack afront the local goal, where Hunter, Sheehan and Bourke were kept hard at work defending. Play then settled down near the Auckland line for a, time. Then Twiame and Hall cleared to mid-field. A pass across the field was missed by Bourke, but Cameron secured inside Taranaki territory, and beating all attempts to collar him ran right through in the company of Mynott and scored a brilliant try. Hardgreaves landed a fine goal. Taranaki 5, Auckland nil.

The local forwards now opened the game up, and the Aucklanders, playing somewhat raggedly, play settled near the visitors'* line for a time, but gradually the line play of the Aucklanders worked the ball back to the centre. Hunter and Coleman took play back, and Hardgreaves found the line in the blues* twenty-five as half-time sounded. In the second spell Auckland played nine forwards, Hall going up as extra wing-forward. The visitors opened with a fast dribbling rush, from which the locals obtained relief by a penalty. Francis secured, and returned to the corner flag, where a series of scrums ensued. Ilayward once scrambled over, but was called back. Rain was now falling. The fine line-kicking of the Taranaki backs nullified the Aucklanders* work. Twiname started a rush, but Sheehan cut in and carried the ball near the Auckland line. Dillamore returned, and Hardgreaves marked, his shot at goal going wide. The blue forwards broke away, and were only stopped in time by Cameron, who kicked to Hall; the latter being tackled, but sent the ball to Murray, who, after a fine run, passed to McCormack, the latter scoring a fine try. Magee failed with the kick. Taranaki 5, Auckland 3. The Aucklanders continued to rely on their forwards, and lacked ability amongst their backs to drive the advantages home, while the Taranaki backs several times turned hard defence into attack. From one of these rushes Cameron cut in and raced for ■ the line, being well collared by Millar after covering half the length of the field. . Fine kicking by the local backs confined play for a .time in the Auckland twenty-five, the latter eventually forcing.... Play in neutral ground followed, until Hall put in a fine run, which the blue forwards took up and hotly attacked the local line. The .pressure was maintained for about five minutes, and only desperatetackling kept the visitors out. T. Sliee ban cleared, but the Aucklanders rfe

turned, and Taranaki found welcoiro relief in a free kick. Again and again the blue forwards b6re' r dtP/li, but llarc!greave&’s kicks sent them back, and tho hard work Dvah beginning to tell. Even play followed, until Hayward, Williams' and Kinder headed .the most likely rush of the dav, Gdineron-Hliving in and -.saw ing in the nick of time. Hayward andFrancis broke faway and headed anotherattack,’ Mynott and Cameron removing, the danger temporarily, A -loose rush ' took play to the local - line,. a touch ini goal bringing; relief, This was Auck-.i land’s last chance, the .local backs -froniq now on taking charge. Mynott. took; play to the centre, where Cameron, cut; fli : and raced lor - the line, passing, to. Mynott. Tlie latter had outpaced his>; wingman, and had no one to pass ..to when Collared right under the goal posts. Keeping up the attack, the Tara-.' naki forwards rushed the ball across,Millar forcing in time. From the kick-; cut Hardgreaves took tlie ball in his t/.vn twenty-five, • and took a drop-kick from the half-way line, the ball- striking the crossbar and falling under. The. visiting forwards were tiling, and two further, rushes, lacked the sting, of the. - earlier stages. Play was in neutral • ground when the time bell rang, : Of the winners, an even pack lacked weight,- and were beaten in the scrums. ■Tlie backs consequently had to find their,' own. openings. Amongst the backs, Hunter, did net play up to form, but the others ‘ scarcely made a mistake. TheAuckland backs, the most prominent of' whom were Twiname and Magee, were .'iiequal to the home backs, but the forwards Were a splendid lot; Kinder," Francis, Hayward, McDonald ' and (Hall 1 were always prominent. Mr Manning (Palmerston North) was referee. Both teams leave on their southern tour to-morrow.

OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND. ! A ONE-SIDED GAME. INVERCARGILL, August 21. The tliirty-foiu tli interprovincial football match Otago v. Southland, • played here this afternoon, resulted in ait overwhelming victory for Southland by 20 to 5 : . The large percentage, of country players in the Otago team was the subject of considerable comment, but thesemen by. no means fulfilled the anticipations of the Otago -selectors. - Li the first spell, Otago, with the advantage of the sun and a slight breeze, were fiept defending, with the exception of a single dash, when Dwyer, after a fine run, was tackled on the Southland line, a force resulting. After., that, Otago, losing the ball every time in. the scrums, were never past the halfway, and Southland scored one try and potted a goal. In the second spell the Otago forwards showed to slightly better advantage, but were obviously a beaten pack. 'llie Southland backs improved, very much in combination, as a result of which two more tries Avere added and converted. The second of these goals was a particularly fine effort by J. McN ee, AA r ho, a slioi’t time later, completed Southland’s score by placing a' fine penalty goal. From a 10-ose forward rush, Bonis sent the ball out to Eckliold, avlio made a fine opening, and passed to Chambers, and he to Tansey, the last-named scoring. Eckliold converted. The Otago half got the ball only twice from a scrum during tlie xvliole match. WAIRARAPA v. HAWKE’S BAY. MASTERTON, August 20. The Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay representative teams met on the Carterton slum-grounds this afternoon. Wairarapa placed a very iveak team in the field, and the Haxvke’s Bay team Av r as not fully representative. The ground xvas very heavy, and the ball Avgs greasy and exceedingly difficult to handle. The game Avas principally a for Avar d one. Wairarapa Avere considerably'superior in this department. The visitors’ backs handled the ball A\ r ell, and were safer than Hie Wairarapa rear-guard. For some time after the kick-off play Avas of mi even nature.

Hawke's Bay attacked, but. Thompson snapped up the ball, and kicked into Lewis’s arms. The latter attempted to pot a goal, but the ball went wide. Hawke’s Bay continued the attack, and Payne made a short run, and kicked over the full-back. Tomlin attempted to gather up the ball when over the line, but knocked oil. From the scrum the Wairarapa forwards cleared their line. Then Payne snapped up the ball, and passed to Hetakaini, who beat his -man and passed to Lewis, who ran round behind the posts and touched down. Lewis'failed to convert. The ball was not long in play before Caulton crossed the line, from a forward rush, and converted the try himself. The next noticeable piece of play was a fine run and kick by Henderson. A Hawke's Bay player took the ball, and Henderson collared him, and a penalty was awarded against Haivke's Bay for holding the ball. E. McKenzie kicked a good goal. Wairarapa were forced twice in succession before half-time. • • ' In the second half, Wairarapa had much. the best of the play, their forwards outclassing the visitors. Wairarapa set up a sustained attack, and Hawke’s Bay were forced. Wairarapa returned to the attack, and McCarthy got the visitors out of a ' tight corner. Hawke’s Bay rallied, and carried play past the half-way flag. They were again forced back, however,' and had. to touch down to gain relief. Hawke’s Bay were placed on the defence again. Hetakaini punted high, and the . ball went bach over his line, where Wynes secured it and scored. E. McKenzie failed to convert. The remainder of the game was a series' of attacks by Wairarapa and forces by Hawke’s Bay; the latter, only once getting into the home team’s territory. The .defence of the .visitors,- however, was sound,' and no. f urther ". score was registered. - Just on the call, of time Wairarapa were awarded a penalty,' hut E. McKenzie failed to-place a goal, tire angle being very difficult. -Thp game thus ended in a win for Hawke-Vißay by 8 points to fi-.t.,;' ; .*»,;/:.'. *> V

VICTORIES FOR WELLINGTON. AUCKLAND AND HOROWHENUA DEFEATED. On Saturday afternoon, under a bright sky and in a fair, northerly breeze, the Rugby representatives of Auckland and Wellington fought out their eighteenth contest, and victory went to Wellington. Auckland have now won nme matches and Wellington eight, one being drawn. The ground was wet and greasy, the ball Boon -attaining a similar condition. The Northerners had a strong forward combination and weak backs, while Wellington had a very fair set of forwards and a very strong back division, the latter including four internationals. The game was witnessed by Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and several members of Parliament. Altogether the attendance totalled about eight thousand. Prior to the . Aucldand-Wellington match, the local junior representatives easily vanquished the Horowhenua junior representatives. WELLINGTON (11) v. AUCKLAND (3). THE TEAMS. Auckland (blue and white)—Full-back, Miller; three-quarters, Dillamore. Twinauie, and Murray; five-eighth, Magee (captain); half, Farrant; wing-forwards. McDonald and Hall; forwards, Hayward, Williams. Francis, Maguire, Kinder, Herring, and Smith. Wellington (black)—Full-back, G. Spencer; three-quarters/ J. Ryan, Mitchinson,, and Anderson; five-eighths, Cleary and Wallace; half, Roberts (captain); wing-forward, King; forwards, J. Spencer, Calcinai, A. Wilson, Rush, Alexander, Jordan, and Ready. THE PLAY.

Roberts won the toss, and in, the first spell Wellington defended the northern goal, with the breeze behind them. From the kick-off Hayward led the visitors’ to the local twenty-five, but Anderson sent them back to half-way. A free kick to Wellington was taken by Roberts, who kicked the ball across the field, a passing rush by the black rearguard pressing Auckland back to their goalline. The blue forwards broke away from a scrum and relieved. A fine run and kick by G. Spencer again put the visitors on the defensive. From a scrum in.. Auckland’s twenty-five the ball shot out to Roberts, on to'Cleary, and to Anderson, who was pushed into touch by Miller near the corner flag. A few moments later Roberts, Cleary, and Wallace took part in another passing rush. Wallace sent too long a pass to Ryan, who failed to reach the leather, and the Auckland forwards, swooping down on it, dribbled to half-way. A series of serums and line-outs followed, and then Wallace, with a good touch-line kick, sent the blues back .to their twentyfive.

From the line-out Auckland succeeded in getting a few yards past half-way, but Roberts returned play to the blues twenty-five, with a fine kick into touch. Calcinai made a bid for fame by means of a pot at goal, but the ball went just under the bar, and Auckland forced down. Two minutes later Twmame slipped in trying to field a kick by Roberts, and Auckland had to force again to prevent a score. From- the dropout Cie visitors made another foray into Wellington’s territory, but were repulsed. Then came one of the best pieces of work in the match. In a line-out, ten yards on Auckland’s side of half-way, King sent the ball to Wilson, who sent a fine pass to Cleary, from whom the ball travelled to Wallace, thence to Mitchinson, on to Ryan, and back to Mitchinson, who, scored near the comer. Wallace’s kick at goal sent the ball under the bar. Wellington 3 Auckland 0 Just after the drop-out another passing rush by the local backs put the blues back on their goal-line, but the tackling of the Northerners was very effective, and soon their forwards shifted the play to the half-way line. Here there was a respite of several minutes to enable an Aucklander and two Wellingtonians- to don new articles of attire. Auckland got into Wellington’s twentylive, but King broke away, and away the ball went to the other end of the field. Back came the blues, dangerously close to the blacks’ line. Suddenly the tide of battle ebbed. G. Spencer kicked up-field, and Miller missed the ball, which was secured by Rush, who centred to Mitchm- <’ eon. The last-named kicked too hard, ' and Auckland forced down. For some Rminutes the play continued in Auckland’s quarters, and then Herring led .ri the visitors to the blacks’ twenty-five, v G.. Spencer misfielded the ball, which was picked up by Mitchinson, who was pushed back over the line and forced-down. With a scrum five yards from the home line, and the Auckland forwards working like Trojans, it was an anxious : . moment for Wellington. The black hookers, however*,, got the ball, and it dame out via Roberts, to Wallace, who found - the touch-line between quarter ■ and half-way. A penalty kick to the blues enabled them to return to the attack. but Cleary led a rush to Auckside of half-way. Miller was grassed before lie had time to part with . the ball, iand from tile resulting scrum King and Cleary dribbled to Auckland’s line, butJflie -latter player was pushed over the corner flag. Half-time came •r with the play, still in', Auckland’s; twentyfive. ...” ; " :}■ . Just after the start of the second spell 'a free-kick to Auckland carried play to the local twenty-five line. Here Roberts . ' got away, and centred to Anderson, who raced up-field, and, on reaching Miller, passed to Mitchinson, r but the latter - . Just missed the ball, and with it an almost certain score. The Northerners ' made- another attack on . Wellington’s ./.citadel, but Kivg/vrd Wilson.;raised -the siege, nrJ blue's on the defensive. !j . b: put the backs in ‘ . motion, - '. to;. - u.jaent failed through .Ryan la' ' •: ' .. far in front of the ! ball,*to ' b pass, from Mitchinson. Soon - afi; :* v-b " Roberts started an .1' ''other 'part‘V attacking movement, this time ftucc:.-'fa!. The tricky half-back bbtoot- thefball .from'-at;scrum ..on Auck- ... 1 and’fj' > tvorfy-fivo line, feinted to the - open ysidc, thmi doubled back to the b\-‘ and passed tp Cleary. Cleary 'y’V •••••' V';- " '■ ...... •;V' . ' , : -••>•••••• • :vv. r ' '*;v' •• • ■.

made an opening, and transferred to Anderson, who scored after a fine, elusive dash. G. Spencer kicked a good goal, against the wind. Wellington 8 Auckland ... 0

From the kick-off the Auckland vanguard charged down to the blacks’ twenty-five, but Cleary broke away with the leather at his feet, and Wallace and he dribbled nearly to the blues’ quarter. An interchange of kicks left the ball in touch inside Wellington’s twenty-five. Here a free-kick to the blues was taken by Hall, who made a good though unsuccessful attempt to drop-kick a goal, but an Auckland forward was in front of the leather when it was kicked, and the ball was brought back. Farrant and Francis were instrumental in keeping the blacks on the defensive for a while. Wallace secured from a line-out, and kicked up-field, fumbling by the Northern backs letting the blacks into their territory. A passing rush by Cleary, Wallace, and Mitchinson almost succeeded, the last-named being grassed by Miller just on the line. If Mitchinson, instead of trying to get in himself, had passed to Ryan, who was in close attendance and unmarked, a score must have resulted. Hall broke away, and sent the play back to the twenty-five line, but his effort was of no avail. The local hookers shot the ball out from a scrum to Roberts. The leather went on to Wallace, to Mitchinson, and to Anderson, who scored again in fine style. G. Spencer made a good, attempt to convert, but failed. Wellington 11 r Auckland 0 Play hung on the Auckland side of halfway for a time. A passing rush, in which Cleary, Wallace, and Mitchinson took part, failed through the latter sending a bad pass to Anderson. Hall and Francis again set the blacks defending. The blue forwards gradually pressed their opponents back to the goal-line, Hayward almost scoring from a lineout a yard from Wellington’s line, the local men forcing down. A hot attack was maintained by the visitors, but Anderson relieved, and Rush, with several black forwards in attendance, dribbled past half-way. Hall and Francis led the blues back to the attack, and soon a line-out close to Wellington’s citadel resulted in Francis scoring. Hall failed to convert. Wellington 11 Auckland 3 As soon as the ball was dropped out, Hayward led another rush that forced the blacks. Wellington retaliated, and King, Rush, and Jordan raced for the Auckland line with the ball at their feet, but Miller was a trifle too fast for them, and just managed to force down. The short remainder of the spell was occupied by rushes by both sides, Wellington having slightly the better of the play, and time being called with the ball on Auckland’s side of half-way. Mr J. Williams, of Dunedin, refereed well. THE JUNIOR MATCH, WELLINGTON (28) v. HOROWHENUA (mi). The junior representative contest, Wellington v. Horowhenua, was a onesided affair, and after the first twenty minutes was treated more in the nature of a joke by the majority of the spectators. Wellington were superior in every department of the game. The home team worked a good deal in harmony, but the visitors were content to rely' on individual action. Judging by their exhibition, they have a very limited knowledge of the fine points. Horowhenua were lucky that the going was so treacherous, otherwise the score recorded against them would probably have assumed larger dimensions. Within a couple of minutes of the commencing, the Wellington backs got moving, and a good passing rush ended in Wilton getting over. The try was not converted. The visitors were placed on the defensive for some time on resuming, and then a fine piece of work on tlie part of resulted in another score. He obtained possession of the sphere in Horowhenua’s twenty-five, centred it after a brief run, and outstripping his opponents, touched down near the uprights. Smyrlce was entrusted with the kick, and placed a capital goal. Wellington again became aggressive, but were repulsed, and after an interchange of long kicks, Smyrlce obtained possession, and passed out to Cairns, who missed the ball.. A Horowhenua back was making a dash for it when he was tripped by Fogden, and the visitors were awarded a free kick. They had a shot at goal, without success. Play hung on the VVellington side of the halfway line for a short space of time, and then the blacks organised another aggressive movement and hemmed their opponents down. A passing rush amongst the home team’s backs enabled Cairns to take the ball near the chalk-line, where he transferred to Wilton, the latter just succeeding in touching down. The try was not- enhanced. On resuming, from a scrum between the visitors half and quarter, lines, Wellington obtained possession, and another capital passing rush amongst the rearguard changed the venue to close proximity to Horowhenua’s citadel. Cairns threw the leather out to a back, who, in turn, sent it further across the field instead of falling down, with the result that advantage _ gained was lost. The visitors eventually succeeded in disposing of the persistent attentions of Wellington, and with a forward dribbling rush invaded the blacks’ twenty-five. Their stay was of brief duration, and they were soon again busily defending, and in a few moments two Wellington forwards fell over the line together and scored. Fogden was entrusted with the kick, but failed. , Horowhenua were kept on the defensive until half-time sounded.

lli the second half the opposition offered by the visitors fell off considerably, and on only about two occasions did they seriously threaten the home team’s line. Wellington opened with a back passing rush, but faulty handling of the ball nullified its final effect. Soon after, however, Cairns made a capital opening

from a scrum in Horowhenua’s quarter, and a rapid rush enabled Fogden to score. Gosling’s kick was a feeble one. The next try was credited to Barltrop, who, after three or four men had endeavoured to get the ball after it had been kicked over the line, fell on it between the posts. It was not converted. Wellington then commenced to drive home their advantage, Fogden again getting over, while another try was notched in the closing stage, which was converted by Smyrke, the game ending as above stated.

CANTERBURY v. OTAGO

WIN FOR THE FORMER, DUNEDIN, August 24. The match Canterbury v. Otago was played here to-day, resulting in an. easy win f-or the former by 14 points to mi. The game was played under the most wretched weather conditions. Rain had fallen practically without cessation since Friday morning, and continued throughout the game, accompanied by a fairly strong wind. Tlie Caledonian ground, on which the game was to have taken place, was in such bad order that the match was played at Tahuna Park. A general impression preytailed that the home team would have a fairly easy win, but by the end of the first half the visitors had such a commanding lead that the issue was placed practically beyond doubt, and Otago did nothing in the second half to warrant the hope that they would get even within reasonable distance of their opponents’ total. On the day’s play Canterbury simply outclassed Otago in every department except the loose, where the home forwards appeared to advantage at times. The visitors secured the ball in almost every scrum, and to this part their success is chiefly due. The Canterbury backs thus got more opportunities, and in most oases they made good use of them, running, fielding, passing, and heeling with good judgment. Another factor that assisted the' winners very much was the weak tackling by the home team. This defect was quickly realised by Canterbury, whose backs, in consequence, took plenty of liberties, frequently getting away after being tackled. The Canterbury forwards beat Otago on the line out. The Otago backs suffered from lack of opportunity to attack, but their defence was weak and' their passing erratic. The visitors as a whole were faster than the home team, and showed much better combination. The winners did all their scoring in the first spell. Tries were obtained by Deane (2), Howison and McPhail. One try was converted by Fuller. WANGANUI DEFEATED BY TARANAKI.

WANGANUI, August 25. The football match Taranaki v. Wanganui was played on Saturday afternoon in the presence of about three thousand spectators. The game throughout was of a very interesting nature, principally confined to the forward division, in which the teams proved fairly equal both in scrum and loose work. If anything the local team had slightly the better of it. The back play was disappointing, but can easily be explained, the backs hardly ever gaining possession. The score was Tananaki 5, Wanganui 3. The visitors’ score was very clever, Hunter going through from a scrum on Wanganui’s line and Coleman succeeding in adding the major points. In .the second spell Wanganui obtained a mark from which Southcombe kicked a beautiful goal. Exciting play ensued to the finish, both teams at times pressing.

MARLBOROUGH v. NELSON. NELSON, August 24. The interprovincial match Marlborough v. Nelson was played here today. The weather conditions were pei*fect. The game resulted in a win for Marlborough by 19 points to 8. The visitors put up all their points in the first spell, outclassing the local team in all departments.