FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2296, 30 August 1894, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE COLLEGE TOURNAMENT.

WELLINGTON COLLEGE v. WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL.

It is doubtful whether a finer game of football has ever been seen in Weilington than that which took place at Putono yesterday afternoon between the Wellington College and the Wanganui Collegiate School teams. The latter team came with a reputation aa an exceptionally good team, and they undoubtedly are, but the local boys completely mastered them by their scientific play. The first rule now in the science of football is “ get poassesnienand the collegians have really made an art of it. There is no team in Wellington that works the scrums as these sturdy little Blacks do, and therein is the true secret of their success. They won yesterday from the formation of the first scrum. The hall came out smartly and clearly to Peyton, who sent it on to the brilliant little McAra, who in turn handed it - to McKenzie, and SP on. 'Pro match all through was tetylly 0 H>petition of this'kind of play. The combination of the team was simply perfect, and better. - passing has never been seen on the ground. If a little Black was collared there was a comrade or two handy waiting to receive tho bah'. The passing was smart and sure, and the ball was scarcely over thrown forward. It must not be understood, however, that the Wanganui boys did not play well. Par from it. They kicked, collared and ran splendidly, all their three-quarters being fast and sturdy, and gave a taste of their quality by running up 11 points in the second spell in about eight minutes, but they were not clever enough to got the ball in the scrum, and as a consequence the best part of their time was taken up with collaring their opponents. Tho play was simply a revelation to some of tho spectators, many of whom, although they did not care the proverbial button who won, wore simply carried away by excitement and enthusiasm at the brilliance of tho play. The success of the Wellington team is in a great measure due to the excellent coaching they have received during tho past few weeks from Mr T. R. Ellison, than whom there is no better master of tho art of playing scientific football in tho Colony. Tho match was played under favourable conditions. Tho ground was in good order, and tho weather fine. Thoro was a capital attendance, a largo number of the spectators being ladles. Tho match was played in tho very best of spirits. Indeed, it is a feature of those contests that tho feeling between the players dpes not go hoyond that of keen rivalry. These little men struggle all they know for victory, and always with good temper. This sort of thing is, indeed, 1 refreshing for the spectators, who sometimes see the stars of the football world mix up a little pugilism, or something approaching it, with their skill.

The play in the first spell was in favour of the Blacks, and they scored 11 points. McKenzie was the first to score after a Beautiful piece of passing. Tripe missed the kick at goal. McAra was the next to score, the little follow slipping through his opponents in a remarkable manner. McKenzie took the kick, the ball striking the posts, and falling back into the field of play. McKenzie scored again before the spell ended, the try, as in the other cases, being the result of pretty passing. This time McKenzie made no mistake, sending the ball between the posts, and the spell ended: Wellington, 11; Wanganui, nil. Early in the second spoil Cooper, who was playing splendidly, intercepted a pass, and made for the line. There was no one in front of him, but the Wellington fullback, Wallace, who is small but good, and who, amidst a roar of excitement, brought down the Wanganui crack. In the next ton minutes the Blacks made a succession of fast passing rushes, but the defence of the Whites was too good. At last fhe Blacks penned the Wanganuis in the corner near the shod, and Hales and Peyton got over. Hales had picked up a dead ball, but Peyton’s was a fait try. However, neither was allowed. A minute later and McAra gave McKenzie a clean pass, and <the latter sent the ball over the bar. Wellington 15, Wanganui 0. A change now came o’er the scene. The Whites, who had stuck pluokily to their task, were rewarded by Cooper scoring a lino try, after some capital passing between Eoberts and Marshall. The latter failed to convert the try. Two minutes later the

l Wanganui trio repeated this highly sue ecssful performance, amidst the frantii yells of their supporters. Coojier made ; ’ fine kick at goal. Tho play had scarcoli ■ been resumed when Cooper, with a dash broke clean through the Blacks, full-bad and all, but Gray collared him from behind Wanganui’s blood, however, was up, anc they played as if they meant to do or die The excitement was very great, especially when Hewat snatched up the ball in front of the Wellington line, and scored under the posts. This try should not have been allowed, as the ball was dead. Tho referee admits this, but says the Wellington captain only appealed for “ offside,” v/bicb appeal he disallowed. The College captain, for safety, should follow the example of the skipper who put the following conundrum to a referee : —“ I appeal for throw forward, off-side, dead ball, and anything I can get.” Marshall converted tho try, making tho scores— Wellington, 15 ; Wanganui.il. From this out tho game was entirely in favour of the Blacks, and by their brilliant passing they added 15 points to their score. Tripe scored in the corner, and Gray scored two tries. Tripe converting the second one, and McKenzie potted a goal. Mr Facho was the referee, and Messrs Woon (Wanganui) and Reid (Wellington) were tiie line umpires. The second match of the tournament will he played to-morrow, when the Wellington College and Christ’s College teams meet. NORTH ISLAND v. NEW SOUTH WALES. VICTORY FOR THE NORTH ISLAND. By Telegraph.—Frees Association. Auckland, August 29. The New South Wales footballers met the North Island team this afternoon. Fine weather prevailed, and tho match was witnessed by 8000 persons. The game throughout was very rough and stubbornly contested. Soon after the commencement of play Dibbs, one of tho visitors’ best backs, collided heavily with Roberts, and received a severe shaking, the play being stopped for several minutes. He was carried off the field, and his place filled by Riley. In tho last tew minutes of. the game Roberts had his shoulder put out. Several other players also received slight injuries. J. Arneil was referee, and Messrs Sefton and McKenzie lino umpires. A. Bayly was captain of the North Island team, and S. Surman acted in that capacity for the visitors. The North Island won tho toss, and elected to kick with the wind, which was fairly strong. Carson sot the ball rolling for the visitors. Gage returned strong to Cobb, who kicked back to Gage, the latter marking at midfield. From tho scrum Gage potted at goal without result, the visitors being forced. Edwards kicked out, and after an exchange of kicks by tho backs tho play at once settled in tho visitors’ twenty-five. Bayly distinguished himself by some clever play, but Dibbs more than equalised matters by clover kicks. The North Islanders continued to press their opponents ; Galloway and Surman defending right well. Give and take play at the centre followed, until Watson made a clover kick into touch. From the throw in the play became fast and furious, tho Blue and W hites again compelling thoir opponents to defend their lines. A minute later Dibbs collided with one of the home backs, and. got laid out. The play was stopped for several minutes, and the injured player attended to by Drs Erson and Burchas. Dibbs was canned off the field, and after being a little time inside was well enough to come out and watch the game. Riley took his place at threequarters. Upon resuming. Gage marked, and Murphy had a try at goal, the ball going across the field. The visitors were awarded a free kick, and Parish sent the ball into touch. From the throw-in, Roberts, Wynyard and Gage got away with a fine piece of passing, and carried the oval well into the visitors’ twenty-five. Tho Blues made a strong rally, and mainly through the exertions of Lane, Alcook and Galloway the play was taken back to midfield. A minute later Gage took tho ball from one of the forwards, and after making a strong run, passed to Wynyard, who sent it on to Bayly, and the latter succeeded in getting in near the corner. Murphy took the kick, and made a splendid, though unsuccessful, attempt at goal North Island, 3; New South Wales, 0. Tho visitors, upon resuming, were playing a much better game than they did ih the opening match, Alcock, Lane, Surman and Carson being specially prominent. From the next scrum the home team were awarded a free kick for off-side play. Murphy kicked a magnificent goal. North Island,'6; New South Wales, 0. A few minutes later, for off-side play, tho visitors were again penalised, and Murphy kicked a grand goal from ten yards past midfield, amidst tremendous applause. North Island, 9 ; New South Wales, 0. Halftime was called soon after.

With the advantage of the wind it was the general opinion that the visitors would make a much better stand in the second .spell. Murphy opened for the North Island, and Riley marked. He kicked to Wynyard who kicked into touch. From tho throw-in Lohan made a strong dribble into the home team’s territory, and this was immediately followed by Aloock coming through. The visitors were playing a most determined game and more than holding their own. Several scrums followed, and the play was again stopped, owing to Galloway receiving a hard knock on the ankle. Upon resuming, Surman made a slashing run, being collared by Roberts. The visitors continued their attacks, and from a scrftm near the line P. Lane got across and scored first blood for New South Wales. Cobb essayed the kick at goal without success. North Island, 9 ; Now South Wales, 3. Encouraged by their success, the Welshmen returned with great energy to the attack, and kept the ball in the North Island twenty-five. The backs were playing a splendid game, their passing being excellent. Tho visitors continued to keep up a determined attack on their opponents’ Jine, and nearly scored on several occasions. The home team, by consistent hard work, carried the oval to midfield, where several scrums took place, Gage securing possession in the twenty -#ve, passed to Wynyard, and he to Roberts, who scored at the comer. Murphy failed to Convert the try. North Island, 12) New South Wales, 3. Immediately after resuming, Gage got away from the centre and ran to the New South Wales twentyfive, whore ho transferred to Wynyard. A fierce rally followed in front of the goal. A minute later, W. Bayly picked up smartly and dashing through the opposing backs, crossed the line and scored a third try for the home team. ■ Murphy made a fine attempt, tho ball just going outside the post. North Island, 15; New South Wales, 3. Upon resuming, Murphy, Oliphant and Lambie did some clever dribbling, which was returned by a brilliant piece of forward play on the part of'New South Wales, Carson, Hanna, Braund and Alcock leading. Tho Wellington three-quarter (Roberts), however, proved too much for his opponents, and picking up smartly, made a strong dash and then kicked into touch. He was, however, collared by one of the opposing forwards, and in tho fall ho put his shoulder out. The play was stopped 1 for a minute, and time was called immediately upon resuming. The game ended in a victory for the North Island by 15 to 3. The New South Wales team leave by the Takapuna to-morrow for New Plymouth. Tho Wellington team leave for' tho Thames this evening, and play the Thames representatives to-morrow.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, August 29. At a meeting of the Committee of the Otago Rugby Union an offer from residents of Canterbury to bring a team of Canterbury footballers to play Otago was considered, and it was resolved—“ That having regard to the intimate relations which from the establishment of the Canterbury Union have existed between that Union and the Otago Union, and in view of the fact that no intimation has been received from the Canterbury Union that it will not send a representative team to Dunedin this season, tho Committee cannot lend its countenance to any step which would be subversive of the authority of the Canterbury Union, and that tho offer be declined with thanks.”

The Wellington representative Association football team left for Lyttelton by the Takapuna last night. A meeting of tho Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Football Union was held last evening; present— Messrs Hodgins (in tho chair), Blacklock, Hood, Wakelin and Morpeth (hen. secretary). A telegram from Napier, asking that a date in September bo fixed for tho match Hawke’s Bay v. Wellington, and also expressing a hope that tho fixture would not bo allowed to drop this year, was received, consideration of which was deferred until after tho Northern trip. An intimation .was also received from the Now Zealand Union, that tho Canterbury Union were desirous of mooting a team from WeUington on the 22nd nit. Consideration of this was also deferred until the return of the members of the committee, who are in Auckland. It was decided to write to the Horowhenua Union, asking them if their junior team proposes to visit Wellington this year, as has been stated.