FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3836, 4 September 1899, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

NELSUN COLLEGE V. WELLINGTON COLLEGE. The annua! match between Nelson and Wellington Colleges attracted a largfe crowd to tlie College grounds on Saturday afternoon. Tin; conditions were very favourable, the ground being in an excellent state for a good display of football. The N'clsrmites wore strong favourites, they being a much heavier team Ilian their opponents.

Hales won the toss from Moyns, the Nelson captain, and played with the sun on his team’s back, together with a, favourable light breeze. Nelson immediately attacked, bub a timely kick by Hales brought’ relief. From’ an injudicious kick across the field by one of the blacks, Hamilton dashed across the line mar the corner. G. Fell failed to convert. 3—0.. Nelson continued to atlaek, but Ruwson and N. Wilson, by good kicks, saved. Hamilton secured a mark in front of the blacks’ goal, but G. Fell failed with the kick, and Wellington was forced. Then the blacks rallied, and a forward rush, headed by Wilson, put Nelson in difficulties, but Usher”relieved witn a good run. The blacks came again bul NcNon defended too well, and the first spell ended without further scoring.

In - the second spell Nelson attacked nearly all the time, except when the black forwards got on a good rush. . .After a fine run Moves seared a, good try, which w,as,.not converted. (s—o. Then, from a- scrum, G. Foil scored, hut the try was not;enhanced. 9—o. The blacks then rallied, and bud Nelson in difficulties, but they lost a fine elujnee to score by reckless play. Again Nelson attacked, and from a. pass from the line out Foil scored a brilliant trv. which ho also converted. So Nelson won their first match against Wellington College for six years by 14 points to nil. i - Exccut in Hie louse serums, the Nelson forwards wer’d Tilo heavy for the blacks, and their back 1 ; were far superior, Scianders, Stevenson, Loom and Lcvien were flic, best of the Nelson forwards, wbilc'iill Hie backs wore good, Fell especially'so. Usher, at half, was good, but did not feed his hacks enough. Among the blacks’ backs Hal es tlid an iminon.se amount of work, but none of the other backs, except Hcddon, .showed much form. Of the forwards Wilson, Bremnor, Ralph and Srn.ytbc wore the pick.

TARANAKI BEATS CANTERBURY. CRUSH ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturcliiv. '('tie football match Taranaki v. Canterbury was played to-day in beautiful weather. There were about 3000 spectators present. The ground was in fine order and no serious accident occurred. 'Taranaki were favourites, but at the end of the first spoil Canterbury’s supporters were confident of winning. In this spell the Canterbury team was contmually'bn the attack, and the Turansikis wore never dangerous, being outplayed in every part of the game. , In the second spell matters were reversed. Taranaki playing' a. splendid game. Their forwards worked grandly, none of them bcin<» conspicuous above the others, thou'di Pearson, perhaps, was the pick. The backs kicked and tackled, in fine style, Allen being the life of the team. Humphries was clever at half-back, getting the ball neatly from iho scrum, and passed and kicked'with judgment. A large number of free kicks wore given against Taranaki, but Canterbury was about as bad in this respect. For Canterbury. Burrell upheld his reputation at full back, making some s dciidid kicks, but ho was not called on to tackle. Balch, as centre three-quarters, played a line game, giving his wings good chances.; Ho was wall supported by Mcnzies and Orr, who took. Orchard’s place on the wing.. Urr was continually making openings for, himself, and was loud’" applauded v/heu he came over from his own wing to pack up a passing rush, which was nearly successful. Dansoy showed good form, being less inclined to hold the ball than usual. Brunsden was the pick of the forwards, Farquhar also being prominent in loose nn’ra. r ‘ 1-.» mil-- lomni'iie in f!i n Ctu nf" O »•]*■ 111* v

-rho omy changes in the Canterbury team from that which played against Otago were Woolor in Coupet’s place as wing Forward, and JSlollcr in the place of Bush, in the scrum. ' The Taranaki (cam was as follows; Full-back, Holdsworth; three-quarters, O. Carroll, Mynott, Carroll ; live-eighths, Allen; half, Humphries : forwards, Pearson Geo. Bayly. Lambic, Ball, Greig, O’Dowda, Phillips, Brown. In the first spell the ball was scarcely out of Taranaki’s end, and they were forced six times After the kick-off the play hung about the centra until the passing between OVr and Dansoy took the ball to the yellows’ twenty-live, where Dansoy had a allot at goal, and forced Taranaki. After some touch-line work, Humphries, Allen and Mynott put on a passing rush, which was saved by Balch and Brunsden, who dribbled down the held. Carroll spoilt a good run by a pass forward,*' and Balch kicked .far down the field, and 'Holdsworth sent it out at Taranaki’s twenty-five. A strong attack on the Taranaki line followed, Brunsden being just shoved out at the corner. After scrums, a free kick to Taranaki centred the play, but a.fine rush between Forbes, Balch, Menzics and Orr, who came right across the field, and Orr being collared on the lino, hard scrambling and serums ended in the’yellows being again forced. Immediately afterwards Taranaki was again forced. The play then hung about the centre in scrums, from which Canterbury gob the ball. By touch-Icno work,Taranaki gradually worked past the centre, Humphries gaining, ground by a good kick. But Canterbury came again, Dansey kicking into the yellow twenty-uve. Forbes marked a kick by Mynott, but Bakh’s shot dropped outside the post again, forcing Taranaki. Long kicks followed, the kick-out, till Dansoy got the hall from a scrum, and, boating Humphries arid Alien, passed to Forbes, who made a dash, hut was collared mi the line.-., A free kick for offside play relieved the yellows, but the same offence on Taranaki’s side gave Balch another attempt from near hallway, and Taranaki was again forced. The yellows' line was again attacked, and fine tackling just averted further scoring. The Taranaki forwards centred the play, and the ball was now kept out of their twenty-five. Just as the bell rang for half-time, Burrell made a pot at goaf, but the balk striking a man, .fell just under tnc bar, and Taranaki was forced. The spell, ended;with,no score. In tiio second,spell the visitors were aggressive almost from, the _ start; till within a few minutes of the finish, when Canterbury made a strong effort to score. From a mark near tbo centre, Balch tried to score, but the ball fell short, and io was sent out near the yellows’ twentyfive. where it stayed for some time, jtili

a mark relieved the pressure, and.a line forward rash reached the reds’ twentyfive, where Canterbury was awarded a free kick. Carrol! mulled the ball, and the visitors’ end was temporarily invaded, but they easily relieved it by fine rushes. One was stopped by Burrell and another immediately after by Orr.' The play was now in the local half, and very fast. Serums' were, keenly=contested, Jbut the yellows generally- secured the ball, and by lino tackling prevented tho local backs gaining any prouiid. - Tanlnaki pressed the rods still further) Humphries playing beautifully; but the other backs were clumsy in taking his passes. The attack on the local lino was relieved by a. fine kick by Balcli, and good passing among the fisitlng backs- ended in ' the ball going out of the Canterbury twenty-.

live. The yellows maintained a strong ■attack,..which was staved off for a little by Woolof.' intercepting a pass, but directly aftcywjtfds Brojvu,-;foj:ccd his way through and scored beside the post. Lambic converted, and Taranaki was now five points to the good. After the kickoft the yellows renewed - the. attack. The forwards, playing well together, got the ball from every scrum, and Humphries gained ground by judicious kicks. Burrell and Balch did good work in stopping a rush, and an exchange of marks took place, ending in Canterbury being forced, from a long kick the play was removed to tiic reds’ quarters, who were forced. After the hick-out the ball was badly mulled by Carroll, aiid the play centred. Allen made a fine opening, and passed to 0. Carroll, who made a good ru'i to the line, but lost the ball, and .Canterbury saved by forcing into touch. After the kick-out two of the Taranaki men tried to take the ball, but Driscoll, following uo well, took it on to the visitors twenty-live, where the play hung for somo time, till Dansey missed a pass from a scrum, and the reds being in difficulties were relieved by a free kick. A throw forward spoilt a good yehow rush, and from a free kick to the reds, Raich sent the ball out at Taranaki’s corner flag. Here the reds were given a free kick for handling in the scrum. Dansc.v kicked a fine goal, making the scores ■ Taranaki, o ; Canterbury, o. The yellow forwards'-'renewed the attack, and Raich was tackled under his own goal, but. the position was relieved directly by a good kick, and the hail went out at the .half-way • flag. Humphries stopped a red rush, and Allen soon after stopped a passing rush. a few minutes to. go, Canterbury played hard to score. Orr intercepted a pass, and after a short run, passed .to Menzics, who was not backed up, and the play was centred. Balch next made a good run to the Taranaki twenty-five, but hesitated to run straight. Burrell returned the ball, and after a. yellow rush to their twenty-five the rods made a strong attack on the visitors’ line, larcjuhar being prominent. Allen and his wings averted a score, and the game ended hi Taranaki’s favour with five points to three. Mr G. Fache, of Wellington, was referee.

AUCKLAND v. OTAGO. THE NORTHERNERS WIN. DUNEDIN, Saturday. The football match between Auckland and Otago, for the benefit of A. Armit, who was injured last Saturday, attracted between' 8000 'and 9000 spectators to the Caledonian, .ground. The. day was very "warm—too warm for toot-; ball. The match was. on the whole' fairly 'lnteresting. , The Otago players, seemed..to have no . heart, for the most part of the first spell, but they livened up in the second, anti played a, Tine ; Uphill game ; in fact, on'the- whole, the visiting forwards had all r tho, best of the iscl’tunsi ; ; l Ga]lagh?l -1 ,; who, was -on thb‘ ‘wiiigj 'gavd'Hhe Otajro .backs’ little show to-.indulge in passing .runs,,, and when ,‘thqy clid, ,gct',aj; : shpw, \bad .’pass-: ,ing. often -.lost/ground, 1 Xn,lino-out, play the teams Avere;Jairly i'even, ybut : in tho' loose the'' blues hdd rather the host of ! It.- ■■ * ..■.■! ■' i-Jlti iO, , , ; ■■; ■ Tho Auckland backs played a sterling game;-, - McGrcgdfdid- not have many chances, risbn did' some fine work, McPike s try An the., second .. spell . being especially, clever. Gillctt, at full-back, was excellent- .Of .theXorwnrds,,rMinTaA%.Tyi!son, Gillett and Cunningham were probably the best.,.:; The Auckland team was as follows: Full-back, G. Gillett mi a,three-quarters, Mbtfrcfeor, - ' McPike, •vyHih'ribon;.■■■ halfbacks, .Phelan, .Young: forwards., Lang, Gallajfher;' J; Gille.tf ‘irvtncj’ J.'fMcGrcgor,.,Cunningham,, .Murray,,, Scott, ..WdSbh. • 1,.:',,

, -With. --White In the Otago team was the same as, .played against’ Taranaki.;• •Play-settled in the blues’ twenty-fire for a few minutes after the kick-off, but. the blue away with a •good'rush,v£rnly ( ,itij...i§pa, tua .play mucis again through a fine run' by McPikc. Then White cut off - a. pass, and ran to the Auckland. twcuty.tfi.ve mark, and removed the half to’Uie centre *. but Duncan, with » good rup, followed- by a fine drihble ! 'hv"McDqnald; ; put ■ the visitors on .the .defensive.', /They 'soon nullified. this;. tdVack,i' ,;ind 'Gallagher tpul Murray' headed ’ 'a" good rhsffi back. McDonald beaded a. return rush, but the Aucklanders were soon back to the Otago twenty-five; i. and the time ' came for Wirepa to give a try against his side, which he has done in almost every match. Ho made a weak kick, and tho ball, striking Murray, who. was charging- down, it wont over the line, and hi 11 it ay scored the softest of tries. I-Ie took the' kick himself, but failed. The ball was badly kicked out, and from a line-out in the blues’ twenty-five Gallagher forced his way over within a few seconds. Murray was again unsuccessful. , Auckland 6. . From a kick-out the play settled on Auckland’s side of the centre flag. For some time the' blues could not get on a passing run, and from a penalty kick Olson bad a shot at goal, which went under the bar. Bad fumbling by the Otago backs let the visitors away, and Gillett made an unsuccessful attempt at goal from a penalty kick. Not hi ng of moment ""b ecu-red 'til! half-time, except that the visitors were forced by a hard kick.

On play being resumed, Otago was soon forced; blit the forwards getting together swept up . to, the Auckland twenty-five, and from” the linc-out Sinclair scored a clever ‘try. The kick at goal was not a success. Auckland G, Otago 3. • ' • Tho'.blues were soon pressing again, but the clever kicking of the Auckland backs soon Teinovcd the danger, and gbiug on. the visitor's were up to tho centre of the local twenty-live. Then/Phelan got the ball from a scrum, and passed to McPikc, who made a. dashing run, and passed to Harrison.' ...Tho latter. was able, to pass again to McPikc, .who got over. Cunningham was entrusted with the kick, but also failed. j Plav settled about the centre for a considerable time, where the Otago forwards generally had the best of it in the loose, but fine kicking by the visit--ing' backs nullified their nlay. Then Phelan, Harrison and McPiko put in a fine run. Tho blue forwards again got away, and two fino chances were lost by bad passing among the backs. McDonald next headed a rush, and got to the line, whore Gillett was just in time to save. Some very fast play followed, the visitors having a lively time of it. At last they removed the danger, and went on to the Otago twenty-five. ' Murray tried to place a goal from a penalty kick. but Duncan charged it down. After some play on the Auckland side of the centre a kick took the balk to tho Otago 'twenty-fire, and Phelan getting n. mark from the line-out, Gillett placed a. fine goal. The blues were again attacking when “no-side” was sounded. Auckland 13, Otago 3. The game was played .in a most friendly! spirit. TAURANGA v. AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. Saturday. The Auckland seccond fifteen defeated a Tauranga team by 17 points to nil. HAWKE’S BAY vT WAIRARAPA. NAPIER, Saturday. The junior representative match Wairarapa V.- Hawke’-s Bay resulted in a win for Hawke’s /Bay by 11 points tq 4.

ARM IT’S BENEFIT MATCH. 1) l- A EJHN, Sunday. The cash takings at the football match for Armit’s benefit amounted to Till. To this has to be added £2O, proportion of proceeds of tickets sold before the benefit was decided on. The bulk of the tickets presented at the gate had been sold in town beforehand, and it is believed that, when the returns are all in it will be found that between £359 and £4OO bus been obtained. There is no change to report in Armit’s condition. The mutch between the Zcalandia Rifles and the City Rifles resulted in a win for the former by 11 points to ml. Tries were scored by James. Hugo and Hobson, one being converted by Mooch. Luke and Co. v. the Combined Coachbuilders. —After a hard and enjoyable game, Luke and Co. won by 0 points to nil. Hart scored one try and Carey two tries, while Carey. Hart, Evens, Winheira. Taylor and Gibson played best for the Luke’s, and Manning, Corner, Calum, and Garnham played best for the latter. The Association match between Queen’s Park and Swifts resulted in a win tor the latter by 22 points to 1.