FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4426, 5 August 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RUGBY MATCHES. Canterbury Beats Wellington PBKSS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, August 3. The interprovincial football match Wellington v. Canterbury was played on Lancaster Park this afternoon. The weather wa.s lovely early in the morning, but wind sprang up about ten, iollowed by heavy rain. Prior to this there was every prospect of a hard, dry ground, but the rain made it heavy and slippery. This hampered the Wellington team, whoso backs were unable to much of the fast, passing rustics in which they wer e expected t„o excel. The game was confined chiefly to the forwards, and the local men proved .superior in this department. Taking the play all round, Wellington got the ball in the majority , of cases in the scrums, but the fast rushes of the Canterbury vanguard gained ground time after time. So far a.s the backs were concerned, there were a few passing runs in which the visitors showed to advantage, but the play of th o backs wa.s. for the most part, confined to kicking. The game was fast and interesting throughout, Canterbury winning by twelve points to three. Canterbury won the toss, and played wilh the wind, which was, fairly strong in tho first spell, "Wellington kicking off. After some line out plav near tho centre, Rice marked, and ticked into touch. A Canterbury rush was stopped by Wriglcy, who kicked out near the centre. The Canterbury forwards came away with a. good rush, which wa.s ended by Meredith making a smart kick. Wrigley mulled the return, but off-side play by Canterbury brought relief, Harvey marked, and an exchange of kicks followed, th e ball ■roing out in Wellington twenty five. Th e Wellington backs took another hand, but mulling the ball let the Canterbury. forwards away, Wrigley saving near the line, and kicking well down field. Play again returned to tho Wellington line, but Wellington started a passing rush, Meredith, Wood and Mclntyre being prominent. Hood kicking by the backs resulted in Wrigley forcing. Voyce kicked well up tho field, and after an exchange of kicks Rico found the line near Wellington’s twenty-five. Tho Canterbury backs started a useful passing rush, Bush and Monziea taking the chief part, and Wellington was forced soon after. From the kick-out play again settled in Wellington’s quarters. Wallace mulled, and fast following by Ayres saw Wellington in difficulties. The Canterbury forward 3 then swept over the line, and Cooke scored. Voyce failed at goal. After a further exchange of kicks between the backs Phillips marked, but Voyoo’s kick was without result, Wellington

forcing. From the kick-out the Wellington forwards charged, but Yoyce saved with a good kick. Wellington once more came on with a splendid piece of passing. Meredith started, and passed to Wood, who made a grand run, and then sent on to Wallace. The latter, however, waited too long before giving the ball to Slattery, and a certain score was lost. Gallagher was next conspicuous with a fine dribble, but soon after Rice shifted the pbiy to Wellington’s quarters with a fine run up the line from a scrum near the centre. Men, zieg put in a good run, but Wellington got on a forward rush. Slattery replied with a long run, but was collared, and in the fall broke a bone in the nose. He was attended to by a doctor, and returned to the field. Soon after Canterbury attacked strongly, and from a forward rush Blackwell scored. Yoyce failed onoe more with the kick. The kick-out was followed by a Canterbury forward rush, but-Wrigley saved in good style. Off-side play gave Canterbury another chance, anti Drake kicked a fine goal. From the kick-off play settled in Wellington quarters till Wrigley ran. and kicked out at th e centre. Wellington worked down field, and Meredith made a smart run near the Canterbury lino. Slattery followed with another dashing run, and crossed the line, bnt was collared outside, and only a force resulted. Half-time was then called—Canterbury, 9 points; Wellington. nil.

11l the second spell Drake kicked o ff,and play settled in Wellington’s twenty-five. A return by Bush being smothered, Wellington rushed to the Canterbury line, but were pushed back to the centre. Harvey kicked well, and Phillips put in a good run, passing to Frost, the latter scoring. Drake’s kick at goal failed. A nice passing rush, Bush, Menzies and Phillips taking part, was followed by a good run by Rice. A free kick brought relief to Wellington. A succession of kicks ended in the ball going out at the Canterbury twenty five. The Canterbury forwards rushed back, and Wellington was forced. Wood next distinguished himself with a fine run, being pushed into touch on the Canterbury line. The Canterbury forwards cleared the line, and Menzies made a good run. Harvev marked, but Drake’s kick at goal failed. Wellington got on a passing rush, but a wild pass spoilt a good chance. Off-side play gave Wellington a chance, and Wallace kicked a fine goal. Kelly broke away with a good run, but the Canterbury forwards brought'the ball back, Wood saving in good style. Long kicking by the backs followed, and Canterbury rushed the ball to the Weilington lino, making another grand recovery. Time was called soon after, leaving Canterbury winners by 13 points to 3. Mr F. T. Evans was referee. NOTES ON THE GAME. iProm Our Own Correspondent ) CHRISTCHURCH, August 4. A sloppy ground and a gentle breeze wero_ the prevailing conditions as the Wellington and Canterbury teams took the field at Lancaster Park on Saturday; Canterbury played with eight forwards and Wellington with nine, and in view of the state of the ground and the probability of the gam e being confined to the forwards the advantage seemed to rest with the northerners. Subsequent events, however, proved that the local men knew what they were doing. The game was confined mainly to the forwards, but with the exception of one or two of the finer points of play, such as scrum-screwing and getting possession in the scrum, the eight Canter, bury players more than hold their own. A detailed 1 description of the play would be tedious. It consisted mainly of scrambling rushes by the Canterbury forwards, generallv originating from touch line work. For the greater part of the game play was in Wellington territory. Almost invariably the Wellington forwards would get the ball in the scrums, and then usually there would be a pretty niece of passing, for despite the slippery ball Meredith and Wood and the three-quarters all managed to handle it well. The first feature of note was a clover piece of work by Wrigley. The local men were attacking vigorously and carried the ball right'through to the Wellington full, who, snatching up the leather from their toes, wriggled and twisted out of the embrace of player after player, and finally wound up with a capi tal kick into touch at half way —a very fine piece of play. Time after time, however, Canterbury rushed the hall down to the Wellington goal line. Once Meredith and Wood;

relieved by a slashing run ; another time Mclntyre intercepted a pass, and so averted an almost certain score; and Wrigley, who was playing a fine defensive game, savqd repeatedly, getting in his kicks sometimes under most difficult conditions. Eventually Wellington was forced down twice in quick succession. Shortly after, Slattery failing to take a return from Rush, Wrigley had to come to the rescue. The opposing for wards were right on to him, however, and although he hung on to the ball as long as possible, it was taken from him, and in the .scramble Canterbury scored. The kick at goal failed. . , Then Wood and Meredith got on a fine passing run, and the latter wa.s collared a few feet from the corner post. If there had been anyone backing him up an almost certain score was available, but there was not. After an anxious ten minutes, Wellington was again relieved by clever passing between Meredith, Wood and Mclntyre, the latter taking an awkward pass very cleverly and kicking into touch well up the field. It was no use, however ;the Canterbury forwards soon rushed it back and, carrying it over the line, scored in the scramble. No goal resulted.

Slattery, shortly after the kick-off, made a capital run, which placed Can terbury on tho defensive. But the Wellington man had hurt his nose, and had to retire to get it bandaged, Kelly taking his place at three ouarter. This weakened tha northerners’ defence still more, and a free kick being given against them m their own territory, Canterbury placed a goal. Just before half time Slattery, who had returned with a huge patch of plaster on his nose, nearly got in at tho corner. In fact, there wa.s some doubt as to whether ho was in or not. Meredith, on another occasion, made a dodgy run, and passed everyone hut was hauled down a yard or two from the line. ' The second spell was a repetition of the first. Wellington was on tho dc. tensive most of the time, and although he backs occasionally got in some clever work and looked like scoring once or twice, they could not cross tho Canterbury lino. They secured a lucky goal from a penalty kick, and Canterbury obtained another try, making the scores 12 to 3. ; There is no doubt that the Canterbury forwards won tho galme. They played with more dash than the Wellington vanguard, and collared infinitely better, while on the they scored almost every time. Wellington lost the game through wretched collaring and a decided disinclination to stop dribbling rushes by the only effectual method—that is, by falling on the ball. Meredith was the only player who appeared to adept this method. Given a fine day, Wellington might have won, for their backs are fast, and the forwards, getting the hall in the scrum every time, Meredith had plenty of opportunities. Gallagher was the pick of the van* guard, and other players noticeable at times were McAnally, Coadv and Dodd. Kelly occasionally played well, but was not seen at his best. Wrigley at full put in some remarkably fine work, and saved again and again. Meredith also did a lot of hard work, and was respon. sihle for most of tho passing rushes. Wood and tho three-quarters all distinguished themselves in attack, and their kicking was generally good, hut the less said of their tackling the beti ter.

It might be said in conclusion that the Wellington men did not appear to play with any groat interest in the game. They seemed stale or unconcerned; whereas Canterbury put their heart into it from the start. The Wellington team was the cleverer, but the Can. terburv men, played harder. A good tackier and a couple of good touch-line play men would have made a lot ct difference to the Wellington team’s prospects. In one respect the team had hard luck. Canterbury played in the firstspell with the wind in their favour—in the second spell there was no wind at all. SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO. PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 . DUNEDIN, August 3. The first interprovincial football match here between Southland and Otago was played on the Carisbrook ground. The conditions were about as unfavourable as they could be. Heavy rain fell on Thursday night and again last night. Only showers fell this morn, ing, but there was no time for the ground to dry. There was no water on the pldying field, but outside the lines there were, sheets of it. The ground, of course, soon worked up into a quag mire, making good play impossible, and the condition was not improved when, towards the end of the first spell, a driving and prolonged shower of snow, sleet and rain fell. The attendance under the circumstances was surprisingly good, and the fact of about three thou, sand spectators massed on th© terrace watching the play for nearly two hours on such a bitterly cold day shows to what length Rugby enthusiasts will go. The game ended in a draw, neither side scoring, but the visitors, who were considerably heavier than the local men, had a very decided advantage almost throughout. They beat the local 1 team in th e scrum, getting the ball on all save about two or three occasions. They beat them in lino out play, and more than held their own in the open, their weight and dash quite neutralising the clever footwork of Otago. Th© local men tackled resolutely, and showed splendid defence at critical moments, and thus saved the game. Otago was, as usual, slow in beginning, and shortly after the start good passing by Reynolds, Jacobs and Whit taker nearly ended in a score. Clearing the lines at _ length, Otago went down on the red side of the halfway flag, but Southland steadily worked back, Jacobs being especially prominent. Much uninteresting line out and scrum work followed, Southland invariably having the best of it. Then _ a blu© forward rush carried the play into the reds’ter ritory. Up and down the field the ball kept travelling, the visitors still show* mg the best form, until a heavy shower set in, causing th© spectators to seek any shelter available. • The visitors' backs handled the greasy ball wonderfully well, ©specially Jacobs, who field* ed in a marvellous fashion.

In tho second spell, shortly after the start, the Otago- full-back mulled, and nearly let the visitors in. The Southlanders were soon pressing again, but invariably lost their advantage when they got within ten yards or so of the line. On one occasion, but for a knockon in a passing run by the red backs, it was almost certain a try would have been registered. The blues then had a look in, and some exciting play took place. The Southland players, how* ever, cleared their line, and gradually worked up to Otago’s quarter. The last five minutes of tho game was very exciting. The visitors got right up to within a few yards of the line, and. strove hard to score, but the defence was too good, and the game ended in a draw. Jacobs (South-, land), on the day’s play, was the best back on the ground. Reynolds (Southland) was also very smart, but Duncan, Jenkins and T. C. Purdue were the most prominent of an even lot of

forwards. Of the local men, Duncan was everywhere, but he could not keep on his feet on tho greasy ground. Uttelcy was good, and Adams, though ne made mistakes, played well. Burt, Smith and Hottop and Given were the most prominent forwards.

WANGANUI v. RANGITIKEI. (Own Correspondent). WANGANUI, August 3. The first representative match of the season was played to-day, when Rang! tikei and Wanganui met on the reoreation ground. The game* if not very fast, had at least tho merit of being well con tested, and was generally of an interesting character. Wanganui had the best of it, chiefly due to the facility with which they extracted the ball from the scrums, getting it practically every time. The representatives of the sub-union were, however, by no means weak on defence. The game ended in a win for Wanganui by seventeen points to five. For the winners, tries were secured by Bullock, Stedman (3), and Tregear, the latter converting one try. For Rangi tikei, Morgan secured a try just before call of time, viffiich Haselden converted. In the Junior Cup match Y.M-1. v. Old Boys the former won by eight points to nil. This was the only cup match played in town. In the inter-club contest Aramoho defeated the College. THE VOLUNTEER TOURNAMENT. Four games of the annual tournament between the companies comprising the Wellington Rifle Battalion, were played on Saturday at the Athletic Park, in the presence of four hundred spectators. The weather continued to be fine for a quarter of an hour or so after the first games were begun, but thereafter a hitterlv cold wind, with sleety rain, interfered with the comfort of spectators and players alike, and made good play impossible. The best contested of the four matches was that between the College Rifles and the Post and Telegraph Rifles. The Collegians proved themselves to be a vigorous lot of trained footballers, while the P. and T. team was conspicuous for dashes and heady play, the old representative player in its ranks being a host in himself., <The Kelburne team put up a hard fight against the Wellington Guards, and it the former team did have seventeen men playing, the onus of discovering the imposition was on the Guards’ captain. The City Rifles showed a big front to last year’s champions (Zealandias), and in the end they were only beaten by the Zealandias by the comparatively small total of 12 points. The Highland Rifles and th e Civil Service Rifles played a ding-dong game all through. The kiltless warriors, however, Lad eventually to succumb to the departmental team by a 6 points margin. The Garrison Band attended the games, and by its playing did much to make th e afternoon bearable. The Rugby Union and the Athletic Park Company might find it a payable speculation if they made arrangements to have a band in attendance at all matches played under their auspices. Appended are the results of the matches:

City Rifles, 0; Zealandia Rifles, 12. Tries for the winners were obtained- by Stevens and Armstrong, one being converted, in addition to which Manning potted a goal. Mr O’Connell was referee. Wellington Guards, 11; Kelhurne Rifles, 6. For the Guards, tries were scor ed by Orr and Carver, one of which was converted by Orr, who also kicked a penalty goal. Thompson and Douglas got triea’for the losers. Mr Johnson was the referee.

Civil Service Rifles, 6 ; Highland Rifles, 0. The men o’ Scotia held their own gamely until the latter part of the second spell, but then the Civil Service team scored two tries by the agency of Claridgo and Plimmer. Mr Lark carried the whistle.

College Rifles, 3; Post and Telegraph Rifles, 0. This was the best game of the day. The “going” was greasy, and the leather more so, hut the players (a large number of whom are regular footballers) nevertheless, gave a good exposition of the game, and were rewarded at times with hearty applause. The only score made in the game was a try by Pollock. Mr Nimrao controlled the game. Next*Satiirdav Gin Cycle and Bearer Corps teams will play at Miramar, and on the 24th instant the tournament will he brought to a finish on the Athletic Park. SCHOOL MATCHES. (Own Correspondent). CARTERTON, August. 3. The North v. South Wairarapa Schools’ match was played to day, and was won by the latter by eight points to nil. In the schools’ representative match to he played against Wellington at Carterton next Saturday, the Wairarapa team will bo; McKenzie. Buckeridge, Workman, Percy, Leeks, Hall. Walden, Oallister, Cameron, Pra|gnell, Carr, Thompson, Beard, Deller, Rawson. THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. (Received August 4, 5.31 p.m.) SYDNEY. August 4. Tha following team has been selected to visit New Zealand: Full-back, Maund; three-quarters. McMahon, Wicham, White, Hughes, Barton, Lindsay; halves, Finley, Harris, W. Shortland; forwards, 0- Shortland, Harrison, Beaumont, Costello, Burden, Judd, Avern, Lamb, Seelutze, Ferrier, Wright. Another half has yet to he chosen. The team leaves for New Zealand next Saturday. The Selection Committee of Wednesday Rugby football has selected the following representative team to play against the Wairarapa Thursday halfholiday representatives:—Oardno, Bennett, Whelan (captain), Fulton, Jeffries, Taylor, Martindale, Manning, Earle, Gaudin, T. O’Sullivan, Soffe, Osborne, Woods and Hurcombe; emergencies, Masters, Snell, Parker and Nemus The team is to meet at the Athletic gymnasium to-night. In Junior Association football on Saturday, Rovers defeated Swifts B by three goals to two. Wright, Condliffe and Moss scored for Rovers. Red Cross defeated Queen’s Park by 1 goal to nil. Pearls beat Swifts by 8 goals to nil. Queen’s Park have now won the championship for the season.