FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5294, 4 June 1904, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

VvAIBAUAPA v. WELLINGTON. \ WIN FOU Tin - ' LOCAL TEAM. . Nearly 'live thousand spectators witnessed tho repre'Cnta.tive game at the Athlotic Park yesterday afternoon bcUveon Wairarapa. and Wellington teams. Wellington won by 22 points to 9. 'J ho weather was bright ami only a faint wind blew, hot the tnrf was slippery in consequence of the recent wet weather. F Roberts was an absentee from the Wellington team, and his place was taken by J. P. JJlacklock who played his host game to date. The match was an in-and-out, exciting, fast and desperate struggle front kick-oif to throe cheers. Wairarapa stripped strong and long, and tho forward division possessed a fine shin that kept public interest at concert pitch all through tho game. The smaller Wellington forwards did far bettor titan had horn anticipated. In tho first spoil tho green vanguard got tho hall whenever it wisited, and often walked through the Wellington forwards, but the Wellington backs showed sound defence, and supplied tho neutralising force necessary to prevent defeat. In tho second spell the Wellington forwards performed much better, find although the visitors still played well, the local pack more than held its own, and the local rearguard galloped through opposition. The Wairarapa back division showed its usual lack of consistency; and though a great deal of individual brilliancy was exhibited, there was litt Jo of the combination that makes for .successful attack. Wellington kicked off against tho sun nnd wind, aitft [flay settled down at halfway point. Cainan and Driscoll, with hall at too, dashed through Wairarapa opposition, and looked like scoring, hut full-back McKenzie, bigger and burlier than of yore sprinted up, neatly grabbed tho ball from hi- .eyoncuits’ feet, and sent it to touch amidst deserved a-lause. Just afterwards, lilacklock ran till he made a pood opening, and then transferred to McGregor, and that player had little difficulty in crossing Wairarapa lino and notching a try, which ho(afterwards bettered: s—o. Tho blacks then had a turn in their own base Wairarapa making strong but unscientific efforts to score. 'At length Crawloy took a mark ami McKenzie narrowly missed kicking a goal, a roll by the hall just before it was kicked causing tho loss of score. Tho game was kaleidoscopic, so to .speak: Wellington nnd Wairarapa attacks alternating in veryquick succession, though Wellington's wero tho longest maintained. During a Wellington invasion S. Wilson got tho ball a dozen yards from the goal-lino, dodged through bis opponents, and gained a try that was .not converted: 3—o. Wairarapa was forced jdown three times within a few minutes, after which Logan, Crawloy, Smart and O’Leary relieved pressure by a good run, and put a problem to Wellington that _ was found awkward. Finally E. McKenzie got the ball forty yards from Wellington uprights, and drop-kicked a magnificent goal: 4 —B. Tho second spoil began with those scores unaltered. Excellent linekicking by Wallace put Wairarapa in difficulties, but Cadwallader broke clear, and ran to the Wellington full-back (G. Spencer), who saved nicely. Wellington would not be staved off, and from a icram near the ’fives line McGregor, Barber and Wallace made concerted play that ended in Wallace scoring a try. No goal; 11—1. Again Wellington scored: this time as result of work by Cainan, Barber and Wallace, the latter again scoring. McGregor kicked a goal: 16—1. Wellington manoeuvred again, .running uud passes between Barber, 1 lardham. McGregor and Wilson ending in'.Wilson scoring a try. No goal: 19—4. The visitors at last beat Wellington back. Warner, with one of the most beautiful dribbles that has been seen on a Wellington ground for years past, took the ball to Wellington base, where sundry scrambles between the rival forwards ended in Barber (Wellington) and Beard (Wairarapa) scrambling for tho ball between Wellington posts. Beard was awarded a try that was converted: 9 —19. Wellington had a penalty kick soon afterwards that yielded no points. Driscoll, Wright, Taylor and Watkins wero prominent in a Wellington attack that a as beaten by Fairbrother, Smart and McKenzie, but Wellington returned to the attack, and finally Wallace ran in and made *he final score of tho match. Again no goal resulted: Wellington 22, Wairarapa 9. Wairarapa was forced down just as the no-sido whistle soundnd. Mr A. 0. Norris was the referee. MISCELLANEOUS MATCHES. The game between the Marten and Southern clubs, played at the Athletic Bark yesterday, prior to the representative game, had some merit. Open play was plentiful, but tho passing left room for improvement. In tho first spell Southern scored two tries, both gained by S. Lnxford. Three more tries, wero scored for Southern in the second half — Powell two and Budkin one. None of the place-kicks was successful, and thus Southern won by 15 points to nil. Air S- Evans was the referee. A match between teams representing the Post and Telegraph Department and the Government Printing Office was played yesterday. It resulted in a win for the department by 16 points to. 3. For tho winners Baskiville scored two tries and Higbet and Walton one each, Highet and Furria each converting one. Mr P. Mackio acted as referee. Tho senior championship games fixed for to-day have been abandoned by the union, but an off-game at the Athletic Park between two senior teams (Wellington and Oriental; will afford enthusiasts an afternoon’s amusement. A JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. PRESS ASSOCIATION. NAPIER, June 3. The annual football match between the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay juniors was played on tho recreation ground this Afternoon, Wairarapa winning by 11 points to 6. PLATERS FOR THE ANTIPODES. I GLANCE AT THE ENGLISH TEAM. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON. April 21. i Mr G. W. McArthur is to bo congratu- | ated cn having been able to get together ,-1-nt -hnnl i '’rove tn be a very good team of Rugby footballefs for the tour under ■lie auspices cf the 1 New South Wales mien in Australia and New Zealand. The time at his disposal was very ah >rt mil he must be accounted lucky to nave been able to secure ho loss than eight international players 'among hia “bag" of twenty-three men. ff "Joe” Wallis; the dashing Irish forward, proves able to make (he journey, as is hoped, he will make a very acceptable ninth in a part}' of twenty -fonr. All round tho team seems* pretty powerful. C. F. Blranger - Loathes, who has played full back for Northumberland and tho North is a very reliable try foiler. He is fast, a safe kick, and a sure tackier, ami a man who cart he relied on not to endanger his side by any "gallery” work. rn,o seven three-quarters included are among tho best wo hare in England to.

day. W. Llewellyn, who has played for Wales. Newport and Kent Ins season, will be quite at Knue with four out jt tiie remaining six. for bo has had perience this season with both It. 1. Idaho and 1.. Morgan Weldi intern i. tional fixtures, and has assisted Kent to win the County Chajipionsliip by co operating with the New Zealanders, A. li O’llrien nnd P. P. McKvedy, as also did Morgan. In my -or Anion Llewellyn, Morgan O'Brien and McKvedy form a tin tv quarter line that cannot, bo bctteicd in the United Kingdom at tlie present time, the quartette being as Inil of trickiness and re-ouree as an egg is inil of meat, Thc-v are also possessed of great pace and 'are admirable in defensive work. Ciahe, too. is a good man and aas done brilliant work for Cardiff ami Mi lillcscx as twit as for Wales. .5. L. Fisher is considered a good man in Yorkeiiirc and B. W. Baker is probably as good a I Jiiec-quartcr as can be found ■ n (Boncostersliire. Any four of the seven should .prove a formidable combination. Of trio hnif-TJack trio F. C. Ultimo is tho In st known, and on his day is a particularly pleasing player to watch, being quick and resourceful and clover in getting tho ball away, lie has figured in tho England team this season and has also assisted Cheshire and Birkenhead Bark, P. Bush, who bails front Cardiff, lias a good reputation in Wales and nas represented Glamorgan in county fixtures whilst ,i. Cite is a player upon whom (he Newport footballers set great store. The forwards are a mixed lot. Air D. It. Bodeli-Sivweight, who has been chosen captain of tlie team, has gained ids cap in Scotland and his blue at uiuibridgo University, and is "a host in nim-M-i f.” If fie was not qualified for Scotland any of the three remaining partners in Iho head office of John Bull and Company would gladly avail themselves ,i the services of this fine, resolute and hard-working player. In D. Dobson, who has won his cap for England and Ins ‘ blue” at Oxford. Captain Sivwright will have a backer after his own heart, and n> one will question the right of R. IV. Edwards, the Irish international, ' and Levan, tho ’Wales and Swansea players, tn bn considered good enough to find places iu nnv loam. Thcro are some splendid "schiiTimaprs" among the lesser lights. 2. N. Crowthor who plays for Surrey and the Lennox Club, D. 11. Traill of Guy’s and Surrey. R. J. Rogers of Bath and Somerset, F. McK. Saunders of Guv’s and Kent, T. S. Kelly of Devon. B, ‘ S. Massey of Yorkshire, and ,T. C. Jenkins of Newport, are all good men to work behind, and if report speaks truly the same may be said of the Ulster player C. D, Patterson. Even without “Joe” Wallis, Captain Sivwright has a formidable pack t> select from, and ; f the team does not render a good account of itself I shall be greatly surprised. Tho visit will at any rate enable New Zealand authorities to form some idea of tho strength of opposition the team they purpose to send Home will encounter. Personally I should not hesitate to pit your visitors agoi list any team that could bo raised on this side of the ocean. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. WELLINGTON v. CANTERBURY. THE HOME TEAM WINS. About four hundred spectators attended tho intorprovincial match played at Miramar. Porks, tlio visitors’ cap-, tain,.’won tho toss, and Godber kicked off against wind and snn. Tho visitors’ left-wing was early in evidence, and looked troublesome until Clark relieved to A. Mount, wiio gave Reddy a fine opening. Tho latter’s centre was, however, intercepted by Perkins, who returned well to his forwards. Stack put in a long shot, which went over tho bar. Some good work was done by Reddy and A. Mount, and a fine run by the Diamonds’ wing gave A. Mount the chance of opening tho Wellington score; I—o. The visitors’ forwards wero many times dangerous. Stack being very prominent, but Webster, in goal, was rarely troubled. White was equal to stopping Hill, and an exchange of play between Perks and Clark led to the latter’s initiating a strong yellow attack. A foul throw against McWhannel, however, nullified the advantage. Stack and Hill dribbled the ball well down the field, but Clark intervened, and. passing to Reddy, the latter made a briliant run, and put in a fine shot, which hit tho cross-bar. There was no further score in the first spell. The wind freshened very much in the second half, and it wai easily seen that ■Wellington had the advantage. They gained a corner, which was well taken by Clapham, who placed to A. Mouat, the latter heading a fine goal. Some fine work was done by Roddy and Mouat on the left, and Williams did well on the right. Goals wero added in quick succession by Williams (2) and A. Mouat, making tho home side's score o goals. Tho yellow forwards continued to hover near Musgrave in the Canterbury goal, though occasional relief was brought by Cornish, Porks and Jones. Stack did some clever work, but did not pass quickly enough, ' thus losing a good chance. A long shot from White forced a corner, which was fruitless. Perks brought relief by a fine long lack, but the ball was returned to Reddy. The latter made a clever run down the line, and put in a low shot, which was almost through the goal, when 'Williams pounced on the ball and assisted it through. The goal in reality belonged to Reddy, who had played a splendid game. Time was immediately afterwards called, leaving 'Wellington winners by 6. goals to nil. Mr IV. E. Wells was referee and Messrs Anderson and Salmon linesmen.

The visitors wore entertained, last night by the local association at a smoke concert.

The fancy costume match between a team of local comedians and a team from H.M.S. Psycho was won by the locals by 4 goals to 1. A prominent referee, attired in’a white costume was responsible for all tho four goals. A game between Swifts and H.M.S. Psyche was played yesterday morning, tho Swifts winning by 3 goals to nil. P. Pyo Smith (2) and Doherty scored for the winners.

Last evening members of the Swifts Association Football Club presented Mr F. S. Elson with mementos of congratulation on his attaining his majority. The presentation was made at a smoko concert given in celebration of the event.

However strenuously Wellington footballers canvassed their right tn have the New Zealand match against tho Emrlshmen played in this city, followers of Rugby in the city will regret that 'Wellington, as a province, will not now bo given an opportunity of engaging in bn* He w : *h tiie reores-onfativos of Dio Old Land. By the decision of the Rugby Union on Wednesday evening the match it was formerly intended to have allotted to Wellington has bean fixed for New Plymouth, where a combined team from Taranaki, Manawatu and Wanganui will meet the over-soa exponents of the winter game. No doubt the Taranaki Union’s guarantee of £4OO. and a wholesome desire to foster football in the country districts were the factors which weighed with the committee in arriving at this decision; and on tho whole it is difficult to see that the meeting could have done otherwise, but the spirit cf provincialism which raised its head on one or two occasions when the allocation of tho combined Now Zealand match was mentioned is hardly a matter for congratulation. Wellington unquestionably had an indisputable ground for asking that tho game should bo decided

boro. Tho visiters’ stay however, will not bo a lengthy one, and they are to play two games per week. This will keep Liiem fully eia.uoyeu almost from iiie data of their arrival until they depart for Australia. Southland, whore football has boon played for many years past, claimed the consideration cf the union in drawing uo tlio programme—to small purpose, it is true. Under the circumstances, much as tho absence of a Well.ngton provincial game against the visitors will be regretted, it must bo conceded, in justice to tho other smaller and weaker unions, that the action of tho Wellington representatives cn tho council was commendable. It now only remains to make tho stay of i lie Englishmen as strenuous as possible. tlio Manawatu "Standard” __ roundly condemns tho refusal of the New Zealand Rugby Union to grant tho Alanawatu Union’s application for a game against tho English footballers. Tho decision of tiro New Zealand Rugby Union (says tlio “Standard’) has been very adversely criticised iu town. The Manawatu Rugby Union was one of tho first to make application for a game, either provincial or tho Now Zealand v. England_ match, offering a substantial not guarantee m each case, £3OO for the pinvicimd match and more for tho Now Zealand fixture. Its request has been disregarded in favour of the Taranaki Union which offered a guarantee of X'-ICO. Tlio latter amount was evidently a prime factor in determining tho question. If the probable gate takings had been taken into consideration thcro would have boon overwhelming arguments in favour of Palmerston which could have drawn upon the Manawatu line town Irps. Rangitikoi, Wairarapa, Hawke's iiav nnd Oroua districts, lor .its spectators. ’The English cricket match, played at Palmerston, drew’ enthusiasts fro in all parts of tho district, and it may bo safely assumed tho football match would have drawn the country side. Two games of Australian football will bo played this afternoon at Seatonn Park— Federal v. Advance nnd Lefroy v. all-comers. , ~ ~ \ game of Australian football was played at Soatouo Park .. yesterday— Lefroy v. Advance. Tho match ended in a draw, both teams scorin'- 19 points, Lefroy obtained three sronls and 1 behind,' while Dipt nuponents kicked two goals' and 7 behinds. PIVrSS *«Ior»E , TATT(V7, DENUDIN'. .Time 3. A football match nlnved k'-" tween tlio On.mn.rn and Union riubs_ resulted in a win for Oamaru by 20 points to 6.