FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5696, 18 September 1905, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

AUSTRALIA v. AUCKLAND. VICTORY FOR THE VISITORS. CLOSE OF THE TOUR. PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, September IG. Tho match between the Australian and Auckland fifteens was played at Alexandra Park this afternoon. In view of tho recent successes of, the Australians at Manawatu, IVannanni, «nd Hawera, tho Rrcatest interest was manifested in tho match, and, although tho weather was somewhat dull and threatening, about five thousand people were present. As was anticipated, the Australians gave a remarkably good account of themselves, and while Auckland succeeded in scoring five points to Australia’s nil in the first spell, tho risitors turned tho tables in tho second spell ty registering ton points to Auckland’s three. Australia thus won by ten points to eight. Tho ground was in first-class order. THE TEAMS.

Australia. —Smith, S. Wickham (captain), Smith, J. McLean, C. Russell, M. Dare, F. Woods, A. Burden, J darken, E. A. Oxlado, H. J. Judd, W. Hirsfcberg, T. Colton, E. O’Brien, B. Lucas. _ r Auckland- —Ncwdick, JVlcKcnzie, Mageo, Wynyard, Todd, Klernan, Fraser, Tyler, Herring, Dunning, Francis, McRuire, Trcvarthen, Bonella, McGuire. THE PLAY. In tho first spoil Auckland, kicking with tho wind, maintained tho advantage but owing to the sound defence of the Australian backs—among whom L. Smith was particularly prominent—and to tho better play of the Australian forwards in securing tho ball from tho scrum, and thus preventing the Auckland backs from opening up, the local men were unable to gain anything material. In the second spell tho visitors mado use of the strong wind which was blowing, and by splendid lino-kicking, kept tho play confined for most of tho time in the Auckland twenty-five. The visitors also passed hotter, and at the same time maintained tho advantage in tho scrums. first spell. Auckland won tho toss, and played with tho wind. The Australians, following up tho kick-off, landed play in Auckland’s twenty-five. Tho local men, however, were equal to tho occasion, and soon transferred the scene of operations to tho visitors’ territory, ■where some smart passing work ensued amongst the Auckland backs. A free-kick for obstruction relieved, central play ensued, and for ten minutes the game was confined to the forwards. Then Wickham secured possession, and by a piece of smart work landed play in Auckland’s twenty-five. The Auckland forwards soon came away and carried the leather, by a pretty piece of work, right down the field. Some smart and exciting play ensued In front of the visitors’ goal, McKenzie, Magee, and Wynyard, who were responsible for some fine passing work, being especially conspicuous. A free kick was awarded to Auckland, and Francis attempted to place a goal, lut the angle was difficult, and he failed. Auckland continued to press, and lost a score through one of the backs making a mistake. From loose play in front of the visitors’ goal, Todd potted, hut, although the attempt was a good one, it was not successful, Australia being forced. The home team resumed the attack, and looked like scoring almost every moment, hut through faulty passing upon the part of the backs they failed to register a score, and were forced back. A capital passing rush among tho Auckland backs was then witnessed- The leather finally was sent to McKenzie, wing three-quarter, who, by a good piece of work, placed the oval over the line near tho corner. Francis converted. Auckland 5 Australia ... ... ... 0

The visitors were again placed upon «he defensive, but not for long, as their books, who were playing well together, hy dint of good kicking, soon cleared their lines. The visiting forwards, following up splendidly, then placed the contest inside Auckland’s twenty-five for the fir?t time, and it was here that ,t>or© and MdLean made themselves conspicuous. Picking up the leather in the loose. Dore transferred to McLean, wing-three-quarter, who had a fine opening. He succeeded in getting within a few yards of the line, when New-,-iick stopped his progress. McLean, however, recovered, and crossed the lino, but lost possession of the ball, and only a force resulted. Shortly afterwards half-time was called. SECOND SPELL. On changing ends, the local men assumed the aggressive, and in spit© of the fact that Australia had the advantage of a strong wind, Auckland gave the visitors a particularly lively time. Eraser and Trevarthen put in some very good work. The Australian pack ultimately came away with a fine rush, as the result of which play was transferred to centre. A regrettable incident then occurred. Amid a scramble among the forwards, Judd lost his temper, and struck one of the local men, and the referee ordered him off the (field, leaving Australia with only fourteen men. The Australians rallied, and !by a smart piece of work placed the scene of operations in front of Auckland’s goal. Russell then potted a beautiful goal. Auckland ... 5 Australia 4 Australia continued to press, and •looked dangerous on more than one occasion. From a scrum upon tho line, the ball was sent to Fraser, who saved the situation by kicking down the field. McLean soon broke away, and after a short run transferred to B. Smith, who made a good dodgy run, passing all tho Auckland backs, and scoring near the goal-posts. Williams’s attempt at goal was a poor one. Anstralia ... ... ... 7 Auckland ... 6 Elated by their success, the visitors, playing well together, again made matters warm for the local men, who finally rallied, and worked the ball by stages down the field. Exciting play in front of the Australians’ goal ensued, till Wickham, with an admirable kick, brought relief. A free-kick to Australia saw Wickham make a good though unsuccessful attempt at goal. On the Auckland men returning, B. Smith broke away with one of the finest runs of the day, and when near the lino, passed to Wickham, who endeavoured to ‘get over, but was collared, close to the line. [The Australians at this stage evidently scored three points, but the particulars are not included in the telegraphed account.] The local men were then awarded a free-kick,, from which Todd placet! a nice goal. .Australia 10 Auckland 8

Shortly after time was called. L. Smith at full-hack, 1 Wickham and McLean, three-quarters, and Woods, fiveeighths, distinguished themselves for tho visitors, while among the forwards the host wore Oxlado, liurdon, and O’Brien. As full-back for Auckland, Newdick played a very sound game. Tho three-quarters also exhibited good defence, but had not much opportunity in attack. Kiernan and Todd played fairly well. Among the forwards, Irevarthen, Francis, and Bonella were most prominent, while Tyler ami Fraser, upon tho wings, troubled the opposing backs a good deal. WELLINGTON v. TARANAKI. A HOME VICTORY. Tho twelfth match between Wellington and Taranaki was played on the Athletic Park on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Wellington by (i points to nil. It was a very poor game to watch, and as this was anticipated there wore only about two tnousand spectators. In tho second spell a good number of them were not inclined to tako tho match seriously. THE TEAMS. WELLINGTON. TARANAKI. G. Spencer Colman Ryan Burke Anderson Grevillc Dawson Bourke McDonald Hunter Rainsdcn I rewin Dodd Guy Wylie ' Bothery J. Spencer Osborne Driscoll Cooper Alexander Young Hardhara Crowley Avery Ryan W T amer Hamerton Gardiner Masters FIRST SPELL. Wellington lost tho toss, and kicked off on a hard ground and against a strong northerly wind. Tho home players flashed up-field at once, and attacked strongly. McDonald made a splendid opening, and then sent a good pass to Anderson. Tho hall was not caught, however, and a chance to score was lost. Taranaki dismissed trouble for a moment by a long kick from a mark, and a couple of minutes later got out of more trouble by forcing down. Tho visitors settled down to work after that, and away they went to the attack. In quick succession they lost two or three fine chances to score by bad management of their passing, and Wellington cleared their, line on those occasions by taking advantage of the mistakes of their opponents. Twice Wellington were able to force down because of too hard kicking by the Taranaki forwards. In a rush near the city line Fro win had a shot at goal for Taranaki from a freekick, but he missed the posts. Some little time later ho had another shot at goal from a mark, but he missed the posts again. Throughout the spell Taranaki continued to attack, and although tho lino was under their very noses practically all tho time they failed to cross it. The spell ended without either side scoring.

THE SECOND SPELL. With tho wind behind them Wellington opened tho second spell, and although the first spell had shown that Taranaki would he beaten, the city team was not anxious to win by more points than was necessary. They displayed laziness all through a spell marked mostly by straggling, ragged play. The redeeming feature of tho match was Wellington’s first try. The ball cam© to Byan at three-quarter immediately after the kick-out near the Wellington lino, and away he went with the ball tucked under his arm. Anderson streaked after him, and he was given the ball when Byan was tackled. Then Anderson got rid of tho ball, and it passed through one or two more hands. A couple of yards from tho line it was thrown high, and Dodd grabbed it, and dropped over the line. It was a great piece of work—a football sensation for the Park, for it is a rare sight indeed to see a team start a passing run on their own line, and finish un with a try at tb© opposite end of the field. G. Spencer failed with tho kick at goal. A few minutes afterwards Wellington got another try. The ball was sent from centre-field to Dawson at wing threequarter, and with a splendid run he went for the line. Cleverly timing his final sprint, he threw himself across near the corner flag, amidst great applause. G. Spencer missed the posts again. Another chance to score was thrown away by McDonald when ho had made his opening attempting to punt the ball to Island Bay. There was nothing worth recording after that, except a couple of flashing attacks from Taranaki. Mr Barry, of Christchurch, was referee, and controlled the game like a man born to the business. Of the twelve matches played between tho two provinces, Wellington has won five, and Taranaki six, while on© has been drawn. OTHER LOCAL MATCHES. In a match for the fourth-class championship on Saturday Athletic heat Oriental by 16 points to nil. The season’s championships have been won as follows:—Senior, Petone; junior, Petone; third-class, Wellington College; fourth-class, Athletic A; fifthclass. St. James. A gam© played on Saturday between teams representing the “Tinles” and “Post” was won by tho former by 13 points to nil. BELLER, v. WESTLAND. PRESS ASSOCIATION. WESTPOBT. September 16. The first annual match between representatives of Duller and Westland Bugby Unions was played at Westport to-day, and resulted in a draw. A penalty-goal was kicked for Buller by McNally, and a try was scored for Westland by Gillingham. Though the ground was in a very bad state, and a shower fell during the match, play was very fast from beginning to end. WAIEABAPA r. MANAWATU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) MASfTBBTON, September 16. Wairarapa heat Manawatu to-day at Groytown by 19 points to 9. Manawatu had a very weak team, and were outolasseeLin hack play, but held their own in the forwards. Wrigley, J. OiLeary, Beard, Spackman, and McKenzie scored tries for Wairarapa, two of which were converted. Archie McMinn. Adams, and Johnston scored tries for Manawatu. Wrigley, J. O’Leary, and Logan played splendidly in the Wairarapa hacks. Tho others did well, except the full-back. Williams. Spackman, and Wickens were far ahead of tho other Wairarapa forwards. Wellington schools beat Wairarapa schoolboys by 6 points to o.

ASSOCIATION, CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINALS. The semi-finals for the Senior Charity Challenge Cup we re played on Saturday, when Swifts defeated Rovers by three goals U> nil, and Diamonds beat St. John’s bv six goals to two. The score of the latter game is really no criterion of the play, as St. John's had their chare of the work all through. Swifts had mainly the better of the play against Rovers. The comer-kick-ing of both teams was very good. Swifts defeated Ramblers by three goals to nil in tho semi-finals of the Junior Challenge Cup, and Diamonds A defeated its B team by 5 to 1. In the Henderson Memorial Cup (Third League) Swifts defeated Kaiwarra. by three to nil. and Marist Bros. Old Boys defeated Petono Wanderers by three to one. It will bo noted that Swifts and Diamonds are represented in tho finals for each Challenge Cup they entered for. DIAMONDS v. ST. JOHN’S. From their own kick-off Diamonds mado a strong attack, and scored three goals in about six minutes, the scorers being Burbush, Hathaway, and Reddy. Burn, the St. John’s goal-keeper, should have saved tho first goal, but had hardly any chance with the others. Almost immediately afterwards Reddy put in a very hot shot, which Burn saved well, and kicked out. Some fast play now took place, Diamond forwards showing very good combination, while St. John’s attacked mainly by individual efforts. At length McWhannel scored for St, John’s from what appeared to bo an off-side position. 3—l. A. Mouatt was next prominent, and after a fin© run, centred to Williams, hut the latter missed a fine opportunity of scoring. Overend cleared to Hathaway, who initiated some short passing, which Reddy finally spoilt by getting off-side. From a scramble in St. John’s goal, Ballingall cleared to his forwards. A. Mouatt, breaking away, caused Fitzgerald some trouble, but the latter was very safe. At tho other end, Burbush shot wide, after which Hodges scored again for blacks. 4 —l. Miller next sprinted down St. John’s right wing, and centred hard across goal. Xhorley, in endeavouring to clear, miskicked through his own goal. 4—2. Tho wind was stronger in tho second half, making play somewhat slower. From the kick-off Reddy went right down the wing, and had a shot, which went over tho bar. Good work by Taylor was spoilt by McNair and Sparrow, tho half sending the hall on to his forwards. A. Mouatt mado a fine dodgy run right through tho Diamond backs, but before he could shoot. Overend fell hack and cleared. Fitzgerald had several shots to save. Reddy and Hodges added goais for Diamonds, making tho score 6—2. Just before the whistle blew R. Nagle put in a hot dropping shot, but Fitzgerald punched out well. Mr W. Machin was referee. ROVERS v. SWIFTS.

The Kovers-Swifts fixture at Miramar was, to a great extent, spoilt by wind, but at times there was fine play. Swifts kicked off. Martin stopped a rush, and returned to his forwards. F. Williams was prominent on Swifts’ left, but Duff cleared tho centre. Bovers were for a time dangerous, and Martin put in a fine corner but Swifts’ halves worked tho hall out, Perks finally clearing. Pyo-Smith, after a run, shot wide. Then Woodhams twice saved well for Swifts, once from a free-kick, and once from a good long shot by Williams. A break away by Swifts was missed by Bovers’ backs, and P. Pye-Smith and Twohill dashed towards Webster. An exchange of passes led to Pye-Smith scoring with a fine shot. I—o. Both sides attacked after this, hut play was mainly qn Swifts’ side of the line. In the second half Cates spoilt some splendid play in mid-field by missing an almost open goal. Good play by Martin and Beynolds drove Swifts back, but not for long. Some powerful kicking by Elson gained a corner, which nearly resulted in a score. From a pass by White, Twohill made a good run down the left wing, but Webster saved from a hot shot from P. PyeSmith at the expense of a corner. From this Bovers rushed to the other end of the field and tested Woodhams. Elson finally cleared. A corner next fell to Swifts, and was well placed by J. PyeSmith. Twohill was handy, and headed through. 2—o. Prom this on Swifts had most of the attack. A long kick by Whit© forced another corner, which Pye-Smith again made the most use of. for Anker screwed the ball through with a fast shot. 3 —o. There was no further score. Mr H. B. Swain was Veferoe.

JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP. Diamond A had most of the play against Diamond B, and won easily by five goals to one. The winners’ scorers were William (2), Black, Robinson, and Bone. Swifts defeated Ramblers by three goals to nil. The Ramblers played with the wind in, the first spell, but were unable to beat the strong defence of Graves, Guise, and Robinson. On turning round, Swifts maintained a strong attack, and but for Storr’s fine goalkeeping, a larger score would have been put up. The winners’ scorers were Geddis. C. Lowe, and A. Lowe. HENDERSON MEMORIAL CUP. Marist Bros’. Old Boys defeated Petone by three goals to one. Swifts defeated Kaiwarra by three goals to nil. BOYS’. LEAGUE. Swifts defeated Marist Bros’. Old Boys by three goals to nil. Marist School defeated Petono by three to nil. Diamonds defeated Y.M.C.A. by seven goals to one. • In response to an invitation from the Taranaki Football Association, 'it is expected that a Wellington team will bo sent to play in New Plymouth on Thursday 28th inst.