RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5994, 3 September 1906, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON. RANFURLY SHIELD HATCH. WIN FOR THE NORTHERNERS. riIBSS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, September 1. Tho seventeenth interprovincial match between tho Auckland and Wellington representative teams was played to-day at Alexandra Park under favourable weather conditions. Tho ground was in capital order, tho breeze light, and not sufficient to influence tho game. The fact that tho match was for the Ranfurly Shield (hold by Auckland), coupled with the anticipation of a strenuous contest, served to fill the game with exceptional interest. Tho attendance must have numbered fully thirteen thousand. Of these a couple of thousand camo in from country districts by rail and steamer, while upwards of one hundred enthusiasts came from Wellington to see tho match. Auckland were slightly favourites. There was little or nothing between the teams in physique and weight. Tho men appeared to be in splendid condition, pointing to a fast and keen struggle for supremacy between the two leading Rugby combinations of tho colony. In thin respect expectations were fully realised, as the pace was on from tho start, and so fast was it that about halfway through the second spell tho forwards on both sides began to fag. Auckland won by 11 points (a try converted, a goal from a mark, and a penalty goal) to s(a try converted). It cannot bo denied that tho better team gained victory. Tho blue and blacks retain tho Ranfurly Shield because their forwards were superior to the visiting forwards, vnd because of Dufty’e goal-kicking. j Tho Auckland pack, knowing that Wellington boasted a strong attacking division behind, set to work at once, and were always in among the Wellington backs, smothering them before they ' could open up attacking movements, and tackling thorn with fine determination. Had the Wellington backs been given a fair chance to get going they would have been seen to better advantage than the members of the local rearguard. but that chance was denied them owing to the dash of the home ■pack. Tho Auckland backs shaped fairly well, and hut for comparatively weak play on Mackenzie’s part at centre three-quarter, would have added a couple more tries. If one team had the worst of the luck it was the Auckland team, though, on the other hand, Wellington had decidedly bad luck on one occasion. Mr P. Mackie, of Wellington, had charge of the whistle. THE teams;. Auckland. Full-back, J. Dufty; three-quarters, G. Smith, W. Mackenzie, W. Wilson; five-eighths, R. Wynyard, R. Magee; half, H. Kiernan; wing, G. Gillett; forwards, G. Tyler, B. Dunning, A. Francis, W. Cunningham, H. Hayward, C. Seeling, 6. Nicholson. Wellington.—Full-back, G. Spencer; throe-quarters, K. ,D. Thomson, Ramsdon, Ryan; five-eighths, Mitchineon, W. J. Wallace; half, F. Roberts; wing, W. Hardham; forwards, Watkins, Galium, Cross, Wright, J. Spencer, Byrne, Maiming. Kiernan captained the Auckland team, and Wallace the visitors. The Auckland men won tho toss, and elected to play from the western goal, with the 1 sun behind them. THE PLAY. From an exchange of feioks, following tho start, Roberts sent the ball out a dozen yards from tho Auckland line, but tho homo team pushed play back to half-way, Gillett being mainly responsible. The play wan fast and funous, and the Auckland forwards, breaking away from the line, got well into the blacks’ territory. Here, from the first scrum, Auckland got possession, but the tackling was deadly, and a freo-kiok to Wellington let them back to to the half-way peg, where another useful kick by Roberts carried the visitors into the home ground. An exchange of kicks forced Auckland. From the kick-out loose work followed, and tho Wellington hacks got flinging the ball about, but Magee interrupted, and kicked out at half-way. Magee here broke away with the leather, and punting over the visitors’ heads, Auckland rushed the hall out' at Wellington’s twenty-five flag. Here Wellington were penalised, and Dufty had a fruitless shot at goal. On resuming, the Auckland forwards dashed away, and, passing out to tho hacks, Wynyard and Wilson got to within a few yards of the Wellingon line. From a scramble, the Wellington forwards invaded, and a free-kick went to the blacks. Wallace made a good, hut fruitless, shot at goal from a difficult angle. Almost immediately after another free-kiok wont to Wellington, and they reached the Auckland twentyfive. For some minutes Wellington ■stayed in blue and white ground, but faulty handling by the Wellington hacks let Auckland in, and they swept the leather to half-way. Here the Wellington forwards got on a dribble from a lino-out, but tho locals retaliated, and Spencer, failing to field a kick, Nicholson charged down on the hall, and looked dangerous, till Thomson came to the rescue, and cleared. From the kick-off, Wellington attacked, and Spencer, getting tho ball at toe came ■ with a strong dribble, and the ball was rushed across the Auckland line, where Smith kicked into, teuoh-in-goal. Almost immediately afterwards the Wellington backs looked dangerous again, and Ryan wound up with a shot at. goal from the field, but the ball wont low, and Wilson forced for the bine and whites. The visitors kept tho pressure on until Hayward and Seeling got away cleverly with tho ball from a scrum, and carried it at toe to half-way. Tho local forwards got going again, and, smothering the Wellington backs, gob to the southerners’ twenty-five, where Kiernan snapped up a smart mark, and Dufty landed a beautiful goal, after thirty-two minutes’ play.

-Auckland ... ... 3 "Wellington 0 On resuming, play hung about midfield for several minutes. Then the blue and white forwards broke away with a powerful loose rush, getting into black quarters. Then Thomson took the play into the home territory, and Spencer came along with a nice dribble from a line-out to within a few feet of the Auckland line. Francis, however, started a counter-rush, assisted by Nicholson and Gillett, the latter kicking to Wellington's twenty-five. Here "Gillett picked up, and passed to Magee, who transferred to Wynyard, and the latter cut in beautifully, and-scored jmder the posts for Auckland, after

forty minutes’ play. Dufty added the extra points:— Auckland ... ... 8 Wellington 0

Warming up, the Auckland forwards soon gat into the blacks' ground again, and shortly afterwards, with play at midfield, tho spell closed without change to tho score. SECOND HALF.

When the teams crossed over Wellington had a alight breeze with them, but there was not much sun. _ From tho kick-off Auckland got into Wellington’s ground, but faulty fielding by the homo team backs let Wellington away, and Roberts kicked to tho blue and j white twOnty-fidif, Here Auckland I were penalised and a long kick by 1 Thomson reached to within a few yards of tho Auckland line. Tight work followed, but the defence was solid. Then Seeling led a powerful Auckland rush I but Dufty failing in an attempt to 1 field a long kick, the leather went over | the homo line and was forced. From ‘ tho kick out Wallace got possession and had a shot at goal from the field, tut ; failed. Wilson marked, and a useful kick, followed by a punt by Gillett, saw tho locals back to the half-way peg. Hero Wilson picked up from the loose and after a nice dash passed to Seebng, but tho latter missed tho ball, and I with it a fine chance of Scoring. Hero i tho Auckland hacks got going again, , but tho defence was solid and Thomson I relieved with a long line kick. From tlio throw-in tho Wellington backs got away and Thomson centring nicely the Wellington forwards dashed down on the ball. Spencer looked like scoring, hut Auckland saved with a force. On resuming tho Wellington backs threw tho ball about but Smith intercepted and Dunning headed a strong rush, getting to within a few yards of Wellington’s line. The visitors rushed the leather hack and a long kick forced Auckland 1 .. Both teams weila feeling the effects of the fast play and’ the forwards flagged perceptibly. The members of the local pack then rallied again, and with determined rushes got inside Wellington's twenty-dive. A free-kick relieved Wellington, but a useful lino kick by Magee carried the game back beyond the blacks’ twenty-five flag. Here Seeling headed a beautiful rush and Nicholson got within an aoe of scoring. They pressed hotly, but a free-kick relieved the blacks. The locals were, however, not to be denied and kicks by Smith and Gillett saw them within a dozen yards of the line. Short, sharp rushes by the Wellington Hcruinmers took the leather back to the twenty-five flag. From a kick by Mage© Mitohinson snapped up and after a dash passed to Thomson, who beat all the locals tor pace and with a clear field scored near the Auckland corner flag. It was a brilliant run. Wallace kicked a beautiful goal.

Auckland 8 Wellington 5 There was still thirteen minutes to go, and the battle became fast and furious. Playing an open game the Wellington backs invaded, but a powerful line kick by Gillett from a mark saw the local men pressing again. Wynyard snapped a mark and Dufty had a good but unavailing shot at goal. The Wellington forwards then came up the field with sweeping rushes, reaching the blue and white twenty-five. Gillett, however, pushed the blacks back with another line kick, and Wellington being penalised Dufty was given another kick at goal. This time he landed a beauty, right from tho touch line. Auckland 11 Wellington ... 5 There was now only four minutes to go, and the visitors fought desperately to turn the tide. Their forwards took the play beyond the home twenty-five peg, and a long kick by Rarasden from a mark had Auckland defending close’ to their line. But lino-kicking relieved. Then from a loose rush across the field the visitors got right on the home corner-peg. Manning crossed the Ahokland line, hut. -the ball had gone out of play, and he was called back. The Auckland forwards relieved, and a few seconds later the bell sounded, with the score—Auckland, 11; Wellington, 5. NOTES ON THE GAME.

Special to ihb "N.Z. Times.” AUCKLAND, September 1. The pace of the Auckland forwards won the game. Wellington equalled them in solidity, and-held their own in tie scrums. At the beginning of the game honours were easy. In the lineout the Auckland forwards invariably broke through or “worked a point" by knocking back to Kiernan. In the open play they were much superior. This is where pace told. They obtained more chances for their backs, who made the most of them, and handled the ball eyen better than our backs. The Wellington back combination did not work smoothly. A confession of weakness was the changing of the combination—Roberts (half), Wallace, Mitchinson, Eamsden, at the beginning of the second spell to Eamsden (half), Roberts, Wallace, Mitchinson, etc. This did not improve matters. Individually the Wellington forwards wore as good ae Auckland’s, but as a combination they were muon inferior. A Wellington forward rush was engineered by one man, generally out on his own. In an Auckland one four or five men took part. It was noticed when the teams were coming off the ground at the interval that the Auckland men seemed much fresher than their opponents, who appeared to be a little but of form. J. Spencer and Manning appeared to best advantage in the open. They broke away frequently, but were poorly supported on these occasions. Cross worked hard in the scrum and in the tight play. Watkins did very well in all departments. Roberta kicked and saved well, but was not quite up to his best form in passing. On one occasion he made an error in attempting to force through alone' when he had the open field at his disposal. Wallace was disappointing to the Auckland public, who expected to see something extraordinary from him. Ho was well marked though, and got no chances. His kicking was good, but his passing erratic. Thomson scored a brilliant tryr, and otherwise did well. His line-kicking was the best performed on the ground, and of immense value to his side. The other backs played ft sound game, ' but all have done better before. HOW THE BLOW FELL. The export of specie from Wellington to Auckland in connection with the representative match must be very considerable. The posting of the scores) at the Athletic Park was watched with as much interest a es general election returns, and when the half-time score stood 8 to nil, in Auckland’s favour, a grim, set look settled on the expectant faces. Then, when the boy appeared

with a further telegram, he wad at once besieged by the people in that quarter, and an outburst of cheering told ’he whole great multitude in unmistakable language that Wellington had scored. “Three or five?” panted the crowd, and' when tho larger number was hoisted the cheer became universal. Could they get tlio extra three points? Was there time? Are Auckland clocks faster or slower than ours? And do the speculations ran till again the message-boy appeared, was again besieged, and—no cheering! At once a heavy despondency seized tho understanding crowd. No posting of the figures was needed. It was Auckland’s score, and it sounded the doath-kncll, and they know it. \ “X Rays” sends us the following touching elegy:— IX MBMORIAM. Xot a drum was heard, not a trumpet note. As our weary way homeward we hurried. Not ui barracker ventured a parting shot O'er the grave of the hopes that were buried. We buried them softly at fall of eve. And spoke not a word of sorrow; But we silently thought of tho gold that was gone. And wondered where else we could borrow. We thought as we jingled tho chinking keys (Having nothing else left to chink with) That, a swollen head is tho very worst thing For a. Kugby tout to think with. Lightly they’ll talk of our heroes all slain, And sneer at our flying division: Ah, bitter than everything else— ' Is the sting of the scoffer’s derision. 0 where was our Wallace, our Roberts, our Byrne? And what was tho matter with Ryan? And where was the furious boot of Tom Cross f And which of the lot was tryin’ ? Wo drowned it that evening in gallons galore, Designed to revive the down-hearted. But beer is all bitter and barmaids are sour. And the glory of life has departed. During the Auckland match each o? the scores was telegraphed to Wellington, and was posted on tho scoringboard at Athletic Park. The spectators took great interest in the hoard. Each score was applauded, and Wellington’s “five” was received with cheers. *

WELLINGTON B v. HOROWHENUA.

Wellington senior B representatives defeated Horowhenua at Athletic Park on Saturday by 30 points to 8. The day was dull and unpleasant, but there was a large attendance of spectators. The result of the game was due largely to the dribbling of the Wellington for-, wards. Sweeney, Avery, Baker, Wilson, and O’Sullivan all made clever use of their feet. In. the scrums, the country pack, which contained a number of brawny Maoris, such ae Parata and Bopata, could hold its ground. The Horowhenua backs had good combination in attack, but were poor in defence. The Wellington line had a splendid protector in M. Ryan (fullback). The other backs did some brilliant work, but the fact that the bail seldom came out to the wing threequarters showed there was something wrong in the passing mechanism. Green generally passed out cleanly, but frequently the ball did not get further than O’Meara. It was a game of good feeling and honest dealing. Mr G. Howe was referee. The teams were as follows;—Wellington—M. Ryan, Kelly, Evextson, Twohill, O’Meara, G. Bogle, Green, O’Sullivan, Wilson, Sweeney, Avery, Baker, Oaloinai, Hamilton, and Keenan. Horowhenua—Anderson, Watene, P. Cootes, Rawiri, S. Oootes, Bright, King, Sevan, Ohalk, Wilson, Parata, Ropata, B. Oootes, B. Sevan, and George. Within the first few minutes of the game Rawiri made a clever run, and scored for Horowhenua. He converted his try. The Wellington forwards then began to press. Baker was particularly vigorous and useful. While in this position, Wellington had some opportunities to score from kicks. Bogle failed to put a penalty kick over, and Ryan made a good but unsuccessful “pot.” After a, fine dribbling rush by Sweeney and Wilson, Baker scored for Wellington. Bogle converted. Wellington attacked consistently, while Horowhenua made a few rushes of snapshot duration. A swerving run by EVenson almost gave Wellington a try; O’Meara, to whom he passed, was pushed into touch near the corner. The effort was not lost, however, for Wilson immediately after struggled over from a scrum, Evenson failed to goal. Wellington continued to lie alongside the Horowhenua ingoal, and at length Twohill broke through unexpectedly, ran round, and scored in a good position. Evenson converted. When the black forwards had moved down again. Oaloinai made a dash, and got a spendid opening; hut, passing off the ground, he threw forward. From the scrum the ball went out to Kelly, who ran in near the corner. The kick at goal was an impossible one. The next Wellington try ■was easily gained. Rawiri kicked infield in front of his own goal. The Wellington forwards pounced on the ball, and o’Sulliva.ii scored behind the posts. Evenson made a poor kick at goal. Wellington, 19; Horowhenua, o. The early part of the second spell passed without incident. Then Sweeney scored from a forward rush. M. Ryan, kicking against the wind, failed to convert. From' a passing rush in which O’Meara and Bogle took part the ball came out to Evenson, who raced for the line, attended by Kelly. Evenson feinted and swerved in over the line. Bogle failed to goal. Play was more even than in the first spell. The game settled for a time near the Wellington line, and Horowhenua forwards were near scoring. From a free-kiok in a fairly good position Parata placed a goal. Horowhenua forwards returned to the attack for a time. Then the ciy pack swept down tho field and Horowhonua forced. Just on the call of time Green scored from a loos© rush, and Ryan brought the score up to thirty with a strong kick against the wind.

SCHOOLS REPRESENTATIVES. The schools representative match, Wellington r. Wairarapa, played at Athletic Park on Saturday, was won by Wairarapa by 6 points to 3. The forwards from the country appeared to be half as heavy again as the city pack, and the backs had better combination; but the Wellington backs individually were the more clever, Russell being particularly good. Splendid line kicking was done by Finlayson (Wellington) and Fuller (Wairarapa). Both back teams, especially Wellington, relied too much on kicking and not enough on running and passing. Soon after the kick-off the Wairarapa forwards made use of their weight.

After a dribbling rush Mcßarran scored a try. Beard failed to goal. The Wellington backs mainly by line kicking held the advantage for a time, but the opposing forwards broke away and with a single rush reached the other end of the ground. Wellington forced. Finlayson missed a good opportunity to goal from a mark. Fuller and Fairbrother made good runs for Wairarapa, but each was unsupported. The spell closed without further score. Early in the second spell Fairbrother scored Wairarapa’s second try. He ran in alone, beating tbe Wellington team by his pace. Wellington then mad© play moro open and succeeded better. Russell -.took the ball down to the Wairarapa line, and Bender scrambled oyer. The Wellington boys tried hard to make up the remaining three points, and the backs would have scored with ordinary luck; but they only forced their opponents. None of the tries were converted. Mr A. Campbell was referee. CANTERBURY v. SOUTHLAND. PRESS ASSOCIATION.' CHRISTCHURCH, September 2. The fourteenth annual match between teams representing Canterbury and Southland was played at Lancaster Park. The ground was in good order. A Strong wind blew during the game. The final score was;—Canterbury (one goal and three tries), 14; Southland (one try), 3. The annual football match, “Evening Post’’ v. “New Zealand Times,” played at Newtown Park on Saturday, was drawn, Power scoring, a try-for “Times” and Johnson for “Post.” The game was very even, if not very scientific, and both sides deserved to lose. Now and again, when players were not too tired to get on side, some spirited rallies occurred. Beck, a Wellington rep. of twenty odd years ago, led the “Times” forwards with great vigour and success, and Fanning was the strategical expert of the “Post” pack. In the evening the teams held a smoke concert at Godber's, Cuba street, Mr T. Wardell (Managing Director of the “Times”) presiding. A very enjoyable time was spent. ASSOCIATION. SEMI-FINALS JUNIOR CUP. SWIFTS v.~X>IAiMONDS. The Swifts met and defeated Diamonds by 4 goals to nil. The losers had the advantage of the strong wind in the first spell, and kept the Swifts almost entirely on the defence. Jamieson, J. Pye-Smith, Guise, and Hunter were ail safe,' and their goal was kept intact. In the second spell the winners attacked vigorously, and, despite good defence by the Diamonds’ backs, amongst whom Barnett and Bethel! were conspicuous, obtained 4 goals, the scorers being Muir (2), J. Pye-Smith, and Graves. PORIRUA v. RAMBLERS. Porirua effected a surprise by defeating the league winners, Ramblers, by 2 goals to 1. The game was well contested, the winners having but little the better of play- Ramblers had a ohanoe of equalising with a penalty, but' Waters lost the opportunity. Walker scored both goals for Porirua, and McLean for Ramblers. HENDERSON CUP FINAL. The final for the Henderson Memorial Cup between Marist Bros. Old Boys and Swifts third resulted in a drawn game, no score. BROWN SHIELD TOURNAMENT. FINAL - MATCH. Wellington defeated Taranaki by 4 goals to nil at Eltham. By this win of 4 goals to nil over the Taranaki team, the Wellington Association has again annexed the Brown Shield. The last tournament was held in Wellington in 1903, tbe local eleven being successful. On that occasion Wellington,, as this year, had to meet Auckland first, and ■ succeeding in winning by 4 goals to 1. The local team followed up this success by defeating Otago in the final by 2 goals to 1. 'Hie Wellington soccer representative team has not tasted defeat since it was beaten by Otago at Dunedin in 1902. In 1903 and 1906 the Brown Shield has been won. In 1904 New South Wales and Canterbury were defeated, and last season the New Zealand team was defeated at Wellington, and a drawn game played with Taranaki in New Plymouth-