FOOTBALL MATCHES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6315, 16 September 1907, Page 9

FOOTBALL MATCHES

RUGBY GAMES RESULT OF SATURDAY'S PLAY. MASTERTON v. ATHLETICS. There was only a very moderate attendance at the Athletic Park on Salur:iiiv afternoon to witness the inter-club contest between Maaterton and Athletics. Neither side had their full complement of best itißii, and the slippery state of tho ground militated ugafust the players being able to do themselves justice, ihe game was devoid of interest practically throughout, being principally in the nature of a sci amble, and terminated without either side registering u score. The visitors returned home by the afternoon train. FOURTH-CLASS. SOUTHERNS (11) v. MELROSE (3). Tho above match, played at the Athletic Park, to deckle tho runners-up ni the fonrth-clasß Championship; was won hv Southerns by 11 points to J. 3'dton ■nil Rusn-ll scored for the winners, Campbell converting one try and kickjntt a penalty goal. Clark scored ior tut dore-ra. ‘ A match, played between representatives of this paper and our teiiUKirary, was won by tho Post 0} i !■ points to nil. At Mimruar a game of Kugby was idavod betuo-n tho employees of the Wellington Woollen Company and A. Iwy lor the latter scores were nftulo .} n : H. (5. Hill ami .1. Turner, resulting iii Levy’s tf»nm winning by H to 0. Mr Queo was referee. THE RANFURLY SHIELD AUCKLAND v. WANGANUI.' WIN FOR THE NORTHERN TEAM. Pit ESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, September 14. The interproviucial football match Auckland v. Wanganui took jdace here this afternoon. 'Hie weather was fine, and about six thousand spectators were preKent. Great interest centred in the match, and excitement prevailed all through, especially in the spell after the Wanganui score. The ground, notwithstanding recent heavy rain, was in good order and allowed a fast, open game to'be indulged in. Tho score, 6 (two tries; to 5 (a converted try), docs not represent the difference between the two teams. * THE PLAY. Auckland had several points the better of the game all through until in the final .quarter hour, Auckland attacked determinedly, play being on the \\ angauui line. At this time great excitement prevailed. Auckland should have scored three times, and Wanganui lost one good chance. There was not a great difference between the teams, but the Auckland forwards had a slight advantage in tho play generally. While the Auckland team contained eight men who have, represented New Zealand, only eight of the team were in the team that toured the South. The difference between the two teams was very perceptible. While the Auckland, forwards had . generally the better oi the play in liue-out and loose work, tho team© were about equal in’ the scrum. Wanganui held an advantage in the earlier portion. of tho game. The Auckland backs ■. red a sound, safe game all through, and showed good attacking power, while the Wanganui backs repeatedly relieved their side from hot attacks by Initiating rushes in their own quarter. The game throughout was played in. a friendly spirit, and -with the exception of one incident, in which '* a Wanganui man held an Aucklander to the ground, there was an entire absence of anything ap-1 broaching rough play* Mr A*. Campbell, of Auckland, proved an impartial and satisfactory referee. ’ THE TEAMS. Wanganui—Full-back. L. Southcombe; three-quarters, H. Absolum (captain), L. Meuli, H. Abbott; five-eighths, P. Ward. L. ITitchmgs; half. W. Dowe; Wing-forward. T. Suiter; forwards, P. Murray, C. Stratford, A. S. Anderson, A. Guscoit, Daly, W. Dustin. Carroll. Auckland—Full-back, A. Miller; threequarters. G. Murray, G. • Gillett, A. Asher; five-eighths, R. Magee; half, H, Kiernan (captain); wing-forwards, J. Hall, 4 H. Harvard; forwards, G. Tyler, F. Herring. G, Nicholson, W.' Cunningham, A. Francis, C, Seeling, J, McGuire (Grafton). FIRST SPELL. Absolum kicked off for Wanganui, the ball going out at Auckland’s twentyfive. A' rush by the Auckland forwards made Wanganui force two minutes after play started. The Auckland forwards were having the best of the deal, and Francis crossed tho line, but was called back for a knock-on, the free kick giving Wanganui relief. Dustin broke away for Wanganui, and Miller missing, matters looked dangerous, but Staged whipped in and saved cleverly. The Auckland vanguard, with a sweeping rush, then invaded Wanganui's line,' where Nicholson threw away a score by potting back to the centre and failing to pass to Asher on the wing. Meuli saved for Wanganui. From a throw-in Dowe secured, and a passing run saw Miller collar Dowe well inside the Auckland twenty-five. Wanganui still kept up tho attack, and another passing run threatened danger, but was stopped by Nicholson. Auckland retaliat&d, and a forward rush took the ball over Wan"ctmui's . line, but tho visitors forced. Play then settled back near the line. ■**Auckland secured from a loose struggle, and a passing run —Kiernan to Magee to Gillett to Asher —resulted in Asher scoring after badly beating Southcombe, tho visitors' full-back. Magee failed to iwmvert, Auckland 3. Wanganui 0 After the kick-off Wanganui forced several times, and a high kick by Murray was followed up by. the Auckland for wards. Southcombe missed badly, and the Auckland vanguard were soon upon the ball, and securing, started a passing rush, which ended in Hall scoring. Yrancis did not convert. Auckland :.. 0 Wanganui ... 0 The rest of tho spoil was greatly in Auckland's favour, an almost perpetual attack being set up. Magee, who received a knock in the .first spell, was unable to come out again, and his place was taken - by boater. SECOND HAM 1 . Francis set tho ball rolling in the second spell, play going to Auckland's twenty-five as the result of a return by Meuli, A Wanganui rush headed by Suiter took play to Auckland's line, but the local vanguard removed the danger. Wanganui returned to the attack, and after a scrambling rush the ball was carried over the Auckland line. Miller saving just in time by forcing. Auckland then attacked, and from an opening by Nicholson, Herring got over, but lost the ball. Meuli saved by kicking Into safety. Auckland wore still holding the advantage,, and were attacking hotly when Absolum got in a long kick, and the visiting forwards following up carried the ball to Auckland's line, where Carroll scored. Ditchings converted with a brilliant kick. Auckland 6 . Wanganui 5 Prom this oh to tho end tho home team attacked, but a splendid defence by the Wanganui backs saved further points being added to Auckland's score. When

tlm "amo ended Auckland had one* point advantage, unci thus retain tho Ranfurlv Shiedd for another seat-on. < PREVIOUS GAMES. Auckland and Wanganui have played five matches, Auckland winning four and Wanganui one, Auckland has scored 57 points and Wanganui 12. ALLEGED ROUGH PLAY. ' AN INQUIRY BEING HELD. AUCKLAND, September 14. The allegation of rough play levelled at the Auckland representative touring *team in the South Island, which has caused so much discussion in Auckland, has claimed the attention of the management; oomnuUce of tho Auckland Kugbv Union. A special meeting was held yesterday afternoon to consider the question. Tho manager (Mr F. Murray) presented a report on tho tour, and dealt with the rough play allegations. . Tho .committee, which sat in camera, decided to hold another meeting' on Wednesday evening, when two men ordered off the field will be asked to bo present, together with other members of the team thought necessary. Tho football season in Auckland will conclude next Saturday, wnen the Tax*anaki representatives play Auckland. The match is simply a return one, and not for the shield. - WELLINGTON v. CANTERBURY V A WELL-CONTESTED GAME. WON BY THE SOUTHERNERS. PBSS3 ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, September 14. The twentieth representative football match between teams representing Canterbury and Wellington was played atLancaster Park, and resulted in a win for the Canterbury team by 9 points to 6. Deans, the Canterbury skipper, won the toss, and Canterbury defended the northern goal with the sun at their backs. THE PLAY. A loose rush by tho black vanguard went to the homo line, when Roberts obtained possession, and started his backs. A knock-on frustrated the effort. McPhail, by being off-side, gave the visitors a penalty in front, but Wallace's kick went outside. Tho blacks' forwards again controlled the leather, but good play by Burns and Fuller regained the ground. Roberts then passed out ou the blind side to Anderson, who made a fine run, and centred to Cleary, but the latter's pass went forward.. Tho reds cleared with a forward scramble. King was prominent at this’stage for good footwork. Gray gained further ground, and a Canterbury rush gave Evenson a fine mark. Roberts broke away, but was penalised, Fuller gaining a little ground with h*s kick. Obtaining possession, tho Canterbury forwards held out, and Burns and Fryer, by combined play, went to the visitors' hue. where a series of line-outs took place. Burns, obtaining tho ball, sent it to Gray, and tho latter to Fuller, who beat Wallace, and sent on to Doans, the latter gaining a try amidst cheering. Fuller’s kick failed.

Canterbury 3 Wellington 0 A good rush by the Wellington forwards was spoilt by Rush getting penalised, King repeating the offence. Wallace, missing, a high kick, let the home forwards up. J; Ryan passed to Cleary, and the latter cleared with a good kick to touch. Roberts, cleverly beating the home team, again gave visitors the advantage, a long-kick forcing the local side. In an interchange of kicks between the-backs, Evensen found the line at the local twenty-five flag. A fine pass-ing-rush by Burns, Gray, Fuller, Deans, and Howison removed tne-scene to halfway. A penalty to the visitors went tc Fuller; whose kick went to Evensen. Tho latter, beating Fryer, saw Doell find touch with a timely kick. . Another bout of passing witnessed Deans make a i' run, which was nullified by a penalty to tho visitors. A return by Fryer icgained the territory. Pryor initiated j ; passing rush to the visitors' half, where Fuller lost a certain score by missing the ball, Ryan kicking well down. Gray was tackled in possession in his own twenty-five. Good footwork by Bain relieved. The visiting vanguard came back, and Roberts sent the ball to Wallace, who dashed over with three opponents holding the ball. From the scrum, Anderson missed a capital chance of scoring by fumbling, and Cleary marking, the ball was placed for Wallace, who kicked a splendid goal. Canterbury 3 Wellington 3 The kick-out gained little ground. Burns obtained possession, and passing to Gray, the latter threw to Fuller, who cleverly beat the blacks' rearguard, and sending out to Fryer, the latter scored. Puller made a poor attempt. ' Canterbury ... 6 Wellington 3 On resuming, Evensen centred to Wallace, who was tackled by Fuller, arid from a mark by Burns, Ryan returned well to touch. Roberts was again prominent for the visitors, and, making an opening, sent ont to Evensen, who misfielded a good chance. A long kick;, by Cleary gave Doell possession. His return was spoilt by Wallace. Fryer, getting the ball, cleared the local line, a nice lack by M. Ryan going out at the corner-flag. Grav, marking from the line-out, gave further relief. Tho visitors' forwards came back, and after a series of loose kicks by the visitors. Gray saved by a timely kick to touch. Fast following up by the homo forwards improved matters, but passing ensued between Roberts, CleaJT, J. Ryan, and Bvensea. the latter kicking over and forcing Canterbury as half-time sounded. SECOND SPELL.

Bain restarted proceedings, kicking off towards the northern goal. Fuller, obstructing Wallace, gave the visitors a free-kick. The latter's forwards, headed .by Wilson, secured Gray in possession. A kick by Bums witnessed Cleary mark, and the ball was placed for Wallace, who mad© a good attempt, forcing the reds. Passing by the Canterbury backs Wallace intercepted, and ended a fine run by passing to J. who scored. Wallace failed with the kick. Canterbury •, ... ... ... 6 Wellington ... A. ••• 6 A loose rush by tho Wellington vanguard off good play by Anderson went to Doell, who returned well down. Another good rush by the visiting forwards wo s spoilt by off-side play, and Burns ran down ‘ the lino, giving the home forwards possession. A long kick was made by Howison, and the latter following up, charged down M, Ryan's return, which Wallace marked. The marking being disallowed saw a struggle on the Wellington line. Good play by Burns, Harrison, and Bam forced tin visitors. Further passing by the , ’7 rv ’'’ team again had th© blacks defending, M. Ryan saving a dangerous rush by marking. Off-side play by th© local forwards relieved tho visitors' line.- Passing between Bums, Gray, Fallen Deans, and Fryer followed. The latter passed infield. Wilson, by good footwork, regained the visitors' ground. Wallace was prominent at this stage by his good play. After combined play between Bums and Gray, Anderson marked.’ and Cleary, bv a nice nm, further improved matters for his side. Anderson intercepted a passing rush by. the reds' rear division, and Wilson got away with the ball at his feet. Fuller obtaining a timely mark. Ryan's kick going out to Fryer, tho latter made a dash along the line, and centred to the local forwards, who lost a fine chance by misfielding. A penalty to the home team was placed for Puller, who made a good but ineffectual attempt. The visiting forwards, headed

by Wilson removed play to the halfwav flag. Fuller saving by kicking into touch. A kick by Roberts went to Menzies, the latter sending out at the corner flag. Obtaining contiol, the Wellington forwards, with King, Wilson, and Oalcinai in the van, cleared, and after parsing by Roberto, Anderson, and .1. Ryan, the latter inis.-.ed a capital chance. A penalty was awarded tho local team, and Loans, by a fine kick, cleared Canterbury’s line. Anderson broke away, and. transferring to 'Wallace, the latter went well down, and passed to Ryan, who was finely • tackled by Fuller. A good rush by tho Canterbury forwards gave the visitors a clearance with a penalty, but passing between the red backs again threatened danger, and from a pass Burns sent the ball to Deans. Tho latter passed to Howison, who went over, but failed with tho kick at goal. Canterbury ... 9 Wellington 6 Following the kick-out, good footwork by Wilson and a free-kick improved matters for the blacks. A nice kick by Gray went into touch in the visitors' twentyfive, and a miskick by Anderson gave Fuller a mark in a good position, Howison making a good, but fruitless, shot at goal. Good footwork by Evans had the visitors busy, and in passing among the Canterbury backs Deans rumbled, allowing the blacks to clear. A long kick by Fryer forced Wellington shortly before tho whistle sounded f ‘ no-side," leaving Canterbury victorious, after a line, opon game. OTAGO BEATS SOUTHLAND. PRESS ASSOCIATION. -DUNEDIN, September 14. The return football match between Otago and Southland was played to-day under unfavourable conditions. Rain fell at frequent intervals during the day, and a couple of heavy showers during the progress of the game made matters unpleasant. In the .first match of the season Southland secured an easy victory by 20 points to 5, but Otago avenged defeat to-day by winning by 11 points to nil after having all the best of the play. The visitors were not at all at home on the slippery ground. The Otago team played well, forward and back, and gave a superior exposition of the game almost throughout. Some of the rushes by tho Otaeo forwards were very good, and in following up they excelled themselves, giving their opponents no end of trouble. The homo team had tho best of the scrums, and held their own well on the line-out. The game was notable for an absence of anything approaching rough play. ,

ASSOCIATION SWIFTS v. COMBINED TEAM. A match took placo at Miramar on Saturday Swifts' Club, winners of the Senior Championship, and a team picked from tho rest of the senior teams. As there were only two Swifts in the representative team, the combined team was, to all intents and purposes, a representative team. Mount was unable to play, and his place was filled by Irvine. Influenza weakened the ranks "of the Swifts, and they found it necessary to play four juniors in their team. Despite this the reds played n capital game, and two of the juniors— Barry and Rogers—were prominent in the forward line. Cornish transferred from centre- to full-back, and proved a more than useful player in this position. Tho five forwards of the combined team were all home players, and they went in for far too much fancy work. This ga’ve tho red backs plenty of chances to keep them out. A fast forward or two of the Diamond Club type would have added to the strength of the combined team. Swifts won tne toss, and played with the wind. For a time they worried the yellows' (Combined) defence, but although each side had good opportunities, there was no score at half-time. More open tactics were adopted in the second spell,, especially by the Swifts, whose combination was ahead of that of their opponents. The defence on either side was very sound, and it seemed 1 quite likely that no scoring would take place. However, when the second spell was well ou, Ollier sent in. a long high shot, ; which easily passed Oldnall. I—o. Before time was called the scores were equalised, Scott getting a hot shot past Jamieson from a good centre by Saunders. I—l. Mr W. Auld was the referee. Although the game was not a very good exhibition of football, yet a certain amount of interest was raised, and it is hoped that such a match can be made an annual one. \ JUNIOR, St. John's defeated ‘Porirua in the final for th© Junior Challenge Cup by 2 goals to 1. Th© extra time in the Y.M.C.A.-Marist Bros.' Junior League game was played on Saturday, Rut no further score took place. Swifts, therefore, win the Junior League, Marist Bros.' being the runners-up, one point behind. At Miramar St. James's Young Men's Bible Class defeated St. John's Class by 16 points to nil. Tries for the winners were scored by Neilson, Urquhart, Hall, and Warwick, two of which were converteci by Neilson and Alpe. \