FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7870, 4 August 1911, Page 6

FOOTBALL

VICTORY FOR TARANAKI DEFEAT NORTH ISLAND COUNTRY TEAM. PINE PLAY BY MYNOTT. PEEBS ASSOCIATION. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 3. The Taranaki representative team today met and defeated the North Island touring country team by 11 points to G. Both teams were at full strength, and the match was exciting and strenuous .from start to finish, the issue being always in doubt- The weather was bright and sunny, and there was a large attendance. The ground was in good order, but in midfield it was slippery as the result of heavy showers on the previous couple of days. The visitors, who represent seven Rugby unions, showed remarkably good combination, and there are amongst its members players of individual brilliancy- The team was in splendid training, and lasted out a hardfought game right to closing moment. There was a semblance of rough play in some of the tight work and rather obstructive tactics. The Taranaki team was practically the same as that which met Wanganui recently. Mynott, as captain, was responsible for the victory, his stamina and generalship being as fine as ever. The forwards were the usual weighty pack, and as usual failed to got moving properly until well into the second spell. There was not live points difference between the two teams, for though the North Island did the bulk of the attacking, Taranaki were more dangerous when within striking distance of the line. The visitors had the best of the first spell, but Stohr scored first blood for Taranaki, goaling from a penalty given for deliberate obstruction of Mynott by Lennard. Then McKenzie goalcd for the visitors from a penalty for off-side, the first half ending—three points each. 'The first try of the match was scored by O'Connor. Stohr speculated in midfield, and Darby caught it and sprinted, centring nicely to IViniata and Mexted, and O'Connor managed to baffle tho opposition in the corner. McKenzie failed to goal. Mynott engineered a grand opening for Cameron, who crossed the line, and Stohr kicked a magnificent goal. Stohr kicked a splendid penalty goal a little later from about four yards inside half-way and well over to the side lino, bringing the scores to: Taranaki 11, North Island 6. Tho visitors continued to attack, but' wore unable to increase their score. The North Island team were entertained this evening at dinner with the Taranaki team, and leave by the morning express for Wanganui. REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. MAORI TEAM DRAWS WITH WAIR-AEAPA. PRESS ASSOCIATION. CARTERTON, August 3. . Tho Maori team played AVairarapa here to-day in perfect football weather. The Maoris won the toss and elected to play with a slight wind beVThd them. The game opened evenly, AVairarapa more than holding their own. Penalties were frequent on both sides. Tijo scrum work of the Maoris was infinitely heavier, but AVairarapa repeatedly secured the ball, and this led to lively passages. The visitors showed themselves remarkably* adept at picking the ball off the ground at full speed, and many pretty rushes, both dribbling and passing, eventuated. In the latter game their efforts were always nullified by failure to' take the ball or knock-ons. Play throughout the first spell was very fast, and towards the latter end of tho spell the visitors secured a mark near the posts, from which Rogers placed a goal. No further score was registered, though the visitors repeatedly forced down. The second spoil opened willingly, AVairarapa forcing the game and hemming the natives in their twenty-five. When in a tight corner tho visitors made a glaring breach of the rules, and from a free kick awarded Hodge placed a fine goal, bringing the scores level —three all. The natives wakened up considerably and bowled , the AA r airarapa men about like ninepins, no less than four sustaining knock-outs, but no one was seriously hurt. Tho -play was willing, but not intentionally rough. Only on two occasions in the second spell wore the Maoris at all dangerous, being for the most part kept well on tho defence. AAKirarapa lost frequent opportunities to score through bungling or hard kicking, and the Maoris accepted three forces. The game was very interesting, but the Maoris must show better form in passing to make a stand against stronger teams. Speaking generally, Wairarapa had tho bettor of the game, and put np an unexpectedly good performance. No further scores were registered, and the game ended in a draw. EAST WIN FOR CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, August 3. ’The South Island country representatives played their first match this afternoon against Canterbury at Lancaster Park. There was a fair attendance. The gamo resulted in an easy win for Canterbury by 18 points to 3. The Canterbury backs had far too much combination for tbeir opponents,' who wero under the disadvantage of not having played together previously. SOUTH CANTERBURY DEFEATS ASHBURTON. TIMARU, August 3. In the representative match at Rugby football South Canterbury beat Ashburton by 21 points to nil. NORTH ISLAND v. SOUTH ISLAND MATCH.

SELECTORS APPOINTED,

A mooting of the management committee of the New Zealand llugby Union was held yesterday afternoon to appoint selectors of tho teams to play in the North Island v. South Island match, to take place at 'Wellington on October 7th. Mr N. Galbraith presided. It was decided that Messrs D. Gallagher, A, Humphries, and H. D. Thompson be appointed the North Island team selectors, and that the selectors of the South Island team be Messrs it. Galbraith, S. Wilson, and H. Harris. All tho selectors are to be asked to be in 'Wellington on August lilth, in order that they may see the match between the North Island and South Island country representatives. ASSOCIATION FIFTH-DIVISION PLAYERS. (To the Editor “N.Z. Times.") Sir,— Kindly permit mo to reply to a letter 6igned~"Sport" appearing in this morning’s "Times" re "ringing-in players/’ and at the same time give him a littlo information. He accuses my club of an "unfair and unsportsmanlike" action in playing certain boys in out fifthdivision team, against Y.M.C.A. last Saturday. If "Sport" is so much interested in Association football as he says, surely ho knows that the Association can grant ‘'.transfers’* from one club to another. Now, .sir, here is the position we were placed in. Three of our boys have gone ,to live in Auckland, and one to

America (I can give “Sport" their names if ho cares to write to me for them). This made ns four short of a full team, so wo were faced with the possibility of having to withdraw from the competition—perhaps “Sport" would consider this fair to the remaining seven members bad wo done so. But we managed to got two players, and this still left us two short, so the two boys “Sport" refers to offered us their services if the Association would grant their “transfers." This the Association did. AVe accepted their offer, and so hope to “keep faith” with tho Association and the clubs in tho competition. I think

“Sport” would have done exactly as ire have done if he had been placed in the same predicament. So “Sport" needn't worry about those members of tho Brooklyn team he asserts have been “pushed out to make room for better players." If the four boys had not left AA'ellmgton we would never have changed tho team which carried us so successfully so far into the season. If “Sport" had approached me on Saturday at the Basin Reserve he would have got all tho explanation needed, and ho would have saved both time and ink.—l am, etc., JAS. FERGUSON. Hon. Secy. Brooklyn A.F.C. August 3rd.