REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY MATCHES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7914, 25 September 1911, Page 4

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY MATCHES

WIN FOR WELLINGTON CANTERBURY DEFEATED BY 26 POINTS TO 9 SOUTHERNERS OUTCLASSED PHES3 ASSOCIATION* CHRISTCHURCH, September 23. The Rugby season in Christchurch was brought to a close this afternoon with the twenty-fourth match between Canterbury and Wellington, played at the show grounds. Tho weather was tine though cold, and a fairly stiff south-west breeze was blowing across the ground. There was a very fair attendance of tho public, the takings amounting to £125 3s 9d. The poor form shown by tho Canterbury team in their last match in Christchurch, that against Taranaki, was not encouraging to their supporters, and the game resulted in another* decisive beating for the home team. Tho match was interesting enough from a spectator’s point of view, as there was plenty of scoring, and with it, naturally, plenty of incident, but it was not a particularly high-class display of football. The first spell saw the home team playing in a very half-hearted fashion, and halftime was called with the score 15 to nil against them. In tho second spell they sho.wed much, better form, and for more than half its duration they had the better of the play, but in the closing stages they went to pieces again, and as the result of feeble tackling allowed Wellington to score a couple of easy tries.

Wellington iron the toss, and Canterbury kicked off against the wind. An exchange of kicks left play at the centre, and from a scrum Burns set his backs going, but a wild pass from Gray to Fuller spoilt the opening, and Pyle just kicked out in time. Almost immediately after a long lack by Burns compelled the blacks to force. A forward rush by the reds was stopped by sound kicking, and when the Canterbury backs made another attempt to get going Tosswill: passed wildly, and Pyle had to kick hurriedly. With play in midfield Gillespie broke away and took play to the Canterbury line. There Roberts got the ball from a scrum out to Bvensen, but the latter lost a good chance by a knock-on., A mark by McKenzie gave a shot at goal, but the hall kept too low and wide of the mark, and Canterbury forced dovoi. Wellington kept their opponents in their half of the field until a free-kick relieved. The blacks - were quickly back again, and Evensen potted at.goal, but made a poor attempt. Wellington kept up the attack, and a pretty bout of passing sent the ball out to Grace, who was well tackled near the line. Another attempt that, followed at once was stopped by Pyle marking. With play just past the centre line Ryan secured possession and made a good attempt to pot, the ball dropping just a little short. A series of line-kicks took play to midfield, but Wellington were playing more briskly than their opponents, and soon had the reds defending again. Roberta and Bvensen made a dash at the corner, but the latter was pushed into touch. Canterbury could get no relief, and from a scramble on the line Cunningham forced, his way across. Mitchinson’s kick at goal was unsuccessful.

Wellington 3 Canterbury 0 Following the kick-out Carroll headed a rush that gave Wellington some trouble, and Gray followed this up with a kick that found the line near the corner. Mitchinson got his side out of trouble with a useful kick, but Pyle returned with a - dash ' down the line. The Canterbury forwards livened up a bit, but their work was checked by safe kicking. At this stage McKenzie was slightly injured, and changed places with Grace. Wellington drove their opponents back; their backs made another dash, and Evensen was tackled at the corner by Henry. They made another attempt to open up the play, but Miller cut off a pass and raced to Kinvig, and then kicked, but the Wellington backs got round in time to prevent a score. Canterbury were awarded a penalty kick, and Henry made the attempt at goal, but his kick was charged. Canterbury rallied again, but a likely opening was lost by Tosswill lacking instead , of passing, and the Wellington backs got away again, a passing rush ending in Grace scoring. Roberts’s kick at goal was unsuccessful.

Wellington 6 Canterbury 0 Roberts took the ball from the kick-out and dropped a fine goal. Wellington r . 10 Canterbury 0 Wellington kept up a brisk attack, and Wilson made a fine dash down the centre of the field, and then passed to Gillespie, who scored near the posts. Elliott kicked agoal. Wellington - 15 Canterbury , 0 Half-time was called a few minutes later, with play , near the centre. THE SECOND SPEED. The opening of the second spell Was marked by an exchange of kicks, which ended in Miller charging Grace’s return. Fast following up by Burns improved matters for Canterbury, but he was unable to get the ball out to Gray. From a free-kick Morris made a poor attempt at goal. Good kicking by the Canterbury backs kept play in the Wellington half, and eventually Burns got in a well-judged centre-kick, which enabled. Murray to score for Canterbury. Fuller made a weak shot at goal. Wellington 15 ' Canterbury 3 Following the kick-out, Wellington forwards, playing with a lot of dash, gave Canterbury a busy time, but Murray and Carroll replied with some effective tackling and sound footwork, and a good kick by Fuller gained his side a lot of ground. Further useful kicking by the red backs had play in Welling-

ton’s twenty-five, where Morris had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty. With play near the centre Burns intercepted a pass from Roberts, and ran to Wellington’s twenty-five, hut was unsupported. The rods, however, kept up tho attack, and Burns secured possession near Wellington’s twentyfive, and then passed to Gray. r l he latter, after a short dash, sent the ball on to Pyle, who raced over at tho corner. Hassell’s kick at goal failed.

Wellington 15 Canterbury 6 Play at this stage was decidedly faster than it had been, tho reds showing much better form than they had done previously. Another rush, in which Burns, Gray, and Pylo joined, was stopped by sound tackling, and at length, by good kicking, tho IVfilington backs cleared their lino. 'The Canterbury backs put in another dash, but a- knock-on spoilt a good opening. The Wellington backs opened an attack on the left wing, but Murray stopped Mitcfhinson, and Henry marked safely. With play near tho centre. Even sen secured possession, and passed to Roberts, who heat the opposition badly. Pylo chased him, but the Wellington half stopped twice in his stride, and pushed his opponent off _ and scored at the corner. Evensen’s kick was unsuccessful. The reds _ livened up again, and Burns got his backs going once more with a passing rush, which ended in Pyle scoring his second try. Hassell made a good but unsuccessful shot at goal.

Wellington 18 Canterbury 9 Canterbury kept their opponents busy, Murray and Gray being prominent in a good dash, which was met by safe tackling. Wellington gradually shifted the scene of operations, but a free-kick saved Canterbury. McKenzie put in a •useful run down the touchline and kicked to Henry, who found the line safely near the centre. Wellington worked play back to Canterbury’s twenty-five, and Roberts secured the ball from a scrum and passed to Grace, who ran in practically unopposed, Canterbury’s tackling being disgracefully weak. Houlihan kicked an easy goal. Wellington 23 Canterbury 9 Canterbury were evidently tiring, and the Wellington backs threw the ball about freely, Grace making another good dash, but being stopped on this occasion by Murray. Fast following up by the Wellington forwards put Canterbury in trouble, and Perry scored an easy try. Kinvig missed the kick at goal, and time was called immediately, with the final score— Wellington 26 (Two goals from tries, a potted goal, and four tries). Canterbury 9 (Three tries). Mr F. T. Evans was referee. OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND FORMER WIN BY ONE POIJiT. PEEB3 ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, September '23. Otago and Southland met'" hero today, in the presence of about 3500 people. The game was won by Otago by 9 to 8, and on,- the run of play Otago had much, the better of the game. Southland showed a very poor front in the opening spell, their defence being wretched! and Otago put on three tries. ' In the second spell Southland played with very, much greater dash, and the game became fairly interesting. They put on 8 points (a converted try and a goal from a mark), but still had to face several very strong forward; attacks from the blues. A few minutes. after starting Eckhold • got the ball away to Williams, and it finally went to Norrie, who raced round and scored; Scott failed to convert, and ' the Otago forwards again got going after an opening by Black, and Norrie nearly got over at the corner again. The Otago forwards: continued to drive home sound attacks, the Southland backs showing poor defence. The local men seriously troubled the visitors. After repeated rushes and a long drive past the . twenty-five by Williams, Nelson dropped over from a scramble. Norrie failed with the kick. Otago 6 Southland 0 Southland continued to present a feeble defence, and Otago were beating them back and forward. A dash up the lino by McNeece brought Southland to Otago’s twenty-five, but Scott’s defence was sound, and the visitors were promptly driven back. A minute later Patterson ’ smashed through the opposition with the ball at his feet right to the visitors’ line, but, being unsupported, a try was lost. Towards the close of the spell the visitors made a promising rally, and swept the ball to inside the home, team’s twenty-five, but Gtago met-it with a solid defence, and soon ousted them. -McNeece, on the left wing, received two or three chances, but did not \ show sufficient speed. Southland being at the local twenty-five for a few minutes; but when Otago came to drive them out it was with a completeness that fairly nonplussed the visitors. A smothering rush puzzled the weak defence, and with several blue men handy Brown crossed easily. Norrie failed to convert.

Otago 9 Southland 0 Tho spell ended with Otago still attacking. ' With the opening of the second spell Otago drove ! home another punishing attack to the visitors’ twenty-five. Southland cleared from a mark to the home twenty-five. Here they showed a promising attack, but after a few anxious moments for Otago a' forcedown terminated the movement. They followed with another sound attack, but Patterson led tho bines' in a smothering rush right to the visitors 1 line. Otago were unlucky in missing a try from the succeeding play. The visitors cleared soundly by hard forward work, and carrying play to the local territory McNeece made a good bid for the lm% but Patterson tackled him in fine style. Southland attacked again with spirit, and a fast passing rush by 11. Norrie, Smith, and Gunn ended with Norrie (Otago) intercepting a pass and finding touch.- ■ Southland were now playing with infinitely more dash, and for several minutes held the upper hand. From a loose rush Ivimey made a fine break, but- met a solid tackle from Scott. A quick passing bout ended in a race by McNeece, but Scott held' him up on the line, and from the succeeding play tho Otago full-back forced. Southland pressed vigorously again, and from loose play

Scully picked up and scored. Martin converted. Otago 5 Southland 5 The pace now increased considerably, and a long drive fell under Otago s goal-posts. Scott, with Ford and another player hot on him, could not get his kick in. but passed to Watson, who drove to the line. McLennan marked near touch. Martin placed a fine goal. Otago 9 Southland 8 Otago responded vigorously. Patterson broke off on his own. Then the local backs swung into attack, but the tackling was too sound. A lucky kick by McLennan sent Scott racing back, and his return was feeble, _ giving the visitors tho attacking x’osition. Williams, and then Symonds, changed the venue. Scott followed with a fine dash up the line. Southland beat them off, and Ford marked. Martin’s kick fell short. Otago attacked during tho closing minutes of tho spell. JUNIOR MATCH WELLINGTON v. HOROWHENUA. DRAWN GAME-THREE ALL. On Saturday a team of Wellington juniors, under the management of Mr J. Brown, journeyed to Levin, where a match was played between junior representatives of tho Horowhenua Union. The match was a fair ono, a number of tho players being very much out of form, and tho result was a draw, each team scoring 3 points. Neither team displayed much combination, and in other respects there was not much to pick and choose between them. Tho following were the teams : —Wel-lington—Full-back, Sheridan; threequarters, Gardiner, Enting, McNab; five-eighths, Ryan and Whitley (captain) ; half, Mooney; wing-forward. Miller ; forwards, Moore, Davis, Weir, Fisher, O’Leary, Mollwraith, Guthrie. Horowhenua Pull-back, Ransfield; three-quarters, Stowell, Tua, Griffiths; five-eighths. Carroll (captain), T. Napier; half, K. Pou; wing-forward, J. Ranji; forwards, Wi, Mason, Iraia, Gardiner, Bailey. In the first spell Wellington played with tho sun in their eyes. From tho kiok-oif Horowhenua brought tho ball to half-way, and hero play remained for a while. The Wellington forwards asserting themselves, Horowhenua were compelled to force down near tho corner. Next, play shifted to the Wellington end of the field, but sound defence kept the enemy out. Being repelled, Horowhenua attempted another attack upon tho_ Wellington fortress, but a good line kick by Sheridan saved the situation. ■ The Wellington backs then instituted a passing rush, hut this was spoilt by ■ McNab ■ missing a pass. However, tho ball was carried further down-field, and , Whitley took a mark. The kick was taken by O’Leary, who placed tho ball nicely between the posts. Wellington, 3; Horowhenua, 0. The home team rallied well, the forwards got the ball, and Carroll, receiving a pass, made a great dash for the Wellington line, which ho crossed at tho corner. -Napier failed to add the major points. Wellington, 3; Horowhenua, 3. A few moments later half-time sounded.

Shortly after resumption the Wellington hacks obtained possession, and Gardiner attempted to break away. Lack of pace placed him at a disadvantage, and" ho was brought down by Ransfield. Some time afterwards Stowell lost a good opportunity to score on behalf of Horowhenua by awkwardly handling the ball near the touchlino. The game became rather fast, and Horowhenua for a while found themselves hard pressed by Wellington. In duo course the red and whites extricated themselves, and it seemed as if they would enter up another score against Wellington. Their efforts, however, were nullified by MoIlwraith intercepting a pass in good style. Play shifted about considerably till Horowhenua again assumed tho aggressive. The forwards carried tho ball towards the Wellington line well, but Iraia made the ; fatal mistake , of passing out the ball instead of running on with it. When play was in the vicinity of half-way Carroll obtained the ball, and made a good run for tho Wellington line. Ho was just about to fall on the ball, when Entmg, who was in close attendance, gave tho leather a timely kick, sending it into “ dead ” territory. Play came back to the Horowhenua twenty-five, and some pretty passing took place between the Wellington backs. A scrum on the lino followed, and from this the Horowhenua representatives got the superiority. A very brief interval followed, when the visitors once again hurled themselves on do their opponents, and were on the'point of crossing the line, but the whistle sounded “ no-side ” a minute before time was actually up. Mr J. Smith was referee.

THE CHAEITY CUP ATHLETIC v. ORIENTAL. EASY VICTORY FOR THE FORMER The last club contest of the season, the Charity Cup, played between Athletic arid Oriental, attracted, very few spectators to the ground. The purpose for which this annual fixture is played —for the benefit of players injured during the season—was worthy of- better support, but the match certainly was not. Neither team was representative, the absence of most of the best players necessitating the inclusion in the packs of a number of juniors. Tho contest opened briskly. Athletic following up the leather from tho Idck-off and giving Oriental a lively time in their own twenty-five. The touchline afforded temporary relief, but the blue and blacks had tho better of the line-out, and resumed their interrupted onslaught. Tho ball went out among the backs, who commenced to pass nicely, and things looked decidedly glum for Oriental, when . the missing of a 'pass permitted them to send the cup winners back to the half-way. There was a momentary pause here, terminated by Gosling sprinting .up field and sending the ball out almost on Oriental’s line. A succession of scrambles followed the throw-in, and tho packs moved slowly back to half-way, where tho game opened somewhat and the pace improved. Athletic attacked with dogged persistence, and it was nearly five minutes before Oriental had an opportunity to assume the aggressive. Their attack carried them to Athletic’s twenty-five, where it broke, and became a scramble, from which the referee, Mr F. Larway, who, unfortunately for himself, got into the thick of it. emerged with a broken wrist.' When another referee had been found. Athletic, commencing with a free-kick, brought their way up field till tho venue was again Oriental’s twenty-five. Here Atkinson got the ball and initiated what proved to be the best passing rush of the day. McDonald, Gosling, and Wilson all assisted, the latter entrusting the leather to Hutchinson, ]

who scared a pretty try. The shot at goal went wide.

Athletic 3 Oriental 0 Oriental raced out from the re-start intent on drawing level, but, chiefly through tho agency of C. Atkinson and Sira Wilson, they found themselves _in trouble at half-way, and only a hurried retreat permitted them to save their line. Athletic were held up for a space, hut their attack was better than the defence which met it, and after a few hot skirmishes Levick got the hall from a scrambling rush and scored a try, which was not converted.

Athletic 6 Oriental 0 Loose and rather uninteresting play followed, and the whistle for half-time found the men about half-way . and many of tho spectators leaving the ground. Like tho first, tho second spoil opened with an attack by Athletic, who encroached well into the twonty-five before they found their path blocked. Oriental responded well, and quickly cleared, following this up by a strong counter-attack that terminated in a line-out in tho opposite twenty-five. From tho throw-in tho hall went hack to half-way, and from a loose skirmish in this vicinity Atkinson came through, fooled his immediate assailants, evaded a small contingent of hacks, and fell over the lino beneath the, posts. S. Wilson added tho major points. Athletic 11 Oriental 0 After this the football ceased and the fun commenced. Athletic seemed satisfied with the points they had gained, and Oriental, apparently, ceased to entertain any hope of victory. Neither side exerted itself, and neither appeared to take things, at all seriously. So the players amused themselves, tho crowd enjoyed tho joke, and a game that had never been brilliant wore through its final stages amid frequent outbursts of laughter and goodhumoured banter. It was only tho more enthusiastic section of the spectators which stopped long enough .to hear the final whistle and see Athletic leave tho field with the Charity Cupf added to their season’s list of honours. Dir Church acted as referee after the retirement of Mr Larway.

PRESS v. POLICE AN AMUSING GAME. Prior to tho Charity Cup contest representatives of Press and Police tried conclusions in a game which, for tho amount of amusement it afforded the spectators and the almost total disregard of the rules by many of the players, has seldom been equalled this season. The Press won by 6 points (a try by Rankin and a goal from a mark by Bowman) to 3 (a try by Kirkwood). Mr H. F. O’Leary undertook the difficult task of seeing that “ the laws of tho game ” were complied with. \ PAST V- PRESENT At Athletic Park, No. 2 ground, St. Patrick’s ‘College old boys tried conclusions with the present students. The old boys’ team included such wellknown players as Walshe, McEvedy, Ryan (2), and Card. The blues attacked from , the kick-off, and, a dangerouslooking rush was just stopped in the nick of time by Walshe, who relieved with a good punt to touch.. From the ensuing line-out McEVedy got the leather and raced for the line, but was brought to book by Barry with a plucky tackle. • McCarthy essayed a pot in a good position, but a puff of wind carried tho ball outside the posts. McNamara got in a nice swerving run, but was stopped on the line by Mahoney, Spillano forcing. Blake received tho leather in a good position, and with a ■dangerous, swerving run badly beat Walshe, Ryan, McEvedy, and the fullback, scoring a splendid try, which would have brought down tho stand, in a senior fixture. .McCarthy’s kick failed. - Present Boys 3 Old Boys v...... 0 Half-time was called shortly after.! The second spell was even more strenuous than tho first. The blues were making it a tight game but Sullivan fooled the opposition by letting the ball out to his backs, starting the prettiest passing rush of the day. Tho first passing rush of the green backs was started by Doherty, tho sphere travelling through the hands of Evenson, Ryan, Hannan, and McEvedy, who only had Barry to beat. Barry went for his man low, and toppled tho famous international over with _ a tackle which pleased the crowd immensely. Blake later claimed a mark from the foot of McNamara, which was not allowed by the refree. With no one to pass to he went for the line like the wind, got through the green backs and over tho line and scored: fi—o. McCarthy’s kick seemed, from the press stand, to be successful, but tho referee would not allow it, although the line umpire put his flag up. “No side ’ ’ sounded soon after. Next Saturday evening, the old boys will entertain the victorious team at supper. THIRD CLASS A match between a team of railway cadets from Wellington and a Carterton third-class team will be played at Carterton to-day. A Rugby match was played at Petone on Saturday between representatives of I the Petone Junior Club and the Petone Working Men’s Club. The Juniors won by 14 points to 3. CONGREGATIONAL CHALLENGE SHIELD At Miramar on Saturday afternoon the second game of the contest for the Congregational challenge shield was played between representatives of tho Terrace and Newtown churches. The match was a very one-sided one, the Newtown team winning by 36 points to 5. IN MANAWATU SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES." PALMERSTON. September 23. The Rugby match between St. James and Kia Toa to-day resulted in a won for the former by 8 points to 6. For the winners Kelly and Heketa scored tries, Crewes converting one. Eglinton secured a try for the losers, and McKowen kicked a penalty goal. NELSON CUP .FINAL PEEB3 ASSOCIATION. NELSON, September 23. In the senior cup final Nelson College defeated Albion by 27 points to nil.