A RUNAWAY VICTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8525, 15 September 1913, Page 10

A RUNAWAY VICTORY

PLAY AT ATHLETIC PARK

WANGANUI WIN BY 17 TO 3. Tho Rugby match played on the ( Athletic Park on Saturday between the Wellington B representatives and Wanganui was undoubtedly a side issue as far as the public wero concerned, ithe attendance being only two or three hundred. Tho play, moreover, was onesided, as the local team, weakened by the departure of the team for the South, was outclassed,. Tho visitors handled the ball with comparative ease, and the way in which they generally ran over their opponents made it apparent at an early stage that the game was theirs. Tho local man had put up a creditable fight, with the sun against them, for some part of the first spell; but in the second half they simply faded away, and the game became more provocative of amusement than sustained interest. Had they been playing against a stronger team Wanganui might have required better combination than they showed on Saturday. Occasionally they were responsible for good passing, but more often the ball was lost. Faber was a steady fullback, and Temperton showed up m the three-quarter line, while. Campion, at five-eighths, and. Takarangi and H. 'Collier, in the forwards, made good use of their faculties. Wellington had its best supporters in Beard (centre three-quarter), Dansey and Sullivan '(five-eighths), and Cunninghame (wing forward). Variety was provided by a harriers relay race run during the interval. THE TEAMS. Tho teams were as follows:-Wanganui.—Full-back, R. Faber ; three-quarters, Temperton, Lockett, I. IVleuli: live-eighths, R. Campion (captain), Collier; half, F. Atkins; magforward, Brown ; forwards, O Donnell, H. Collier, Caldwell, Takarangi, Smith, Laird, and Batley. • Wellington. Full-back, Capper; three-quarters, • Young, Beard, Gardner; five-eighths, Dansey, Sullivan; half, Little; wing-forward, Cunninghame; forwards, Reedy, Parrant, Beard, Murphy, Osborne, Perry, and D. Sullivan. f THE PLAY. . ■Wanganui (blue) kicked off, and some small exciianges took place across the half-way line. Play was sent to tho blues’ twenty-five by judicious line-kicking, and tho local men maintained the attack. They were awarded a free-kick fairly wed back, but L. Beard’s shot was marked by one of the visiting backs. Subsequently the ball was kicked over, Wanganui forcing. A blues’ forward rash took play, with several interruptions, over the local quarter-way. The visitors wero penalised, but their backs prevented, any encroachment beyond the half-way lino. A rush for the Wellington lino followed, succeeded by a scrum, from: which the blues obtained an opening. An invasion by the local players was repelled at the instance of a well-timed punt, and ■ on C6' more the battle'was in local territory. After some general scrambling the ball was kicked across the line, and Wellington marked behind the posts. Takarangi was conspicuous in a rush for the blues’ line, which, however, was’ frustrated at the last minute. Wellington gradually worked their way back to their opponents’ ground, where Campion," for the blues, headed off a charge very neatly. Cap: per, the local full-back, was getting in some fine foot-work, and L. Beard was also noticeable in this department, their combined efforts doing much to preserve their - line., Takarangi secured possession near half-way and sprinted down the field, but was grounded when almost in sight of a score. A nice bout of passing was seen subsequently, when . Little transferred to Sullivan, and the latter to Gardner, who put in an excellent run before he fell to a Wanganui back. The blacks kept up the attack, and presently the first try of the day was recorded, after a spectacular passing rush participated in by Sullivan, Young, BeartL and Cunninghame, the last-named touching down. Capper tailed at goal. Wellington 3, Wangatnii 0. Despite several free kicks Wanganui failed to gain much, till Temperton gathered up tho leather and was responsible for a dashing ran, ending in his being pushed out in local territory. The blacks renewed their aggressive tactics, but were borne back, mainly owing to a run instituted by Temperton. The tables wero turned, however, as they had frequently been before, and in the ensuing play Gardner was noticeable for a spirited but short, lived break for the line. Iu a little while tho scores wero equalised through R. Faber kicking a penalty goal from about forty yards. Half-time sounded immediately afterwards with tho scores: Wanganui 3, Wellington 3. . SECOND SPELL. On the resumption of play, Wanganui attacked, and might have scored, but for a forward throw. Subsequently through local off-sido play, Wanganui were awarded a free kick in front ol tho goal, but the shot was unsuccessful. The attack was continued by the Wanganui forwards, who were quick at finding openings. Meuli marked, and Wanganui had another shot at goal, resulting in a score by Faber. Wanganui 6, Wellington 3. , Within a few minutes Wanganui ■were on the line again. The blacks were relieved slightly by a free kick, but. gained greater advantage subsequently from the incidental punting of their backs and tho pace of Dansey. They worked down to half-way, where play was of a disconnected nature till Wanganui found an opening for a long kick. The local men were tackling with a great deal of vigour, out the visitors strongly fought their way up the field, and fell very little short ol gaining a try. The next incident was a passingrush half the length of the field by Wellington, Beard being the principal participant. From a scramble Wanganui secured the opening, and made a smart race up the paddock. Young saved well, but the relief was only temporary. Wanganui ■ forwards made a fast run and had almost reached the line when the man ip posses sion was pushed out. Play was lively just inside the blacks’ territory, when Meuli snatched up the ball, end after beating tho opposing backs scored in the corner. Faber’s kick was unsuccessful. Wanganui 9. Wellington 3. Several pretty exchanges were, next seen, and then' tho blacks relied to some, extent on the dribble. Youug put in ah; excellent run, but was n»cvcnted from reaching the line by a vigilant back. Wanganui made a great bid for a further score. Takarangi was felled near the line, Faber was next beaten for it on the point of scoring, but eventually H. Collier scored near the posts ‘against strong opposition, and Faber converted. Wanganui 11, Wellington 3.

Shortly afterwards Takarangi mads another dash and passed to F. Collier, who added a try. The shot at goal was unsuccessful. Wanganui 17, Wellington 3. It looked as if another score would be recorded when F. Meuli streaked for the line, but ho was pushed out at the corner. Wanganui went over again with a number of their opponents in attendance, but no try was given. Wanganui continued to attack, but play became somewhat desultory, and in a few minutes’ time was called without further score. Wanganui 17, Wellington 3. Mr Fordyce was referee.