SATURDAY’S FIELD SPORTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8783, 13 July 1914, Page 10

SATURDAY’S FIELD SPORTS

FOOTBALL AND HOCKEY

WELLINGTON DEFEATED

There was probably not ono spectator among the sis thousand who journeyed to Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon to witness the football match, 'played under Rugby League rules, between the English representatives and tho team chosen to represent Wellington, that was not prepared to see the visitors have things practically all their own way. Speculation was rife among those present as to how many points the Englishmen would win by, and it never for a moment occurred to the closest follower of the League game that there was tho slightest possibility of Wellington extending their opponents. Bearing in mind tho match played between New Zealand and Now South Wales, on tho same ground last season, when tho “ Cornstalkers ” simply had the Do minion representatives at their mercy, and scored as they liked in the second half of the game, the onlookers expected a repetition of that match, but realising, as the game progressed, that Wellington was putting up a gam© fight, they became more and more enthusiastic until at times excitement ran high.

As regards weight the Englishmen had a distinct advantage, and being highly trained and used to each other's methods of play, their combination was infinitely superior to that of the local men, who deserve credit for the way they fought every inch of the way, and although it may bo said that had Wellington availed themselves of the chances to score that came their way the result would have been oven closer, it must be recognised that England ( had an equal number of chances that iwere not turned to good account. Neartown Park, situated as‘it is, surIfounded by hills on three eides---that is the football area—is more prone to dampness than other playing fields in and about Wellington, on account of ■the moisture from the hills draininginto the basin which forms the playing ground. Recent rain had made the headlands of the playing ground greasy, but the centre of tbe enclosure was not in a bad state before the commencement of the match. The redeeming features of the League game, from a spectator’s point of 'new, compared with Union Rugby, is that the former game is more open. There is no lino-out work, and scrums are used mainly as a means of putting the ball in play again after an infringement has taken place. More accurate passing and tricky sprinting is cultivated. The play, on the whole, is more spectacular. Individual play shows up prominently, but the game, as presented, does not call for greater achievements from a scientific point of view than its older rival. A very heavy shower of rain fell before the commencement of play, which made the ground slippery and treacherous, and greatly militated against open play. Under the circumstances, the way the wet ball was handled was an eye-opener; seldom was it dropped by the English thred-quarter line, and passes were gathered in in a manner that was refreshing to witness. The foot-passing that was indulged in was carried out with accurate precision, and formed quite a distinctive feature of the game of Rugby football. On a dry, firm ground the visitors would have undoubtedly made a better showing. The combination they, displayed must have prevailed against Wellington, who were less .weighty, less speedy, and lacking in combination. Determination on the part of Wellington, and the giving of their best, combined with cheery enthusiasm displayed by the spectators, among whom were included His Excellency the Governor (the Earl of Liverpool) and tho Countess of Liverpool, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey), the Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke), and several members of Parliament, spurred the teams on to greater efforts, with tho result that there was not a dull moment throughout the game, which was full of interest. Rain came down in sheets at intervals, but was not sufficient to damp the ardour of the vice-regal party or the large number of ladies present, many of whom sought shelter among the trees, and at the conclusion of tho game hearty cheers were given for the players. THE TEAMS. England (red and white)—Full-back, G. Thomas; three-quarters, J. O’Gara, W. A. Davis (captaui), W. Hall, and S. B. Houghton; five-eighth, S. Prosser; half-back, F. Smith p forwards, W. Jarman, J. Chilcott, J._W. Smales, J. W. Guerin, J. L. Clampit, A. John--s°Wellington (black).—Fnll-back. :F. Strickland; three-quarters, B. Whitley, J. Parker. G. Bradley, and W. Wdeon; five-eighth, A. (X Murdock ; halfback, J. Barber (captain); forwards, G. Lawlor, J. Spences, A. Donaldson, F. Manning, L. Campbell, J ■ Ashton, PLAY. England defended the northern goal and Wellington set the game in motion. Barker gained possession from a scrum and dashed down tho field. He passed to Wilson on tho wing, who kicked when in difficulties, but tho ball went over the dead ball hue before he could secure it again, and England forced, two minutes after tho commencement of play. From the kick out, the reds set up an attack which was carried to Wellington s twenty-five, while Whitley saved by marking. A pretty passing rush between . Prosser, Hall, and Davis brought play back again, but an infringement by Barber gave England a further advantage. Ashton same away from a scrum with the ball, but was off-side. The blacks relieved tho pressure a little by forward rushes, hut knock-ons spoiled tho efforts. Whitley gained ground by a serviceable sprint, tho ball being secured by Smith, who set his backs on the move, Hall, Houghton and Prosser each taking a hand in a passing rush. A kick by Barber was returned by Thomas to the blacks’ twenty-five, where Wellington gained relief by a free kick. England returned to the attack again through the instrumentality of Hanghton, Hall and Jarman, and Wellington was forced through too powerful a kick. The blacks centred play for a while, but tho ball, becoming greasy, infringements were

ENGLISH LEAGUE MATCH

common, and from one Guorin made a good but unsuccessful'kick at goal. From the kick out, ono of the prettiest pieces of play of the match took place. Smith gained possession near the centre of the field, passed to grosser, the ball going to Hall and Haughton in turn and then in field to Thomas, who finished a sharp sprint by scoring England’s first try. The scorer failed with the kick at goal. England 3, Wellington 0.

The ball was hardly in m’otion again before the blacks’ goal-lino was assailed, Hall, Haughton and Prosser taking part a passing rush, which, endod in Haughton being grassed when almost over. Ashton. ■ Barber anil Spencer carried play into the reds territory, where Jarman was nicely collared by Murdock. Campbell had an unsuccessful kick at goal from a free kick, and AVelliilgton, when within striking distance, spoiled a good chance of scoring by off-side play. Give-and-take kicking gave the blanks the advantage, the pressure being relieved by a fast sprint by Haughton and Hall. Rain was falling now in earnest. A splendid forward rush on the part of Wellington carried the •ball right to the reds goal-Jme, where Hall, by his pace, effected a save. Back came play per medium of Hall and Davis. A kick from a mark by Prosser sent the balk almost to the blacks’ line, where it was earned over bv Spencer. From tiie resultant scrum in front of the goal, Smith got the leather nicely away to Cfinlcott, who raced over. Guerm faded with the kick. England 6, Wellington 0. Good sprints by the English backs kept the blacks busily defending. Then Parker. Wilson, and Murdock turned the tables, but, not to be denied, Smales, Prosser, Hall and Haughton came awajr in fine style, and ended up the movement by the last-named scoring England’;-; third try. - Guerin again failed' with the kick at goal. England 9.. Wellington 0. Putting more vim into their rushes, Wellington broke away in their own twenty-five, and Ashton, by a fast dribbling rush, reached the other end of the field before ho was stopped. An infringement under England s goal gave Strickland a chance to place a penalty goal, and he made no mistake with the kick. England 9, AVellington 2. SECOND SPELL. The ground was very slippery when the second spell commenced. The rain had ceased, but the conditions for play had not improved. England started this half by attacking, O’Gara and Ohiloott reaching the blacks’ twenty-five. Combined forward rushes on the part of Wellington the scene of action to England’s twenty-five, where, attractive play hemmed the reds down. Whitley reached the line on one occasion, and had hard luck iii not crossing it. Off-side play on the part of England gave Strickland a somewhat easy chance at goal, bub the greasy ball militated against success. Wilson made a serviceable run and kicked ball over the goal-line, bub Houghton got there first and farced down. At half-way, Bradley marked, from which Campbell kicked a magnificent goal, the effort being well applauded. England 9, Wellington 4.

England then, showed some more of their quality, beautiful and thrilling passing bouts among the backs following each other in' quick succession, every back, taking a band. O’Gara lost the hall when only a yard or two from the coveted line, and immediately afterwards an infringement saved another try being registered against the blacks. Wellington, instead of tiring as was anticipated, made the game even faster, but tbe reds’ splendid dashes and beautiful catching of the ball were bound to bring their reward. It was not long in coming. From a scrum, Smith passed out to Prosser, who sent a foot pass out to Hall. The latter secured the ball, and setting sail, was past the opposing rear division in a flash, and was grounding tbe ball over tho line be,for© the movement was fully grasped by the onlookers. Guerin missed an easy kick at goal. England 14, AVellington 4.

The blacks made strenuous efforts to increase their total, and Strickland missed a kick at goal, from a mark by Bradley, in' a good position. Shortly afterwards Campbell essayed a shot from a mark by Whitley, but the ball failed to rise high enough. O’Gara then made a great run, heating! Wilson, but Bradley eventually stopped his career. An irresistible forward rush by Wellington almost ended in a score, Murdock being deliberately obstructed when certain of scoring. The ball came out of the scrum to the same player, however, and he had no difficulty in touching down. The kick was an easy one, buff Campbell did not rise to the occasion. England 14, Wellington 7. Wellington renewed the attack as sdon as the ball was in play again, and Campbell had an unsufccessful kick at goal from a penalty. .Wilson failed to take a high kick, and the reds, swooping down, were almost over. Guerin had two shots at goal, the kicks being good, but lacking in direction- Wellington made a final effort, and hemmed England to theii line, but were unable to cross it. Campbell tried a shot at goal from near midfield without success, and the game ended shortly ‘ afterwards in neutral territory— England 14. Wellington 7. Mr Duncan McGregor, of Christchurch, was referee. REST OF TEAM BEACH AUCKLAND. Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 12. The remainder of the English Northern Union team arrived to-day from Sydney by the Manuka. The personnel of the party is: —Clifford (manager), Rogers, Wagstaffe, Moorhouse, Longstaffe, Sykes, Jenkins, Ramsdale, Francis, Coldrick, Wood.