INTER-PROVINCIAL GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10372, 1 September 1919, Page 7

INTER-PROVINCIAL GAME

WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVES DEFEAT CANTERBURY. A CREDITABLE EXHIBITION. Tha first interprovinc.ini match of the season, as far as Wellington is concerncd, was played on Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, when tho local representatives met those from Canterbury. Tho day was an ideal one. A warm sun. tempered with a gentle breeze, made the conditions for the spectators exceedingly pleasant, and all that was looked for was good football and ftSr tho better team to win. Theo-e was an attendance of upwards of ten thousand persons, and, judging from tho way any outstanding feature of the game was cheered, it was abundantly evident that the exhibition was appreciated. Amongst those present were: His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Liverpool), Admiral Lord Jelltcoe. Archbishop Redwood. Colonel G. I'. C. Campbell, Dr Nowman, members of Parliament, and a large number of officers from the New Zealand. The Gov-ernor-General was cheered on his arrival, and Lord Jcllicoe was given on ovation, the spectators in the stand rising in a body and cheering as the Admiral walked in front. THE TEAMS. Tho teams were ns follow: CANTERBURY. Full-back: Brosnahan, Three-quarters; Hirst, Davis, and Buchanan. Five-eighths: Y’ates and McCormack. Half: Fitzgerald. Forwards; Carnegie (wipg), Shaw, Sparrow, Pctersoft, Murray (captain). Sparks, and Cummings. WELLINGTON, Full-back: Chrisp.. Three-quarters: McArthur, Corner, and Algal'. Five-eighths: E. Roberts (captain), ana J. Tilyard. Half; “Doc” Nicholls. Forwards; Green (wing), Elliott, Parker, Patou, Baker, Ryan,, De Clifton, and Shearer. THE. OPENING) FEATURES.

Wellington won the toss, and the Canterbury men had to play with the sun in their faces. Tho visitors kicked off, and the. ball (a new one) defied the Wellington backs to field it. It went into touch beyond half-way, and from the line-out Nicholls set his backs in motion. The ball travelled from Roberts to Tilyard to Corner to Algar, who kicked, when tackled, and Canterbury was placed on the defensive. Davis effected a timely save by a kick to touch, and a movement in which _ Fitzgerald and McCormack were associated was held up by McArthur marking. Hirst was responsible for removing the scene of action to Wellington’s twenty-five by a hefty hick. Canterbury opened up tha game, which was becoming very fast; in fact, tho first spell was an exceptionally strenuous, one, and from a spectacular point of view was full of merit, so much so that it made some of the spectators wonder why any alterations of tho rules, in tho direction of making play faster, were necessary. Fitzgerald got nicely away, but Hirst missed the pass, aud Algar dashed in, secured, and sprinted merrily down tha field., being collared when within a few yards of the goal-line. A forward strug- ; glo ensued, from which Fitzgerald found' touch with a kick. Give-and-take kicking followed, oi/d play settled : down, in the centre .of the ground. Davis picked up and sprinted from a loose forward scramble. Ho placed the ball at the feet of the forwards when his progress was stopped, and Canterbury (red and black) became dangerous through the Wellington backs falling to field the ball. A counter-rv.sh by the Wellington forwards cleared tho danger zone, but Evan got in front, and play was brought back again through the infringement kick. A smart piece ©I work by Roberts upset the visitors’ intentions, and presently he was seen sailing away at top speed. Half-way was reached, whore McArthur fumbled a pass, and a scrum was formed. Hero Parker got off-side, and Yates found the line with a kick. So far Canterbury, had had slightly the better of the game, but it was questionable ,if the forwards could maintain tho vim and vigour which they were putting into their work. The backs by their kicking wore not affording them much relief, aud tho opposing backs by kicking high and following up kept the reds vanguard continually on the move. The blacks now put in an effort. Roberts made an opening, passed to lilyard, who transferred the ball to McArthur. The latter was well tackled by Buchanan, and immediately afterwards Wellington obtained a mark, from which Green kicked at goal. Tho ball went under the bar, and Canterbury was forced down. The ball was hardly in play before Wellington was again hammering at the detencc. A quick pass by Nicholls to Roberts spread the held out. Algar, who was the last to receive tho hall, was brought down by Hirst, but the blacks were soon off again Nicholls attempted to pass to Corner, but Buchanan intercepted and ect off at a great pace. Ho reached tho full-hack, who was equal to the occasion. EACH SIDE SCORES. , Play remained in the blacks’ territory for a while. Carnegie, McCormack, and Cummings .gained ground by a short passing rush, and Canterbury was making good prpgresa when Roberts got a kick in. Tho strain was relieved and the Wellington forwards helped with a dribbling rush. Roberts, who appeared to be everywhere,;suddenly shot out with the ball, made /« splendid dodgy run, passed to Tilyard, who did his part, then passed to Algar, who missed n good opening to. score bv failing to field tho ball. Wellington put vim into, their attack. Algar potted at goal when in a good position, but -Murray smothered it and gave the Canterbury forwards a “breather” bv kicking into touch. The reds' forwards showed up prominently in tho loose work. They were taller than tho local pack, and heavier in appearance, but the blacks’ weight was deceptive on account of their stocky build. Charging away with the ball in front the Canterbury forwards were making good progrens when Carnegie offended against the rules and Green made a, creditable., but. unsuccessful kick at . goal; the direction being good but. there was not sufficient weight behind tho kick. An . interchange of kicks ended in Wellington's favour and from a. scrum in Canterbury’s territory Roberta attracted tho opposing backs, passed to Tilyard. who, in turn sent the leather out to McArthur on tho right wing. Buchanan missed his man rather badly and a try was the outcome. Roberts piloted the ball over tbo bar. Wellington 3 Canterbury 0 Tho play that led up to the score was mentoroua and was applauded by the spectators. • The struggle now became reoro strenuous. Twenty minutes had gone by when the blacks secured tho ball and another attack was initiated by a ciofis-kick bv Roberts. Tilyard fielded nicely and Corner and Algar were given a chance to distinguish themselves. Tho defence was sound. Tho Canterbury forwards worked tho haii up the the'field in approved style and presentIv Fitzgerald was seen rushing through the oppoeition. Tic passed to McCormack, who returned it when tackled' hates was tho next to handle to hall and finally. Buchanan put in the finishing touches and scored. It was a very fine

piece of work Davis missed with the kick. AVellington 3 Canterbury 3 Lino work followed, until Nicholls opened tho play up by a punt. Hirst's return was charged clown and Nicholls potted at goal, but was not successful. AVlien play was in the visitors’ twentyfive Roberts, as he was- falling with the ball when collared, passed over his head to Tilyard. who secured end passed to Corner. The hall travelled to Algar and back lo Tilyard and Corner again. Tho latter crossed the line near the touch-in-goal flag, and the major points were added by a splendid kick bv Green. Wellington 18 Canterbury 8 Roberts whs placing up to his old form and time after lime non-plussed the opposition by his tactics. Ho beat Fitzgerald badly, passed to Tilyard, who kicked. Hirst returned tho ball and Fates gained more ground by an infringement kick. Roberts was soon away again, but Corner ddopped Ihe pass, and Fitzgerald. Carnegie, Jackson ami Cummings initiated an attack. At this stage tho tackling and fielding by the AVell.ington backs was faulty aud Cummings scored. Davis made no mistake with ■the kick. Wellington v 18 Canterbury' 8 WELLINGTON SCORES AGAIN. Further determined efforts were made by Canterbury to equalise matters and for five minutes Wellington were hemmed down on their goal-line. A rush by Canterbury forwards was held up by Roberts marking. The kick gained twenty-five yards, and a .subsequent one by Algar sent tho ball into touch wol. down the field. Out came the ball to Nicholls, from whom it went to Roberts, then on .to Corner, and finally to -McArthur, who just managed lo get over. Green goaled. AVellington f 15 Canterbury 8 Another pretty piece of passing between Roberts, Nicholls, Corner, and Algar followed. The ball came back to Nicholls again, and then to Algar, who raced behind the goal, but he was offside 'when he accepted the pass. Green got away unattended, was brought down bv Davis, and the Canterbury forwards took charge. Roberts relieved with a kick, but the reds came at it once move Y'atos and Buchanan made a combined effort: the latter being collared on the goal line. Fitzgerald tried to force his way across, was held up, and tho line was cleared, only to be attacked again. Fierce forward struggles ensued *for mastery. Roberts altered the position by securing and sending Chrisp away. He received the ball again, but gent a bod pass to Corner. Elliott, however, was handy, aud side-stepping like a back made things merry for the opposition with the assistance of Paton and De Clifton, w-ho dribbled the ball in fine stylo. Nearing the goal-line Elliott picked up the leather and forced his way across the line. Green failed with the kick. Wellington 15 Canterbury 8 THE SECOND HALF.

The second halt of 'the was not so fast as the first. Wellington jumped off with an attack, but a bad pass by Corner to Algar nullified Uie effort After some uninteresting play in neutral territory the reds’ forwards Sot away, and a force-down to Wellington resulted. A sprint by Tilyard, and a kick sent tho ball over Canterbury’s line, where Davis kicked out in a sportsmanlike manner. Buchanan also got a kick in; Chrisp niisfiokled the boll, but recovered and kicked out of bounds. The visitors had some good openings to increase their points, but the backs made too much of the lino, and bunched during passing rushes to such an’ extent that the movements were easily terminated. Up and down the field the hall wont. First one side had tho advantage and jthen the other,. Runs were made h.v Roberts, Algar, and Tilyard for .Wellington, and Fitzgerald aud Davis for Canterbury. On one occasion Carnegie was nearly over. A nice piece of work Ly Canterbury forwards looked promising, but Fitzgerald missed a pass and a certain trv was thrown away. Roberts secured, ran behind his own line, kicked, and tho ball rebounded off a charging forward; ’ ’ Chrisp succeeded in forcing down, and the visitors had exceeding hard luck in not obtaining o try. Wellington r.o\y took a turn at attack, and Canterbury was forced down. THE FINAL TRY.

From now to the'conclusion of the contest Wellington had the best of the argument. Passing rushes h.V Roberts, Nicholls, and J. Tilyard. and prominent forward work with Shearer to tho fore, kept Canterbury busily defending. Green had a shot at coal from an infringement kick without result, and a dribbling rush by Parker, Paton, and Shearer ended a few yards away from the coveted line. Roberts bad a kick at goal from a penalty almost in front of the goal, but missed, and Wellington’s final score was obtained as tho outcome of a forward rush by Paton, Parker, and Ryan. The latter got over at a corner. Green failed in tho kick at goal, aud the game ended. Wellington 21 Canterbury S Captain T. H. Jones was the referee. MAORIS v. SAILORS.

As a curtain-raiser at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon lo the interpj’ovinoial game, a team from the battleship New Zealand played one representing the Porirua natives. Neither side was in form, but tho name was played, in tho best of spirit, and thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators. Tho men were so out of condition that 11}ore, was absolutely no combination, and most of tho efforts were individual ones. In the first half of the game Marlin scored for the Maoris, and converted his own try. In the second tries were obtained bv Martin, jßoPata, C. AVi Tana, and R, Wi Nura, one of “Hchicli was converted by Martin for tho natives, and Merchant and Taylor secured tries for the New Zealand’s team. The natives won by IS points to 6. Mr Smart, had control of the whistle. I