FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13382, 7 September 1905, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON v. SOUTHLAND.

(Per' United Peess Association.) . INVERCARGILL, September 6.

The Wellington v. Southland football matchAvas played to-day in glorious weather, with.a. light breeze blowing across tho field, favouring, neither side, and on a dry ground. 'The spectators were treated to a fairly attractive - contest, though it could not bo said- that either side gave a good exhibition of tho game in all denartmcnis. i.l r was fast, certainly, but this was due not lo brilliant and sound play but to the multiplicity. of mistakes made on both sides, which brought the -Attacking team for tho tinio being swooping down on tho unfortunate wisht who -had failed to support his men. There was really little good combined back play. If there was any advantage in rearguard work, Wellington probabiy h?d it, as tbev could .it least field tho ball safely and get their kick in. They were deficient, however, in stopping rushes, and this was fatal to them, as Southland's scores were indirectly brought about hy forward rushes. The E«1 backs had no particular combination, and if was fortunate for them that they had pillars of strengtli in Frascr, Grace. - Bain, audi Burgess. The Wellington forwards played a fine, dashing game, shone 111 the loose and on the lino, and their rushes were deadly. If they had been adequately supported it is quito possible the result would have been very different. The Southland forwards played a solid game, with occasional flashes of brilliancy and dash. In the second spell they performed most creditably against faster men, Southland was fortunate in making the game a draw, as the final score was secured on the call of time. But from another point ■ of■ view they should have won. handsomely. At least two goals should have been added to the list, and much regret was expressed bv the spectators when M'Nie was not jriven a final c-hanco. to improve on the total. The cheering which greeted the concluding score was only equalled by the expressions of disappointment when Blaclcham failed to pilot tho leather over tho bar from an easy position and so convert a draw into a victory. Tho averago weight of the teams was about equal, and alt-bough ever-rihinsr conduced to a good exhibition of back play and passing that attractive feature of Rugby was rarely in evidence, and the only reason that can bo ascribed for the deficiency of good back play was that imnortant links in the combination chains of both teams were weak. In addition, each side bad a couple of winsers told off to d- spoiling. The match, which resulted in i ■ -aw, was full of exciting incident from beginning to end.

From the kick-off the visitors plavcd .in aggressive forward game' for tho first 30 minutes, during which Collorton scored a try ,-i.nd ,T. S'vicnr placed a. penalty goalSouthland lookf-d dangerous ton two or three occasions, but their nearest approach t-i a reduction of defeat was a kick bv C. Purdue from a mark in front of Arlington s goal, the ball going outside of the po«ts.

When Wellington turned their back to tho-sun-in was any odds in their favour that they would win. but tho Southland forwards played a groat game, and.' nrincipally owing to tho fine work of the" local vanguard, Hughes scored riaht at the very beginning, and Grace did likewise just on the call of time, Blackhain in the latter ease missing a shot at goal. The gatuo ended— Wellington, 6 points (a try and a penalty goal); Southland, -6 points (two tries).

AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU AND • HAWKE'S BAY. (Per Uxited Press Assoqtatiok.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 6. Thero was a clear sky aud a dry, fast ground for tho match Australia v. Manawatu and Hawko's Bay combined to-day. The attendance numbered 6000. Tho visitors had thoir host back team out, but professed io bo weak in tho forward division through injuries sustained at Dunedin. Tho teams were:—

Australia.—B. Smith, IVickliam, Penman, Russell, • M'Lean, Anlezark. Woods, 'Burden, Oxlade, Clarken, Lucas, Hirschberg, Judd, Swannell, and Muniin.

JUnawato.—Shelley, Scott, Furrie, Hewitt, Stalker, Ward, Ongley, Munro, M'Carthy, Alex. St/Minn, *\V. Smith, Carlson, H'Nae, Johnston, and 'Galloway. Tho Rev C. C. Harper acted as referee. •The Australians mado the pace very willing, particularly in the forwards. The backs,were clever and clean at taking the ball, but, with the exception of Woods and Penman, wero inclined to pass erratically or at wrong moments, and thus laclicd a- certain ability to score. Woods (at half) played a great game, initiating almost every passing attack, and defending cleverly. Tho lino work of the forwards was superior, while in tho scrum they adopted a phalanx-like formation and screwed, but did not seem to beat Manawatu for the ball. Their two-half tactics came off superior as against one winger, the Mauawatu half being pounced upon before he bad a chance to do -anything. With the sun in their eyes Manawatu shot out like a thunderbolt, but soon had their faces turned homeward chasing after Penman, who went with long hops down tho field, and with a short, high kick endangered Manawatu's goal-line. Skellcy (full liack) cleared easily. The game began to settle down in tho home team's territory, Penman being prominent in attack. Wickham essayed a goal from a free kick, but failed, and then some pretty fast work by tho Australian forwards and fast following up by -Russell again brought danger to Manawatu. _ The visiting forwards were working well in concert, and with whirlwind rapidity of attack were getting all over tho Manawatu vanguard. Safe back play by tho combined team kept the visitors at bay. Carlson and M'Nae wero the two mainstays of the home forwards. The former shot out several times, and kept the Colours' backs busy. Woods's clover snappy work behind the scrum and his short, brilliant runs now began to catch tho public eye. While Australia wore attacking, a kick by Ongley was smothered, and the homo team had to force, things looking unpromising. Ward mulled badly, but Munro got his side out of difficulties, and then Furrie took play out of Manawatu territory. A few minutes after this Hewitt, extricated himself from .several long arms, and kickcd ahead. M'Nae and throe others, following up smartly, kept the ball going. Tho three-quarters and full back failed to save, and then M'Nae, giving a final bump to the ball, scored. Ward took tho kick, and converted. The ball was no sooner in motion again when Oxlade got a mark, and, taking a kick from nearly half-way, Wickham placed a beautiful goal. Exciting play followed in, mid-field It was pitiable to seo- tho wild attempts of Manawatu to collar the bulky visitors, who bumped through just as they liked. In fact they adopted this class .of play to excess once. A likely passing run by Ongley, Stalker, and Furrie caused tho spectators to rise and shoutj but Scott failed to got Furric's pass, and . the chance was . lost. Then, when Australia had been striving all they knew, and the excitement was at fever heat, Woods darted away and passed near tho touch-line to Penman, who sent the ball back to M'Lean, and the latter scored. Wickham took the kick, but did not convert. ! ..After half-time Australia had the Reds penned. Murnin, Lucas, and Swanneir.wero a dangerous trio. For a time Manawatu shook themselves up, and hnd Australians hard held; but only "for a time, for the Colours came back again and the Manawatu. full back was a busy man. He saved*his side a great deal. It was pretty to see the Australians' forward rushes. Again and again they went away together.'. sweeping over everything. Furrio got clean away, and dodged some arid outpaced some, but the full back got him, and the chance was lost. In the last, four minutes play was fast and exciting, both, teams striving hard. Then the. visitors,'with'a great rush, returned, and Bi)r.d?n and Wickham were within an ace of crossing 1 the line, but though' the excitement, was tenso and play exceedingly fast no further score was mado, and the gamo ended:'.'' . Australia . R points., Manawatu 5 points.

"That's the way we play on a good and a dry ground," observed • the manager of the team-(Mr Henderson).- "That's how the game is played in Sydney." Certainly it was one of the most exciting games ever played in Palmorston.

In tho match against Wellington on -Sni urcfev. Eorrie will play in the position of full back for the. Otago .team in the. place of Kindley, who is unable to play. The members of.the Otasro team are requested to attend training at the Duncdin Gymnasium this, evening. 11 '•