Football.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 10 September 1895, Page 2

Football.

AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI. The ninth contest between the representatives of the Auckland and Taranaki Unions was played at New Plymouth on Thursday last before 2000 spectators. The weather was fine, though towards the end of the second spell a light shower of rain fell. Shortly after half-past two the Taranaki men entered the field, followed by the visitors, both giving the customary cheers. As the teams lined out the home team looked slightly weightier, as on the average they were five pounds heavier. The first spell was opened by Murray kickiug well down the field for Auckland, and Taranaki, with the advantage of what wind there was, took play to their opponents' territory. But the attack did not last long, for a free kick relieved the visitors, and play went back to mid-field. The blue and whites were playing very fairly, but the home team, by their infringing rules, gave the visitors opportunities to repel every attack made. H. Good obtained possession and potted from a difficult angle, sending the ball over the post. Soon after the kick out Taranaki was driven back to mid-field and into their own 25, where they were penalized, and Murray takiug the kick made a good attempt, which, however, failed. The amber and blacks now had a busy time in their own territory, a passing rush at leugth taking play to the visitors' end. Half-time was called with play in neutral ground. Taranaki set the ball rolling, and at once attacked. The visitors, however, soon equalized matters, and a lot of scrum play followed, from. which the visiting backs nearly always got the ball through agency of Edmonds. However, they were unable to get away, as Taranaki defended well. The home backs —Humphries, Allen, Bayly and Good (2) got on two or three passing rushes, but each time failed to get an opening. After this the play became very open. Taranaki was awarded a free kick in front of the Auckland goal, but Humphries failed to score from it. The remainder of this spell was taken up by attempts at tho goal by Auckland from marks and free kicks, but every attempt proved futile, and the game soon ended with play in the visitors' territory, neither side having scored. Mr Garrard, from Christchurch, gave general satisfaction as referee, and Messrs Coutts and Braund acted as touch judges. Of the nine matches played Taranaki have won throe, lost four, and drawn twice. Otago defeated Canterbury by 13 points to 11. It was a very rough ganie— three Otago men and one Canterbury man " laid out." Wellington defeated Hawke's Bay by ten points to nothing. Manawatu play Taranaki on Friday next.