Football.

Opunake Times, Volume XXII, Issue 772, 12 September 1905, Page 2

Football.

AUSTRALIA (18) v. TARANAKI and WANGANUI (18). The above match was played in Hawera on Saturday last in the presence of 2000 persons. The local team comprised 12 Taranaki men and three Wanganui, A. Gay, of Opunake club, being captain. The Australian score was made up of a goal from a mark, and four tries (one converted). The local men got a goal from a mark by Hunter, and kicked by Hardgraves; the latter also kicked a penalty goal. Tries were obtained by Ryan (Taranaki) aud Guscott (Wanganui). The visitors had the best of the game, their passing being much admired. In some instances the ball would pass through a number of hands but not much ground would be gained in crossing the field. The local men did not tackle well, and there was an absence of that attacking spirit which usually characterises the Taranakiites. At the end of the first spell the score was; Taranaki 7, Australia 4. Soon after starting the second spell Taranaki scored three points, making ten. With the score at 10 to 4, it looked as if the men from kan-garoo-land were in for a defeat, but they had good hearts, and ran up 14 points while Taranaki scored three. Two tries were obtained within five minutes, and in about the same place. The Australians seemed to get their opponents into a rabble for a time, and were hopping about without being brought down. Hardgraves was the most prominent man in the Taranaki backs. Forsyth was suffering from a cold, which somewhat affected his play. Guy played a useful game, and was partly responsible for the first try scored for Taranaki, passing the ball to Ryan when he crossed the line. Rothery, Hamerton, and McKay also appeared prominent. Mr P. Skoglund was referee, and Messrs Powdrell (Hawera) and Mandeville (Australia) line umpires. The sum of £94 was taken at the gates, and it cost £1 5s to collect. It is estimated all the expenses in connection with running the match will be a little over £lB. Fully £2OO was taken at the Australia v. Manawatu match, all of which goes to the New Zealand Rugby Union. They play football for all it is worth in the Wairarapa 1 The final for the junior championship was played last Saturday between Martinborough and Tubirangi, and a considerable sum of money changed bands over the result. One enthusiastic supporter of the Martinborough team offered a mounted deer’s head, valued at £5, to the first player who crossed the opponent's line, but a Tubirangi barracker went one better, and offered as special inducement to his “ boys ” a free gift of “an acre of land 1” The Tuhirangis won the day, and Bradstock, a young schoolmaster, gained the land title. Wellington and Otago drew at Dunedin, no score being registered. Mr D. J. Malone, of Stratford, is to go with the Taranaki touring team as manager. The Taranaki Association team drew against Auckland : one goal each. Thames again beat Auckland by 7 points to 6. Thames’ score was a goal from a mark and a penalty goal; Auckland registered two tries. The N.Z. Team has arrived in England and appear in good condition. They received a hearty reception from the Rugby Union officials.