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Otago Witness, Issue 2373, 24 August 1899, Page 42

WELLINGTON, August 19. Nelson played Wellington this afternoon in beautiful weather before about 2000 people. The ground was a little damp after the night's rain. The local team won the toss and played against the wind. In the first quarter of an hour De Vere secured a clevei try for Wellington, and twice Bonar nearly got in, but after that the men played lazily, and the visitors pushed them back to the lino, where Batchelor succeeded at the second attempt in getting across. No goal was kicked from either try. Calnan obtained another try throvigh a weak piece of fumbling by Nelson,

and the first spell ended : Wellington, 6to 5. On resuming, the .local men showed some good passing, and Pritchard scored between the posts. Hales easily converted it into a goal. Shortly after Roberts, by a very unselfish pass, let De Vere in, making Wellington U, Nelson 3. Nothing more was registered on either side, but the visitors played up verywell, and several times had fair chances of getting over the line, which were lost through weak passing. The Wellington backs played a dashing game, but the team generally gave the impression that they were not exerting themselves. Nelson did not play at all badly at times, but felt the want of good scoring men behind the scrummage.