CANTERBURY DEFEATS WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON. July 26.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 53

CANTERBURY DEFEATS WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON. July 26.

About 4000 per-ons w itncfiscll the interprovincial match Canterbury v. Wellington, which was played at the Athletic Park this aftornoon. The weather was bleak and cold, a strong southerly wind blowing down tie ground, and half-way throu-gh tho second 6ppll heavy rain set in. The teams were as follows: —

Cantebbury.— Full back, Turtill; threecuarters — M'GTegor, Harper, Revell ; fiveeighths — Ormandy, M. Wood (captain) ; half back, Harvey; fo^wtirils— Mahoney, Corbett, Drake, Fanning, Cross, Cooke, Brunsden, Mathews.

\Velu.ngton.— Full back, G. S»cncer; threequarters — Johnson, Wallace, Kobjrts ; fi\eeighlhs. W'rigley; half back, Clandge; wings* — H W. Kelly, Mann; forwards— M'Minn, Dodd, Sweeney, J. Spencer, Joyce, Adams, Watkius.

The southerners scored a thoroughly meritorious win by 9 points to 3. They ■won the tois, and took advantage of playing with the wind in the first spell. Wellington played a splendid defensive prame before half-time was called, and limited Canterbury's score to 6 points. It was the popular impression that the Wellington, favoured with the wind in the 6e*ond half, would more than equalise the score, but matters were presented to them in quite a different light as the later stages of the game progressed. Canterbury played up with excellent tjombination, and had a good deal the best of the struggle, although each 6ide scored a try Wellington seemed to go to pieces under the determined and repeated attacks of the Canterbury men, who proved their superiors in all departments of the game in the second spell. The pouthern forwards were frequently beaten by the Wellington vanguard in the first half, but they showed a marked improvement when ends ■were changed, and their backs also showed better combination.

J. Spencer kieked-off for Wellington, and l»y the agency of Harper and Ormandy play •was taken into Wellington's territory, where Harper made a clever but unsuccessful shot at goal. Spencer and Mann broke through a scrum near the Wellington line, but the Canterbury backs obtained possession of the ball, and after some pretty passing Wood got across, but could not ground the balL From the ensuing scrum Canterbury were awarded a free kick, and Harper placed a neat goal. Canterbury 3, Wellington 0. When pl«y was resumed a Wellington forward rush changed the scene to the Canterbury twenty-five ;""but the southern forwards thortly afterwards returned the compliment, and Ormandy, getting possession near the Wellington twenty-five line, passed to Harper, who. after a fine ruiij transferred to

M'Gregor, who scored. Harper failed ■with the kick. Canterbury 6, Wellington 0. Play for some time was confined to neutral territory, and a smart piece of passing by Kelly, Wallace, and Roberts resulted in Canterbury being forced. After a spell of uninteresting pla3* at the centre J. Spencer headed a rush of Wellington forwards, and Canterbury had to determinedly defend their line, Wellington on one occasion being <vitbin an ace of scoring The Canterbury forwards more than held their own, and, gradually clearing their territory, invaded the home team's twentyfive, where Harvey secured a mark, and Harper mad© an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Later on Wellington were again in difficulties, but Harvey spoiled a good chance to score by kicking hard across the line. Half time was called with play in neutral territory. On resuming, Wood, Harper, and M'Gregor got on a good piece of passing, as the result of which Wellington were forced. The Wellington backs then put in some good work, and Kelly, picking up the ball near tho Canterbury twenty-five, made a 6mart, dodgy run anct, transferring to Sweeney, the latter ecored near the corner flag. It waa a lucky score, however, for M'Gregor missed an ea-=;y ehanca of knocking Sweeney into touch." G. Spencer failed at goal. Canterbury 6, Wellington 3. The Wellington forwards at once resumed the a,ttack, but a smart run by Ormandy saw the play transferred to the centre of the ground. --From -a scrum Brunsden got possession of the ball, and the Canterbury forwards as one man f>wept down the field. A short pao# to-Revell near the twenty-five flag ga,v» the three- quarter a chance to make a brilliant run, anil he- got across near the corner flag. Tt was a splendid piece of play, and the suddenness of it completr-ly demoralised the Wellington backs. Harper could not improve tho score. Canterbury 9, Wellington 3. For the rest of the game honours were even, both teams having a ahare of the attack and dofenqs. On 0110 occasion the Wellington forwards made a determined rush and nad Canterbury penned on their hue for some time, but they saved by fore'ng. From the subsequent play Wood, Harper, and M'Gregor wero associated in a passing run, and Harper had an unsuccessful shot at goal, Wellington being forced. Sluortly afterwards time wae called, with the play near the Canterbury's twentyfive. Mr A. C Xorria gave every satisfaction as referee. The final score was : Canterbury ... .9 Wellington 3