AUSTRALIA v. WELLINGTON WELLINGTON, August 19.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 57

AUSTRALIA v. WELLINGTON WELLINGTON, August 19.

The Wellington provincial team gave a further proof of its ability to-day by administering a decisive beating to Australia. The fifteen was nearly the same as that which boat New Zealand, and Australia was not far removed from the side which caused so much surprise by drawing with New Zealand. The latter scored 7 points without getting a try, while their opponents put up 23, including a polled goal.. The day was fine overhead, with a steady breeze from* the south which lasted ail through. Much rain had fallen, but the wind was drying ground fast, and it was a mistake to use the roller, which brought the water up, and left several heavy patches of mud. Under these conditions the play, especially of the Sydney men, who have scarcely had a wot ball to handle th's season, was shorn of some of its attractions, as the men could not keep their feet or take the ball with any certainty. The attendance numbered about 5000. After the local men had obtained two tries a change was made in the disposition of the Australian, backs that had a good effect. Thanks to this and Wickham's fine place-kicking, at the end of the first spell, the score was only 8 to 7 ; nor was there a great deal to choose between the two teams. After that, however, Wellington played with the wind behind them, and began to force the game with great effect. Wrigley, of Wairarapa, who has come quite into the front rank this year, demonstrated the pull a. big powerful man has over lighter weights by scoring twica in succession, the first time by sheer physical strength. The Australians played gamely to the end. but the dashing forwards who discomfited the New Zealand fifteen kept them busy, and they were mostly on the defence. The following were -the teams: — VV Ellington (Black). — Forwards — Dodct, "Watknif, Cross, Wright, J. Spencer, Wyhe, GihesjMG, Warner, Ho.rdb.am.; backs' — G. Spencer, Winiata, O'Leary, Wrigley, iSharpe, and Kameden. Australia. (Blue-and-inaroonj. — Forwards — Burtteii, Oxiade,, C^arken, Judd, Surge, Hirsohberg, Swannell, M"Muirm; oacks — P-en-rnan, WicKliaon, Gairmicliae*, H. oniath, .ttussell, Amezarlt, and Dore. Australia played four three-quarters. New Zealand lost the toss, and had to play against the wind. Their forwards got to work at once, and smothering attempted passing, Penman only saved by cleverly mar-ing on the line O'Leary was collared at the end of a dash. A scrummage was formed, and one of the Australian backs'" trying to kick, the bail hit a man, bounded on to tbe goal post, and bacK again. Winiata picked it up, and drew first blood with a try that G. Spenoe- converted. Wellington 5 to nil. The visitors used their feet weli, and achieved a number of useful' long kicks, one of whirh went bounding: and flying in a. perverse way that oflc happens, just out of reach of everybody. Wrigley chased it determinedly, and go" 1 ; there before three forwards, who came on in full cry. xJTrorn a penalty for off-side Wickham took a shot at goaJ about halfway, and sent the ball behind. G. Sp-»n-cer earned hearty applause by taking two of the long kicks on the fly. Judd then secured a mark, and from nearly halfway Wickham had another trial, and succeeded. Wellington 5, Australia 4. From the kickoff the ball flew low, and the backs were upon it before it could be returned. Penman, with two excellent kicks, sent ifc back, but the Black forwards rushed it back. Ramsden gave Wrigley an opportune pass, and from the fring-e of a scrummage ha got over. Spencer failed with the kick. Wellington 8 -to 4. These two tries caused changes in the arrangement of the Australian backs. Penman. \iho had been playing very coolly at full back, went into the three-quarter liae, and Carmichael tooli his place This appealed to make p —*• siderable difference, and to the end of '- spoil the visitors quite heid their ow. Wiekhain showed up with two capital spurts, one of them taking him almost over. After one failure with 1 a penalty kick, another was adjudged, and exactly from halfway the same player landed i brilliant goal. Wellington Bto 7. rr " few minutes that retrained were t><the centre of f-.he ground. On resuming, Wellington had the wind in their favour, and quickly put tfte issue beyond doubt. They worked themselves up the ground, and Wrigley getting possession, forced his wav through 'the forwards by main force, dodged or threw off the backs, and, having run through the whole side, dropped over the line. No goal came of it, but immediately afterwards the ball passed from back to back, remained in his hands once more, and he hurled himself over again. As the kick at goal again failed, the score was now 14 to 7, and with the team in fine fettle, it was seen Austria's chance was srone. Warner secured a fine mark, standing like a rock in a surging crowd of men, and the resulting kick only just missed scoring, the ball going under the bar a few inches. After this burst the Australians pulled themselves together, and play became more even for a while ; then O'Leary secured the ball, and' from 40 yards distance dropped a capita! goal. 18 to 7. The local forwards mad© head agaiu, and kept up a strong attack. A series of scrummages followed in front of goal, O'Leary gathered in the ball smartly, and beat his opponents badly, feinting to pass, and dodging between them. This procured the last score, an<l Spencer making no mistake, the total became Wellington 23, Australia 7. From this onward! the visitors only at fitful intervals gained ai slight advantage One stood piece of passing carried them to Wellington's twentyfive, but there they were stopped by a penalty kick. This was also the> souroo of an attempt by Wrigley to kick a gcai at long range. After that there was nothingmore to look at, but some mud-scrambling and the exchange of long L 'ks by the. backs, the game ending : Wellington 23 points. Australia 7 points. The visitors played better than the score indicates, but were inferior iv collaring ta

their opponents, and perceptibly unsettled by the way some of the flying forwards in the Wellington vanguard burst in upon their backs. They left the impression that on jl dry ground they would give a very good and they have some smart flayers in their rear division.