THE AUCKLAND TEAMS TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 57

THE AUCKLAND TEAMS TOUR.

AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH. AugnM. 23. The matcih Auckland v. Taranaki was played here to-day in fine weather before an attendance of between 20C0 and 3000. A strong breeze blow across the ground, which was iv fine order, and suited the visitors. The play was a disappointing display of foptball, and lacked incident worthy of comment. Ifc was a forward game- from +he start. The Auckland combination was too good for the local men, who were weakened early in the game by the less of Hamerton (Patea), who sustained a slight concussion of the biain through a collision, and had to be removed to the hospital. Taranaki wore beaten in the scrums, but the visitors failed to make full use of this, Guy (uiug forward) boat in? their half as fcba bail came out. Taranaki's serum formation seemed weak. In the open the Auckland advantage was even more marked, the local men wanting pace and lacking- that vigour Which for years past has been associated with the Taranaki vanguard. The visitors' j ■l*ael_ division included' very fast men, who outstripped their opponents, and, having the advantage of combination and working holind a better pack, were only prevented from scoring several times by good in- i dividual efforts. The Taranaki backs, who were ohoseoi mainly for their defensive qualities, were, however, remarkably weak in this respect. Hardgreares and Thomas were the exceptions. Of the play, it may he stated Uvat Taranaki were confined to their oivn .twenty-five Iho greater portion or the time. Auckland scored first. Kierran marked, and kicked across the field. The hall .vas returned to him, and he got in a short run and passed to Todd, who transferred to Wynyard, and the latter being missed by Guy, who attempted to collar high, made a fine dodgy run, scoring at the corner flag. The kick was futile. This was the only score in the first spell. Taranaki put up the next score. Thomas made an opening-, passed to Hardgreavea. who feinted, lieafc the five-eighth and centre three-quarter, and dodged over. He took the kick himself and, placed a. beautiful goal. Auckland's second score was near the end of the game. M'Gee passed to Todd, then to Fraser, Kiernan. Tadd, and back to M'Gea, who took the ball in one hand afc-toj" speed, knocked over the Taranaki backs like ninepins, and scored near ih& corner. The xcfeioe was Mr Manning, of PaJaerston North. The visitors were entertained to-nLg-hi by the Star Football Club, and leave for Wellington in the morning.