AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU AND HAWKE'S BAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2687, 13 September 1905, Page 57

AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU AND HAWKE'S BAY.

J PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 6. There was a clear sky ancL a dry, fast ground for the match Australia v. Mana--watu and Hawke's Bay combined to-day. The attendance numbered 6000. The visitors had their best back team out, but professed to be weak in the forward division through injuries sustained at Dunedin. The teams were: — Atjstbaxia.— B. Smith, Wickham, Penman, JJussell, MTJean, Anlezark, Woods, Burden 1 . Oxlade, darken, Lucas, Hirschberg, Judd, Swannell, and Murnin. Manawatct.— Shelley, Scott, Fume, Hewitt, Sfcalkcsr, Ward, Ougley, Munro, M'Carthy, I Alex. M'Minn, W. Smith, Carlson, M'Nae, | Johnston, and Galloway. „ The Rev C. C. Harper acted as referee. 4 The Australians made the pace very -willing, particularly in the forwards. The \ tacks were clever and clean at taking the ball, but, with the^ exception of Woods . and Penman, were inclined to pass erratically or at wrong moments, and thus lacked a certain ability to score. Woods (afc half) played a great game, initiating almost every passing attack, and defend- ! ' ing cleverly. The line work of the forwards was superior, while in the scrum they adopted a phalanx-like formation and screwed, but did not seem to beat Mana■watu for the ball. Their two-half tactics came off superior as against one winger, the Manawatu half being pounced upon before he had a chance to do anything. With the sun in their eyes Manawatu shot' out like a thunderbolt, but soon had their faces turned homeward chasing after Penman, who went with long- hops down the field, and with a' short, high kick endangered Manawatu's goal-line. Skellcy (full back) cleared easily. The game began to settle down in the home team's territory, Penman being prominent in attack. Wickham essayed a goal from a free kick, but failed, and then some pretty fast work

* by the Australian forwards and fast following up by Russell again brought, danger to Manawafcu. The visiting forwards were working well in concert, and with whirlwind rapidity of attack were getting all over the Manawatu vanguard. Safe back play *by the combined team kept the visitors at bay. Carlson and M'Nae were the two mainstays of the home forwards. The former shot out several times, and kept the Colours' backs busy. Woods's clever snappy work behind the serum and his short, brilliant runs now began to catch the public eye. While Australia were attacking, a kick by Ongley was smothered, and the home team had to force, things looking unpromising. Ward mulled badly, but Munro got his side out of difficulties, and then Fume took play out of Manawatu territory. A few minutes after this Hewitt extricated himself from several long arms, and kicked ahead. M'Nae and three others, following up smartly, kept the ball going. The three-quarters and full back, failed to save, and then M'Nae, giving a final bump to tho ball, scored. Ward took the kick, and converted. The ball was no sooner in motion again when Oxlade got a mark, and, taking a kick from nearly half-way, Wickham placed a beautiful goal. Exciting play . followed in mid-field It was pitiable to see the wild attempts of Manawatu to collar the bulky . visitors, who bumped through just as they liked. In fact they adopted this class of play to excess once. A likely passing run by Ongley, Stalker, and Furrie caused the spectators to rise and shout, but Scott failed to get Furrie' s pass, and the chance was lost. Then, when Australia had been striving- all they knew, and " the excitement was at fever heat, Woods darted away and passed near the touch-line to Penman, who sent the ball back to M'Lean, and the latter scored. Wickham took the kick, but did not convert. After half-time Australia had the Reds penned. Murnin, Lucas, and Swannell were a dangerous trio. For a time Manawatu shook themselves up, and had Australians hard held ; but only for a time, for the Colours came back again and the Manawatu full bapk was a busy man. He saved his side a great deal. It was pretty to see the Australians' forward rushes. Again and again they went away together, sweeping over everything. Furrie got clean away, and dodged some and outpaced some, but the full back got him, and the chance was lost. In the last four minutes play was fast and exciting, both teams striving hard. Then the visitors, with a great rush, returned, and Burden and Wickham were within an ace of crossing the line, but though the excite- I ment was tense and play exceedingly fast | no further score was made, and the game ended : Australia 7 points. Manawatu 5 points. ' " That's the way we play on a good and | a dry ground," observed the manager of | the team (Mr Henderson). " That's how | the game is played in Sydney." Certainly it was one of the most exciting games ever played in Palmerston.