AUSTRALIA v TARANAKI AND WANGANUI.

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

AUSTRALIA v TARANAKI AND WANGANUI.

HAWERA, September 9. Australia 18 beat Taranaki and Wanganui 13. A large crowd witnessed the game. The spectators were very enthusiastic and -impartial. -The game -was fast and interesting' ..throughout. ' The heavy rain did not make the -ground bad, but it was a little Heavy. The local team was as picked, except that Hunter replaced Thomas as five-eighth. The Australian team was practically the same as that which played Manawatu. Australia won the toss. Very tough fighting a? midfield ensued, then Taranaki broke away, and shortly after, the ball coming oub from a line-out, Hardgraves got possession, and went down the field on his own, and crossed tbe line with the ball at his toe, but the leather went into toueh-in-goal. Australia soon relieved, and Woods shooting the ball out, a pretty run took the play to Taranaki's twenty-five, where M'Lean picked up from a scramble and looked like scoring, but kicked into touoh. Murnin then broke through by great footwork,' but Colman checked him. The Australians were again passing, but ran too slow, and even then, had Oxlade given M'Lean a good pass, the latter must have scored. M'Lean was bumped out at the corner. Dora marked in front of the local goal, and Wickham converted. Australia 4, Taranaki 0. Immediately after the start Lucas got the ball and dodged through, and passed to Hirschberg, who passed to Woods. M'Lean got the ball, and streaked through, but Colman collaired him and saved. Dore was the next to break through, but got blocked. Taranaki then temporarily transferred play by means of Hardgraves, who broke through, and passed everyone, but was overhauled and' thrown out near the corner. While Taranaki was in Australia's twenty-five Guy got the ball, and made for the line. He dropped the ball and dribbled. Ryan came after him, picked up, and scored. Hard--graves made a splendid attempt at goal, but failed. Australia attacked, and Colman managed once more to save by collaring M'Lean. .Taranaki relieved, and from a mark Hardgraves kicked a good goal. Taranaki 7, Australia 4. Murnin here fractured his collarbone, and Colton replaced him. Half-time was called with Taranaki 7, Australia 4. * Penman, who had payed a poor game in the first spell, was put to full back in place of B. Smith in the second. Swannell reoeived a very bad kick iust above the eye, and had to be taken off. He was loudly applauded on pluckily resuming. Taranaki came away with a forward rush, and from a iine-out Guscott soored. Hardgraves failed to convert. Shortly afterwards from a passing rush B. Smith ran in for Australia, but Wickham failed to convert. Marvellous passing by the Australian backs resulted in M'Lean scoring, but the try was not converted. Taranaki 10, Australia 10. M'Lean next scored, and B. Smith kicked a good goal. M'Lean soon again scored. Australia 13, Taranaki 10. Scon after Hardgraves kicked a pena-lty goal. Australia 15, Taranaki 13. Just on the call of time, from a passing rush Colton scored, and the game ended: Australia 18 points. Taranaki 13 points. Mr P. Scoglund refereed. The better team won. The visitors' passing was a treat to witness, whilst in the latter stages of the game they put in a series of dribbling rushes which proved irresistible. In passing, serum and footwork, the home team were quite outclassed.