WELLINGTON v. SOUTHLAND. THE VISITORS DEFEATED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 62

WELLINGTON v. SOUTHLAND. THE VISITORS DEFEATED.

WELLINGTON. August 26. On the Athletic Park this afternoon, before an attendance of about 1000 spectators, the representatives of the Wellington Rugby Union defeated the representatives I of Southland by 8 pointe to nil after a | close, hard game.' The score is a fair indication of the relative merits' of the teams. The game was a very even one, but Wellington had a slight advantage over their opponents almost throughout, although Southland gave them many anxious moments, especially in the second half. The- teams took the field as follow: SorTHLAND (Maroon).— Fuji back, W. j Baird; three-quarters — W. \ Broad, A. I M'Neece, R-. Pyk ; five 7 ighihs— J. j M'Neec© and HL Irwin; half back, L. i - Foster ; forwards — I. Jenkins (wing), J. I Ridl&nd, C. Mvles, W. Egan, M. Ryan, D. Knight, G. Coster, D. Small. Wellington (Black).— Full back, J. Ryan; three-quarters — M. Matheson, J. Flanagan, A. Evenson; five-eighths — <T. &Eagee and H. M'Leod; half back, C. Greeks;" forwards — Sullivan, (wing), C Osborne, E. Perry, R. O'Brien Ar Cameron, G. M'Kellar. Wellington got away from the start, and for some time the Maroons were kept ipenned up in their twenty-five. The ground was in such a bad state after c. j match which had already been played j upon it that the " going" was exceedingly I Teevy, and both teams relied more on- ; card pushing than on scientific tactics. ! The Wellington forwards worked very ' hard, and kept the Maroons busy in de- ; fence, play Wing removed only rarely I into the home half. From a line-out at ; half-way M'Leod secured the ball, and with a long drop-kick sent it over the Maroons line. He followed up well, but SaJTd forced down before be reached the ball. A few "uninutes afterwards Baind fumbled a long kick by Magee, and thte I ball went out at the corner. From the j line-out the ball crossed the line, and an- . other foreedown resulted. At one time Flanagan crossed the line, talcing a neat j •pass from Sullivan, but the ball was held, j end a scrum was given five yards out. The ' first time Southland- got away Ryan secured the ball, and sent it back past > i)alf-w&y, where it stayed for 6ome time. A. M'Neece got the ball in Southland's j twenty-five and ran right to the other end of the field supported by Jenkins, but he was collared by Ryan and lost the ball, which was sent into touch by M'Leod well pgst half-way. Some minutes afterwards , Wellington had to save by kicking the !' bail back out of bounds, .the Maroon for- I wards having instituted a very dangerous- ' looking rush. The Black backs passed - - njoely, and Evenson was grassed just in time. A few minutes later Wellington almost scored from a forward rush, in jrbieh M'Kellar was prominent, another , lorcedown resulting. Matheson ran finely through the Maroons twenty-five, but rwlfcen collared found himself unsupported, and Southland took the ball' to baJf-wav. A forward rush, headed by Sullivan, took the ball to the Southland line, and M'Leod dashed .over in the corner. He seemed to have scored a' try, but the referee ruled that the ball had been carried i into touoh-in-goal. The rest of the spell was very even. Southland had the wind behind them in the second spell, and used ft to advantage. From the kick-off ♦hey got awe-y nicely, and a fine i £ush headed by J. M'Neece, who | tres playing an excellent game, was stopped > just under the posts. A free kick relieved the Blacks, M'Leod sending the ball out Wfr the twenty-five. It was some time 'before WelKngton got into the ' M&roons' guarfcor. From some scrambling back play Sfljecd sect the ball out, and it was ieoorod by- Matheson, who oxossed the line, , but was held up, he being unable to touch : down. A series of scrum* on the line Mnsuetf, ozA the ball came out to tHie Black j tjackf, who. however, fumbled it. Wellington oontinued to press, but good kicking- by the Southland backs prevented a, j 4por9. A. Jf'Neece broke away, and sent the baH on with a kmg kick, Ryan forcing Howb. From the kick out the Blacks sot

well into fche -visitors' territory, where play remained for some time. Once Wellington got away, but Baixd marked. Immediately afterwards Gardiner snatched up the ball from 'a scramble in front of the" Maroons' tjoete, and fell over beside the posts. Tie kick was an easy one, and Ryan made no mistake. j Wellington 5 points. Southland Nil. ' This reverse had a good effect on South- ' land, who played very hard, and who took the ball well into the home teams territory, whence it was removed by Evenson. The visitors slowly brought play back again to the Wel- , lington line, where a serious of mistakes by the Black backs ended 1 in the bail going Into touch in goal. From a 6crum five yards out the ball came out to Greeks, who' found touch nicely. Southland continued to have the best of the play, and Wellington were very hard put to it-* to keep their line clear. Pyle secured a , mark from * line out, and A. M'Neece - had & shot at goal, but the angle was a difficult one, and ithe kick was- a- faihue. After a long period of play \in the Maroons' twenty-five, Wellington got away through fine play by M'Leod and Evenson. A scramble ensued on the visitors' line, I and the ball went over, Evenson just ' managing to touch it with bis . hand, and j thus scoring a second try " for Blacks. i Evemson- made a splendid attempt to convert his try, and just failed, the ball going under the bar. I Weflrngton „. #.. ... 8 points. Southland „ Nil. The Blacks were now out of danger, although Jenkins headed a likely-looking rush into their quarters, where the game ended. -Mr Griffitiis, of New Plymouth, was a f very efficient referee. A CHALLENGE MATCH. SYDNEY, August 30. ~ The Rugby Challenge match between the < Western Districts team, which recently de- ' feated the British team, and the MetroI polls resulted in a win for the Metropolis by 11 points to 9 after a haxd-fought game. THE BRITISH TEAM. BRITAIN DEFEAT QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, August 26. Britain beat Queensland to-day by 20 points to 3. v The game was & good one in the first half, which ended with the scores: Britain '6 points, Queensland 3 points. In the second spell, however, the visitors overran the local players. QUEENSLAND AGAIN DEFEATED. BRISBANE, August 29. i The British footballers defeated Queensland by 11 points to 8. ] - (Received August 30, at 4.20 p.m.) The play was hard and fast at times, especially in the second spell, and was very rough. MTSvedy, the British skipper, had his collarbone broken. The Queenslanders displayed much better, j form and combination than they did in the i first match. The first half ended with the ' scored 3 all, Gibbs for England and Gallaoher for Queensland securing tries. Queensland opened the second spell with | a brilliant attack, ending in- Mahex getting over. The try was converted. The final stages were exciting, the weight and better combination of the visitors eventually telling against a stubborn but clever defence. Williams and Gibbs were responsible for tries, the latter of which Dyke cbn- | verted.