FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13491, 21 September 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON v. OTAGO

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day. Wellington defeated Otago on, Saturday by 25 points to>il. The attendance was not large, but those who witnessed the match saw good football. The Wellington team, which had just return., ed from a triumphant northern tour with theßanfurly Shield, and nothing worse against them than -a drawn game with Auckland, surprised the Wellington public. Not for many years has such free, rapid, clean passing been, witnessed. The representaiives of the province excelled (themselves m the open game. Quicker, neater and freer and generally more effective passing has. rarely characterised football on the Park. Otago, on the other hand,, played a slashing forward game, and did very well to get out of it with a score against them of 25 to 11. The weather was chilly, with a strong north-westerly- wind. Wellington had the wind with them m the first spell, bub only scored one try, not convented. They were , prevented from crossiing over the line more often by the sheer hard tacking of the Otago defence. E. Roberts, however, was m great form, and kicked three fine penalty goals, all from near half-way. This left the score at half-time 12—0 ih favor of Wellington.' Wellington added another 5 points after the resumption "through a fine try by Ronji Wilson, converted by Roberts. .Then Otago, with a sudden spurt, ran np 11 points. Denham scored a try from a forward scramble, and Watson added th© major points. 17 — 5. Patterson gave Otago another lift wiAh a splendid penalty goal, kicked from out near tho touch-line ~at midway. ' 17 — 8. Then Irvine .breasted over after, a hot tussle near the corner flag. The kick failed. Wellington 17, . Otago 11. This was the last spasm. / Wellington scored another try, which Roberts converted (22—11), and then Patton added another try near the corner, which was not converted, bringing the score up to 25 to 11.

The annual football match between teams representing the- local banks and itho law offices was played on Saturday afternobn. The law s':de were too strong for their opponents, and won the game by 24 to 8. Mir Wi Howard was referee. A Rugby football team representing the Referees' Association journeyed out to Matawhero on Saturday afternoon to try conclusions with the Matawhero team. The latter proved the winners by nine points to three. After the match the visitors were entertained: at the Matawhero Hotel.