FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8823, 27 May 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

North y. South. I’er Press xVssociation. Wellington, May 2f>. Tho following players have boon selected to represent tlio North Island in the North v. South Island match : Fullback, G. Spencer (Wellington); threequarters, Wallace and Mitchinson (Wellington), Dive (Taranaki); liveeighths, Hunter and Mynott (Taranaki); half, Roberts (Wellington); wing forward, Coleman (Taranaki); forwards, Wilson and Spencer (Wellington), McNae (Manawatu), Hailey (Hawke’s Hay), O’Sullivan (Taranaki), Hogan (Wanganui). Emorg.: O’Leary (Wairarapa), Guscott (Wanganui). No Auckland players are included in the team, those nominated having declined to sign tho necessary affidavit concerning their amateur status. All other players in tho North Island, except two at Potone, signed as required. Those players who have de • dined to sign will not bn considered for the team to -visit Australia. The Professional Team. Press Association. —Copyright. Sydney. May 27. p The Telegraph commends the New Zealand Rugby Union’s attitude on professionalism. .. Auckland PlayersRefuse to Sign Declaration. Per Press Ass' ciation. Auckland, May 27. At the conclusion of the eup matches on Saturday 12 Auckland players—G. Tyler, Dunning, Seeling, Francis, Nicholson, Cunningham, Trevartliou, G. Smith, R. Wynyard, R. Magee, G. Gillott and Todd, nominated for the North Island team, were called in the presence of the Management Committee and the chairman explained the nature of the declaration required by theN.Z. Rugby Union and each player in turn was asked to sign and refused. They stated they would not be bound by tho conditions laid down. They did not see why the N.Z. Union*should ask them to sign such a document. In one or two instances the players intimated that they had no intention of becoming professionals. Dunedin, May 27. All the four Otago “All Blacks’’, Booth, Casey, McDonald and Johnston, have been requested to sign the declaration issued by tho N.Z. Union and have done so and have been selected for the Inter-Island match. HU I MAI (12) v, OLD BOYS ((!)• Old Boys sent a strong team out to Awahuri, “ Brum ” Smith being the only notable absentee, while Hui Mai had their best team on the field. For the first half-hour Hui Mai, with tho wind, had the upper hand, scoring 12 points, one try and three penalties, Hughes being the kicker in each case. Just before the call of time Old Boys improved in their play, Lowe and Walsh each scoring, neither being converted. McNae led his forwards throughout, they being responsible for Hui Mai’s success. Hughes, at full-back, was brilliant, while Carroll, at five-eighth, upheld his reputation as a dashing player. For the losers Girdlestone made a good impression at half, Walsh being the pick of the backs. Hammer received a nasty bump. Smith, an Old Boys’ forward, caused no end of bother with his off-sido tactics, he being the cause of many free kicks given against his side, three proving fatal. Mr W. If. McLean made an impartial referee. FEILDING (3) v. KIA TO A (0). Kia Toa journeyed to Fcilding, and after a fairly even contest were defeated by the narrow margin of three points (a try). The ground being rather muddy handicapped both sets of backs, most of tho play resting between the forwards. As referee Mr Thompson gave entire satisfaction, AWAHOU v. SANDON. This match took place on the Saudon ground on Saturday. The strong Westerly wind that prevailed was against a first class exhibition of football, yet the game was full of interest and tho result remained in doubt till the call of time. The home team had the advantage of the wind in the first spell. From the kick-off tho visitors set up a strong attack and play continued in Saudou’s 35’s until a futile shot at goal from a mark enabled them to force. Play remained for a time in neutral ground until the blue forwards broke awav with a loose rush and Foxton forced. Tiro relief was only temporary, Sandon returning to the attack and another forward_ rush resulted iu a scrum on the lino. The home forwards got possession and the ball came out cleanly to McNae at half who beat the wing forward and passed to Hartley, who groan led the ball between the posts. The score was not allowed, the referee ruling that the ball was passed forward, a scrum on the lino being the penalty given. Play was shifted to the 25 line where T. Richardson smartly secured the ball and potted a pretty goal. From this point till the end of the spell Foxton had to keep their line clear. The first spell ended Sandon 4, Albion nil. On changing ends tho Sandon forwards made tho game close and their lighter opponents were unable to withstand their determined rushes. The long kicks of the visiting backs equalised . tho play, neither side having any particular advantage till McNae got possession at half way and raced for tho Foxton lino. After stalling off several opponents the ball was transferred to T. Richardson, who got to within a few feet of the lino before being collared. Sandon made tho most of their advantage and play remained close to tho goal lino, till a force relieved the pressure. At this stage of the game a section of the spectators took exception to tho referee’s rulings and showed their resentment in no uncertain manner. With only a few minutes to go play settled down in Sandon’s territory, two force downs following in quick succession. Three free kick at easy angles gave the visitors opportunities to win but without result. With one minute to go Shadbolt got possession on the line and passed to Spiers, who scored alongside the post. Shadbolt failed with the kick and it was thought that tho game was over. The referee ruled otherwise and ordered play to bo recommenced, four minutes extra liaviug to be played for time lost while a player was disabled. This decision was met with groans of uisapnroval from the spectators. During these four minutes overtime the position of tho scores remained unaltered although a shot at goal from a penalty almost won tho match for h oxton, the game ending in a scene of wild excitement with the scores standing Sandon 4, Awahou 3. Mr Robinson was referee. [:-?2 ( By “ Muddied Oaf. ’’) The senior fixture for Wednesday is Bulls v. Martou at Martou. The management will appoint a referee on Tuesday. Hunterville met Bulls on the latter ground last Wednesday and judging by the play we _ shall probably see many interesting and exciting matches this season as tho clubs are evenly matched. The outstanding player tor Bulls was undoubtedly W. Green. He played for the first time as fiveeighths and bis judgment was better than that of most of his fellow players and his work was that of a seasoned player. ~ _ . , A. Green, brother to “Painter, was verv conspicuous at full back. He played extremely well and has a verv safe pair of hands and is also tricky. This player—a junior last season—should always find a place iu the senior team. The Carter' brothers, in the forward division, formed a sturdy trio for Bulls and, their work was very effective. A.' Garter did some smart following up, but his efforts were unavailing. „ , The Hunterville wing forward— Langs tone—w.as responsible for the great number of free kicks Bulls recciv.'d. He, however, did a lot ol sound work and although toe anxious, played a useful game. Marton Third play Hunterville Third at Hunterville on Wednesday, The Turakina school team have outered for the school competition £c be started by Rangitikei Union. It is understood the Turakina junior footballers will be playing u Rangitikei Union after this date. The interest taken in football u this district by Father Molloy is thoroughly appreciated by playcn and enthusiasts in the game. Dur ing the progress of tho Huntervilh Bulls match on Wednesday the lan guage of a section of the spectator was of an unseemly character am the reverend gentleman expressed In disapproval of it iu very plain terms This action had a wonderful effec on Wednesday and it is to bo hope that it will be unnecessary in fntur to make any’ complaints of bad lau guage.

Tlio junior match Fordeil v. Wanganui was played at Fordeil and ro suited iu a win for Wanganui by 3 points to nil, after a very hard game. The junior fixture Turakina v. Kaierau j,was played at Wanganui. The ',’play from start to finish was very fast, and aft times some; excellent work was done. On the call of time the scores stood at three all. ; Kaierau Seniors defeated Wanganui by 10 points to nil and Waverley forfaited to Wanganui Old Boys.