FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11324, 20 August 1917, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND 12; WELLINGTON 0.

(Par Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Saturday.

The first of two home and home matches between Wellington and Auckland players under 20 years of age was played at the Domain this afternoon in the presence of a large crowd of enthusiasts. The result was a win for Auckland by 12 points to nil. ' The score was hardly an index of the play. Wellington had the better of the early stages of the game and wore pressing hard at the fiish, being distinctly unlucky in not scoring. Auckland made better use of their opportunies, securing three trios and one goal from a penalty. The game was played without wing forwards, each team playing a roving half. The referee placed the ball in the scrum. On all occasions the off-side rule was strictly enforced. The first score came early in the game after a few moments of exchanges from the kick-off. A Wellington infringement gave a free kick in a handy position and McLean kicked a good goal. Wellington pressed for some time after this, getting the ball out of the scrum and the backs handling with confidence. A free kick taken by Cowie failed to secure points. Another Wellington passing rush ended in Aitken being pushed out and another free kick by the visitors failed. Vigorous play followed, accurate line kicking by Porter being a feature, while for Auckland, Hing _ was the mainstay of the defence. Hislop reached the line and nearly got over, being held up with the ball and prevented from falling over the line. A passing rush by the visitors was dangerous, but dwindled away. Then Wellington was given a free kick, but Morton’s shot at goal was resultless. Wellington’s attack next ended in a force. Auckland now recovered the held their own. Finally from the line out the ball came to Wilson, who cut in, beat his man and sent to O’Connor. The latter, outpacing the field, scored. The shot at goal failed. Auckland were now attacking hard. A Wellington rush was stemmed, and, from the scrum the ball came from Wilson to Inglis, who raced along the line and scored. The kick went wide. The spell ended:

Auckland 9 Wellington 0 The second half opened with even exchanges, the Wellington forwards keeping the ball at their feet, were showing dash and frequently proving troublesome. The rain, which had been threatening, now commenced to fall light and drizzling, making tho ball greasy and the ground treacherous. Porter was making good efforts for Wellington, but the pace of tho opposition kept him in check. The state of the ball made the Wellington fielding, hitherto excellent, less certain. Tho visiting pack broke through with a good rush and took tho ball over the lino, but the effort ended in a force. A good cross kick came to the Wellington backs, but Porter wag collared with the ball. A scrum under the goal seemed dangerous, but Wilson, playing a brilliant defensive game at centre three-quarters, saved with a long kick and sent the play well up the' field. A strong rush by the home team succeeded, Nairn falling on the ball and scoring. The kick failed. Wilson hurt a shoulder at this stage and had to leave tho field, Auckland playing one short. Wellington wore now making great efforts to score, but luck was against them. Tho forwards, playing with great vigour, broke through repeatedly, Desmond and Black conspicuous, but were just kept out by the defence. Just on the call of time the chances looked good for Wellington to score. An infringement gave Perter a chance at the goal) but the ball wont Just outside, and lime was called: Auckland Wellington 9