FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 16, 4 September 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI v. OTAGO. A GREAT VICTORY FOR TARANAKI. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, September 2. It is many years ago since Otago received such a severe drubbing on the football field as they received to-day, when Taranaki improved on their fine performance against Wellington last week, leaving tiie field victors by 27 points to 3. The game was witnessed by fully 5000 people, and the day was nearly as hot as the middle of summer. Tho wind blew in fitful gusts across tho ground, but did not appear to favour either side unduly. There is only one excuse which can with any reason he put forward for Otago’s severe defeat, and that is the way tiie team had to be altered in the last few days owing to the. members picked being injured and unable to play. _ The Otago forwards had little combination in tho loose rushes, while their back play was sadly hampered by Coleman, Taranaki’s wing forward, getting into Sutherland, tiie Otago full-back before he could get tho ball away. Young proven himself a veritable Trojan in the Taranaki vanguard. The first spell proved rather uninteresting, and though Taranaki had slightly tho better of tho game, the local men made such a good showing that tho blue supporters were quite justified in thinking the game might end in a win for Otago. The Otago forwards generally managed to hook the ball in the scrums, but tho tall yellow forwards more than made up for this shortcoming by breaking away from the line-out, and having tho hotter of the exchanges in loose work. Stohr had several shots at goal from likely positions, in tho first spell, but failed every time, while Otago’s attempts in this direction also came to naught. Only one try was scored in the first half, Roberts heading a dribbling rush and kicking past Otago’s full-back and scoring. Taranaki ... ... ... 3 Otago ... ... ... 0 Towards the close of the spell Taranaki attacked strongly, and McLeod and Hawkins both lost a good chance of scoring tries by failing to take the ball and throwing forward. 'The full-back, Duth.ie, retired at the end of tho spell through an injury, his place being taken by Watson. The second half saw a complete change in tho game. The collaring of tho local forwards and backs was very weak, while time and again the yellows broke away from the line and began to secure the ball from the scrums. A few minutes after starting Otago were forced. From the kick-out Mynott secured, and passed to Roberts, who handed on to Cameron, the latter player sending the ball in-field as ho was brought down by Cuthill. ’Then Stobr knocked on and lost a good chance, but immediately after the same player completed a noat bit of passing by cutting in and scoring at the corner. Ho failed to goal. Taranaki 0 Otago ... ... ... 0 Paterson headed a rush to Taranaki territory, and then Eckhokl had an unsuccessful shot from a penalty. Shortly afte'r Eckhold secured tho hall and passed to Black, who handed to Norrie, but the latter dropped tho hall at tho colour’s 25, ami Cameron picking up, put in a sensational jerky run down tho lino of 50 yards and threw in to Mviiott, who had a clear run in under the jiosts. Cameron added tho major points. Taranaki ... ... ... II Otago 0 The colours now commenced to open up tho game, and gave tho blues plenty of running about. From a scrcm in Taranaki’s 25, Sutherland doubled hack to the blind side and passed to

Black, and after some fumbling Watson scored at the corner. Baton tailed with tno kick. Otago ... J Taranaki U Otago were now well holding their own, u nt Mcueocl secured the leather at iiait-waj, hesitated, drew tuo attack, and men passed to Mynott, no to ivobons, and men fctoiir completed the movement by cutting iit i.eauundly and racing round oonind the posts, vmmeiuii again goalee. Taranaki 16 vnago ... ••• ••• Young and Kissick led me Taranaki fur,varus back to me attack, and iTont loose play in Otago’s 45, Mynott secured from Brown, and so on to Mcßood, who, in turn, gave to Roberts, tins player cutting enrouga me opposition ami scoring under the pests converted. , Taranaki 21 Otago ... ... ... ‘J ■Roberts hurt himself in Ids effort, and had to leave the field after ‘‘Half the spell had gone, and Prince took Ids place. Otago worked the ball to the opposition's 25, but- from the throw-in Mynott started a passing rush, which ended right on Otago’s lino. Mynott received the ball from me end of a Jong line-out, and threw out wide to Cameron, who scored an easy try. Stoiir did nob improve matters. Taranaki ... 24 Otago ... ... ... 3 After some loose scrambling rushes at tho centre, Mynott, who was without doubt the king-pin of tho attack, opened tho play again, and Prince scored. Stoiir was once more found wanting. Shortly after the whistle went, with tho scores— Taranaki ... ... ... 27 Otago .. 3 NORTHERN UNION GAME. AUCKLAND BEAT'S TARANAKI. Auckland, September 2. The Northern Union football match between Auckland and Taranaki was played in fine weather, and was Avon by Auckland by 2G points to 16. Twohill, Kyle, and Mofr scored tries for Taranaki, Hardgraves converting all three. WANGANUI BEAT’S NELSON. Wanganui, September 3. Tho third Northern Union football match Avas played here on Saturday, Wanganui defeating Nelson by 4U to nil. WELLINGTON SENIOR CHAM- ' PIONSHJP. Wellington, 1 September 3. The senior Rugby championship for the season Avas decided yesterday, when Athletic defeated. Oriental by 16 points to 3. St. James got into third place bv defeating Melrose (o to 3). AUCKLAND BEATS CANTERBURY Christchurch, September 3. The Auckland ■ representatives defeated Canterbury yesterday by 6 points to 3. WELLINGTON REP. TEAM. Wellington, September 3. The folloAving have been selected to represent Wellington against Auckland at Wellington next Saturday:— Full-back, Evonson (Athletic); threequarters, Kinvig (Oriental), Mitchinson (Poneke), and Grace (Old Boys) ; five-eighths, P. J. Ryan (Victoria College), J. Ryan (Pctone); half, F. Roberts (Oriental), A. Wilson, (Athletic); forwards." 1 hookers, TV. Ready (Athletic), Elliott (Poneke); lock, D. Sullivan (Melrose); supports, Moffitt (St. James), Perry (Oriental); back roAV King (St. James), Bc-11 (Athletic). Emergencies, McFarlane (Pctone), Sotheran (Poneke), F. Roberts (St. James), McKenzie (Pctone). WANGANUI DEFEATS MANAi WATU. Wanganui, Sptember 3. The Rugby match bctAveon Wanganui and ManaAvntu Avas Avon by the former by 15 to 13. Mail’llAvatu had tho hotter of. tho game.

The Wellington “Times’ ” football writer characterises Stohr and Cameron, the Taranaki flyers, as “a pair of brilliant wings, probably tho nest pair in New Zealand this season.” At the “smoke-oh” after the Wellington match, Mr. Cameron, sen., of Stratford, who responded, in conjunction with Mr. Hino, M.P., to the toast of “Old Players,”. mentioned that he was tho only ex-Taranaki rep. who had produced a Taranaki rep.