FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 22, 11 September 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI v. CANTER I >""RV. ANOTHER PHENOMENAL WIN. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, September 9. The sixth match between the representative fifteens of Canterbury and Taranaki, which was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon, drew a large attendance of the public, the takings at the gate and stand amounting to £245 ss. The weather was nnc, though a fresh north-easterly' breeze was plowing across the ground. Some attempt had been made at watering the ground, but at present tho supply of water at tho Park is quite inadequate, and very little impression could be made on the playing field, which was decidedly hard. Hie visitors' performances in the early matches of tlioir tour had proved that they had a brilliant set of backs, while one of the number, J. Stohr, had done some phenomenal place-kicking, and consequently' tho public looked forward to an attractive display of football. Nor v\ era they disappointed in that respect, though the attractiveness was all on one side, and that side was not Canterbury. . During the first spell, playing against the wind, the homo team performed fairly well, and at half-time., with tho score at only 3 to nil against them, it was thought that they might put up a fair game in the second half, it had, however, been made clear early in the game that the Taranaki players played a better combination ga:iie than tho homo team. The forwards had an advantage in- weight, and were decidedly more dashing, and ■ uacir backs.wore fciuch more rcsourceml and were prepared to throw the on 11 about and take chances that iii trip majority of cases came off. In the second spell they gave ample proof of their quality, and both backs and forwards had Canterbury badly beaten, lukicting on them the niost decisive defeat that the home team has yet sustained in an interprovincial match at Lancast; , r Park. it was unquesionably a brilliant display that the visitors gave in tho early part of the second spoil, tho fast following up of the northern team’s forwards proving very disconcerting to the Canterbury oacks, ivhile the all-round cleverness and dash displayed by the Taranaki rearguard made Canterbury' players look decidedly second-rate. ' The Canterbury defence was for a time absolutely' demoralised, and the, tackling was painfully weak. Stohr’s debut as a place-kicker in Christchurch was looked forward to with much interest, hut it was not his day out, and his only success was gained from a kick at goal from a mark, his other attempts, though good, ooing a trifle wide of the mark. Tho referee was Mr J. N. Millar, of Dunedin. Taranaki won the toss, and Bain kicked off for Canterbury from the south end. An exchange of kicks was followed by a penally to Taranaki, and Stohr found the.line well down tho field. . Fast following up by the Rod forwards quickly gained lost ground, and play settled at centre. The first scrum gave Taranaki possession, but faulty passing lost tho chance. ■ Almost immediately after, pretty passing between Cameron and Mynott let the last-named over the lino, but before he could touch down Murray pushed him into toiich in goal. The kick-out was followed by a free kick to Taranaki, and Stohr gras given nis first shot at goal. He made a iuo attempt, from near the touch line. The’wind carried the ball just outside tho posts. The kick-out enabled thte Reds to clear their lines, and the forwards hacked up with some dashing footwork, in which Bain was especially prominent. The Taranaki backs Had some defensive work to do. A free kick chocked the Canterbury effort Stohr getting in a great line kick. With play in the Reds’ 25, the Taranaki backs attempted to open up the game, but Gray saved in good style, east following up by tho Taranaki forwards had Doell in trouble, and long passing- by the Yellow backs sent play over to tile right wing, which was left open, and McLeod got across the line. Stohr’s kick was unsuccessful.

Taranaki ... ... ... 3 Canterbury ... 0

Canterbury at once livened up, and a good passing rush ended in Jacobson being pushed out at the Taranaki 25'. Play become very fast, the ball > being kept in play, and dashing work by the Red forwards threatened trouble for the visitors. Hassell dribbled the ball over the line, but had not sufficient pace to reach it, and Hill kicked over the dead-ball line. The kick out was at once followed up by an attack by Taranaki, who wore endeavouring to open up the play on every occasion. Good tackling kept them at bay, but a strong _ run by .Stohr found the defence wanting, and ho got right to the line, where ho lost the ball,° and Canterbury saved by forcing. A free kick gave the Reds some relief, and a useful line kick which followed took place at the Taranaki 25. It did not remain there long, Hill finding the line well down the field, and from the line-ont that followed a forward rush compelled. Canterbury to force again. Taranaki kept up the pressure, and only wild passing prevented them from scoring. A free kick once more got. the Reds out of difficulties, but their opponents wore at this stage playing a much more dashing game, and play was quickly back in the Canterbury 25. A loose rush took it back to the centre, where some tricky touch-line play between Cameron and Column went wrong, owing to the latter getting offside. The line-kicking by the Red backs ended in a scrum on the Taranaki line, where their forwards easily secured the ball and a force resulted. The play immediately after the kickout slowed down slightly, until Gray broke away, but was tackled in trying to beat Cameron. Half-time was called with play in the Taranaki 25. Immediately after the opening of the second spell Brown maikcd in a good position, and Stohr kicked a nice goal. Taranaki 6 Canterbury 0 Canterbury were kept busy defending for some time after the resumption of play until Jacobson got in a good line hick. The relief was but momentary, as the Taranaki backs were throwing the ball about very freely. A misunderstanding between Doell and Jacobson very nearly had the reds in trouble, but Bain saved his side. Mynott made an opening for his backs, in which lie was assisted by poor tackling by the rods, and as a result Prince got across at the corner. Stohr made a good but unsuccessful shot at goal. Taranaki 9 Canterbury 0 Taranaki kept up the attack very briskly, Canterbury being able to make very little headway, except by lino kicks*, which as a rule were soon returned. At this stage Bain had to retire hurt, and Shaclbolt took his place. Play hung in the Canterbury twenty-five*until Guthrie managed to find the line near half-way. From a lino-out at the centre Dewar broke away, with Mynott in attendance, and pissed to the "latter in the reds’ tweu-Iv-fiye When tackled, the Taranaki

skippor gave the hall hack to Dewar, from whom it went to Prince, the latter scoring again at the corner. Stohr’s kick was just outside the posts. Taranaki 12 Canterbury' ... ... 0 Taranaki were quickly attacking again, tho Canterbury defence collapsing, and from a scramble on tho line Mynott dodged acioss. Cameron failed with the kiclv at goal. Taranaki ... ... ... 15 Canterbury' ... ... U An unsuccessful shot at goal from a mark by Stohr was followed immediately by a dash down tho touch-line by Cameron, who scored at tho corner. Coleman’s kick at goal went wide. Taranaki ... ... ... 18 Canterbury ... ... 0 With play just past the centre, Taranaki were penalised, and Dooll had an unsuccessful shot at goal. The yellows did not remain on the defence long, and a moment later wore in a strong attacking position. A pot at goal by Stohr sent tiie ball over the (lead-ball line, but the Taranaki centre made amends immediately after by a dashing run right through tho Canterbury team, scoring near the posts. Cameron missed an easy kick. Taranaki 21 Canterbury ... ... 0 When play was resumed, the.Canterbury' backs, for tiie first time in. the spell, showed a glimpse of attacking form, but Burns dropped his pass, and, the opening was list. They made another attempt just after ,but a kick by' Gray was charged by McLeod, and Taranaki wore on tiie aggressive again. Prince marked almost straight in front of tho goal, and Mynott took tho Icicle, but his Icicle was charged. A good kick by Gray was well followed up by CTawshaw, Shadbclt, and Carroll, and Hill was tackled right on tho line, and lie lost the ball, and Carroll picked up and scored. Crawshaw’s kick was unsuccessful. Taranaki ... ... ... 21 Canterbury ... ... 3 Canterbury' could not hold their opponents long, and from a scrum in the reds’ twenty-five, Brown secured possession, and dashed oyer almost unopposed. Stohr again failed to kick a goal. Taranaki 24 Canterbury ... ... 3 The .closing few minutes of tho game found Canterbury defending strenuously, and had Taranaki taken the game quite as seriously as they did earlier they would probably have added to their already large total. Time was called with the score—Taranaki 24 (a goal from a mark and seven trios); Canterbury 3 (ono try). AUCKLAND DEFEATS WELLINGTON. Wellington, September 10. About eight thousand people, favoured with glorious weather, witnessed the Auckland-Wellington Rugby fixture. Lord and Lady Islington, Major-General Godley arid Sir Joseph Ward were present. Tho playingfield was llint-liko, and limping players after tho match were numerous. Wellington outplayed the visitors in tho first half. Play in tho second spell was more even, but there was certainly not 16 points difference. Indifferent play on the part of Everson (full-back) was responsible for two tries (afterwards con veiled) which Auckland scored. The teams were : Wellington.—Evenson, Kinvig, Mitchinson, Grace, P. Ryan, J. Ryan, F. Roberts, A. Wilson, Ready, Elliott, Perry, Sullivan, King, Bell, Dent. Auckland.—O’Brien, Stewart, Murray, McGregor, O’Leary, Geddcs, Ottorson, Hall, Barrett, Hayward, Brqce. Cunningham, Wilson, Herring, Sellars. Auckland won the toss, playing against a slight wind, but with the sun behind them. Ranji Wilson intercepted an attempt to transfer the ball from tho kick-off, and got down to within fifteen yards of the line, and passed to Dent, who scored after one minute’s play. Ryan failed to convert.

Wellington ... ... ... 3 Auckland ... ... ... 0 Wellington forwards rushed play down the field from the kick-out, Ranji Wilson again being prominent. Dent inaugurated a passing rush from a line-out, but the transfers were of the cheap variety, and nothing eventuated. The game at this stage was particularly fast. Roberts made an opening .from a scrum, but Mitchinson’s faulty taking nullified any possibility of a score. O’Brien punted high for a line, but missed, Wellington forcing. Otterson missed the kick-out, and short passing rushes on the part of Wellington, in which Bell, Dent and Wilson were prominent, took play to the other end ot the fidd. When within striking distance, Wilson lost the ball, and Auckland forced. Grace returned by a long kick tc Auckland’s twenty-five, but the visiting forwards took play back to halfway. Otterson started a passing rush in Ins own twenty-five, but the Aucklanders ran straight across the field, gaining little. More fumbling by Mitchinson spoilt what looked like another possible score. McGregor intercepted a pass in his own territory, and got clean away. He beat I*l venson, and a try looked certain, but Grace, with a flying tackle, brought him down, and saved the situation. King headed a counter attack at halfway, and took play well up to the Auckland’s liner Wellington was awarded a free kick in a good position for lifting in the scrum, Evenson’s shot missing. Roberts' cleverly centred the dropout, and gave Grace a chance, hut the ball went over the line, Auckland forcing. An interchange of kicks between Evonson and McGregor saw the hall out at half-way. From the throw-in, Elliott found the lino well down the field. Bell throw in quicky to Dent, who dived over the lino, Mitchinson failing with the kick. Wellington ... ... ... 0 Auckland ... ... ... 0 Wellington raced down the line again, and another score seemed imminent, Perry being held up on the line. A scrum followed, the local hacks getting away again, hut Mitchinson again let them down, McGregor saving. Wellington was awarded a penalty in a handy position, and Roberts landed a nice goal. Wellington ... ... ... ' 9 Auckland ... ... ... 0 Geddas was prominent in an Auckland attack, hut lost what advantage lie might have gained through haul kicking. Half-time sounded with play at centre. 'I he visiting forwards commenced a strong attack as soon as play resumed, Murray, Hayward and Barraif breaking away, the latter being just prevented from scoring, and 801 l relieving with a long kick up field. Wellington forwards rushed play down tho field, smothering the opposing hacks, who were not showing brilliancy collectively. O’Leary, by fast following, overtook Evenson and brought him down at the critical moment, the hall going into touch. From a scrum in midfield, Wellington secured, hut Bruce intercepted, and sent to Mur-

rav to McGregor, the hitter passing iniii’ld Wilson intercepted, and sent the ball out at half-way. J Uyan secured possession at midfield, kicked to the win;;, Grace being brought down just as he secured. He persevered, but O’Brien kicked over the line From the resultant scrum Auckland carried play down to half-way, and the latter got to Wellington’s line, where Ottarsou took ii inuik, OLeaiy goaling. Wellington ... 9 Auckland ... ••• ••• G Murray intercepted and sot off foi the line, and passed infield to Hall, who was tackled. Sellers took up tne running with the ball at his too, scoiing a brillinat try under the post, O’Leary converting. Wellington ... 9 , Auckland ... ° Sellers injured himself in falling on the ball, and retired, Maguire replacin'-- him. Wellington now put m a claim, but it was short-Ined, more indifferent play on the part of Mitchiuson being responsible for nothing eventuating. Hall secured the ball _at half-way, and kicked well down field. Evcnson, who was out of Ids place, missed, and Bruce raced for the ball, beating Grace and touching down. O’Leary improved the score Auckland ... ••• ••• ’-3 Wellington ... ■• • •• 9 The visiting forwards had now warmed up to their work, and the backs wore playing a more sure game. From a scrum in the Auckland twentylive Wellington got the ball, and what looked like a possible char.co was spoiled by Kinvig, who failed to take it. From the liuo-out Auckland forwards swept down the field.- in :v body. Evcnson was smothered, and Gedaos foil over amidst tremendous applause. O’Leary failed with the kick.. ( , ; Auckland ... ... ... 1G Wellington ... ••• ••• 9 The Wellington forwards made a spirited attack from the kick-out, and carried play to the Auckland end of the field, but the visiting backs cleared. Evcnson was now moved from full-back to the three-quarter, line, Kiuvig going back, but the change availed Wellington little. Roberts and Ryan were overwhelmed time and again, and could not set their backs in motion. After being forced twice in succession, Auckland again attacked, and had matters pretty well their own way until tfio bell sounded. Of the Aucklanders, Hayward, Herring, Sellers, Hall, Bruce (an ex-Wel-lington man), McGregor, Ottorson aiid O’Leary outshone their confreres. “Ranji’’ easily played the best game on the ground in all departments of the game. The other forwards doing good work wore King, Bell, Dent, and iSlliott. In the back division Kiuvig, Grace and Ryan were outstanding. WAIRARAPA v. HOROWHENUA. Masterton, September .10. The football match, Wairarapa v. Horowhenua,, played here yesterday, resulted in a win for i( tbo former by 27 to 11. In the first spoil the visitors had slightly the best of the game, although the score at half-time was S •to G in Waiarapa’s favour. W. \Viniata arid Rawiri scored for the visitors, and Brough and McKenzie' for the homo team. McKenzie converted Brough’s try. Wairarapa did all the attacking in the second naif, arid their success was mainly due to the mistakes of the opposing backs. Brough scored four tries in succession, one of which McKenzie convoluted. Bond also scored, a try, which was converted. Shortly before call ofiy time Rawiri made a beautiful run. and scored a. try for the visitors. Rawiri also converted. The game ended without any further score. 1 \ TARANAKI Y. AUCKLAND. A special train will run on Thursday to New Plymouth and holiday excursion fares will be available. The Taranaki touring team will arrive horns by this evening’s mail train. The team selected to play on lliursday will proceed to New Plymouth at once. SCHOOL~MATCH. On Saturday the team from- Hutt and Petono High Schools met a team from the Hawera, Eltham and Patea High Schools and defeated them by 30 to .3. The Wellington schools have played five matches altogether with the Stratford boys, each side having won two, one being drawn. NORTHERN UNION GAME. The Taranaki representatives meet the North Island native team at Stratford on Thursday, 21st hist. Hie native team is composed mostly of the Maori team that visited Australia, besides Te Ante and Hawke’s Bay players. The game should prove a good one, as Taranaki is a greatly improved team. THE NORTHERN UNION. A match is to he played in Stratford under Northern Rugby Union rules on Thursday, September 21st, when the Taranaki representatives meet tjie North Island native team. The native team is composed mostly of the Maori team that visited : Australia, besides Te Auto and Hawke’s Bay players. The game should prove a good one, as Taraigiki is a greatly imprved team, and fully extended Auckland in the challenge cup match.