FOOTBALL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 181, 13 July 1900, Page 3

FOOTBALL NEWS.

BEMLEBBNTATIVE TRIAL HATCH. Tra first of a series of three trial matches between the North and South divisions of the district, arranged for purpose of selecting the fifteen players best qualified to represent Tara■aki against the sister provinces, took plaos in the Becreation Grounds on Thursday, when there was a large attendance of spectators. The weather was all that could be desired, although the ground, owing to recent rains, was very sodden. The game was exciting bom start to dose, and though that combination which is necessary to * Rugby as it should be played was noticeable by reason of its absence, the efforts of each player to excel made the I game lively from a spectator's point of view. The play at times was really first-class, and it is certain that the beet trial match ever held in Taranaki took place on Thursday. Ihat Tara naki will, given a judicious seleciiun, have a first-class team to uphold her laurels was patent to anyone present, and the only difficulty the selectors will have will be to choose those who really exeel. Mr. B. H. Eivetl, of Stratford, one of the selectors, was on the ground to watch the play. A. Mclntyre, who was selected aa one of the northern throe-quarters, could not play, and his plaos was taken by Hardgreaves. Defections from the southern ranks were Lambie and Malcolm, who were replaced by P. Riddle and Hickey. Mr. Jt. Stohr acted as referee, and the touch judges were Messrs. Buchanan andD. Dwyer. The teams were as follow: Nokth.—Full, 0. Young; three-

quarter*, Kivell, Mynott, Hardgreaves; fire-eighth, Allen; half, A. Hum- -. phriee; wings, Tate, Brown; forwards, Bendall, Oe Blois, Watson, Phiyips, Idle, Damn, F.Bayly. Sooth.—Full, Moir; three-quarters, Carroll, P. Riddle, Cleaver; fiveeighth, A. Hunter (captain); half, J. Hunter; wings, O'Dea, Hamblyn; forwards, Christie, McGovern, Essen, locker, Backer, J. S. Riddle, Knight. FIBSr 6PSLL.

The Sooth winning the ton elected to take the north base, the Southerners

having the eon in their eyes. Tht boll was set rolling by Watson, and, sfterUine work, a scram ensued, from whicn Humphries instituted a passing ran, in which Allen, Kivell, Mynott, and HardgreaTW took part, Kivell . going vary close to a score. A force by the Soathrenws resulted, and the kick-out receiving a good return by Allen pl«y again ensued in the Southerners'territory. The latter theu assumed the aggressive, and, by the play principally of the Hunter brothers, invaded the Northerners' quarters Here Mynott and Kivell put in some Jadicioaß kicks, and transferred play to ike Sooth, citadel. A mark was ob-

tailed by the Northerners, but Watson made a poor shot at god. The kickk oat was badly returned, and the line was in danger, but Allen relieved by a fine kick. Dawn th* field the play went once more, the Southerners nuking determined effort* to score, bat Allen, Humphries, and Mynott pat in good work and relieved. A rush of the North forwards, in which Tate, Bendall, and Duffin were promi *•• nent, nearly resulted in a score, but A. Hunter relieved, and play centred. From a scram, Humphries (whose forwards were getting the ball out splendidly) passed to Allen, the ball then handled respectively by Mynott and Hardgreaves, and a very £__ pretty passing ran ended in play baiug in the Sonth quarters. Give-and-take phy ensued, relieved by excellent Twiti"g between Humphries, Allen, and Mynott, and the spell ended with no score having been recorded, SECOND BPBLL, gin this spell the game was very fast, aid the condition of the players must hare been first-rate to enable them to

keep up the paw. The excitement was ( great, and the spectatois vociferously i *nJ urged on their respective fancies. ' The Southerners soon attacked, and ' carried the ball over the line, but < Allen was there, and saved a ' proaaUe score by kicking against the ' bank. The game, from the kick- < out, centred for a time, bat even- ' taaHy a passing ran by Humphries, Allen, Mynott, and Kivell took place, and after a few scrams Bendall and Doffin forced through their oppo- , nente' ranks, the former scoring. I Watson failed in the kick at goal. , {forth ~~,, ~ , a 3 Bouth „ ~ ~ 0 The kick-oat resulted in centre play, and after scrum work the North quarters were invaded, a lot" of line play ensuing. More scrums took place, and than the Southerners took play into their opponents' quarters, where J. Hunter got a mark. A. Hunter placed a magnificent goal, the feat receiving the hearty plaudits of the spectators. South .. .. .. 4 North - .. ~ 3 Besoming, the Northerners became, aggressive, but the Southerners defended bravely, and the game rapidly went from one end of the field to the other, eventually centreing. Humphries started a good passing run, and • the ball went rapidly from Allen to Mynott, on to Kivell, who sent it back to Mynott, and the latter scored, Watson failed again. North ~ .. ~ 6 South .. .. .. 4 Prom this out the play was mostly in favour of the Southerners, who made desperate efforts to score, the brothers Hunter. Carroll, and Cleaver being especially noticeable. The defence, however, wis too sound, and the game ended without further score. REMARKS.

On the Northern side, Mynott played a dasbiog game, while Allen was re- / sponsible for much good work. In the fi-st spell Humphries was excellent, fjut mulled badly in the last half. In jjirdgreaveß, Taranaki has a coming rep., bis play for a junior being ftrst- - class. 0. Young was very safe as fullback, and Kivell played a slashing game. ' In the forwards, Tate, Brown, Beadall) Duffin, De Bloie, and Idle were the best. The Southerners had in the two ► Hontera really fine players, both running, passing, and kicking splendidly Of the other backs, Oleaver, Malcolm, and Moir were very promifeent, and in the forwards the more no iojable were Qhrislie, McCtovern, indßnaßi I