FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 118, 26 August 1910, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON v. TAIIAXAKI, HOME TEAM OUTCLASSED. ■MARGIN OF FIVE POINTS.

Wellington 11, Taranaki 6. This was ■the result of the Wellington-Taranaki representative football match played at the New Plymouth Sports Ground yesterday. And the moral victory was greater far than is indicated by the actual scores. After making all the allowances and excuses that the Taranaki patriot can advance, the fact remains that the home team was by'far the inferior of the victors —inferior in the matter of condition, inferior in combination, in tactics, and in knowledge of the game. Taranaki was beaten absolutely, and the wonder ds that the winners' score was not very much larger. The match, as is indicated 'by the scoring, was not onesided, and the five or six thousand people on the terraces were treated to some exciting movements, and some solid play between _ two very earnest teams. The forwards were too slow, however, and were over-matched iby their nimble opponents, whose work clearly proved the utility of the training shed, just as the display given by the wearers of the amber and blue jerseys showed the futility of playing as a representative icomibination fifteen units, some of whom would 'hardly be able to recognise one another in the street. The weakness of the home team is attributable directly to want of combined training, which alone can save the situation against a fifteen composed of clever ipen who have, so to speak, made a 'business of football for weeks past. The Taranaki forwards lacked stdng. They heeled the iball out fairly successfully, but Avery and the back row men were generally round at the back of the scrum and down amongst the home backs (before they could get going. The locals were not able to pay Sack in the same coin when the positions were reversed, and thus the Wellington backs were able to show that brilliant passing at times, opportunities for which were not plentiful when Francis, Sellars and Co. were pitted against them in Auckland last week. "That tired feeling" was all too prominent in the Taranaki pack long before the game was over. An individual dash of excellent merit would be nipped in the bud by one of the clever visitors' rearguard, and, the invader being as a rule unsupported, he would make (his way back to his fellows as though to-morrow would do. Tiredlike, the Taranaki men were pleased to believe that a long kick for the line was bound to go out of (bounds, and they waited accordingly. So did the backs sometimes, and the results were often surprising! to the men who waited, for the line-kicks that just failed to be linekicks were so frequent as to. be almost a feature. Without offering it as an excuse for defeat, it is safe to say that Taranaki's substitute full-back was surprisingly weak for a man with an excellent reputation, and it was his failure to field the 'ball that cost 'his side at least one of the tries and frequently gave the local supporters that heart-in-the-mouth sensation that accompanies a determined onrush of a heady team upon an unreliable full back. Mynott, Stohr, and McLeod were the mainstay of the home team. As has been before stated, the visitors played with fine combination, every man in his place and knowing where to find the next one. As a team, too, they were much faster than Taranaki, and their passing and tackling very clean for the most part. If, as is generally believed and reported, Auckland had the upper hand in Saturday's match, and to such an extent as to cripple the attack of the Wellington backs, the northerners must .be a very difficult nut to crack, and it is extremely doubtful—perhaps beyond d'oubt —whether the Taranaki team can bring ( that Ranfurly Shield home this year. Taranaki was tindoubtedly weakened by the absence of Taylor, Roberts, and Pini, bu,t it has to be remembered that Wellington played without Freddy Roberts, who is certainly a tower of strength to his side, and who might have directed the attack yesterday with even greater success upon the weak spot in Tarana'ki's defence. There was a pleasing absence of rough play, but that the pace was willing can be gathered from the fact that play had to be stopped on four or five occasions for temporary knocks-out, and on one occasion two Wellington men were placed hors de combat at the one time. When Taranaki made a sensational opening, Stohr placing a magnificent goal from half-wav, it was 'hoped they would maintain the lead, but they were behind at half-time. Peculiarly enough, their next score was a goal from the field, -scored in the first few minutes of the second spell. Thev | were extremely unlucky in losing several goals by inches, but had those gone over the result would have been against the better team. TEE TEAMS.

The teams took the field at 3.5 p.m as follows: —Wellington.— Fullback, A. Bvenson; three-quarters, Mitchinson, Ryan, Dawson; five-eighths, I Kinvig and McLeod; half, E. Roberts; wing forward, 0. Avery; forwards, J. Moffatt, A. Bruce, R. Leahy, T. Rapson, E. Perry, H. Elliott and R. Irvine, j —Taranaki.— Full-back, Franklin; three-quarters, Cameron, McLeod, J. Stehr; five-eighths, Mynott and Dive; half, Brown; wing forward , Moir; forwards, Whittington, Tamu, Martin, Smith, Milne, Osborne and Cain. Mr. J. Williams, of Auckland, was the referee. THE PLAY. Wellington won the toss, and defended; tire northern goal, with 'backs to sun and slight wind Tamu kicked off, and after ia few forward rushes the Taranaki men "were in the visitors' territory, where off-side play gave <Stohr a chance at goal. It was a magnificent kick from the halfway line, and in four minutes the score stood— Taranaki ... w 3 Wellington 0 The visiting forwards aihoofe matters up, and, breaking away from a scrum,

were soon making things merry. ± scrum near the line gave the defender the ball, but they were penalised, an< Kinvig had a disappointing shot at goal Dive forcing. A combined Taranaki rusl was stemmed by IT. McLeod lining fron the very toes of Smith'and Tamu, and i nice run by Mitchinson placed Taranak again on the defensive. Mynott endea vpred to wriggle through, but was sur rounded, and the good work of Brown a the rear of the next scrum was spoile* by a couple of off-side forwards. Even son's kick at goal was futile. As thi result of a long kick followed by Stohr the visitors were pressed back, 'but H McLeod found Franklin's weakness bi a high kick, and he just managed tt punt into touch. Moir 'headed a rush and Brown, Mynott, Tamu and iSmitl were prominent in the play which force* the visitors into a difficult corner, Perr relieving with a well-judged line kick Off-side play 'by a Wellington forwari nearly resulted in a second score .agains them, iStohr just missing the posts. 1 solid Taranaki rush was spoiled by over running the 'ball, but Cameron nipped ii find raced down the line. He was un supported. McLeod fumbled, and Cam eron went at it again, but the forwari had come up now, and one of them wai penalised, lEvenson lining. "Hands ii the scrum" gave Wellington a free, an< Kinvig lined. Taranaki had a (brief per iod of defence, and then McLeod smoth ered a return by Evenson, and some tight play ensued* near Wellington's corner flag, Avery relieving the pressure, ivery was doing fine work' around tihe scrum, and Moir was being beaten, but le was doing some fine work in the open. 4. long kick bothered Franklin, whose /hree-quarters were playing rather close ip. Irvine was down after the ball, with ilitchinson, and the latter scooped it up, na'king for the corner. Pretty passing o Ryan, (Roberts and Irvine gave the atter a well-earned try, which Avery ailed to convert. Taranaki 3 Wellington 3

A serious of scrums gave Wellington an advantage, but they were unable to advance very far before Whittington and Cain came through, and positions •were reversed. Stohr marked neaV halfway, and just failed to increase the score. 'He was making some very fine attempts. Moir and several forwards carried operations into Wellington territory, but Wellington scrummers changed their tactics and screwed. Their opponents were nonplussed, but Moffatt and Leahy spoiled the chance by getting offside. McLeod- and 1 Dive eaoh got in an excellent run, but the visitors' defence ■was sound, and Dive was thrown out by Evenson near the corner. Strenuous play followed. With the ball down, the home forwards were having the advantr age, but Roberts picked up, and presently Fran'klin was worried again, McLeod whipping in just in time to prevent disaster. Brown, Mynott and Dive essayed a passing run, but Perry was too sudden in tackling Dive, who failed to findi Oameron with his pass. Averv and Leahy were responsible for Tara naki's next anxious moments, and Stohi was just in time to retrieve a mistake toy FVanklin. Avery .had a good shot at goal from a penalty. Wellington forwards again invaded the Yellows' twentyfive, where Franklin toad to speculate in returning Dawson's kick. Kinvig should have marked, ibut attempted to pot. Tarana-ki came through in a body, but Roberts snapped up the ball, sidestepped and made a fine opening, passed to Mifcchinson, who sent along smartly to Ryan, who raced in and scored. Mit chison failed with the kick.

1 Wellington . • < 6 Taranaki 3 From the kick-out the Yellows were soon put on the defensive, the Blacks [making every endeavor to open up the 'game. A mark toy Stohr was just in time. In onp passing run, Ro'berts, McLeod, Kinvig, Ryan and Mitehinson all had a hand, and the latter was forced out. Half-time was called without further score. Early in the second spell McLeod dodged through the visitors in splendid style, but none followed. Evenson's kick came out to the wing, and Cameron was scarcely able to get it, else there was nothing to prevent ® score. Stohr made a fine run toy an opening male by McLeod, but was hemmed into the touchline, the crowd being frantic with excitement. From a scrum on the Wellington line Brown secured a mark. The tension was great as Mynott placed the ball for iStohr, and the supporters of the local team yelled themselves hoarse as Stohr brought tke scores even. Wellington 6 Tarana'ki . 6

Wellington attacked hotly. Evenson tried a goal from penalty, but the ball fell short. Mynott lined at half-way, and a determined rush by Cameron and [ Mcleod was stayed just in time by McfLeod (Wellington). .McLeod and Roberts changed the scene, and then Smith set out on a lone-handed rush, but Ryan was too quick. Up and down the battle waged, the visitors having much the better of the play in nearly every department. The big Yellow forwards were becoming tired, and the fit little fellows of the other side were upsetting the work of the backs. Now and again Cain, or Whit ting ton, or Tamu would be prominent, but there was no cohesive effort. Taranaki forced twice. Brown set his backs moving. 'He passed out from a scrum to Mynott, -who transferred to McLeod and Stohr, but there was no chance to centre again, and the iball went out at half-way. Mynott came through repeatedly, doing the work that smart forwards should have done, but his men were unable to keep up with the veteran, who played with all the vigor of youth. Avery got on to Franklin twice, and the latter just managed to kick down centre. The Wellington backs should have marked a couple of these kicks. After some strenuous play between the Taranaki forwards and the Wellington backs, Cameron made a nice run down the line, and Dive was unfortunate in missing Cameron's kick. Wellington had a warm few minutes, and from a pass from Mynott through Di.ve, Cameron attempted to pot. Wellington forced. Moir, Tamu, Martin and Whittington each cut through the opposing forwards, but lost the ball. Stohr, by racing from 'his own to the opposite corner, averted an almost inevitable Wellington score, but the visitors kept up ! the attack. Their winning score looked i simplicity itself. The Taranaki forwards

stood by or aimed foolishly high, whilst Mofl'att, Mitchinson, Perry and Bruce passed the ball from hand to hand near tlie corner, and Perry scored. Avery placed a fine goal. The remaining few minutes did not affect the result, and when the whistle went, the scores were: Wellington 11 Taranaki 0