FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 1400, 13 September 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI DEFEATED. AT RUGBY FOOTBALL. AUCKLAND WINS SECOND MATCH. EIGHTEEN POINTS TO FIVE. (Special to Herald.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 11. lor the past season or two Taraiiaki liaa (ideated Auckland at home, but when it goes North has suffered deieat. This has been repeated this jear, tor after beating Auckland last week by 6 to 3 at New Plymouth the liunnaki team went to Auckland and wns beaten there to-day by 18 points to o. A good defeat, but it did not represent the difference between the teams. The weather was favourable and the ground dry, while a light breeze blew down the field. Taranaki, losing tlu tosv played against the sun and .wind J ii the lirst tew minutes the amberentered Auckland's twenty-five, but were gradually worked back. It wat the Auckland forwards that changed the aspect, and tbev repeated their performance throughout the spell. E\ery breakaway by the visitors wac i (-turned, and a long period of defending gave theni little time to adopt attacking tactics. Dixon was not safe in the early stages of the spell, and tl.is of course did not improve the situation. As the game proceeded, however, he improved and played a game in the second half. O'Leary's at tempt at a penalty was fnslied down. but almost immediately play came to Taranaki's line. Later the blues eanu a^ain, and Magee made an opening which was accepted, and Sellars got over. O'Leary failed to convert. Auckland 3 Taranaki 0 It was twenty-eight minutes since the kick-off. Play had not long opened when Taranaki was again worken back to its twenty-five. Twice the scene of operations changed, but both time* the \ l.sitors were unable to hold the advantage for long. Their non-succesb was due principally to Gillett ami the Auckland vanguard. Shortly before the half-time 7>ell rang Gillett mad^ 1 two openings, but bad handling of the leather threw away the chances. Gillett, however, made another opening and then transferred to Murray, who dribbled through his opponents' last line of defence and scored Auckland's hecond try. There was no further score in this spell, which ended — Auckland 6 Taranaki 0 The second spell was of an entirely different nature. Instead of being close it was ragged, and a couple of Auckland's scores were very lucky. Taranaki was not so cramped for room »nd made numerous invasions into Auckland's territory. Hayward scored the next try. He received from a lineout near the goal-line and shot across with a Taranaki forward hanging on to him. The score was not converted. A few minutes later Waddell got over but lost the ball. Loose play followed, and then Taranaki worked up-field, only to be returned by Gillett, who found the line in a handy positioh. From a scrum Gillett again got potsession, and after a four-man passing bout O'Leary crossed the scoring line. The try was not converted. Auckland s score was now 12 against the visitors' nil. This lead was soon increased to 13 by M'Gregor, who scored an unconverted try. Taranaki made tho next few minutes lively, in fact, both teams made play fast. In a few minutes the spectators witnessed a fine try by Cameron. He picked up some distance from Auckland s line and with a tricky tun b*-at Wilson. Murray, ami Miller. scoring Taranaki's first points. Dive converted. Auckland * 13 Taranaki - 5 Und»r ordinary circumstances there was not time for Taranaki to win, and the northerners were not tho players to allow any but ordinary circumstances to jirevail." Play was hard and fast, both sides playing willingl.T. Auckland's sixth try was scored just before time. It was a lucky one, M'Gregor lost possession of tho ball near Taranaki's Hue when he was grassed by C. Shcahan and Beamish, and the ball rolled over the line. The three men were down, but M'Gregor was the first up, and touched down. No goal. Auckland 18 Taranaki 5 There was no further score. Mr. J. Williams refereed. SOME NOTES. The match was not free from acei--lcuts. especially in the second half. Taranaki lost the services of Tom Shcahan in the first spell, and his place was filled by Swainson. I understand Sheahan's injury is , an internal one, but not of a serious nature. Renwick received an injury in the second half which necessitated his leaving the field. 11 is place was refilled. Francis wa.*lame during the latter stages of the ;ame. Cameron reminded one of Hunter vvith liis corkscrew runs, when he scorn" I'aranaki's only try. It was a magnificent run, and he cleverly beat three)f Auckland's backs. The spectator? applauded Cameron enthusiastically and vnbseqnontly gave him three ringing '•beers and more applause, which continued when play opened again. Not )iily at this time, but throughout th< ,;ntnc Cameron played a fine and pretty 'j;ame, and thoroughly deserved the reception given him by the spectators. A strong ship with weak machinery cannot compete with a strong ship witr oowerful machinery por can a football •^am with % a strong rearguard and a comparatively weak vanguard outlast r learn strong in both departments, and so it was that Taranaki was defeated by Auckland. Taranaki did play the game it played when it defeated Auckland, but the northerers unfloubtedly played a better game Mian they did in the previous match. T l-e forw-.ird rushes of the blues were very iT\it and they handled the ball well. In every department the Auckland forwards outclassed their opponents. Gillett was responsible for much J 'lard work and there were few rushes or (ipssinj: hom-s that the winger was not interested in. Bchird both packs there were good l '?ck divisions The Auckland backs appeared to havo more combination than '•aianaki. Of course. Taraiiaki had a deal of defending to do and had to use the touch lines a lot, while the Aucklanders opened out passing rushes frequently. Mvnott received a couple of hard o nocks early in the game, but when he settled down he played a hard-working game and was always "in the thick of it. Dixon was on the whole only moderate. The three-quarter line was good, with the exception that Sheahan was a little slow at times. Dive did some good work as also did Thurston. There was little to choose between the forwards. Crowley and Pini generally led the rushes, but they were all hard grafters in tight work. The spectators numbered some six thousand, and included his Excellency Lord Plunket and officers from two war ships in tho harbour. There was also a scattering of Taranaki people amongst the onlookers. Cameron and Dixon leave Auckland to-uiorrow (Sunday) as they are unable to accompany the team to Waini, where South Auckland will be played on Wednesday. The match will complete the northern tour.