FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143587, 28 August 1911, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI’S GREAT VICTORY. WELLINGTON TEAM OUTCLASSED. FINE PERFORMANCE BY STOHR. (From Our Special Reporter.) Tho Wellington Rugby representatives, who had been acclaimed as possibly the Wrongest in New Zealand this season, received a shuck this afternoon, for Taranaki trounced them severely. When tho final bell rang it was a chastened Wellington team that left the field. The home team had been beaten fairly and squarely. The Taranaki men, both backs and forwards, played in liio bt-.st style, and frequently simply swept aside the opposition. Wellington’s strength lay chiefly in the forwards, the backs not giving their vanguard sufficient support. Stohr’s display of goal-kicking was superb, and Mynott also showed that he can. still play a great game. The weather was fine and the ground hard, giving i'ui'l scope for a fast and strenuous match., . The game was a fine one, and generally considered one ot tho best, seen iu Wellington for some considerable time. About five thousand people watched it. Tho teams were:

Wellington (colours black): Full-back, Evonsen ;• three-quarters. Cook, Micchinson and Daly”; five-eighths, J. Ryan (captain) and Kinvig; hall-back, Tilyard; forwards, A. Wilson (wing). King, Bell, Suilivan, Moffilt, Perry, Hills and Elliott.

Taranaki (amber and black): Fullback, Hill; three-quarters. Cameron, Roberts and Stohr; five-eighths, M'Leod and Mynott (captain); hali-bach, Brown; forwards, Coionian (wing?, Whittington, Dewar, Young, Smith, Hawkins. Cain and Osborne.

Mr. E. M'Kenzie (Wairarapa) refereed.

Taranaki won the toss and took tho field with the breeze in their favour, but against the sun. A minute after the kick-off Taranaki were penalis'd, hut Stohr fielded the kick, dashed through the blacks ami then kicked, Evenscn getting the* ball near his goallino and just finding lunch. It was a fine bit of work by Stohr. From the lino-out M‘Leod marked on the twentyfive line, and Stohr landed a fine goal, just a fe.v minutes after the kick-off.

Taranaki 3 Wellington 0 Wellington attacked from the kickoff, hut on the yellows’ twenty-five line the at.ackers were penalised, tho hookers lif iug thrir fret in tno scrums. Stohr kicked, but failed to find touch, and Kinvig got in a fine kick. 'A mark by Roberts stopped a Wellington rush. Again the blacks were penalised, ami Stohr found touch at halfway. A short forward rush by tiie Macks and a penalty kick. Cameron getting ’ off-s:do. broughU At’ollinglon back to the uuaek. until Brown came .through to half-way. The:: Stohr kicked. Roberts downed Evenscn, and idynoti lined a yard from (VolUngtoivs goal. r i ho yellow hecks tried a passing rush that was nullified, and tumi Wellington were penalised nn their twout'-Lee line for playing the hall on the ground. Again Stohr landed a fin© goal, Tvnrtaki 6 WMlirigcon 0

Mynort soon started another attack, lint WoMugL.-u got the hall in a scrum, and Tilyard i’i mvl touch well past halfway. Then a fine passing rush, Tilyard t) Ryan to- Kinvig to Miichinson to Cook, ended in Cook scoring right at the corner just as Hill tackled him. Mitchinsou failed to convert. Taranaki 6 "Wellington 3

A few mom Oil rs Inter W< llington were penalised at hulf-way. ami Stohr made a magnificent shot from near t!m touchline, but tho ball fell just under the bar. A good line-kick by Brown brought Taranaki hack to Wellington’s twenty five limy and there a little later Brown fielded the ball in very nice style and snapped it out to M'Leod. Roberts got it next ami then Cameron, who scored from a pretty bit of snappy passing. SroM-V kick was a good one, but not. successful. Trra-.mki 9 Wellington 3

Again the visitors attacked, and nice >vlav by Cole "an and Mynott brought trouble to ”\{iiu;;ton, but. Stohr put ton rower into p kick, and Wellington frrTed. With Taranaki in Wellington again the blacks were penali-cd. and yet again Stohr kicked a beautiful goal. Taranaki 12 W-Ringtail * 3

From a line-out in midfield. Coleman broke a.w.-.y nicely, but Young missed his pass and overran the hall. .There was a ji or. rage through Smith having one of hV. legs injured. Then Mynott

started another attack. Wilson got off-side, and Stohr had another longrange shot at. goal, but the ball Went in iron! of the posts; but the blacks did not. force. A couple of free-kicks to Wellington drove Taranaki back, and the blacks look a turn at attacking, and worked into Taranaki’s twenty-five. Nice play by Brown gained a little ground. A passing rush by the black backs broke down, Cook missing a pass, and Colman shifted play past half-wny again. Cook and Moffitt. however, put in a nice run down the touch-line. and (-hero was some snanpv piny about midfield, until Cameron changed play t.o Wellington’s twerayflvo. An injury to AlynoU had caused him to change places with Cameron. King led a good Wellington rush, and Young got. off-dd°. but Kinvig did not turn the free-kick to much account. At midfield the yellow hacks tried a passing mail, but Roberts mulled n pass, a moment later, however, be got in a. centre kick that caused some exciting play, for the yellows swept on the ball. Wellington rallied to llte defence, and the pns-age-at-arms wn« share. From it Colman shot nut with the hail, with only the Wellington full-back in front, but Evecsen go! him safely. Sharp rushes by the black forwards carried play into Taranaki territory, bid Cain came through in line style to "Wellington's twenty-five line. Osborne, however, missed his pass, and so a good chance was lost. Stohr. who got the ball next, being blocked by three or four of the blacks. Wellington came again with a strong rush, and Hill had

to throw behind into touch-in-goal to save, but Taranaki - managed to force from tho resulting scrum. Another attack was instituted by Hills and Perry, who broke away nicely, but the ball went into touch at Taranaki’s twemyfivo line. Dewar and Smith broke away, last tho ball, Daly it, and then there was trouble for Taranaki, for the blacks hammered hard at Taranaki’s line. Mofhtt tried to force his way over, but was held up, and then Daly made another atetrnpt, but wvs pushed out. A free-kick brought rchei to Taranaki, for tho boil rang tor halltime as the bail went into touch. Immediately after resuming a kick by Roberts started.Taranaki attacking, but a black forward nish and a bit ol bad play by M'Leod brought play to halfwav. Then Tilyard sent a hno kick into touch well in Taranaki s twenty-live, but Tilyard was smothered as he tried to get the ball away from a scrum, and Mynott lined at hallway. Tilvard kicked, the bounce of the ball beat Dili, and it went into touch in Taranaki’s twenty-five, but a free kick for olrsido play brought the yellows, a little relief. Tight play on Taianaki’s twenty-five line ended m Osborne and then Drown and Mynott being instrumental in bringing play back to midfield. There the Wellington bookers were penalised, and Stohr lined near the blacks’ quarter. Evenscn, however, marked nicely, and so stopped a forward rush led by Smith, Eveusen finding touch near halfway. A Wellington rush was stopped by M‘Lood, but Hawkins got olfside. However, the Taranaki forwards were soon back past halnvay; then came another of those sudden flashes of play in which the Taranaki backs showed how instantaneously to transform defence into attack. Ryan started a passing rush, but Mitchinson’s transfer fell a little short of Daly, who missed it. In a twinkling Cameron had the ball and was racing down the lonchiine Irom halfway. Evenseu had no chance ot getting across in time, and Kinvig could not catch the flier, and so Cameron scored a line try. Stohr’s shot at goal was a fine one, but just missed.

Taranaki 15 Wellington 3 For a time plav hung on the Wellington side of halfway, but Miichinson and then Cook gut in short but snappy runs t hat lei I the ball in touch at haltday. In throwing himself at Cook, to tackle the elusive Wellington wing three-quarter, Column hurt himself and had to be carried off the field, Taylor replacing him. Taranaki attacked again, but a penalty kick stopped them. Again they came at the blacks, who were penalised between their twentyfive lino and halfway, and Stohr landed another magnificent goal. Taranaki 18 Wellington 3

At midfield M'Leod came through in lino stylo, but, instead of passing, he kicked over Kvcnsonks head. Cook got hack to the ball, hut Stohr grasped him near the line. However, the blacks rallied round and saved the situation. Mynott and Taylor broke away, but the ball went into toucb-in-goal. For a HHde while Wellington were in Taranaki’s territory, but M'Leod and Roberts soon had the ball nlmoot under Wellington's goalposts, where there was some very tight work, which ended in Taranaki being penalised for offside play. Taylor, Roberts, and then Hill worked play back to a yard or two from Wellington’** line, and presently Dewar got across, but was brought back and a scrum was formed. Taranaki kept up the pressure, however, and then Smith got the ball in a line-out. and dived across the goal line. Stohr converted with a fine kick. Taranaki 23 Wellington 3

With but little time to go Wellington’s chancer, were, of comvo, boneless, and although they put in one or two good attacks, Taranaki forcing once, they found the visitors still too strong. Taranaki had the best of the short remainder of the spclK and Wellington were forced twice before the bell rang.

THE RECORD TO DATE. 1891—At Hawcra. Taranaki won, 6 points to nil. 1895—At Wellington. Drawn, no score. 1806—At New Plymouth. Taranaki won, 6 to nil. 1897 At "Wellington. Wellington won, .3 to nil. 1898— At Hawcra. Taranaki won, 6 to nil. 1899 At Wellington. Wellington won, 9 to 5. 1900— At Hawcra. "Wellington won, 8 to 6. 1901— At Wellington. "Wellington won. 20 to 3. 1002—At New Plymouth. Taranaki won. 6 to 3. 1903 At Wellington. Taranaki won, 5 to 3. 1904 At New Plymouth. Taranaki won, 11 to 3. 1905 At "Wellington. Wellington won, * G to nil. 1906 New Plymouth. Taranaki won, 11 to 3. 1907 At Wellington. Match abandoned at- half-time. 1908— At New Plymouth. Taranaki won. 15 to nil. 1908*'—'At Wellington. Wellington won, 13 to 8. 1909 -At Wellington. Wellington won. 15 to 6. 1910—At New Plymouth. Wellington won, 11 to 6. 1011— A 1 Wellington. Taranaki won, 23 tn 3*This match was very hastily arranged. at tlm request of tho Wellington Rugby Union, and the Taranaki team w.™ only a “scratch” one. • Taranaki lias now won 9 games and Wellington 8; one match has been drawn, and one abandoned through heavy rain. Total points scored : Taranaki 133. "Wellington 100.

SO AIK COMA! ENTS. BEFORE THE MATCH. On Saturday the Dominion wrote: This afternoon the city’s be.si i.. to meet Taranaki on Athletic Park. The amber and black .of the smaltes: j .,-i vince is a famous and popular mi..nr among Now Zealand Rugb.v-gn.-r-. Taranaki’s past is a bright one. :..i■ * r when they do send along a weak team the people look on it with a kindly eye ami remember the disadvantages under which tlir.se country foot haliers learn and play the game, but their hearts are in the old sport, and Rugby has in Taranaki a home from which it is never likely to bo ejected. The Taranaki team of Hus year is probably not ns strong ns that of a few years back. The forwards are perhaps a shade better, hut the backs have not the finish of the backs of the near past.

A,few years ago tho hacks who came out in Liu- ambei and diaea were almost u New Zealand repic.-wiuauvo comm nation. As half, tijoro was J. Column. The five-eigniiLs were Tinnier ana Mynott, unci die three-quarters E. Dive, if. Cameron, and C. fcnoanau. A. liargrave was lull-back. All except bheanan and Hargrave were New Zealand reprevicatuiaves. Shea hail was a hotter three-quarter than either Dive or Cameron, and Hargrave was about the best luii-Dack in the country. Mynott, Colman, and Cameron are with the present team, bub the star oi the backs is J. btoiir, centre three-quarter. IVlynotx, tne general and old identity of the team, has been playing Rugby for a score of seasons, and lias done thirteen years’ representative service. He first got into the Taranaki representative nltecu in 1809, and lias been there ever since. Not long ago he ‘'retired,” and the occasion was taken by the New .Plymouth as an opportunity of saying what they thought of ‘‘Simon.”. It is worth* noting that Mynott and Hunter entered the representative ranks in the last stage* ol the period during which Taranaki had the services of L. Allen and A. Humphries. Thus, as one famous combination (Humphries, half, and Allen, live-eighth) left the field another walked on. Taranaki has no combination like either of these to-day. Mynott remains, but the brilliant Hunter has not been replaced. Although Mynott has thirteen representative seasons to hisVredit. that is not a Taranaki record. The late Alfred Bayly. one of Now Zealand’s greatest and best-remembered footballers, represented Hie province for fifteen years—* from 1885 to 1901. Taranaki was well oil tor good backs in those days. AH. Bayly, Alan and Hugh Good, L. Allen, and A. Humphries were among the number. Several other Baylys wore, playing about that time, and the forwards included Thomas Hempcon, Dan Hughes, and James Lambic. Lambic and Hcmptou, like Alf. Bayly. have since crossed the last great goal-line, common to player and spectator alike—common to man.

HIGH SCHOOLS’ COMPETITION. PALMERSTON (27) v. NAPIER (0). The above teams met in the second match for the triangular shield competition. There was a good attendance of tho public. The Palmerston team proved too strong for the Napier school, and had by far the better combinacion. The passing of the Palmerston backs was a feature of tho match. Tho scrum work of both teams was very poor, and in nearly every scrum Palmerston kicked the ball out instead of heeling it. If the Palmerston forwards had a better knowledge of the game the team should be hard to beat. Un the day’s play the best team won. The Palmerston tcaau played in dark blue and white jorsej's and tho Napier fifteen in black jerseys with a monogram thereon. From the kick-off Palmerston attacked, and quickly worked to Napier’s quarters. -Napier, however, relieved the tension by starting a counter rush to the bines’ twenty-five. Young and Munroc became associated in a fine piece of passing, and the ball shot out well down to Napier’s lino. A scrum was here given, and from this Napier forced. From the drop-out Palmerston put Napier on the defensive. Napier marked near tlleir goal line, but did not make much use of the kick. From a line-out the blues carried over tho line, but Hannah forced. Hannah broke away, but was collared in the Palmerston twenty-five. From a scrum hero Butler broke away with the ball at his toe, and removed play to half-way. A long kick by .Hannah was sent to Luxford, who was just in nine in finding the touch-line. Napier nearly goo over from the Jine-out, but a scrum was awarded. From this the blue forwards dribbled down the field, Gill kicked hard over the line, followed up and scored. SwainsoiT* kick at goal fell short.—Palmerston 3, Napier 0. Later, from a scrum, CXeung dashed away and grounded the Pall near tho poses. Kerr goulod.— Palmerston 8. Napier 0. The oluo and whites rushed to Napiers line once more, but from a scrum a Napier man kicked well down tho field. Hie ball was further carried to Palmerston’s twentv-iivo. Napier were here given a free’kick. M‘Lennon, potted at goal, bat the ball went under the bar and Palmerston forced. The blues put Napier on the defensive for some considerable time. And then half time was sounded.

Napier opened the second spell with a good kioii to Palmei-ftton’s territory, ana the blue forwards removed to the blacks’ side of hali-way, Gill broke awav nicely with the ball at his cue, the ball going out near Napier’s lino. From the line-out Napier forced. The blue and whites returned to the attack. Young, Munro, Kerr and Swainson got nloving in a fine passing rush, but the last named played missed his pass, and a certain score was lost. A Napier plaver secured tho ball and kicked to his side of half-way. Here Hannah intercepted a rush, and with a good kick was successful in reaching touch past half-way. A black rush further removed to Palmerston’s twenty-dive. Stubbs and Butler, with the ball at toe worked their way to the enemy s country. Munro’ dashed away, was coilaveci near the line by Reid, but C. Young nicked up the ball and scored near the posts. Kerr piloted the ball over the bar!—Palmerston 13, Napier 0. Play hung about half-way for some considerable time until McCarthy dashed away for the line, but was neatlv collared, and the ball shat out in Palmerston’s twenty-dive. ston then changed matters, but-were penalised when near Napier’s line, '[’he kick did not make up much ground, and Munro obtained possession of the ball, and scored near the pests. Kerr made no mistake with tho kick.---Palmerston 18, Napier 0. afterwards the blue and whites n ttarl.fd. :*u aim-on marked, Napier ivcMved and earned to half-way. A. Young -viM-i'd later under the posts. Korr "Med laib-d to goal.—Palmerston 2!. * >7; i j .Mr 0. Soon afterwards, a Palmmsum player dashed to the lino, hut* was m-nalUed tor off-side play. Tlmn 2. V-m :tg secured (when off-side, bul unnotv- d' by Lise referee) dodged n conpM of nlayeio and scored. Kerr re-rnn nuV ed the posts.--Palmerston 2i. Nr.nicr 0 Napier had to defend bioir line again, and Munro sped away itli ihe ball at toe, and had a certain trv, hut a Napier hoy hung on him

i■ (f hl.-srk hack ffjrml. The referee. Ihuvivrr. awarded a try. Swainson 5ai1,.,1 to jronl, and the final scores ri'ad : Palmerston 27, Napier 0. The [lvy. Mr. Scott; referred. Jiv winning this match Palmerston are ’ entitled to the Poison banner, which is open for competition between the Napier and Palmerston High Schools. * Palmerston also won the banner last rear. The New Plymouth High School team and the Napier School played the final match for the

challenge shield this afternoon, a report of - which will appear in our columns to-morrow. If the local hove win, tho shield will be their property for the ensuing year, but if Napier wins Palmerston will retain the shield.

WAIRAEAPA (19) v. MANAWATU (5)

For Pres* Association. MASTERTON, August 27. Wairarapa defeated Manawatu yesterday by 19 points to 5. The visitors’ harks were repeatedly smothered by the fast local forwards. Wairarapa might have scored more but lor bad mistakes on the part of the backs. In the first half Groubo and Thompson scored tries for "Wairarapa, one of which M'Kenzie converted. A minute after the start of the second half "Ward scored a try lor Manawatu, and M'Ewon converted. Thompson and Brough scored tries in .the second half for the homo team, and M’Kenzie, converted one and kicked a penalty goal. Wairarapa had easily tho best of the game until near tho last, when Manawatu made desperate attempts to equalise the score, but without avail.

AUCKLAND GAMES. AUCKLAND, August 26, At Rugby football tho Marist Bros. (8) beat University (nil); Parnell (12) beat Newton (nil); Ponsonby and Grafton did not play, neither side raising a team. The Marist Bros, are now a point behind tho City for the championship. Thor play off after the return of the team from the southern tour.

OTAGO (20) v. MAORIS (8). DUNEDIN, August 27. The football match, Otago v. tho Maori team, was played yesterday in fine weather. The attendance was about 4000. Tho gamo was won by Otago by 20 points to S. For the winners tries were scored by Patterson, Kckhold (2), Sheehan, and Molloy, Eckhold converting one try and kicking penalty goal. For tho Maori team Ellison and Niiku scored, the latter after making a brilliant run. Hughes converted the second try.

THE NORTHERN UNION GAME. WANGANUI (22)“ HAWKE’S BAY j 3). WANGANUI, August 27. The League rep. match Wanganui v. Hawke’s Bay was played lie.ro yestor-. day Indore an attendance of about a thousand. The game ended in a win for the local men by 22 points to 3. Hawke’s Bay wore very weak iu the backs, owing to four of six men being emergencies. The forwards wore a splendid combination. Their only score was a penalty goal.