FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143871, 19 August 1912, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

RANFURLY SHIELD. TARANAKI LOSE BY ONE POINT. A FINE UPHILL FIGHT. AUCKLAND, August 17. The Rugby representative match for the Ranfurly Shield was played this afternoon between Auckland and Taranaki, and, after a keenly contested match, interspersed with frequent flashes of brilliant play, Auckland won by 6 points to 5. The teams were:— TARANAKI. Full-back: Colman. Three-quarters ; D. Cameron, Roberts, Stohr. Five-eighths; M'Leod and S. Cameron. Half: Brown. Forwards: Taylor (wing), Dewar, Cain, Smith, Kissick, Young, Hawkins, Whittington. AUCKLAND. F nil-back: O’Leary. Three-quarters; M'Gregor, Stewart, Maclcy. Five-eighths: Ifwerson, Weston. Half-back: Webb. Forwards: Hall (wing), Tresisse, Sellars, Wilson, Cunningham, Bruce, Carroll, iiar'rott. Taranaki won tho toss and played with tho wind against them. Auckland forwards at once rushed play into Taranaki’s twenty-five. Taranaki came back, but O’Leary stopped the rush with a lino line kick. Auckland continued to press. A scrum was formed just in front of Taranaki’s goal. The ball came to Webb, who sent to Stewart to Macky, who scored. Ifwerson failed to convert. Auckland 3 Taranaki 1 0 On resuming tho Auckland hacks again set out in a fine passing rush, which took play to Taranaki’s twentyfive. Hero Roberts broke away, but bo was stopped in Auckland’s territory by O’Leary. Auckland wcro_ soon attacking again, and, from a free kick, Ifwerson placed a good goal. Auckland 6 Taranaki 0 Tho homo team was having all tho best of the play, and Taranaki were kept at homo for long spells at a time. Ifwerson failed twice with penalty shots at goal.- Play then centred at midfield, (but presently the Taranaki vanguard broke away in a fine loose rush, bub O’Leary saved onco again. Taranaki became aggressive, but O’Leary was too safe. Then Auckland returned to the attack, and Weston cut in nicely and he was within a yard or two of the lino when lie lost the ball. Auckland continued to have the bettor of, play, for although Taranaki were better in the loose, Auckland showtxl a general superiority. ' Presently Taranaki’s forwards changed defence into attack, and this success was followed by a pretty run down the lino by Don Cameron. Then Carroll, Wilson and Tresizo changed the scene of play with a sweeping rush into Taranaki's twentyfive. Just before half-time Colman was injured and had to leave the field, his place being filled by. Franklin. The teams took the field for tho second . spell with Auckland leading by 6 ,to nil, and from tho outset a change came over tho play. Taranaki wont straight into Auckland's half, the Taranaki forwards completely dominating the Auckland vanguard, and play became keen and hard. Stdhr made two fruitless efforts to secure a goal from penalty kicks. Onco or twice Auckland rushed play into Taranaki’s territory, but for a long period Taranaki maintained tho upper hand. It was a great straggle, hut whilst tho Taranaki forwards played a fine game, the backs took a long time to get under way. Presently Taranaki made a determined invasion, and touch was found a fow yards from Auckland's lino. A scrum was taken, and the ball came to Brown, who sent out smartly to Franklin, who transferred to M'Leod, who cut in and scored a fine try in a handy position. Franklin converted.

Auckland 6 Taranaki 5 Now tlie game developed into a strenuous contest, Taranaki’s brilliancy waned for a time, and Auckland put plenty of dash into their play and attacked. keenly for a while. Then Stohr led Taranaki back, but before long Auckland were again in Taranaki’s half, and so play progressed, flint one side attacking and then the other side, but presently Taranaki forged ahead again, and the ball went out a couple of yards from Auckland’s line. It was Taranaki's chance, but the boll rang and the teams left the field with Auckland victorious by 6 points to o. About 12,000 wore present. Mr. MTvenzio (Wairarapa) was referee. anotheiTreport. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, August 17. This match was played on the Alexandra Park on Saturday in the presence of over twelve thousand spectators. Both teams were in the pink of condition. It was the general opinion in Auckland that their representatives would bo fully extended, and many thought that tho time had come when ■the Shield would change hands. When, after tho first ten minutes’ play, Auck. land crossed tho Taranaki line twice and also kicked a penalty goal, tho hopes of tho supporters of the butter province sank to zero. The game was lost in those opening minutes, for although Taranaki pulled themselves together, the leeway proved too much to make up. Auckland had the advantage of a strong wind in tho first spell, but the wind dropped twenty minutes before the end of the game. This was a great piece of luck for Auckland. Contrary to opinion, the Taranaki forwards beat their opponents in tho loose and lino-outs, but Auckland hooked better. The game was mostly confined to the forwards. .When the Taranaki

backs got tho ball their mishandling spoilt their chances. Stohr, who had been kicking finely at practice had a day off, missing four shots well inside halfway. In the second spell before the wind dropped Taranaki was beating Auckland badly. A feature of the match was O'Leary’s kicking. Several times the forwards penetrated the Auckland defence, only to be sent back by huge line-finding" kicks. Brown played a sterling game. Roberts was the only thrcc-quo r tar to play up to form. Taylor at wing was also excellent. There was an exciting incident in tho last minute of the game. Tho bell went for no side, but tho referee did not hear, and allowed Taranaki to throw in. From tho linc-out tho forwards rushed over tho line, but the bounce of the ball was in favour of Auckland, who forced. If the bounce had been the other way Taranaki would have won. Taranaki had a good reception from the crowd. Auckland entered tho field at 3.10, followed oy Taranaki. Auckland kicked, off wit), tiio wind. S. Cameron kicked to O'Leary, who found the lino within the 25. Tiio ball from there went out to tho Auckland backs and Roberts intercepted, but failed to field tho ball. Wacky got over, but tho whistle sounded. Immediately after tho ball went Webb, Stewart, and Macky. The latter scored within two minutes of the start. Ifwerson tailed with the attempt at goal Auckland 3, Taranaki nil. Auckland got the ball in the first scrum; Wcob had to save; Weston made, a fine run, but lost the ball. Brown saved on the lino. Roberts gained ground by a run, but O'Leary tackled aim. Auckland had a free kick and O’Leary fouud tho line in the Taranaki 20. A 'speculator by Stohr rebounded, and Coiman lieldcu it and hold on too long. Auckland were given a free kick ana Ifwerson kicked a fine goal,—Auckland ti, Taranaki nil. M'Gregor sent tho return kick into touch well down, and Sellars by offside play gave a, free kick to Taranaki. M'Leod speculated; O'Leary kicked to Coleman, who found tho line halfway. Stewart made his mark, but Ifwerson failed to improve. Obstruction by Cain gave another tree kick, and Ifwerson made another futile attempt. Bruco and Carroll started a fine rush and Hawkins and Cain came away in a counter rush. O’Leary sent back a splendid line-kick. Taranaki got tho ball in tho scrum ior tho first time, but S. Cameron missed Brown’s pass; Column was slow to get rid of tho ball, Weston charging him into touch. S. Cameron made His mark off a kick by O’Leary, but gained little, as O'Leary returned with a lino boost over the line. Auckland screwed tho scrum and M'Leod tackled Waston, who just afterwards nearly scored by a good individual effort, but ho lost tho ball, Taranaki forcing. Auckland came back with a rush, including Webb, M'Gregor, and Stewart, but Brown saved by a kick over the line.

Ifwerson intercepted a pass from. Brown to M'Leod, but kicked hard,- and, Taranaki forced, and just aftorwnrdi was again forced. Auckland had a free kick for obstruction. Young and Cain made a dribblb, but Boston picked up from their feet and founA the lino. A Taranaki forward rush invaded the Auckland 25, bat Western sent the ball back with a big line-kicl:. Cain ami Taylor made anotucr effort*, but Ifwerson by a huge kick neutralised it. Cameron put m a fine run Op the line; Barrett was offside and Tafanaki got a free kick. Auckland calico away with a rush, headed by Carroll, Wilson, and Macky, to tho Taranaki 25, where O’Leary Kicked too hard aind the ball went over the dead line. From a forward pass Stohr kicked to hplfwuy. M'Leod missed a pass from. S. Cameron and lot tho Auckland /forwards through, but Colman saved. At the time Colman retired hurt ■ and Franklin went to five-eighths and M'Leod to full. Cameron broke away bn bis own, but O’Leary again sent back a Splendid line-kick. Bad wielding by Taranaki lot M'Gregor through, lie kicked to Roberta, who ran;, the referee, however, whistled for a taark. Half-time then arrived with tho sdores: Auckland 6, Taranaki nil. Webb went through the first ncrum on his own, and flail dribbled, but Stohr sent back a good lino-kick., Taranaki got going and Brown and Dewar were prominent in a run downi tho line. S. Cameron picked up btit ran into the thick of his opponents. . Hawkins and Dewar broke away, but Stewart marked on his goal line. Ji free kick was given to Taranaki in a fairly good position, but Stohr failed, Kho bail not rising. Brown missed the bull, but recovered and got his kick. Smith made an opening, but M'Leod- failed to take tho pass; Cain picked up and gave M'Leod a poor pass. Brown made nis mark and Stohr made a. poor attempt. Cain and Smith brolco through in n forward movement whkfh -aided with a ran by Cameron and Stohr, tho latter nearly scoring. Broun mule another fine mark in an easy ' position, and Franklin took the kick, (mt uato a poor attempt at goal. M'Leod fotnd the line near the corner.

At this stage of the game Si Cameron went to full and .M'JLood' to fiveeighths. The change was immediately successful. Frahklm picket! up and passed to AlTaicd, who scored under the posts. Franklin kicked hhc goal.— Auckland 6, Taranaki 5. Tlroivn sent the game into the Auckland 25 with n fine line-kick, lirown made an opening for M'Lcod, who was wiell tackled. Stohr took the hall from Barrett’s hands and kicked to the lino, fin front of goal Brown gave the ball to Franklin, who slipped when an alnfost certain try was in front of him. .Heberts -was offside and Auckland wcro> awarded a free kick. Ifwcrson failed in his attempt and Stohr made a Ifig kick, the ball going to the Auckland end again, but Auckland rallied, Ifwtjrson finding the lino in Taranaki's 2 1). From a loose scramble Auckland were nearly over. Taylor came away wjth a dribble, and Stohr, taking a nfark, gained further ground. Ifwerdtm wriggled through the Taranaki fiirivards and found the line. Stohr cub in but failed to field the hall. Tarana&i were given a free kick, hut Stohr inado another failure. Heberts smartly followed up the hick with Stohr, hut the ball wont into .touch before they could field it. Auckland made a great rush, but a fine tackle by Cameron stoflpod it. Just before time Heberts and Cameron made a fine run, and Auckland were forced as the whistle went, Thd wind dropped twenty minutes from the end of the match.

TARANAKI B (14) v. MAORIS (11). Tho Taranaki B representative team and the Maori touring iteam for Rotorua mot at the Show Ground, Hawern, on Saturday, when the,' representatives just proved too good for thoir dark opponents. ■ The iveatfeer was perfect, and the ground in ‘good order, but there was not a very large attendance of the public. Four of the representative team—Stewart, Carey,. Burke and Birchall—failed to put in. an appearance,

their places boing taken by Dud Cameron, Johnstom, Winter and Reid respectively. The Maoris also suffered in that Kupe ( Clifton) did not play, and Paki Graham: and Martin, the three Opunako players, were absent. Wina played insteali of Kupe, Xau for Palii, and Brought! >n for Graham, while Martin’s place in the pack wan filled by Pokero (wraj; forward), the backs being thus one man short. Tamu captained the Natives) and L. Beamish the Taranaki playenh. The teams as they took the field wore: , TARANAKI B. Tinner. L. Whitaker, Bertrand, Meuli. Ddd Cameron, Beamish. Crowley.

M'Allnm (wing), Ward, Ryan, Patterson, Young, Johnston, Winter, Reid. MAORIS. Whaka. Koro, Tito, Tau. W’ipa. . Skipper. Toro j( wing), Broughton, Noho, Pokere, Tamil, do Blois, Pirn, Kingi.

TamO. won tho toss, and elected to ! play-with the sun. From the kick-off j Taranaki attacked, but a good forward ’ rush was spoilt by Reid being off side, 1 Tamu finding the line well up-ficld. The ;B’s continued tho attack til! j WhaWa kicked to Tinney. Tho latter, | in attempting to lino at tho corner, j found the touch-in-goal. Still the rej proseutatives were having the best of niata.irs, but Bertrand hung on too long, giviitg Whitaker no room to got round. Camiiron neat took a nice mark, but Winter's kick, from a nice angle, was changed down. Tamu and Pini tried to | everse the order, but Tinney was safq at full-back. The forwards were making a move when Crowley secured from the ruck. He transferred to Beamish, to Cameron, who, nicely evading all opposition, touched down between tho posts. Reid failed to add the> major points.—Taranaki 3—o. The hc(mo forwards worked play .well npfiilid until an infringement gave them a free lack. Cameron tried his luck, btlt missed goaling. Play scc-sawed alnout till Meuli let his side down by Using off side. Whaka’s kick missed ti.io uprights, and a force down saved Taranaki. Spurred on by their success, the Maoris made all the play for Several minutes. Korn made a nice f un, but tailed to line, a touch-in-goal resulting. M'Allum followed up the Ikick-off,-and, running hard, passed all but tho full-back. Had anyone teen ■with him a score seemed certain, but Koro managed to clear. Whitaker secured the subsequent kick, but failed to find touch, and Whaka forced. Bertrand was next conspicuous by a good run and a nice mark, but do Blois charged flown the kick at goal. De Blois, Tamu and Toro were combined in a pretty piece of play, but Tinney marked right on the, line. A Taranaki man in front caused a scrum to bo formed, but Taranaki scoured, and Crowley forced. Half-time sounded with the iS'ativ-?s still attacking. The second spell commenced- with a good back movement on Taranaki’s part. Whitaker made the running and passed to Monti, who touched down near the corner. Ward (Tukapa) goaled with a splendid kick.—Taranaki B—o. Tho Maoris received the hall from a scrum in midfield, and Skipper put his backs in motion. Wipa passed to Tau, who in turn sent the leather to Tito. The flectv Fitzroy man was grassed right on the line. Tamu nearly bullocked over from the.scrum, but Tinney saved by forcing. The Natives were determined, and Pini, Tamu and Toro beat all the opposition, tho last-named scoring. Koro just missed converting.— Taranaki B—3. Reid and M'Allum were associated, but Tamu, another and Toro headed a counter attack, from which Toro eventually scrambled over, this time Koro making no mistake with the kick.—Taranaki B—B. The equalising of tho scores brought forth rounds of barracking from the Maori supporters, and for a time things looked bad for the white men. Tinney received in midfield, and putting in a nice run passed to Cameron, who unsuccessfully tried to pot. Ward, Patterson and Reid, and later M'Allum, were to tho fore, but gradually the Maori forwards worked play to Taranaki’s end. Hero Pini made a lone-handed rush till grassed by Meuli on the line. The burly ex-Taranaki rep., however, regained his feet and struggled across. Koro this time failed to materialise, and the scores read—Taranaki B—ll. Then it was,that tho B backs showed their pace. From a scrum in tho Maori twenty-five, Crowley passed to Beamish, to Cameron, to Bertrand. The latter held too long, and so Whitaker was blocked on the lino. In a flash h« threw in to mid-field, where Meuli secured an'd scored a god try. Ward’s kick just, failed.—-Taranaki 11—11. There were only five minutes left, and both sides were determined. Koro made a good run to Whitaker, and then centred to Tan, but Bertrand nicely intercepted tho kick and raced for the line. Whaka was in the way of progress, but Meuli was following fast, and so had no difficulty in scoring. Reid’s kick missed by inches only.—Taranaki 1-I—ll. Play hovered round mid-field until the ball, thinking time was up, suddenly burst, and the final whistle was sounded. Mr. A. Leas refereed, but found the pace at times altogether ton hot, and so was left hopelessly behind. OTAGO (12) v. WEST COAST (3). Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, August 18. Otago and the West Coast tried conclusions hero yesterday afternoon, in the presence of about four thousand spectators. Tho game was played in four quarters, West Coast having the wind, which was fairly strong in the first quarter. Nelson registered the first score for the visitors from a mark by Casey. Otago evened up a few minutes later, when MacDougall dived over from a scramble ensuing after a passing bout. Tho try was unconverted. Childs, tho Ota'go half-back, wont on his own from a scrum near tho lino and scored. Cockroft failed with the kick. In tho last quarter Alexander scored two more tries, both being unconverted, each being tho result of spirited passing between the rearguard. The game on the whole was not very interesting. A feature was tho splendid tackling of the visiting forwards. Tho final scores were; Otago 12, West Coast 3.

BUSH TEAM (11) v. NELSON (0). PAHIATUA, August 18. The representative match, Bush Team v. Nelson, was played here on Saturday, and resulted iu a win for tho Bush team by 11 points to nil. The Bush played with a favourable wind in the first spell and scored three tries, Bateman, Pilkington and Morris crossing tho lino. Morris converted one. In tho second spell play was in favour of tho visitors, who pressed tho Bush

| team on several occasions. A feature of the game was tire excellent line-kick-ing by the Nelson backs. A fine, day and dry ground v suited tho visiting team. As a curtain raiser, tho Mastorton District High School tesjn defeated the Bush schools team by 8 points to 3. SOUTH CANTERBURY (9) v. SOUTHLAND (6). TIMARU, August 18. The football match South Canterbury , v. Southland was played yesterday afternoon, in fine weather, on tho Cale- ’ donian Ground, which was in good order, before a largo attendance. It was won by tho home team by 9 points to 6. Tho first spell was even, and the. second was all in favour of the home team,, who did not make, the most of their opportunities. It was chiefly a forward game. Southland did not attempt much passing play. The hrpne team did more in'that way, hut erratically. WELLINGTON GAMES. WELLINGTON, August 18. Perfect weather prevailed yesterday for outdoor sports. Special interest centred in the Rugby senior match between Oriental and Athletic, owing to the bearing of tho result on the season’s championship. beat Oriental by 6 points to. 3. This puts the latter out of reckoning, and loaves Fetono and Athletic to play-off for the championship. In the other two matches played yesterday Petone boat Victoria College by 27 to 9, and St. James beat IVellington by 20 to 17. THE LEAGUE GAME. SYDNEY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP. By Electric TeV.frrnh.—Copyright. SYDNEY, August 18. East Svdncy won tho Rugby League premiership.' Tho Australian League team left Sydney for New Zealand on Saturday night by tho Maunganui. WANGANUI (U> v. WELLINGTON (14). Per Press Association. WANGANUI, August 18. Glorious weather prevailed on Saturday, when the Wanganui and Wellington representatives met under Northern League rules, and au exciting game resulted in a draw, both sides scoring 14 points. It was tho best League match seen hero this year. Wanganui commenced with a vigorous attack. Hogan and Buckland scored tries for Wanganui, neither try being converted. Then . Irvine scored by the posts and converted the try for Wellington. Almost immediately afterwards Gilmour got in a groat run and scored, though collared by Smith on tho line. He took the kick, blit failed, and tho score was 8 to 6 at half-time. As a result of a good passing bout by Wilson, Hartnet, and Bradley, tho last-named'got over near the corner, Tho try was not converted. A little later B. King ended a good forward rush by scoring, making the game stand at 14 points to 6. Wanganui were in no way down-hearted, bnt kept up a strong attack. From tight play in the Wellington corner the ball shot across the Wanganui rearguard to Robinson, who dived through behind the posts, and Hogan converted. The next score resulted in a similar manner. Just as time was called Robinson again scored amid applause, making the game a draw, for his sick missed. THE AUSTRALIAN GAME. NEW SOUTH WALES (136) v. QUEENSLAND (81). By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, August 18. Plaving under Australian rules New South Wales defeated Queensland by 186 points to 81. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NEW SOUTH WALES (3) v. QUEENSLAND (0). BRISBANE, August 17. In tho Association game, New South Wales defeated Queensland by three goals to nil. WELLINGTON (8) v. HAWKE’S BAY (2). Per Press Association. NAPIER, August 18. The Association football match, Wellington v. Hawke’s Bay, played yesterday afternoon as one of tho attractions of Carnival Week, resulted: Wellington 8, Hawke’s Bay 2. The ground was very slippery after tho rijcent min, and the game was an uninteresting display.