FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16546, 22 September 1919, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

WANGANUI DEFEAT TARANAKI,

BIG SCORING. The- Taranaki Rugby representatives who travelled to Wanganui ou Saturday went all to pieces before the homo team. Tho result of tho match was a surprise to many people, but those within tho inner Taranaki football circle were aware before tlfe match commenced that the team was not at its best owing to unavoidable changes lof pesonncl. A feature of the game | that was surprising was the remarkable i strength of tho Wanganui forwards; | the pack placed in the field on Satur- ; day was at least ICO per cent more ' efficient than that available at the- bcj ginning of the season when Taranaki i secured a win by a margin of eight i points. The way was thus made clear 1 for the Wanganui backs to devote their l energy to attack, and they played 1 a fast, open game which delighted the 'on lookers. Tho match was played I on the Recreation Ground, and the ali tendance was estimated at about IcOO. Only four of the sixteen tries scored j for Wanganui were converted. Eleven tries were secured in the second spell i I when the wind was in Wanganui's lav- | I our. Had tho goal-kicking been moder- ! ately good the total of the points could [ have been increased considerably. 1 THE TEAMS. The teams took the field as follows; Wanganui. (Blue and Black.) jitill back: L. Head. Three-quarters; Puillipson, Scott, Backer. Five-eighths; bicvvuio (captain), and uowic. Hall ; I'almcr. Av mg ; Campion. Forwards: Locite, inane, Alabaster, Danielson, itoo.-., Green, Hogan. Taranaki (Amber and Black). Full back; S. George. Three-quarters: Stewart, U. Roberts, Whittington, Five-cightus; Tate, Gibson. Halt; Atkins (Captain). AYing; Taylor. Forwards: Chadwick, Soffc, Spratt, Carlson, King, Aorgate, i' ulior. Alterations in tho Taranaki positions were made at Inc opening of tno second spell. THE PLAY. Taranaki kicked off with the advantage of a stiff breeze. Cowie fumbled and the ball was sent into touch in tho AVanganui twenty-five. From the line-out Atkins sent the ball out to his backs, but Roberts missed a pass. Packer dropped the ball in the face of a rush, and the visitors were dangerous on the home lino. Following a scrum at five yards, Hogan was off- 1 side and George had a shot at goal, i but was a trifle wide. Packer gained j ground with a nice line kick, but VVhit- j tington returned the ball, and Scott j and Packer failed to deal with it. There was another scrum on the AVanganui line, and Atkins got away smartlv and passed to AA’hittington. The latter was neatly collared by Packer. Following this Wanganui forced twice as the result of over-strong Taranaki kicking. A AVanganui movement was then initiated by Stewart and Cowio, and it was carried on by the forwards. King cased theposition by lining, but a moment later Taranaki had to force. Up to. this fimo the AVanganui backs had given a poor exhibition in handling the ball, and the forwards had not shown their full strength. The prospects for Tafanaki appeared favourable. Tbe conditions were soon changed, however. Ross and Danielson dribbled the ball to the Taranaki line and were narrowly beaten in tbe touch-down by George. AVanganui drew first blood as the result of a smart piece of work which commenced behind a scrum and ended in Packer scoring after tho ball bad been handled by Cowie and Scott, Head was a little wide with tho kick. Wanganui 3, Taranaki 0. The home team kept on the offensive. Scott picked up the ball and passed to Lockett, when collared by Gibson. Cowie completed the rush by scoring near the left corner. The wind again defeated Head. AVanganui 6, Taranaki 0. After tho drop-out Gibson started things nicely for Taranaki, and found the line at 75 yards. A free kick was awarded to Taranaki a moment later and George goaled. AVanganui 6, Taranaki 3. Whittington was tackled by Scott when taking tbe ball on tho full, and Stewart secured and scored the third try for AVanganui. Head again failed. AVanganui 9, Taranaki 3. Stewart (Taranaki) made a good run, and play again went to the Wanganui side of half way, but the blue forwards proved irresistible, and George was called on to line. i Taranaki gained some ground again I and George failed with another shot j at goal from a free kick. In a AVan- : ganui rush Hogan sent the ball to Scott, who made another opportunity for Packer and he scored. Phillipson converted. AVanganui 14, Taranaki 3. Tho excitement of the AVanganui supporters was- now marked by continuous cheering, which increased in volume when Cowie was allowed to run right through the Taranaki defence from almost half way. Phillipson failed to convert. AVanganui 17, Taranaki 3. Soon after this Fuller headed an effective forward rush, and obstruction by a AVanganui player gave George another opportunity, but he failed to ■ goal. Following a run by Whitting- j ton, Fuller, Norgatc, and Gibson cross- ; od the AVanganui line as the result of j Stewart (AVanganui) fumbling, but a j force resulted. Roberts and Whitting- ( ton did some good work, but Cowie i was equal to tho occasion when AVhit- ; tington had only to pass him to score, i The half time spell came just afterwards with Taranaki in the AVanganui half of the field. The Taranaki debacle occurred In the second spell, diming which AVanganui j increased their score by 39 points. Tbe visitors had to force m the first minute,/ and then revied momentarily, hut smart work by Ross brought the game hack to the other end. Palmer was given the ball by his forwards in a scrum, and ho scat it to Stewart, who passed to Cowie, to Scott, to Phillipsoh, who was lucky in scoring in the corner. Cowio converted.

Wanganui 22, Taranaki 3. When the ball again came into play Wanganui were given a free kick in their own half. George failed and Ross followed up smartly and scored. Cowie again converted. Wanganui 27, Taranaki 3. The Wanganui forwards were playing a great game, but the Taranaki pack broke through at intervals. After a few minutes’ play, Jjcott gave the ball to Phillipson, and he passed Gibson and secured a runaway try beneath tho goal. Cowio’s kick failed. Wanganui 30, Taranaki 3. Wanganui now commenced to play cricket. Packer was collared near the j lino and touch was found. From tho lino 'out. Stewart scored easily. Cowio's kick failed. Wanganui 33, Taranaki 3. Immediately after the drop-out Cowio and Palmer collaborated and the latter added another three ponts to the •score. Alabaster failed to convert. Wanganui 30, Taranaki 3. The Taranaki forwards asserted themI selves momentarily, but a kick' with the wind> brought play hack to their territory. Then Gibson made a strong run, ami on being collared in the Wanganui 23 by Packer passed to Whittington, who had to line. Stewart (Taranaki) started something from a scrum, but lost tho ball, and Head secured and ran with it. Ho passed several men before being his pass to Cowie was forward. _ I' rora a liue-out Danielson sent the ball right out to Cowie, who passed to Campion and the latter transferred to Phillipson. The last player did not houT tae ball at the first attempt, but was allowed to regain possession and gallop over the goal line. Alabaster’s kick failed. Wanganui 39, Taranaki 3. Whittington missed a kick from Head. Phillipson was again on the spot and streaked over the line with the ball and touched down between the posts. Stewart did not kick a goal. Wanganui 42, Taranaki 3. From tho drop-out Ross secured and scored, while the opposing team scratched their heads in amazement, and the crowd laughed their enjoyment. Hose failed with the kick. . Wanganui 45, Taranaki 3. The next try was secured by Cowie and Packer kicked a goal. Wanganui 50, Taranaki 3. After several minutes bad elapsed Lockett secured a try, auu firm the grandstand occupants left for home. Head failed to convert. Wanganui 53, Taranaki 3. Scott started a pretty passing bout which Phillipson again completed satisfactorily lor Wanganui. Cowie did not convert. Wanganui 56, TaranaS? 3. The final whistle was blown a few seconds after with tho scores unaltered. Mr. F. O. Atkinson was referee. The Taranaki team travelled by motor, going down on Saturday morning and returning on Sunday. Mr. A. R. Ryder was manager for the trip. They wore entertained at lunch by the Wanganui Rugby Union, and in the evening both teams sat down to dinner at Cnavanno’s Hotel. The Taranaki men were afterwards the guests of the management at a complimentary concert given by tho Queen Alexandra Band. INTER-ISLAND MATCH. SOUTH HEAVILY DEFEATED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. Tlie Rugby match between teams representing tlio North and South Island was played at Athletic Park this afternoon, and resulted in a win for the North Island by 28 points to 11. There were about 10,000 spectators. Tho high north wind which swept across the ground spoilt play to a large extent. The North Island men played with better combination than the Southerners, and to this fact their success was largely due. CANTERBURY SUCCESSES. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 20. In the Rugby League representative matches, Canterbury beat Wellington seniors by 27 points to 15, and Canterbury juniors beat Wellington juniors by 16 points to 8. THE LEAGUE GAME, AUSTRALIA DEFEATS AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Sept. 20. Over 20,000 spectators watched the Rugby League match between Australia and Auckland to-day. Australia won by 32 points to 8. The Australian team was superior in combination to the New Zealand team which mot Australia last Saturday. For Australia. Cubitt and Hordcr played .great games, frequently beating the homo team’s do fence.