Door Sports FOOTBALL FIXTURES.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1023, 6 August 1898, Page 11

Door Sports

FOOTBALL FIXTURES.

By * Habrier. 1

August 6 — Canterbury v. Auckland, at Auckland. August 13 — Taranaki v. Auckland, at Auckland.

The decisive defeat inflicted upon tbe Wellington representatives in last Saturday's match came very much as a surprise to the majority of onlookers. There had been such a lot of pessimistic talk, emanating from goodness knows what sources, regarding the supposed weakness of the Auckland team and the alleged sins, both of omission and commission, perpetrated by the selector, that the public had realiy got to believe that the Auckland fifteen had no possible show of defeating their rivals. Defeat them they did, however, ahd that handsomely; but even so, the pessimistic growler is not yet satisfied. The burden of his cry now is, that a victory by 19 points to nil is not decisive enough ; had bat so-and-so been in the team the score wonld have been at- least 30 points, and such-like foolish talk. Personally, lam more than satisfied with the team's performance, and herewith tender my heartiest congratulations both to them and to the selector, Mr Arneil.

Taking the game as whole, and bearing in mind the adverse conditions under which it was played, it must be considered that the display of football was a highly creditable one. The first spell was very keenly and evenly contested. I say evenly advisedly, because, although the bulk of play was carried on in Wellington's territory, the home team were playing with- a high wind, and the Bun behind them ; advantages in themselves sufficient to account for any apparent superiority. It was in the second term, however, that the local team displayed their real mettle. Playing as they then were, with both wind and sun against them, they fairly outplayed and outsayed their opponents, and when the bell rung had added no less than 16 points (4 tries, 2 converted), thus bringing the total up to 19 points, whilst Wellington's space on the scoring board remained a blank right up to the finish.

Asher showed fair form, but was not so prominent as usual, the bulk of the work falling to Absolum on the other wing.

Howe, the Wellington full-back, played an excellent game, his taking being clean and his kicking excellent, both as regards length and direction. He was unfortunate in being injured during the second term.

D. Hay, at half, again disappointed me somewhat. In many respects his work was clever enough, but there waß a general lack of dash about his play which impressed me unfavourably.

Dick McGregor played an excellent game for a first appearance at five-eighths, and with a little practice should make a first-rater in that position. He is a strong, dodgy runner and handleß a ball well, whilst his defence is as sound as the proverbial bell.

Wellington's back combination was not nearly so strong as in previous years. Certainly, they were, not played to, and consequently had no opportunities of displaying their attacking powers. As a body, however, their defence was fairly sound, particularly in the first spell, but in the second half indifferent taking of high kickß marred their display.

Absolum, at wing-three-quarter, got through his task in workmanlike manner. He made a number of dashing rans, and kicked well, but was never really tested in so far as defence was concerned.

The Wellington forwardsshowedremarkably well in open work, a special feature being the solid manner in which they followed np. Local forwards are deficient, the general rule being one man in front and the rest nowhere.

H. Smith at full-back had very little to do, but made no mistakes.

Hawke was far and away the best of the Wellington three-quarters.

The Taranaki match has been definitely fixed for Saturday, 13th August.

Laws, at centre-three-quarters, kicked really well, and generally played quite up to form.

The Wellington pack were a pretty even lot, Hardman being perhaps the pick, whilst Hard Kelly displayed all his old-time skill on the wing. ■

The heeling-out of the Auckland Eack waß not nearly clean enough ; possibly, owever, this was intentional in view of the greasy state of tbe ball.

Over 2500 signatures have been obtained in Christchurch to the petition against the proposed Cycle Tax Bill.

Christchurch writers are of opinion that the Canterbury team is not so strong as previous combinations which have represented that province. Mr W. G. Atack, of Christchurch, has, owing to pressure of private business, declined the Auckland Cycling Club's invitation to act as itß representative on the League. A. J. Bedy, the ex-New Zealander, is now on his way to Europe, his intention being to compete in the world's professional cycling championship to be held at Vienna during September.

Next Saturday the Canterbury representatives meet our boys at Potter's Paddock. So far we have no definite form upon which to base an estimate of their capabilities, but report credits them with being a fast, clever combination.

During the Wanganui - Taranaki match, C. Young, of the latter team, injured his leg and had to be carried off the field. Young contracted a ' knee ' when playing for a Thames club last year, and probably this has gone back on him.