OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 48, 17 August 1907, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

By Harbier.

AFTER all, the Ranfurly Shield still remains in Auckland. But when the first spell ended on Saturday, it looked odds-on the Hawke's Bay team taking this handsome trophy away with them. Playing with a strong wind in their favour, Auckland only managed to score 3 points in the first half, and Hawke's Bay made matters equal hy scoring shortly after the start of the second spell. Then Auckland hegan to play with a will, and it did not take them long to ring on a couple of tries, and increased it by another just towards the end of the game. Thus the Auckland' supporters came away quite contented that our hoys had won by 12 points to 3, and the beloved shield still remained in our midst. The Auckland men gave a miserable display in the first half, both backs and forwards being to blame. The visitors had far the best of this spell, and it was up to the Aucklanders to retrieve themselves, as they did in the latter part of the game. The visitors went on to the field full of confidence, and they played up to expectations. Their attack was very dangerous at times, and deserved a better fate, narticularly in the first half. Coming to their backs, Walshe did a solid day's work, and stuck to it very gamely- His kicking was ever helpful, and he made some smart openings. In the three-quarter line, Mclntyre made several fine dashes, but the team expected rather to much from him. He is partictilarly fast when he gets going, but Auckland's defence was quite equal to him. Lewis gave a clever display in the centre, his kicking being easily the best on his side. Baker was' not over-taxed with work, but Tomlin did a big share with great credit. Payne, the ex-Ponsonby half, is a vastly improved player, and he made some clever jinky runs in the first half. There was no mistaking his defence. His passing was wild at times. The visiting forwards went remarkably well, and in the" first spell beat the Auckland men pointless. Honours were about even in the second half. Stevens, a former member of the City seniors, was in-

strumental in getting away with a lot' of smart work on the wing, and McCarthy, Bayley, Caulton and Evans were a prominent quartette. With the exception of Miller, all the Auckland backs were faulty in the first half. Their handling was erratic, and with a strong wind to help them their kicking was about as poor as has been seen at the Park this season. The second half saw a complete reversal of form, Twiname, Dillamore, Magee and W. Wynyard putting in some great work. Dillamore made a slashing run when he scored. W. Wynyard and Twiname were responsible for splendid work in opening up this try. Miller played very soundly all through as full-back. His one drawback is that his kicking lacks power. _ Murray warmed up to his work all right, but not too many chances wont his way. "Bob " Magee worked like a Trojan in the second half, and it was about as solid a display as ever he has given us. Ladner filled Kiernan' s place behind the j)ack. He got bnt few opportunities to pass out, but taken allround, I prefer Farrant to this City half. Like the backs, the Auckland for-waT-ds were easily at their best in the second spell. Perhaps the reconstruction of the scrum had a lot to do with it. McCormick and Dunning failed to hook the ball, and McGuire (City) replaced McCormick to advantage. Hayward was the most consistent man in this pack, doing great work in the open. A slashing forward Hayward, and good enough for any N.Z .team. Hall came to light in the second half, and scored the try of the day. McDonald proved a demon for work, and the way he bucked into it was an eyeopener. Mr Hopkins, of Taranaki, had charge of the game,' and several of his decisions were hard to understand. He gave us plenty of whistle — he used no less than three during the game — but one good point was the manner vi which he kept up with the play.

Our Sydney correspondent sends a further budget of news by this week's mail : — Saturday, the 4th August, will be remembered with pride by New Zealanders, for on that day, for the first time since the championship was inaugurated (1846), New Zealand furnished the • world's sculling champion. The New Zealanders Avho came over to see the race backed the Wanganui man, but very few on this side gavo "Webb a chance. As much as 4 to 1 was laid on Towns, who was expected to "crack up" the New Zealander in short order. Webb won as he liked, and, although at times he took an erratic course, notably about i-mile from the winning post, he simply paddled home by five lengths. Just to show the public that he was not fatigued, he rowed back through the wash of the steamers to his quarters at Abbotsford. He met with a grand reception all along the route. Webb was immediately challenged by Tresidder, and the match will no doubt take place on the Wanganui River. It is said that Er. Durnan (who was defeated by Geo. Towns) will challenge the champion, but few give him a chance. I saw the whole of the race, and I am of the opinion that William Webb will hold the championship for a long time, ancl I was informed also that Webb will row a much better race on the Wanganui River. The Auckland reps, were much surprised to hear that Geo. Tyler intends giving up fotball. I have it on good authority that his reason for so doing is that he will shortly enter the bonds of matrimony. Good luck to him. The return match v. Queensland ended in a win for N.Z. by 17 to 11. The N.Z. team was a weak one, on account of several of their best men being on the eick Ust.

However, they rattled up 17 points in the first half, but early in the second lost Hogan (wing forward) and Casey. Fryer (a dashing three-quarter) scored all five tries, and at the interval was vociferously cheered . Francis was badly missed in this match. In the first match v. Queensland he scored three tries, and, as in yesterday's match v. Australia (in which he also scored) was considered the best forward on the ground. The second test match took place at Queensland yesterday, 4th inst., and the " Blacks " secured the rubber, winning by 14 to 5. N.Z. had a strong team, and included in the forwards were fiye Aucklanders — Francis, Seeling, Nicholson, Cunningham and Gillett — a solid lot. Seeling was disabled early in the second half, hut, notwithstanding, the "boys" crossed the line four times, only one try being converted. The forwards played magnificently, hut the back division were only mediocre. N.Z. have been unsuccessful in goal-kicking. They have played 6 matches, 5 won, 1 lost, and have scored 91 points to 42. Twenty-five tries were recorded, and only eight goals. Their opponents have scored 8 tries and 7 goals.

Hayward, the Thames forward, will not make the trip South with the Auckland team. This means a big loss to our pack. Our junior reps, leave this week for Taranaki to engage in a match at Hawera on Saturday next. MiMcLean will undertake the management of the team and he will be accompanied by the sole selector, * MiHarold Jones.

Kiernan, for reasons best known to himself, will not travel with the Auckland team on its Southern tour. George Smith leaves for Sydney on Monday next to join the professional team. He will probably be accompanied by W. Wynyard and C. Dunning, -who have algo thrown in their lot with the team. On Tuesday next the Auckland representative team will leave for its tour in the South. The first game will be that against Taranaki on Thursday, August 22nd, and then Wellington on Saturday,. August 24th. Mr Fred Murray will manage" the team. At moment of writing, Mr Gallaher had not made his selection. Sydney got a shock on Saturday,, when it was noised abroad, "on the best authority," that Messenger and three other of the finest players of Eastern Suburbs would go tp England with the " Maoriland " Professional Rugby team. If it is true (remarks Sydney "Bulletin"), it will just about wreck " East's " applecart, and seriously damage the Australian XV. Somehow, writer has his doubts about Messenger or any of the Australians going to England. All the same, it seems pretty certain that professional Rugby will be in full blast in Sydney by next season, unless there is a sudden and remarkable change in public opinion.