OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXIV, Issue 51, 29 August 1914, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Harrier.]

RUGBY FOOTBALL. THE thousands of people who were present at Eden Park on Saturday last to witness the struggle between the Auckland and Taranaki representatives' were rewarded by witnessing the finest game of football we have seen here this season. The day was ideal and the ground was very fast and in perfect condition. The game was exciting from startto finish and brim full of incident. Play went from one end of the field to the other and the spectators were worked up to a great state of enthusiasm. The Auckland team owed their win almost entirely to the combination of their backs who worked together splendidly and although there were instances of fumbling at times, taken all round, the blue and white rearguard gave a fine display. The forwards of both sides were fairiv evenly matched and both exhibited fine form, wjth the exception of scrum work, which was weak. The. Taranaki backs played well individually, but thejre was an entire lack of combination in their play and their work lacked finish. Maoiy of them -showed a tendency to kick when they should have passed, [while the wing three-quarters repeatedly kicked when they should have made a determined dash. Roberts, the famous "All Black," was a noticeable exception and his all round brilliant play and clever side step earned the hearty plaudits of the crowd. If Taranaki want to retain the Ranfurly Shield' this season they will have to alter their tactics and see that their backs, combine better. There were a number of minor injuries during the game which was, however, particularly, cleaai, foul play being conspicuous by its absence. The throwing in from the line-out was weak on both sides and scrums were consequently rather frequent. A curtain raiser to the big match was played between Auckland B. team and Hokianga in which the former, although sometwhat of a scratch team, were victorious. In the Auckland v. Taranaki match Moffitfc was fair. He kicked very well at times, while at other times his kicking was weak. His tackling, on the whole, was good, and his fielding was without fault. Mackay, at wing /three-quarter, was brilliant throughout. His running was superb and he shared with Roberts the honour of being the best back on the ground. McGregor, the other wing, played well and showed dash at times, but he got few chances of showing his paces. D. Stewart, at centre, was brilliant at times, while at other times he fumbled badly. His fine tackling was a pleasing feature of his play. Weston played a sound game throughout and was unfortunate m having to retire with an injured knee. Macdonald, whoi took his place, had little time to, get into his stride, but performed creditably. Geddes, the other five-eighth, was, at times brilliant and made some fine dashes, but at times he also fumbled badly.

Ross, at half, was .as usual a host •in himself. Brilliant in both attack and defence, nippy and always there when wanted, he stands in a class by himself among Auckland half-backs. O. Stewart, at wing-forward, played his usual dashing game and the only fault that could be foufrd in his place was a weakness in throwing in the ball. The Auckland scrum was not satisfactory, but outside of that the forwards played a fine dashing game. Sellars and Casey were everywhere the ball was and for hookers played an astonishing game in the open. French was brilliant in attack, but showed a tendency to get offside. Bruce played a fine all-round game and was unfortunate in receiving an injury to his knee which caused his retirement. Avery and Bilkey played with great dash and brilliancy and materially assisted in Auckland's victory. They were ably seconded by Barrett. Hansch, who took Bruce's place, played a hard dashing game. For Taranaki George, at fullback, played a very fair game and came through a heavy day's work with credit. Stohr, as usual, kicked brilliantly and fielded the ball well. His chief fault was kicking when he should have made a determined dash. Roberts, at centre, played a magnificent game from start to finish. His defence was splendid and his attack was as brilliant as anything we have seen in Auckland. His clever side-step completely fooled his opponents time after time and had ne been well fed by his backs the result of the game might have been different. Wells tackled soundly and > played a safe game until he hurt his knee. Cameron and Coleman played solidly at five-eighths, but they were inclined to kick at times when they should have passed to Roberts. Coleman's defence was very solid. Brown, the half-back, is a fine stamp of player and gave a brilliant exhibition. He was one of the best of the Taranaki rearguard and excelled in all departments. Taylor, at wing-forward, did an enormous amount of work and played a hard dashing game. Like his opponent, Stewart, his throwing in< was weak. Cave was the pick of the forwards. He was always on the ball and played with great dash and determination. Young played a solid game in the tight. He was good in the line-out and worked hard throughout. Kissik and Patterson also played well, as did Whittington, Paul and Robertson.' Mr Geo. Nicholson controlled the ■, game to the satisfaction of everyone and it was in, a large measure due to his refereeing that the game was so fast and open.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL. Over 4000 actually paid for admission to the Auckland-Wellington League match, which, together with the f uIL number of free tickets issued to players and the record number of V.P. attached, <fco affiliated clubs, returned a vei?y.Ratifying attendance to the League's energies to cater a fast code of football to the public. The game, which was the chief topic in athletic circles of conversation during the week, provided the spectators with nothing to complain of. As the League ad. reads, it certainly was spectacular, and if matched v such as Saturday's were played regularly, it being fast and open and full of thrilling moments, it is no wonder that the League is getting popular. The general opinion prevailed that Wellington was going to win, but, true to old traditions that Auckland is noted for, the local boys rose to the occasion and got in early with scoring tactics. The best team won, and the final score truly indicates the difference in the combatants. A feature of the day's playing was the goal-kicking of the Wellington contingent, contributing three beautiful goals from difficult angles, one of which was well over the half-way line. Savoury, the Aucklander, also showed good judgment in his shots, and sent some beauties between the posts. Of the individual players, Bradley and Wilson, of the New Zealand match fame, were the pick of the field. The resourcefulness and versatility of both warmed the hearts of the spectators, bringing forth many a well deserved cheer. Utihu and Russell, Wellington halves, played well but were severely handicapped by being behind a beaten pack. George, full-back, like his Rugby brother from Taranaki, played sound defence, and on occasions got his man when a score looked certain. Of the Aucklanders, Corby gave a unique exhibition of pace. Unfortunately this player is still a novice, otherwise he might have scored on one occasion had he been a more seasoned player. Wynyard justified his inclusion, playing with good individuality. He was rather inclined to over-run his man and occasionally found himself out of place.

McDonald and Rogers, scrum halves, worked well, so much so that several fine openings were initiated by this pair. McClymont and Weston gave their usual hard toil and always shone when occasion demanded. Nothing can be said of Hardgreaves. His game on Saturday was even better than ever. Bennett, Walters and Savoury were the pick of the forwards. In fact the old pack worked like the traditional Auckland pack. Next Saturday the League are arranging an interesting fixture for the Patriotic Fund. The representative colts are to play the veteran representative players, of whom Hardgreaves, "Scotchy" McDonald, Allan Blakey, Artie Carlaw, W. Tyler, S'tannaway, Griffen, "Opai'' iVsher and others will be found donning the jersey. The total takings go to the Citizens' Patriotic Fund, therefore we commend the public to assist the cause.

Considering the number of horses that are being schooled at Ellerslie racecourse during the past week very few accidents happened, and those only of a minor character. R. Percival was back in the saddle, riding schooling work again, seemingly little the worse of the football accident when his leg was broken. The South Auckland Racing Club made a profit of £638 7s lid on their annual race meeting. The New Zealand Trotting Cup of £2500 entries closed 1 with 19 of the Dominion's best trotters and pacers. The Auckland gelding Craibwood's name is missing from among the Cup entries. He probably did not qualify to enter for the race. The Australian Jockey Club spent £61,793 6s 4d on improvements last season, and next season increase the stakes by £80,000. While riding in the August Steeplechase at Flemington, Pladda was killed under the New Zealand jockey S. Neary-; The jockey was uninjured. The New Zealand gelding Paoli (Merriwee-Nukumaratea) started at Flemington in the August Welter Handicap, but was never sighted. •■• Recently, at the Bendigo Race Meeting, a trainer's son named E. Davis, aged 16 years, was killed while riding a horse named Golden Gleam. The horse crossed its legs and fell. A most unusual sight on a racecourse was recently witnessed, when the Bishop of Melbourne blessed the Essendon Rifles' new colours at Moona Valley. A huge crowd was present. Mr J. Wren, the notorious Victoria race promoter, donated £1000 to the Lord Mayor's Patriotic Fund in Melbourne. The Australian Jockey Club received for the use of the Randwick racecourse £4410 last season. The proprietors of the Sydney "Referee" and the Sunday "Times" gave 20,000 Is tickets (£1000) to the War Fund. The principal item in the A.J.C. receipts was £95,132 13s 8d for admission to the various parts of the Randwick course for last season. A grandson of Musket-Pistol, by Carbine, named; Londonderry, won the Adelaide Grand National Hurdles recently from a record field of 23 starters, paying nearly £15 on the machine. Mr W. Ryan's Merrimax, after fetting one beating in New South VaH.es, paid the remunerative price of Bto 1 at Rosehill last week. Rumour says that the owner did not support his horse. Unsound finance. Master William, and not your form. Dillon Bell, by Harold 'DillonWild Bell, recently put up a very taking performance at the A.T-C. Meeting, Victoria Park, Sydney (N.S.W.), trotting a mile in 2.16_, and winning by over two lengths. The colt was handled by M. Edwards. The New Zealand horse will be brought back. Another New Zealander at the same meeting, Royal Victor, by Victor Royal-Hippocampus mare, ran last in the Australian Trotting Club Handicap, and you could write your OAvn odds about the ex-Aucklander. Rosello, one of the favourites for the A.J.C. Derby, was recently beaten in the Dundas Handicap at Rosehill, seven furlongs. This makes his chances of capturing any of the classics rather remote. Dillon Bell, that recently won a race in Sydney, is down for an engagement in the New Zealand Cup of £2500. Fancy winning a mile race of 60 soys. from behind scratch in 2.16., and second money to come off. Probably the beautiful climate assisted.