FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5356, 6 September 1895, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

AUOKLAND v. TABANAKI. [Per Pbbss Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept. 5. The football match, Auckland v. Tara- | naki, was played to-day. The weather ! was fair, though threatening, and the i ground: was heavy. After an exciting I game, the match ended in a draw, neither side scoring. There was little or no wagering at even money. The Taranaki team was the same as that which played against ' Wellington, with tne exception of Hu<gheß, : whose place was filled by Sangster. Before the match the captains and referee met and decided that a free-kiok should be given for a deliberate knock-on. Murray set the evil rolling, and, after an interchange of kicks, the ball went oot near the centre. Several Bcruma followed, ' varied by long kicks, one by Humphries j causing a scrum in Auckland's twentyfive. The Blue-and- Whites eventually relieved by a free-kick. Taranaki then got on a forward rash, but Auckland responded with a neat passing ran, and play was located near their opponents' 1 twenty-five flag. More scrums and long kicking saw play in the centre, when Taranaki got on a passing run, in which Allen, Humphries and H. Good shone to advantage. The ground thus gained was lost by a pasß forward, and Auckland took the j leather near to the- Taranaki twenty-five, where from a free-kick Murray made a fine 5 but unsuccessful shot at goal. From the drop in the Amber-and-Blacks, headed by > Watson, rushed the ball towards the Auck- : land territory, but their career was-: stopped, and scrum work followed, Auck- | land ultimately getting a free-kick for off- t side. 'The ball was returned, and from a ■ line-out Bayly barely missed dropping a ; goal. The Auckland forwards.headed by \ Murray, Clarkin, Green and Speight, rose ! to the occasion after the kick-out, and : severe sorum work took place. Humphries \ marked and Wynyard returned to H. • Good, who took a shot at goal. He made i a second unsuccessful attempt almost : immediately after, and play for some time • was kept in Auckland's quarters. Robinson, • the Taranaki full-back, made a grand attempt at goal but failed. From a passing run Bayly nearly got over the line, but ■, the defence of Wynyard, Gage, Byley, i Abaolum, Edmonds and Maßefield was; exceptionally good, and spoiled one or two | likely attempts oE Taranaki to score. In the second spell Watson kicked off, Gage returning to Toung, who sent the ball out of play. Allen made a smart run, but Gage proved his match, and play wascentred, the congestion being relieved by a punt by Humphries. The Auckland man, of whom Murray, Speight, Stephenson and Mills- were conspicuous; took play to Taranaki'a domain, Allen spoiling the advantage thus gained by a long kick. Auckland returned to the charge, but the Taranaki forwards more than equalised* matters, and a hard kick by Hugh Good took the ball to Masefield, who got in a quick punt. Auckland again rose to the occasion, but Eobinson (the Taranaki full-back) dissipated the threatening danger in fine style. Play was confined to the centre for some time, where, from a mark, the veteran Murray made a magnificent try for goal. Taranaki took full advantage of the kick-out, and the Auckland ground was soon the theatre of a spirited scrummage, the Auckland forwarda.by the way, nearly always getting the ball. The monotony ; of scrum work was relieved by an interchange of kicks which took play to the centre. From the plumb centre Murray made another splendid effort to land a. goal. Fierce sornm work came immediately after the drop-oat, and from a pass by Edmonds Gage made a neat run to Taranaki'a twenty-five. Bayly not to be behind-hand then made a splendid ran, and being collared by Absolumpasßed to H. Good, who in turn was stayed by Abeolum when he looked on the point of scoring. Playin Auckland's twenty-five ensued, a oloae call being obviated by Masefield, who relieved decided pressure by a good run and kick. More, centre play, and then Allen sailed into the Auckland twenty-five, being neatly grassed by Biley. Watson made a poor attempt at goal from a mark. Shortly before no-side wus called the best passing run of the day was got off by Bayly, Allen; and H. Good, the \ last-named being graßsed near Auckland's corner flag. More free kicks and scrums, with a dashing run by Bayly for .variety, saw a tough game result without a score. Humphries nearly got a goal from a penalty kick juab on the call of time. In the first epell Auckland was continually awarded free kicks on account of infringement of, the rules by the Taranaki forwards, but in the second spell honours were about, easy. .! Taranaki's play was some wb at disappointing. : Mr Garrard, of Christchuroh, was the referee.