FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5663, 7 September 1896, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO v. AUCKLAND. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND,' Sept. 5. . The interprovincial football match, Otago v. Auckland, took placo to-day at Potter's . Paddock. .Five thousand people were present, and the game ended in a victory , for the visitors by eight points to nil. Mr A. C. Campbell, of Wellington, was referee, . and gave fair satisfaction. The visitors were captained by Duncan, and Wynyard r captained the home team. Auckland won tie toss and opened on the western . goal with the sun in their favour, but no wind. Toi'rance kicked off for the i visitors, and the ball was quickly taken down towards Auckland's line, but a long i kick by Smith returned play to the centre. In the next few minutes the home fullback was twice called on to save; Armit ' finally sent tho ball out on the Auckland line, but at the throw-in Gallagher transit Jferred the game to his own twenty-five, Nvhere Edmonds marked, centering. After the kick, M'Kenzie and Wilson endeavoured to come through at the throwin, but Mason kicked into, touch. The visitors' vanguard invaded the homo team's [ territory, but smart play .by Wynyard and ' Absolum was instrumental in again taking the ball to mid-field. A dasliby Wilson, 1 Heffeman and others took the game close up to the Otago goal, and the home team appeared dangerous, but Wilson came to tho rescue. Auckland' maintained the! aggressive for some time till the I Otago forwards transferred play to the Blue and White side of the half way. Duncan came through at the throwin at Auckland's twenty-five, and Farquhar increased the advantage, but Whitely and Wilson dribbled right back to the centre. Wood intercepted a pass from an Auckland man, and Stephenson made a long kick, M'Laren picking up and scoring by the gaol posts. Mason converted. Otago 5, Auckland nil. Upon resuming tho home team gbt on several fine determined rushes, but the visitors' defence was too. strong, and their backs, took advantage of every opening offered. The ball was in all parts of the field in succession, both full-backs having plenty of work to do. When the bell sounded'half-tiine the visitors were in the home team's ground some/twenty yards from the line, and locked like scoring. In tho second spell the visitors had the advantage of what little sun there was, and, taking the spell right through, played a better game than Auckland, this being particularly noticed forward. Wilson set the ball rolling and Wood returned, the ball going into touch at half-way. A nice forward rush started by Priest and Harris carried the ball to Auckland's twenty-five, where Absolum came to the lescue, kicking out at the centre. The Aucklanders came through from the line-out and carried the oval with a strong rush to the Otago twenty-five, where the attack was neatly stopped by Duncan, who kicked out of touch. Tho southern men rallied, and from a loose scramble the combination of their forwards enabled them to drive the Aucklanders back again, piny being carried on for some minutes in Auckland's ground. Several dangerous charges by the visitors wore cleverly staved off by the Auckland full-back, Smith, who was playing a sterling game. Play continued in the Auckland twenty-five for some minutes, and eventually from a scrum Davis got the ball, and after a short dash transferred to Duncan, who, in turn, sent the oval along to Woods. The latter was collared about fifteen yards from the line, but managed to get the bull to Stephenson, who rushed for the corner flag where lie was tackled by Smith, but too late to avert a score, the southern man, by superior strength, carrying the Auckland full-back across the line, where he grounded tho ball, scoring Otago's second tiy. Priest took the shot at goal but failed and the score stood, Otago 8, Auckland nil. From this out play was fairly even and there was no further score. On the whole Otago had the best^ of the game throughout, their forwards in particular showing more dash than the Aucklanders. TFrom Our Correspondent.] There was very little good football in the Otago match. The ground was in perfect order, and there was no wind. Farquharson and M'Laren played a splendid game, also Mason and Duncan (backs). Very little passing to profit was done by either side, except Stephenson's try, which was a splendid, combined effort by Duncan, Woods and the scorer. Otago had the best of the game towards the end, and attempted a lot of open play, which was met by accurate tackling by Smith, the local full-back, who was undoubtedly the best back on the ground, doing splendid work throughout. Murray and Wilson were the best of the Auckland forwards, who lacked dash. Oliphant played a poor game. Eiliott passed inaccurately; therefore, the. Auckland threequarters had little chance of doing, any good work. The score about represents the difference in the teams on their play. The Otago team leaves on Tuesday, and will play at Napier on Thursday and Wellington on Saturday. WELLINGTON, Sept. 5. The football match Wellington v. Wairarapa was played this afternoon, the local team winning by sixteen points to three. In the match Auckland v. Wellington (Association game) there was a good contest, Auckland winning by three points to ■ nil.