LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11139, 25 July 1914, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

JUNIOR MATCHES.

.<■. INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES. CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON. There was a large attendance at the Show Grounds this afternoon, when the Wellington Senior and Junior League teams met Canterbury representatives. The games wo.ro fast and interesting, and provided a good display of open football. SENIOR GAME. Canterbury and Wellington met in front of the stand, the teams being: — Canterbury.—-Backs—C. Kruse, W. JMitchell, W. Smythe, E- Gasson, V. Boon. W. S. Bussell (captain) and H. B. Bussellj forwards—E. L. Button, J. 0. Lagan, E. Smith, W. 11. King, W. J. Lyos and A. Morris. Wellington.—Backs—F. Strickland, W. Wi.son, G. Bradley, J. Parker, B. Whitek-y, A. 0. Murdoch, J. Barker (captain); forwards—A. Donaldson, J. Spencer, Los Campbell, J. Ashton, F. ...jLjlUlLlg J.ilU l>. AjUWiOl". Canterbury kicked oil" from the south end, and the forwards set up an attack. Wellington wore penalised, and Mitchell had a shot at goal that fell short. A series of scrums and some scrambling play in the Wellington twenty-five were in Canterbury's favour, and the backs, hoaded by W. Bussmi, looKed dangerous until long kicks by the Wellington backs relieved. Canterbury took play back again and kept the visitors busy defending. The Wellington forwards took play back by a anes of rushes, and from a long kick i front of the Canterbury goal Whiteicy secured and passed to Bradley, who ran on well anl transferred to Wilson, the last-named scoring easily. Strickland kicked a neat goal. Wellington 5; Canterbury 0. Wellington attacked again, but play was stopped when they held the advantage owing to an injury to Mitchell. Wellington kept play in the centre for some time, and Bradley broke away and passed to Wilson, who was taken by Kruse, and Canterbury came back. From a penalty Smythe had an unsuccessful shot at goaL Canterbury mulled several passes, and from a long throw by Mitchell Parker, of Wellington, secured and passed to Bradley, who beat the Canterbury backs and scored. The kick at goal by Strickland failed. Wellington 8; Canterbury 0. Play was even until half-time, and there was no addition to the score. The second spell opened with play up and down the field, and Canterbury livened up. The game was stopped in mid-field owing to an injury to Gasson, who had to retire. Onj-esum-ing the Canterbury forwards were beaten by Campbell, Manning and Bradley, Manning scoring . easily. Compbell converted. Wellington 13, Canterbury 0. The Canterbury forwards set up a good attack, Button and Morris being prominent. Canterbury came on with several good rushes, Mitchell, Boon and Kruse lending valuable support-. 0. B. Haraingham went on in place of Gasson. Canterbury kept up a strong attack and Morris secured and passed to Smythe, who scored brilliantly. Mitchell's kick failed. Wellington 13, Canterbury 3. A rush by the Canterbury pack was stopped by Wilson, who was slightly injured in charging Mitchell and the game was stopped for a few minutes. Play was fairly open for some time, the Canterbury forwards continually breaking through the Wellington pack and being stopped by the backs. The Bussell brothers, Hardingham and Logan were prominent for some good work, but the Wellington defence was sound and play was kept in mid-field. Smythe had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty. The Wellington forwards livened up. and attacked strongly, but the game ended without further score. The result was Wellington 13 points, Canterbury 3 points. Mr D. M'Gregor was referee. Canterbury Highland Pipe Band played on the way to the grounds and during the interval.

WELLINGTON 9. CANTERBURY 6. The Wellington and Canterbury'' Juniors played a "curtain-raiser." Canterbury kicked off. Gregory marked in a handy position and Muir kicked a goal. Wellington immediately rallied and brought play to the Canterbury quarters, where a penalty was given. , The kick fell short. The Wellington forwards showed good passing in the nest few minutes, which resulted in Barlow scoring. The kiek w,as unsuccessful. Gregory again secured a mark in a good position, but failed with the kick. For off-side play Canterbury were awarded a penalty and then kicked a goal. Until half-time was called play was in the Wellington twenty-five, Canterbury being unsuccessful in finding the line on many occasions. The half-time result was:—Canterbury 4, Wellington 3. The second spejl was played on the eastern ground. A few minutes' play saw the Wellington forwards going in good style. Johnston started a "forward rush and after feinting got into Canterbury's quarters, where he passed out to King, a score resulting. The kick by Johnston was fruitless. The Wellington forwards showed out prominently with their handling of the ball, and had Canterbury strongly defending. Canterbury rallied and their forwards carried play into their opponents' ■ quarters. Canterbury continued to press hard and Wellington were compelled to force down on several occasions. Muir kicked a good goal from a penalty. Wellington carried play to the Canterbury quarters, where a scramble on the line resuliod in the Wellington captain, Langridce, scoring. The kick was unsuccessful. The final score was:—Wellington (three tries) 9 points; Canterbury (three penalty goals) 6 points. Mr H. F. Garrard was referee.