LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12754, 25 September 1919, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON. WIN FOR THE HOME TEAM. After the unique finish between Wellington and Canterbury at Wellington on the previous Saturday—the result being a draw, with each side scoring twenty-three points—local supporters were disposed to regard with feelings ot satisfaction Canterbury s prospects m the return atSvd-anviai Park last, week. The day was more sodahle/cr cricket tuan fast Rugby football, and it var surmised that the o;.press! 03 afternoon would detract from g,,od display ot the passing game. However, critics were astray in their prediction,' and if a lew similar Jisplay.s. collective ano infill iduallj', as tliat which was staged last Saturday at Sydenham Park were produced by the players of the code, there I \'° ,he no criticism levelled against the thirteen a-sjde gntne. The play throughout was of the spectacular kind that appeals to the public. The game was fast and clean, f lll1 * .noned to that there wore numerous incidents of high-class order- One was quite prepared to ILnd a tired feeling existing considering the warm afternoon, but this was neve rapparent at any stage of the game. In fact, the reverse was the case. The pace waa very fast, and it was wonderful how well the speed was kept up. it was certainly a much better standard of football than , was witnessed the previous week. Both teams started out to win all the way. The local representatives were the first to work into position ofi attack, but lack of perception on the part of the Bed and Black captain gave the Wellington forwards control, and their rush ended in a penalty goal being credited to them. Some interesting and spectacular play followed, and just as the visitors appeared to be working for an assault on the opposition line, a clever sortie by the home backs ended in their scoring. After exchanges the pace told somewhat on the visiting forwards, and the local backs placed a good lead in their favour. A. Morris, the light but versatile five-eighth from Wellington, who played so well here for New Zealand against Australia, was sorting out the weak sports of the local defence, and watching his chance, he suddenly jumped into promise by intercepting a pass and putting in a strong touch-line run ho scored. Shortly after ho again cutoff a pass and sped goalwards, but was brilliantly tackled by Wright. Being well supported by his forwards they finished the effort by a try, and the scores 11 to 10 in favour of the southern team at half-time was a fair indication of the game. The Wellinglonians jumped into their stride smartly after the interval, I and solid tackling by Bawc, Pollock, Kruse, Morris and Henderson effectively checked the Bed and Blacks’ passing. After some very interesting incidents Morris came into prominence by one ol the most brilliant swerving runs seen here for a long times and cleverly evading the local backs by bluff and footwork he scored a spectacular try that was appreciated right round the ground, and the northern supporters wore on good terms with themselvesHowever, the local forwards then commenced to show out and some good play, with. Trudgeon, ileaJey, Young and Mitchell prominent, improved the whole team and after sixty minutes play the Bed and Blacks, playing with dash and combination, wore 'down the deience and put on T3 points in the last quarter, J. .Young, scoring two clever tries to wind up. On the sucessful side H. Wright fullback, though caught in possession more than once, played good football. Mitchell, Young and Thackwcll were tile best of the other backs. F. King, a strong infield runner, was disappoint! mg. ,1. Sanders did not put enough dasa into hi ß efforts and T. Molloy falled to produce bis club form. In the forwards S. Trudgeon stood out by himself and played a fine game. Imwo, the Wellington forward, was easily the best of the visitors’ front division and A. Duske also played well -1. Pollock, at half, is a sturdy delonsivo exponent, and ably supported A. Morris, the cleverest back on attack on tho ground. R. Henderson, at centre was prominent for Ids tackling and null back Hears was very safe. Neither rniictapu nor Vihitely were overburdened with opportunities bub both were triers. The refereeing was quite satisfactory ana the official in control assisted to make a spectacular game. JOTTINGS. On Monday evening the executive members °f the Addington Club presented Mr Leo Moffatt with a case of pipes and the club banner as a mati or their appreciation, for loyal service given by the recipient. Hast Saturday evening the members ot the Canterbury senior and junior re presentatives gathered together in a re-umou and with some of the pioneer promoters of the code celebrated "the progress ot tho game. The senior captain, Mr W. J. MituAf T* at r 0 -! lat kad Been asked by Mr I. Kidd to state that the latter m order to promote tho junior inter! -sts, was presenting a cup for compeMason, 1 ” the JUm ° r £ T ad ° fixturcs next The final games of tho devon-a-side tournament wiU be played at Woolston Y. ? Q i f aturda sb commepemg at three 0 clock. Messrs J D. Wingham and C. Nissen two keen enthusiasts from the Uest Coast were over on a visit during tho week. The fmai game for the senior premiership on tho Coast resulted in the the ktw eam clef f a . tin S. Blackball on