WANGANUI v. WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 24 August 1908, Page 5

WANGANUI v. WELLINGTON.

EASY WIN FOR THE VISITORS

The glorious weather and the expectation of. being an exciting display of football were responsible for attracting to_ the Recreation Ground on Saturday atternoon the largest crowd seen there this season. Tho Wangariui reps, were ■wff 1 U. pon to do battle against the Wellington team which has been tour-mg-theisland. Though Wellington had suffered defeat at the hands of Auckland and Taranaki, tho-. team was regarded as a strong one, and it was thought that, while Wanganui would eventually be beaten they would put ut> ; a good fight. Very; soon,after the commencement of the game it was obvious that tho visitors were the better team and would score, an easy win. This proved to be tho case, for Wellington Pi 1* «P 25 point*; to ■\Vanganui! sM3. ihe W anganui men were outclassed in •most departments of the game. 'Though tho forwards played "well, they were almost invariably beaten for the ball, .and the Wellington backs proved themselves too.much for their opponents in passing running. ■ The teams took the; field as. follows :— Wellington (black).^-Full-back, M. Ryan; three-quarters, ■ Evenson, Mitchinson, McLeod; five-eighths, Magee and J; Ryan, half, Green; wing forward, Hardham ; forwards, Readr, -Alexander, " Rangi" Wilson; Rush, M^Kellar, Hamilton, O'Brien. '■:■■ . . ."'■':'. Wanganui (blue and; Fullback, Smith; ; three-quarters; iMeuli, Abbott, and L. Oorby ;■ five-eighths, Mitchell and Seeling.; halfj^D. Dowe; wing forward, T. Souter; forwards, P. Murray, Leahy, A. S. Anderson, Gumbley, Irvme/ Paton^ and G. Lambert. Referee, Mr H. F. Tilley. ■ Wansanui; lost;/..the -toss, and played with bright snji/mJitheir'eves; They ha<l the advantage M ■;&: light wind, but tlu3p;arothom; little'ihelpi Anderson Kicked off, and Ryan returned to touch. From tho throwrin Wanganui secured the ball and forced play into their opponents' , 25, where they were awarded a free kick.; Play continued; in front ot Wellington goal posts, till1 the full back relived "-lie position by a long Wellington forwards followed up their kick by a .dangerous rush. £ n* Smrth^aved. -Play on the touch lino ;fo]lo'Wed> i gradually working :pjay doyh to&e^anganui 25. Hera wag a%rded a free kick m front pf the"goiii^ost^ Wellington's cjeyer little hag .got the ball from a scrtim and pa^ed^b Mitchinson, who passed to Rang! Wtifeon, who dash-fcl-«crossvt"he: line the posts. M. Ryan took tho kick, but "missed an easy clianco; - rHU

Wellington ~-,',............ 3 Wanganui 0 Tho next score was made very quickly, and the spectators began to think* Wellington were, about to have a "run over. 1* After .the' kick-off Wellington took play into Wanganui's 25,. where J. Ryan got the ball andy beating the local men, scored in the.easiest manner. The same .player toolc tho kick arid piloted the ballover the bar. Wellington .....".. T...,;., 8 Wanganui .. .... 0

On resuming, Wellington again pressed and another score: for- the visitors looked imminent, when Abbott saved. Forward play continued in Wanganui's 25 .culminating in the backs getting possession. The .three-quarter line gave another exhibition of their brilliant passing, but a knock on spoiled what must have been a score. .)A scrum took place five .yards/from the goal line and the Wellington forwards got the ball. Hardham passing to Rush, who "scored behind the posts. J. Ryan took the vkick, but failed to add the major points.' Wellington 11 . Wanganui 0 On resuming, Wellington got t--> work at once,, and earned play into Wanganui's territory, but tho local men, per modium of a long kick, returned tho ball to mid-field. Meuli then made a good run. to Wellington's 25, where hard scrum and line work took place. From a serum Do we secured and parsed to Mitchell, who transferred to Seeling, he dashing across tho lino and scoring in a good, position. Sealing took the kick and placed a fine jroal. This effort, however, ended Seeling's career for the day. as he so injured his leg that he had to retire a few minutes later. The Wellington captain generously allowed Wanganui to play a substitute;-: Southeombe being called noon. -.••. Wanganui .. . ........... ;°s* .v.i ll . Once-.. mor> Waii«amii were put on the defensive, the Wellington team out- ! manoeuvring, them repeatedly..-v The ! Wanganui full back Ml when_taking a [ikiekarid Eyenson, securing the ball, SC?£*K -.'.behind_ the posts, "Mitchinson adorns:--:the majorl points. " i .Wanganui .. ..\.....;..; 5 Wellington 16 On resuming, Wanganui redoubled j their efforts, and though unable to j piereo tho defence of Wellington, kept | play in midfield for: some time. Then J Mitchell secured the ball and made a ! good run to the 25 line, but.was ob- j Ktructed. Waneanui being awarded a free kick. Wellington then started a ! passing run, and Mitchinson was look- I ing dangerous when he was thrown out near.the corner. Play was then- taken to midfield, where it remained till halftime was called. Wellington "16 Wangani'i .... r . ........ 5 -With; the::sun at their backs,- Wanganui played in the second . epell, but did-not put an the performanca expected of them. From the kick-off Southcombe secured a mark, and kicked to touch at centre. Wanganui became aggressive and carried play into the visi-tors-territory, whore they were awarded a free kick, Southeombe placing a nice £roal. ° Wellington 16 Wanganui '. •, 8

Wanganui, encouraged by the increased score, livened up; but Wellington did likewise and carried play into Wanganui's 25, where Mitchell saved. The relief, however, was only momentary, for Rush got the ball and crossed the line. Mitchinson took the kick but failed. '

Wellington 39 Wanganui ......,....... 8 OhT resuming^ Wanganui were, kept hard at work defending their goal line, and eventually sought relief by for:wg. Play still hovered in front of the goal posts till Meuli intercepted a pas 3 and made a good run to midfield^ where ho passed to Corby. The local man, however, was no match for the fleettooted Mitchinson, who overtook him and averted danger. The Wanganui forwards, headed by Leahy, Irvine, and Murray, then came down, with a sweeping rush and carried the ball over the Imp, Wellington forcing. Wellington soon turned the tables and Wanganui woro compelled to force. Hard play in midfield followed and then Wanganui invaded Wellington territory, where from a passing rush, Abbott got possession and scored. Southcombe was successful with the kick.

Wellington 19 Wanganui 13 • Wanganui made strenuous effbrts'to w i *urtner increase the score, and kept Wellington hard at work on the defensive. Play hung on the goal line and. eventually Wellington, was compelled to force. Wellington then removed the scene of operations to Wanganui's 25. where some hard play took place, endins in Rush securing a mark- and kicking a goal.: .

Wellington 22 Wanganui 13 Time was now also up, and Wellington kept Wain?anui penned in front of their goal posts, then Hardhani -got across the line near the corner, but the kick, which was taken by Rush, failed. Soon afterwards time was sounded with play in neutral territory. Mr H. F. Tilley referecd satisfactorily.

Prior to the match Rangitikei and Wanganui Primary School- reps, played an interesting game, which resulted in a idraw. .-'

: In tho evening the teams were entertamed at dinner at McCarthy's Hotel.