AUCKLAND (6) v TARANAKI (o).

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11645, 24 August 1905, Page 6

AUCKLAND (6) v TARANAKI (o).

NEW PLYMOUTH,- August 23. y The match Auckland v Taranaki. was played here to-day in fine weather. There ' was an attendance of two or three thousand. A strong breeze across the ground, which was in fine order, suited the visitors. The play was disappointing, and the display of football lacked incident worthy of comment. It was a forward game from the start. The Auckland combination was too good for the local men, • who were weakened early in the game by the loss of Hamerton (Patea), who sustained slight concussion of .the brain, through a collision^ and had to be removed to the hospital.' Taranaki was beaten in the scrums, but the visitors failed to make full use of this. Guy, wing forward, beat their half as the ball came out. Taranaki's scrum formation seemed weak. In the open Auckland's advantage was even more marked, the local men wanting pace and lacking 'that vigour which for years past has been associated with the Taranaki vanguard. The .visitors' back division included very .fast men, who outstripped their opponents, arid having the advantage of combination, and working behind a better pack, were only prevented from scoring several times by" good individual effort. The Taranaki backs, whe were chosen mainly for their "defensive, qualities, were, .however, remarkably weak in this respect. Hardgreaves and Thomas were the exceptions. Of the play, it may be stated that Taranaki were confined to their own 25, the greater portion of the timei Auckland scored first. Kiernan marked and kicked across the field. The ball was returned to him, and ho got in a short run and passed to Todd, who transferred to Wynyard and the latter, being missed by Guy, who attempted to collar high, made' a fine dodgy run, •scoring at the corner flag. The kick was futile: This was '-the only score in the first spell. Taranaki put up the next score. Thomas made an opening and passed to Hargreaves, who feinted, beat the fiveeighth, and centre three-quarter, and dodged over. He took the kick himself and placed a beautiful goal. Auckland's second score was near the end of the game. .McGee got the ball and passed to Todd, then to Fraser, Kiernan, and Todd, back to McGee, who took the ball with one hand at top speed. He knocked over the Taranaki backs like ninepins, and scored near the corner. The referee was Mr Manning, of Palmerston North. The visitors were entertained 1 to-night' by the Star Football Club, and leave for Wellington in the morning.

INVERCARGILL, August 23. Canterbury beat Southland by four points to-day. PALMTRSTON N., August 23. Manawatu defeated the Bush Union today by 20 points. . WELLINGTON, August 23. The Wellington reps, beat Hawke's Bay to-day by 11 to 3. The game was played 'on a wet, muddy ground, 'and was really a forward scramble from beginning to end.