FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11975, 19 September 1906, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO (26) v. WANGANUI (5)

Beautifully fine weather prevailed for the Otago-Wanganui representative match which was played on the Recreation Ground yesterday afternoon in the presence of a fair number of spectators. It was generally expected that the game would prove a very even one, but the visitors gained a very easy victory, the local team giving a very sorry exhibition, save during the first ten minutes, when they played splendidly, and scored five pointb, both backs and forwards doing some fine work, which raised the hopes of their supporters. However, it was only a flash in the pan, as after that the local team gradually went all to pieces, and though the visitors had only 8 points against 5 at the end of the first spell, "disaster followed fast and followed faster" in the second half, the result being that at the call of time Otago had registered 26 points against 5 scored by the Wanganui team. It was unfortunate for tlic local men that they had to play without P. Murray (their best hooker), and that T. Craig (centre tbreequarter) should have been compelled to leave the field shortly after the game commenced owing to sustaining a broken collarbone. Seeling filled the breach, playing full in place of Pownarll, who was moved up to centre, but the form shown by this pair was very poor, Seeling especially being off colour. However, he was suffering from injuries sustained in the Taranaki match, and this affected his play considerably. The Otago forwards gave a better exhibition than those of any other team which has visited Wanganui this season, while their backs played surprisingly well, and quite outclassed the local rearguard. It may be said at once that the visitors outplayed the local men at every point of the game, showing much more combination, and playing with more dash and showing much better condition. Dwyer, Reid, and Eckhold were the best of the visiting backs, who were a very good and even lot, while McDonald, Paton, and Abbott were the pick of the forwards, who all grafted well and cleverly. E. McDonald, Meuli, Beckett, and Mitchell did best among the local backs, whilst Elmslie and Macdonald did most of the h ard work amongst the forwards, the former especially showing good form. AiLken played well in the loose, and Guscott gave flashes of brilliancy now and again. Otago played with the »nn in their eyes in the first spell, Hogan kicking off to Eckhold, who returned to Mitchell, the latter finding touch in the visitors' half. From here Beckett dashed away and passed to Hogan, to Dustin, to Aitken, who ran right behind and scored within a minute of the kick off. Mitchell converted, and the score was s—o5 — 0 in favour of the local team played up well, and there the 1 ocal team played up well, and there was every prospect of the game being a rery close and exciting one, but these hopes were not realised, as after about 10 minutes the Otago team began to assert their superiority, their play being characterised by great dash and nippiness, their handling of the ball being clean and neat. Want of space precludes us giving a detailed report of the play. Suffice it to say that after Otago had made several hot attacks on the line, Denniston broke away from a line out in Wanganui territory and dribbling through the local backs scored a try in a good position, Eckhold failing to convert. Scores — Otago 3, Wanganui 5. Resuming, the visiting backs made several passing rushes, the fine tackling of the locals alone preventing a score. Then Dwycr made a great swerving run, but passed badly. However, the Otago forwards took the ball on to near the line and Abbott scored. Paton converted with a splendid kick, and half time was sounded with the scores — Otago 8, Wanganui 5. , On changing ends the Otago forwards quickly took play into the Wanganui territory with a pretty bit of dribbling. Some passing by their backs followed, and Reid showed pace and scored. Paton made a good but futile attempt to convert. Scores — Otago 11, Wanganui 5. Resuming, some play in midfield ensued for a few minutes and then the Otago forwards, with a combined rush, put Wanganui on the defensive again, Meuli saving well. The visitors kept up tho attack, Reid being thrown out at the corner. Then the best bit of play of the day was witnessed, as the ball was kicked back to Davidson, who made a capital run round and passed to Dwycr, who took splendidly, cut in grandly, and was over the lino before the locals could realise what had happened. Chambers converted. The Wanganui forwards now woke up a bit and attacked htrongly, but Eckhold broke away, and the visiting backs raced down to the other cud of the field, where Reid kicked to Seeling. The latter delayed too long with bis kick, with the result that the ball struck McDonald and rebounded. The "All Black" forward picked up neatly and ran in unopposed, Eckhold converting. Resuming, the Wanganuis invaded the visitors' territory and Mitchell made a good but futile attempt at goal from a penalty. Corby, Hogan, Guscott, Macdonald and Aitken were prominent in some fine play by the local forwards, and kept their opponents hard at it defending for several minutes. Twice Corby and Guscott got within a few yards of the Otago line by fast dribbling, but Ongley and Dwyer relieved danger, and then McKenzie, Edwards, and Paton dribbled to midfield, where Abbott picked up and got clear away, but Dustin overhauled him at the local 25. Good forward play by Otago got to the line, and then the visiting backs got on a couple of passing bouts, Reid being thrown out of touch at the corner on the first occasion, but racing round and securing a try the second time. Paton converted, and the game ended — Otago 26

anganui

Mr H. Tilley rofere«d satisfactorily

In the evening the teams were entertained at dinner at the Newmarket Hotel by the Wanganui Rugby Union. Host Mackenzie Forbes provided a capital menu and after the inner man had been satisfied the usual loyal toast was honoured, and then the chairman proposed "The Otago Rugby Union and Team" in an appropriate speech. Mr P. J. Priest responded in a neat speech. Other toasts proposed were "The Referee," "The Wanganui Rugby Union and Team," "The Press," and "Our Host." The proceedings, which were of a most enjoyable kind, terminating with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Thia morning the Otago team were taken up the river for an excursion to Pipirilci, as the guests of the Wanganui Union.