RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue VIII, 19 August 1899, Page 294

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. THAMES. As was pretty generally predicted, ever since the names of the Auckland players were made known, Auckland suffered a pronounced defeat at the hands of the Thames reps last Saturday. Even with the best team that could have been selected the match would have been no "good thing” for Auckland and the scratch lot put forward by Mr Arneil were fairly beaten. In view of the Southern trip the burning question is What is to be done now? No doubt by the inclusion of several of the Thames men the team can be materially strengthened, but as extra men will be required, presumably most of the present team will be selected, unless Mr Arneil has at length arrived at the conclusion (which most judges of football have declared from the first) that a large number of his selection have absolutely not the slightest pretension to "rep” form. I have always had the very highest opinion of Mr Arneil’s judgment in all matters connected with football, and I am quite at a loss to understand how he came to select some of the players in the teams to meet Wairoa and Thames. Did we not know to the contrary one would be prepared to state that such teams could not have been chosen by anyone with Mr Arneil’s knowledge of the game, and that in fact the selection had been made by somebody who knew nothing of football except perhaps in theory. But to return to the game:—

The weather on the day of play was beautifully fine, but the ground was not too holding. The attendance constituted a record for a match played at Thames, being estimated at nearly 3000. Excursion steamers were run from Auckland and Coromandel, and were well patronised, while a special train from Paeroa and Te Aroha brought over 500 people to witness the contest.

The Teams were as follows: — Thames (blue and black): Fullback. G. Gillett; three-quarters, M. Buckland. C. McLean, R. McGregor; five-eighths. O. Riley; half, J. Coote; forwards, C. Swindley (captain), C. McGregor. McMillan, T. Cantley. W. Cunningham. S. Smith. H. Spinks; and wings, S. McGregor and J. Laing. Auckland (blue and white): Fullback. J. Cardno; three-quarters, H. Absolum (captain), McPike, Pillinger; five-eighths, C. Hay; half, J. Nicholson; forwards, J. Gillett. Irvine. McGregor, Scott, Neighbour. Eaton, D. Gallagher; and wings, F. Murray and A. Wilson. Thames won the toss and elected to defend the western goal. The advantage accruing from choice of position was that the visitors opened with a strong sun in their eyes, but then it was equally as bad in the second half of the game when ends were changed. Eaton started the ball rolling with a long kick-off. From the throw-in a loose scrum followed, in which the Thamesites worked the ball back to the half-distance, where Nicholson kicked into touch. The home team made more rushes, in which Laing was prominent, into Auckland’s quarters, but on each occasion were stopped by McPike and Pillinger. Immediately afterwards Cardno stopped a

dangerous charge by the blue and blacks, and kicked into touch. Frcm the throw - in, however, the Thamesites again broke away with a sweeping rush, and Cunningham picked up and passed to Riley, who ran in and scored a clever try within five minutes of the start of play. C. McLean failed to increase the score. Thames, 3; Gillett kicked out TEi>- al ng. "ho played a dashing gamre throughout, broke away, but was firmly stopped by Murray. From the following scrum Eaton got away with a neat dribble, but his progress was checked by R. McGregor. From some loose play Riley secured the ball and made a fine opening and passed to Buckland, but Absolum intercepted and with the assistance of Wilson and Nicholson attacked the Thames line. G. Gillett returnee 1. however, with a splendid kick. Judicious kicking by J. Gillett and Cardno saw the ball taken back to Thames 25. where a passing run, initiated by Nicholson, was spoilt by Hay knocking on. The Thamesites carried the ball back to centre, but with the aid of a free kick awarded to Auckland, J. Gillett sent the ball to their opponents’ quarters. Auckland continued to press the home team, but bad passing by C. Hay spoilt a couple o’ fine chances to score. A mark by T. Cantley brought relief, and the Thames forwards, with C. McGregor (“Jock”) in the van. returned the ball to Auckland’s side of the halfdistance. Laing and Smith led another charge, and Murray and Neighbour replied in kind. The play at this juncture became fast and open, Riley, Laing and Buckland being prominent for Thames, and Nicholson. Murray and McPike for Auckland; but the tackling on each side was decisive. Eventually, from a scrum near mid-field the Auckland forwards heeled out and Nicholson passed to Hay, who transferred to McPike, who beat two of the opposing threequarters and then handed to Absolum, and the latter dashing in near the corner flag scored for the visitors, Eaton made a good, though unsuccessful, effort to convert. Thames, 3; Auckland. 3.

McLean kicked out and play centred, the Thamesites playing a very stubborn game. The visiting forwards made a sweeping rush, but G. Gillett saved by throwing the ball into touch. Play again became fast and furious, Murray and Nicholson, for Auckland, doing good work, while Cook and Riley were prominent for the home team. The visitors gradually worked the ball to Thames’ 25, but a long kick by G. Gillett returned it to Auckland territory, where, from the throwin. Riley made an opening and passed to R. McGregor, who fell when looking dangerous. Half-time was shortly afterwards called. Swindley started the second half of the game. C. Hay returning with a good kick. Buckland replied with a lonk kick to Cardno whose return was very feeble. and Auckland were penned in their 25. The blue and white started a fine rush, but Hay played offside and Thames were awarded a free kick from which McLean kicked an unmistakable goal. Thames 6. Auckland 3. This score was gained within four minutes after resuming play. The Auckland forwards by loose play now worked the ball into their opponents’ territory, but a splendid

kick by Swindley returned the ball to near the visitors 25. Slowly the Aucklanders regained their advantage, when Coote marked; his kick was charged down by Gallagher and the ball went out near the Thames line. From the throw-in J. Gillett broke away but was stopped by Buckland, who returned by a clever kick into touch. From a scrum, the Aucklanders heeled out and Nicholson made a splendid opening and passed to Hay. but he was stopped by the Thames full-back, when a score looked imminent. The Thames forwards removed the danger by a sweeping charge which was stopped in lucky fashion by Cardno. The Aucklanders returned to the attack, and McPike and Absoium made a clever passing run, but the defence of the home team was sound. Shortly after, McLean played offside directly in front of Thames goal. Baton was entrusted with the kiek and it looked as if a goal would result, but Cantley charged the kick down. Auckland continued to press, but clever play by Riley was instrumental in taking the ball to Auckland's territory where the Thames forwards made several strong attempts to increase their score. Eventually from loose play in Auckland's 25, Cardno made a mis-kiek. and Buckland picking up neatly fell over the line near the corner flag. Cunningham made a good though unsuccessful attempt to register a goal from a difficult angle. Thames 9, Auckland 3. Thames continued to press the visitors. land uninteresting line play followed near Auckland's 25. A fine’piece of passing by Coote and Riley made it look as if another score was to be registered against the visitors, but Pillenger intercepted a transfer and made a strong and useful run before being grassed by R. McGregor. McPike followed up the success gained with a clever dodgy run, but Riley replied with a judicious kick to the’ half distance. From the throw-in Smith broke away with a clever dribble to Auckland's lines where he was stopped by Cardno, who instead of kicking into touch sent the ball high to the far side of the ground, where R. McGregor failed to take it, but cleverly kicked it on the fall to Auckland's line, and as McPike was picking up the Thames 3-quarter kicked the oval out of his hands, and following it- up secured another try for the home team. McLean took the shot at got —an easy one—but failed. Thames 12, Auckland 3.

Time was shortly afterwards called, leaving Thames winners bv three tries and a penalty goal (12 points) to one try (3 points). -Air F. J. Ohlson officiated as referee, and Messrs E. Binney and McGregor as line umpires. For the Thames Geo. Gillet at fullback kicked splendidly but had little else to do. The three-quarters were safe rather than brilliant, and R. McGregor was about the best, though Buckland has the makings of a firstclass player. Riley played a really first-class game at 5-Sths" The wings, Laing and S. McGregor, both played well. Of the forwards “Jock'’ McGregor was the most conspicuous, and he was well supported by Cunningham and Smith. As anticipated Cardno proved a complete failure at full for Auckland, and two if not the whole three tries obtained by the Thames were due to his mistakes. The three-quarters did not especially distinguish themselves, but they had very few chances. C. Hay did not play as well as usual, his passing being poor. He got a nasty spill early in the game, which seemed to affect his play. Nicholson did not show '*rep” form, and played with no judgment. Murray and Wilson quite held their own on the wings, the former being especially good. The forwards quite held their own in the scrum, and also in loose work, and the front row men were generally successful in ■•hooking” the ball. The bail was not however heeled out so quickly and cleanly as it might have been.

® ® ® WELLINGTON V. WAIRARAPA.

About 3000 spectators witnessed the return match between Wellington and Wairarapa. The weather was gloriously fine, and the ground in splendid condition. Wellington won by 17 points to 6. For the winners Pritchard, Soffe, Kelly, Gallagher, and Calnan scored tries, one of which was converted by Hales; and for Wairarapa E. Cdy aud Gallagher crossed Wellington’s line. The Wellington backs showed undoubted superiority, while the forwards had all the best of their opponents in loose work, but the visitors' weight enabled them to

more than hold their own in the scrums. Unusual interest attached to the Wellington team, owing to the reappearance of Calnan and Roberts, after their two years' suspension. Calnan played a brilliant game, and the try he scored was the signal for a great popular demonstration. Roberts showed fairly good form. ® ® ® OTAGO V. CANTERBURY. The annual match. Canterbury v. Otago, was played on Saturday in beautiful weather. The ground was greasy after rain, but not so much so as to seriously interfere with the play. Coming with a reputation after defeating Wellington, the Canterbury forwards scarcely came up to expectations. They were better now and again, and in some fast, open play, they were quicker down on the backs than the home lot, but they were badly beaten in the scrum work, and their backs therefore did not get much show. The local backs were very brilliant, and their machine-like passing rushes were very effective. In

the first spell tries were scored Canterbury by Orchard, and for Otago by Anu it (2), and Stephenson, the score being Canterbury 3, Otago 9. In the second spell Raich scored a try for Canterbury, and Given for Oiago. the game ending Otago 12; Canterbury 6. ® ® ® TAURANGA DEFEATS WAIHI. The match between Waihi and Tanranga took place here to-day in splendid weather. Even play followed the kick off. The home team were the first to score. Matheson getting ovex* the line after a smart piece of dodging. Thom converted. making the score Tauranga 5. Waihi 0. Prior to this Newdick from a mark by Gallagher sent theb all over Tauranga% goal, but as the leather in its flight touched one of the Tauranga forwards no score resulted. Towards the end o? the first spell Waihi carried the game into their opponents’ quarters again, and Newdick was successful in kicking a penalty goal. Tauranga 5. Waihi •>. In the second spell Johnston, of Tau-

ranga, who was injured, retired from the game, Karunga taking his place. Gardiner, the Tauranga full back, failed to return the kick off. and Flett by fast following up got possession and dribbled across the line, scoring for Waihi, Newdiok’s attempt at goal was unsuccessful. W'aihi 6, Tauranga 5. S<M)n afterwards Thom marked in front of Waiiii’s goal, and Matheson placed an unmistakeable goal, putting the home tram ahead. Ju»t before he cal! of time J. Vercoe scored a try for Tauranga after some fine passing among the backs. The attempt at goal failed, and the match ended Tauranga 12 points. W’aihi 6. ® ® ® ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA. FINAL TEST MATCH. SYDNEY, August 12. The last of the test football matches between England and Australia was played to-day. Frequent heavy showers fell during the play, and the ground presented in places the appearance of miniature lakes. Not-

withstanding the Inclemency of the ■weather, there wan a fair attendance of the public. The first spell was very even, but, if anything, the Englishmen had the best of it. Considering the terrible state of the ground, there was some brilliant play, in which Bucher, Nicolls, and Adamson were prominent on the visiting side, while Hardcastle, Ellis, and Cobb divided honours among the local men. The spell ended without score. On beginning the second spell Adamson just missed placing a goal from a penalty kiek from outside the local The local men were being continuously pressed, and from a line-out Cookson got away and registered the first score in the match, Adamson kicking a beautiful goal. On resuming, the local men were again on the defensive, and one of the visiting backs kicking the leather over the line, Bucher raced for it, and secured a second try for England. Adamson again converted, bringing the Englishmen's Score up to 10 points again Australia’s nil. A few minutes later on Adamson lidded still further to the visitor's score by placing a goal from a penalty kick, and when no-side was whistled the scores stood: England, 13 points; Australia, nil. ® ® © FAREWELL BANQUET. SYDNEY, August 13. The Englishmen were entertained jo a farewell banquet. The Rev. M. Mullineux, in responding to the toast of his health, said he felt it his duty to speak against anything which the English Rugby Union would not acknowledge as good sport. He had observed deliberate breaches of the rules, such as holding people back when coming away from the scrums, pushing men in the line-out who had not got the ball, and sticking elbows in a man’s face in the serum. He had been told that the Australian remedy for this was to bite the man's hand, but Englishmen had not yet masterered the art of cannibalism. Another thing and one of the lowest trieks he had seen was shouting after an opponent for a pass. He hoped they would eradicate these blots from Australian football. Australia possessed excellent players. The visitors had learnt something from them in the way of marking with the ball and in forward pUj’. , ® ® <4l REP PRACTICE MATCH. Mr J. Arneil has selected the following teams to play in the practice match on Saturday next at Epsom:—-A.—Full-back, G. Gillett (Karangaliake); three-quarters, R. McGregor (Thames), McPike, Absolum; fiveeigths, Riley (Thames); half, Nicholson; forwards, Irvine, <l. Gillett Cunningham (Thames), Murray, C. McGregor (Thames), Gallagher, Scott; and wings, Laing (Thames) and A. Wilson. B.—Full-back, Donovan; threequarters, Harrison (Wairoa), Gerrard, I’illinger; five-eighths, Phelan (Wairoa); half, Young; forwards, Tyler, Wilson, Eaton, C. Brady, Neighbour, McGregor, McCluskie; and wings, I’itt and Clark. Emergencies: H. Smith Asher, Matheson. Daere, J. Rule, Cucksey, Beestou, Renwick, Walsh, and Doran.