FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue VII, 18 August 1900, Page 295

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. THAMES. Judging from the excitement occasioned by Saturday’s game one would have thought that Auckland and Wellington were engaged, ami it can be safely asserted that no mere interunion match has ever approached this game in point of interest. No doubt the fact that Thames had proved successful for three years in succession had something to do with it, and again the goldfield’s reps were very confident of their ability to repeat their recent performances, whilst on the other hand local enthusiasts were hopeful as to the result, and considered that our boys would be found capable of pulling off the game. The amount of interest displayed can, to some extent, be gathered from the fact that the attendance numbered well on to 8000, which would be considered really good for an interprovincial contest and this despite the unpromising appearance of the weather. The play, especially of the local team, was well worthy of the occasion, and the spectators w'ere kept in a state of enthusiasm and excitement throughout the whole game, which culminated in a. deafening outbreak when the home team finally proved victorious by the substantial margin of 11 points to nil. Many, no doubt, were quietly confident that Auckland would come out on top, but very few of even the most enthusiastic local barrackers anticipated such a decided yictory.

Coining to the play, Swindley succeeded in winning the toss, and naturally elected to take advantage of the strong easterly wind that was blowing down the ground. A. Wilson kicked off for Auckland, and play soon settled down in the local 25. Thames got. the best of the first couple of scrums, and things didn’t look at all promising from an Aucklander’s standpoint. After the- first few minutes however the blue and white vanguard began to assert itself, and with their backs playing a safe game, the efforts of the Thames men to score were nullified. For about a quarter of an hour the ball was almost continually inside Auckland’s 25, and on more than one occasion McGregor and Buckland looked very dangerous, the latter once succeeding in reaching* the full back. After some further-give and take play Auckland took up the offensive, and for some minutes a desperate struggle was maintained close to the Thames line. The wind, however, was a great, aid to the Thames defence, and several time a good kick removed the danger for the time being-. Nothing daunted. Auckland returned to the attack, and once were on. the verge of scoring, but the opportunity was lost owing to Absolum mulling a pass just when a try appeared to be a certainty. During the last few minutes of the spell Thames rallied and made several strong attacks on the Auckland line, but the defence was quite equal to the occasion, and when the bell rang the ball was in neutral, territory. Auckland supporters were- naturally delighted with the splendid stand made by the locals, but some of the Thames supporters were still confident that tha (as they asserted) superior condition of their men would enable them to win.

For a few minutes after the resumption of play the Thames players quite held their own, but then the bine and whites began to assert themselves, and play finally settled down inside Thames’ 25. For some 20 minutes the blue and blacks defended brilliantly, and even at times forced their opponents back to neutral territory, but such relief was only temporary, and the ball was soon back again. With less than 20 minutes still remaining there, had been no score, but the strenuous efforts made by Thames was beginning to have an effect, and time and again their defnesive abilities were taxed to the utmost. Finally from a scrum the ball came out to Kiernan, who passed to Asher, wluo whipped it across to Hay, and the latter taking the ball while at top speed dashed through the Thames bucks and scored first blood to Auckland. A> Wilson made a good attempt at placing a goal, but fatted to allow sufficiently for the wind. From this out it was apparent that the goldfield’s men were setting played out, although they stall defended gallantly. Within five minutes * war rind score was obtained, Kiernan dashing round the silly aide of the scrum and trans-

ferring to Absolum. who dashed over the line at the corner, his favourite place. Wilson’s shot at goal was again a failure, but the angle was an extremely difficult one. On the kick out Auckland resumed the attack, and a really nice piece of passing resulted in a third try being scored. Kiernan passed to Asher, who transferred to Hay, and the latter to Absolum who looked like scoring, but Buckland by a desperate effort managed to tackle him, but could not prevent a pass to Asher, who ran in almost unopposed. It was a beautiful piece of play, and thoroughly deserved a score. This time Wilson succeeded in adding the major points, bringing Auckland's score up to 11 points. Almost immediately afterwards the bell sounded time. Taking the play right through, the best team undoubtedly won, and the score was about a fair criterion of the merits of the opposing sides. Auckland in a great measure owe their victory to their forwards, who outclassed their opponents in every single department of the game. Rarely have Aucklanders seen a better forward game than was shown by our men, and each one of them fairly excelled themselves, and seemed to play almost the game of their respective careers. Then, too, nearly every one of the backs played a bit better than their average game, and in this respect they w'ere only following the good example set by the vanguard. I must say I was disappointed with the display of the Thames men, as from what has been dinned into our ears lately about their capabilities, one expected something out of the common. Perhaps, however, I expected too much, but certainly taken all round they did not compare favourably w'ith the locals. The forwards especially, though the heavier men. were completely outclassed, and in no respect did they hold their own with our boys. Again the backs, with the exception of McGregor and Buckland, were nothing out of the common, or, I should rather say our own men were better. It must be admitted, however, that they were playing behind a beaten pack, and this was, of course, a heavy handicap, whilst the- way the blue and white vanguard got on to them was also an eye-opener. Turning to the individual players, Donovan, the local full back, claims first attention. He played about the game of his life, and, with the exception of being at times a little slow, gave a fine exhibition, his tackling and defence generally being Al. D.. Hay, at centre three-quarter, gave a fine showing, both his attack and defence play being equally sound, and at times he was brilliant. Absolum in. the- first spell was a trifle weak In defence, and once or twice his taking was faulty, but in the second spell he did fine work, and the tw’O last tries were the result of splendid pieces of play on his part. Woods, on the other wing, did all he had to do, and did it well. His defence was sound, and he took part in some really good attack work.

Asher was.at his best at five-eighths, and quite outclassed his opponent, Kiley. Much of Auckland’s success is due to the fine display made by Kiernan at half. He got the ball away from the scrum smartly, made splendid openings for his backs, whilst his defence was also really good. He also brought off some nice points, and, in fact, played a really first class “head’’ game.

.Amongst the forwards, when all played exceptionally well, it is really hard to distinguish anyone as especially deserving notice, but, taking it all round I think the palm must be awarded to McGregor, who appeared never to be off the ball, and he was closely followed by Tyler and Wilson (2), whilst the front row men, Brady and Irvine, also deserve mention for their splendid work. McLean, the Thames full-back, kicked well, but otherwise his game calls for no especial comment. R. McGregor was the bright shining star of the Thames team, and he played a really brilliant game, doing splendid work both in attack and defence, especially in the latter department. He was ably assisted by Buckland, who is a player of great promise, his defence being excellent, whilst he is a fast and dodgy runner, and a good kick. Had it not been for these two players Thames would have suffered a verymuch more decisive defeat. I was not very much impressed with Stevenson, the third three-quarter. Kiley, at five-etgjiths, was quite oft colour, and was altogether different, from the Riley we have been used to of old. ,

Woods, the half-back, had a splendid reputation in the South,, but he failed to maintain it on Saturday, and suffered badly when compared to Kiernan. Althoug-h the forwards were beaten, they played a hard game, but a lack of combination was plainly apparent. McDuff and Cunningham were the most prominent, and are worthy of a place in almost any team. ® ® ® AUCKLAND “B" TEAM V. WAIROA. A DRAWN GAME. The Auckland “B” team journeyed to Aratapu on Saturday to play the representatives of the Northern aWiroa district. The team left Auckland on Friday afternoon, and Aratapu was reached early on Saturday morning. On going on to the field it was found that the ground as in a very bad state, being sloppy and covered with pools of water, and after a few minutes' play it was apparent that football was out of the question. The visitors at once began to make the game a forward one. From start to finish the play was of a scrambling nature, and neither side had any particular advantage. The Wairoa backs handled the ball better than the visitors, and altogether showed better form, while Auckland was slightly superior in the forwards. The pools of water made good dribbling impossible, and Auckland lost a certain try owing to the ball going into a pool when Scott had no one in front of him. During the first spell the Wairoa wing, from a lineout, threw the ball right across the ground, and Harrison secured, and, beating Roberts, the only man in front of him, ran round and scored. The try was not converted. In the second spell S. Browne scored for Auckland from a forward rush, and the game ended in a draw, each side scoring 3 points. During the first spell Young (Auckland) got a nasty kick on the hip and, after trying a spell at full, had to leave the field. Brown, the Wairoa emergency half, took his place. For Wairoa Harrison and Phelan played good games and handled the greasy ball well. J. Te Paa (three-quarter) and H. E. Te Paa (full-back) also showed good form. Among the forwards Christiansen was about the best. For Auckland Sutherland showed the best form among the backs, and S. Browne and Scott were, perhaps, the most prominent of the forwards. The team arrived in Auckland again at nine this- morning. © © © TAURANGA V. WAIHI. WAIHI, Saturday. T ke Tauranga v. Waihi match was played this afternoon on the Recreation Ground. A strong wind was blowing. Waihi won the toss, and had the wind in their favour. Mr Greenough refereed. After the kick off Tauranga’s pack followed well up, but Waihi gradually worked into their opponents’ 25, but the game crept back to centre. Trom the line out Clarkin took the ball, and ran along the line,, eventually going out. Open play ensued, in Tauranga’s 25, but came again to neutral territory, where the visitors procured a mark. Waihi established a passing rush, but owing, to the exceedingly strong wind McCall and Flett failed to pass the leather along. The Tauranga forwards getting possession rushed play to Waihi’s 25, where the oval remained for some time. From a mark Clarkin punted to centre, and the home team instituted a rush, Gafvey getting into Tauranga’s 25. The latter’s full back, however, neatly stopped, and a line out resulted, from which Flett made a dash and transferred to Garvey, who passed to Landy, but that speeds’- three quarter was grassed by Darragh near the touch line. Play waged in TauTanga’s 25, where Waihi was awarded a free kick. Landy made a good effort, but failed to kick a goal. When the leather came into play again the home team got a splendid open rush on. Mathias making a clever run, and passed to Garvey, who transferred to Landy. The latter, making a brilliant dash over the line, scored first blood for Waihi. The major points were added by a well judged kick by Landy. (Waihi 5; Tauranga nil.) The visitors made a determined rally, bringing play Into close proximity to the home goal. McLean saved a possible score near the corner flag. The Tauranga pack worked splendidly, but the Waihi backs gave them no opportunities. Open play ensued in Waihi territory, where Garvey again procured the oval and sent it along to McCall, who transferred to Thom. The latter, who was playing consistently throughout, made a splendid dash, and added another try to Waihl’s score. Landy failed to convert. Give and take open play followed. The visitors eventually rallied and carried play into Waihl’s territory, where Landy and Flett relieved by a passing rush, the former finding touch line in Tauranga’s 25. Half time sounded shortly after. (Waihi 8; Tauranga nil.) The second spell was very open. The visitors played up well, but could not score, though at one period were right on Waihl’s goal line, but the defence was too severe. The Waihi threequarter men played a splendid dashing game, being abty assisted by Garvey, the half, and McCall, the five-eighths, the latter getting in some exceedingly clever rfins. Landy played the best among the backs, and was In splendid nick. Thom also did excellent work; stopping hard rushes repeatedly. McLean played a sound game at fuIT. All the forwards showed good form. Clarkin was in the beat of mettle, taking the oval neatly and working well in the. pack. The passing rushes by Waihi were very effective. Ftett. at centre threeqnart ter, showed first ottem form. The BMk. worka« wtondfcU y. Mi batik

gamer was misjudged, Mathieson never getting a chance. Haua played a dashing game at half. Wthape also grafted well throughout. Jordan. Friday, Brown, Wilson and others showed up well. Brine* at full, played a splendid game, and saved a large score. The visitors lackedcombination, and played a forward game, but they have had little practice together. ® ® ® SOUTHEBN MATCHES. WELLINGTON V. WAIRARAPA. WELLINGTON AGAIN VICTORIOUS. WELLINGTON. Saturday. The return match between Wairarapa and Wellington at Masterton to-day resulted in a win for Wellington by IT points to 13. In the first spell Wellington only scored three against Wairarapa’s. 13 points. CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON. THE CANTERBURY TEAM. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The football team picked to play for Canterbury against Wellington next Saturday is as follows:—J. S. Middleton, E. D. Rice, D. Reese, E. T. Harper, P. Harvey. A. Mason, W. Douglass, J. Forde, H. Frost, M. Lynskey, B. Fanning. R. Crosbie, J. Johnstone, W. Drake, G. Pascoe.