INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue V, 2 August 1902, Page 276

INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON,

WELLINGTON, Saturday. About 4000 people witnessed the interprovincial match, Canterbury v. Wellington, which was played on the Athletic Park this afternoon. The weather was bleak, and a cold, strong southerly wind was blowing down the ground, while half way through the second spell heavy rain set in.

The teams were as follows:— Canterbury: Fullback, Turtlll; threequarters, McGregor, Harper and Revell; five-eighths, Ormandy and M. Wood (captain); half, Harvey; forwards, Mahoney, Corbett, Drake. Fanning, Cross, Cooke, Brunsden. and Mathews.

Wellington: Fullback, G. Spencer; threequarters, Johnson, Wallace and Roberts; five-eighths, Wrigley; half, Clarldge; wings. H. W. Kelly and Mann; forwards, McMinn. Dodd, Sweeney, J. Spencer. Joyce, Adams and Watkins. The Southerners scored a thoroughly meritorious win by 9 points to 3. They won the toss, and took advantage of playing with the wind. In the first spell Wellington played a splendid defensive game, and limite.il the Canterbury’s score to six points. It was the popular impression that Wellington, favoured with the wind In the second half, would more than equalise the score, but matters were presented to them in quite a different light as the later stages of the game progressed. Canterbury played up with excellent combination, and had a good deal the best of the struggle, although each side scored a try. Wi llington seemed to go to pieces under the determined and repealed attacks of the Canterbury men, who proved their superiors in all departments of the game in the second spell. The Southern forwards were frequently beaten by the Wellington vanguard In

the first half, but they showed marked Improvement when ends were chanced and their backs also showed better *>mbtnatlon.

J. Spencer kicked oft for Wellington,and by the agency of Harper and Ormandy, play was taken into Wellington’s territory. where Harper made a clever, but unsuccessful shot at goal. J. Spencer and Mann broke through the scrum near Wellington’s line, but the Canterbury backs obtained possession of the ball, and after some pretty passing Wood got across, but could not ground the leather. From the ensuing serum Canterbury was awarded a free kick, and Harper placed a neat goal: Canterbury 3. Wellington 0. •

When play was resumed a Wellington forward rush changed the scene to the Canterbury 26, but the Southern forwards shortly afterwards returned the compliment, and Ormandy, getting‘possession near 'Wellington’s 25 line, passed to Harper. who, after a nice run, transferred to McGregor, who scored. Harper failed to improve the score: Canterbuy 6, Wellington 0.

Play for a time was confined to neutral territory, after which a smart piece of passing by Kelly, Wallace and Roberts, resulted In Canterbury being forced. Following a spell of uninterestlug play at centre, J. Spencer headed a rush of the Wellington forwards, and Canterbury had to determinedly defend the line. Wellington on one occasion being within an ace of scoring. The Canterbury forwards, however, more than held their own. and gradually clearing their territory invaded the Jiome team s 25, where Harvey secured a mark, and Harper made an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Later on Wellington were again in difficulties, but Harvey spoiled a good chance to score by kicking hard across the line, and half time was called, with the play in neutral territory.

On resuming, Wood, Harper, and McGregor got on a good piece of passing as the result of which the Wellington man were forced. The Wellington backs then put iu some good work, and Kelly, picking up the ball near Canterbury's 25. made a smart dodgy run, and transferring to Sweeney, the latter scored near the corner flag. It was a lucky score, however, for McGregor missed an easy chance of knocking Sweeney into touch. G. Spencer failed at goal: Canterbury 6, Wellington 3.

The Wellington forwards at once resumed the attack, but a smart run by Ormandy saw play transferred to the centre of the ground. From a scrum Brunsden got possession of the ball and the Canterbury forwards, as ono man. swept down the field. A short pass to Revell, near the 25 flag, gave the wing rhreequarter a chance to make a brilliant run, and he got across near the corner “ ag ' was a splendid piece of play, and the suddenness of It completely demoralised the Wellington backs. Harper could S I ? t „' mp 5 ove the seore: Canterbury 9, Wellington 3.

„,£° r rest of the Same honours were eten botn teams having a share of the wiv ? nd ‘J cfence - On one occasion the ” ,n &ton forwards made a determined rush and had Canterbury penned on their line tor some time, but the latter saved bj forcing. Then from subsequent play, Wood, Harper and McGregor, were associated in a passing run, and Harper had h«,J!?? Uoce ? s £B 1 shot at B° al ’ Wellington , Shortly afterwards time was called with play near Canterbury's 25. WANGANUI V. RANGITIKEI, The representative football match, Wanganui v. Rangitikel, was played on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a victory for Wanganui by 53 points to 3. Several of the tries were not converted. Wanganui had 17 points to their credit at the end of the first quarter of an hour. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. The New Zealand Rugby Union tonight appointed a Selection Committee for the North v. South Island match, fixed to be played at Wellington on 13th September. The South Island selectors will be F. T. Evans, Christchurch; H. Harris, Otago; and R. Galbraith. Southland. The North Island selectors are T. Ellison, Wellington; R. J. Hallamore, Napier-; and F. Murray, Auckland. R. G. Hallamore was appointed referee for the Canterbury-Taranaki match.