FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VIII, 23 August 1902, Page 468

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. THAMES. The return match between the representatives of the Auckland and Thames Rugby Unions was played on Saturday at the Parawai ground, Thames, the townsmen again asserting their superiority, this time by 8 points to nil. The Aucklanders left for the Thames by the Wakatere on Saturday morning, a number of excursionists also making the trip. On arriving at the ground it was seen that the Thames had not been so fortunate as Auckland In the matter of weather, as the ground was In a very sloppy condition, there being several pools of water upon it, while rain fell at intervals during the game. There was a very fair attendance of the public. The game, as might be expected from t’.ie nature of the ground, mainly consisted of forward play, and was close and well contested. In the first spell McKenzie scored for Auckland and Young converted, and just before the call of time, Long scored another try for the visitors, making the score 8 to nil. Thames played a determined game throughout, and their forwards, until near the end, put the Auckland backs frequently on the defensive. Mr W. Garrard gave every satisfaction as referee. Auckland (blue and white): Fullback, Sutherland; threequarters, Thomson, McPike and McKenzie; five-eighths, Gerrard (captain); half, Young; wing forwards, J. Brady and Doran; forwards, Tyler, Handcock, Cunningham, Nicholson, Bonella, McCormick and Long. Thames (blue and black): Fullback, Phillips; threequarters, Kingham, C. McLean, W. McLean; five-eighths, Laing (captain); half, Houghton; wing forwards, Bagust and Fraser; forwards, G. Smith, S. Smith, Bispham, McPike, McDuff, Baker, Mullins. THE PLAY. Thames won the toss and elected to defend the southern goal, with a fairly stiff wind In their favour. McDuff marked the kick off, and the Thames forwards, following up with fine dish,’ rushed the ball down Into Auckland's territory, and down to the visitors’ goal line, where, after a brief struggle, McKenzie kicked into touch in goal. Thames came on to the attack again, and W. McLean made a good run and passed to Kingham. who In turn transferred to C. McLean, who, however, failed to take the pass. From the first scrum the ball was heeled out to Houghton, who, however, lost it, but the Thames forwards getting on a rush, beat Sutherland and took the ball over the line, but Gerrard was there first and forced. The Thames forwards were making things very merry, and Laing, receiving a pass from Houghton, beat several men, but lost the ball, which was kicked over the line beyond the 25. yards limit. Auckland were awarded two free kicks, but the fine kicking of the Thames backs prevented ground being gained. Houghton once more got the ball out to Laing, who handed on to C. McLean; and the latter was only collared, after a good run, a yard or two from the line. A scrum was then ordered, the ball went over and Auckland forced. After resumption of play a kick by McPike rebounded oft a Thames forward, and the ball went into touch in goal. Play in neutral territory followed for some minutes, and then a prominent Auckland forward rush was stopped by Phillips, and a free kick given to Thames was well returned by McKenzie. A feeble return by Sutherland put Auckland on the defensive again, but McKenzie once more came to the rescue. The Thames backs began to fling the ball about again, and some lively play took place in the visitors’ 25, the Auckland men being compelled to defend zealously. At length McPike ran up the field, and passed to Gerrard, who took the ball to the Thames 25 line. Here Young got the ball out to the Auckland skipper, who made a fine opening, but his pass to McPike was wild. Young immediately after made a neat opening, and Gerrard and McPike carried the ball on, but McKenzie was collared a few yards from the line. Then the Thames forwards coming with a fine rush, headed by McDuff and Mullins, took the ball up to centre, and neutral play prevailed for some minutes. At length Phillips kicked across the field to McKenzie, and the latter ran down the boundary line to the 25 line, and then cut across, and to everyone's astonishment ran right through the Thames defence in brilliant style and scored between the posts, the Thames men having waited for the pass which never came. Young landed a neat goal. (Auckland, 5; Thames nil.) Uninteresting play prevailed for some minutes, and then Brady broke away with a dribble, but C. McLean stopped. Young. Gerrard, McPike and McKenzie indulged in some passing, and McKenzie potted at goal and just missed. Thames now returned to the attack, but faulty passing threw away a good chance. Rain was now falling, and play was little better than a forward scramble, in which the home men had a bit the best of the deal. Offside play by Long spoilt a promising Auckland rush. Just before the end of the spell, a pool of water In front of the Auckland goal upaet Sutherland's calculations, as he

tried to pick up the ball, and the Thames forwards were on him in a moment. A fierce battle raged for a few moments on Auckland’s line, and Houghton got the ball out to C. McLean, who, however, mulled the pass and a fine chance was lost. A free kick gave Auckland relief, and the spell then ended. (Auckland, 5; Thames nil).

On the resumption of play Thames were the first on the attack,but the Auckland forwards, headed by Nicholson, took play back to centre. A few minutes later McDuff kicked down, and following up with Kingham took play to Auckland’s 25 line, where MeKenzle saved. Auckland rushed play back again as far as their opponents’ territory, but the local men, not to be denied, broke away again, until a fine kick by Thomson checked their progress. A fine kick by McKenzie gained more ground, but a moment later a kick by the same player rebounded off a Thames man and the local forwards were quickly on to the ball and rushed it down to the corner, where it went into touch in goal. Thomson’s speed again came to the assistance of his side, and that player kicked well up the field, Philips returning poorly. Auckland wert now in Thames territory, and McPike missed a certain score by knocking on a pass from Gerrard w’hen he had a clear run in. Young had a shot at goal from a free kick in a good position, but failed, and Thames forced. Thames came to the attack again, and their forwards rushing the ball down were nearly over. McKenzie in trying to save was thrown into touch in goal. Auckland were now getting a bit the better of the deal, play being principally confined to neutral territory on Auckland’s side of centre. McPike marked, and Long shot at goal unsuccessfully, Thames forcing. After some moments’ forward play Thomson secured the ball and dashed along the line and passed to McPike, who nearly got over. Thames worked back to centre, and a moment later play was in Auckland’s territory, but Doran dribbled back to centre. Thomson made a strong dash up the line, but was collared, and a Thames attack was stopped in Auckland’s territory by McPike. Some passing between Gerrard, McPike, and Thomson brought play to centre, and Auckland then worked their way into Thames’ quarters. A passing run by the backs was spoilt by McPike failing to take a rather difficult pass. A few minutes later the Auckland forwards, with Long In the lead, rushed the ball over the line, and Long racing for it got there first and scored Auckland’s second try. He took the kick himself, but failed. Thomson returned the kick-off beautifully and MqKenzle potted at goal unsuccessfully, Thames forcing. A minute later play ceased, the scores being: Auckland 8 points, Thames nil.

TARANAKI DEFEATS WELLINGTON. NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday. The interprovincial football match, Wellington v. Taranaki, was played here today before about 2000 people. The ground was in fair order, though slightly greasy, the result of the light rain last night. The teams looked a fairly even lot as they went on the field, and the play showed that there was not a great deal between them. Wellington kicked off, with the sun in their faces. After some good work on both sides Hardgraves and Glasgow carried the ball through the visitors’ ranks, Glasgow scoring a try. Hardgraves failed to kick a goal. (Taranaki 3, Wellington nihl Wellington assumed the aggressive, getting to tho Taranaki 25, where Taranaki were penalised for offside play. It was an easy kick, but Spencer failed. Within a few minutes McIntyre broke away and beat the opposing backs, but met with hard luck, being carried into touch-in-goal. Taranaki was immediately penalised again for taking the ball out of the scrum. Spencer took another shot, but failed with an easy kick. Wellington again attacked, and was awarded a free kick in a good position. Wallace made an unsuccessful kick at goal. From a throw-in O’Dowda and Guy took the play to Wellington territory, when Mclntyre got possession and made a fine run, fending off the threequarters, but Hunter carried him out within a few yards of the goal line. For the rest of tho spell the Taranaki forwards were mostly on the attack, one certain score being lost by passing forward. On resuming Taranaki assumed the aggressive, Johnson stopping a serious rush and Roberts another. For a Wellington man lying on the ball a free kick was given to Taranaki, O’Dowda landing a fine goal from half way. (Taranaki, 6; Wellington nil.) Wellington then grafted their way up the field, ending in Slattery scoring. Spencer failed at goal. (Taranaki. 6; Wellington, 3.) Taranaki pressed Wellington hard for a time, and then the visitors' backs, by a fine passing run. transferred play to home territory, a pass forward spoiling a good chance. Wellington made a final rally and carried the play right under the posts, and almost a sure try was lost through Mclntyre throwing forward. A free kick cleared Taranaki’s line, and the game ended: Taranaki 6, Wellington 3. Mr Tilley (Wanganui) refereed.