FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XII, 19 September 1903, Page 808

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND TEAM ON TOUR. SOU.TILAND WIN BY I) POINTS TOG. INVERCARGILL, September 8. I'of the Auckland v. Southland football match the weather and other conditions were ideal. The home team won by 9 points to (>. There were 5000 spectators, who were, delighted with the match, especially with the visitors’ play, and it was generally conceded they were the best combination seen here. They deserved to win. There was no pointing and wrangling, and the game was very fast. NOTES ON THE GAME. (Special Correspondent.) 'lire contest between the Southland and the Auckland football representatives was well contested. The weather was perfect for football, and there was no wind or sun. The Southland team had the advantage of the first spell both in forward and in back play, their line work being splendid, and their screwing good, but in the second half the Auckland vanguard worked splendidly, obtaining the ball in the serum nearly every time from their opponents, besides showing good play in the open. The crowd, which numbered about 5000, were the most impartial crowd that has been seen on tour, and cheered both teams equally. The utmost good feeling was shown throughout the game. The referee, Air. Wilkinson, of Otago, is the best the team has played with on. tour, and was complimented by both teams after the mat.h. Although Southland defeated Auckland it is the general opinion that they had a very lucky victory, because a few minutes from the end of the game they received a mark, from which they landed a goal, thus snatiching the game out of Hie fire by three points. The Auckland defence ill the first spell was far from sound, the Southland backs beating the Auckland backs by feigning to pass. On the line the teams were evenly matched, Auckland being very clever with their feet, and put in some splendid dribbling rushes. Sutherland played well, his line kicking and fielding being splendid. Of the three-quarters McKenzie was the pick, having a day out, and playing his best game so far on the tour. Harrison was sound, his try being the result of a very pretty run. Asher did not get many chances, and was well watched. Dick McGregor played badly, and hung on to the ball too long trying to beat too many men. Phelan played wing forward in the second spell, and played a good game. King at bait played fairly well) bitt was too slow in getting rid of the ball to his backs. The forwards all played well, especially in the second half, when Tyler and Gallagher beat their opponents for the ball very frequently. McDtiff, Eaton, Lewis and Long were about the best of a good lot. MATCH AGAINST OTAGO. ’ VICTORY T'OR AUCKLAND BY 11 POINTS TO NIL. DUNEDIN. September 12. The interprovincial football match between Auckland and Otago was played on the Caledonian Ground this afternoon, when the Weather was all that could be desired, and the ground was in splendid condition. A great deal of interest was taken in the match, and the attendance numbered close on 10,000. Everything was in favour of a fast and interesting game, but anticipations in this direction were not realised, as the contest was remarkable for ragged rather lhau for

brilliant play. It was well known that Auckland would make a determined effert to win, and though it was expected that the game would be keenly contested tiie substantial victory of the Aucklanders (11 points to nil) was not anticipated. but was well deserved. The visiting forwards were a good deal heavier than their opponents, and had the best of the scrum work, pushing Otago easily, and generally getting possession of the ball. In the loose also they proved superior, their combination being better, though at the beginning of the second spell the Otago vanguard appeared to very good advantage for a while. Owing to the success of Auckland in hooking the ball from the serums, the visiting backs had more opportunities than the home team had. but their passing was not good, McGregor being very weak in taking the ball. Their speed, however, stood them in good stead, and the line kicking was characterised by sound judgment, McKenzie being particularly gcod in this department. The Otago backs had not many opportunities of attacking, and in the second half they were almost continually defending, which they did with a good deal of credit. Their tackling was. however, noticeably weak, almost every man attempting to collar his opponent too high. The first half was very evenly contested, but in the second spell the visitors soon asserted their superiority, and held the blues under control nearly the whole time. With the exception of MeGregor, who was offcolour, all the Auckland backs played well individually, though as a combmation they were not brilliant. Of the forwards Ale-Duff, Lewis, Doran and Nicholson were most conspicuous. The Otago backs did well considering they were playing behind beaten forwards. Of the forwards, the pick were Given, Taylor and Stewart. Mr 11. Galbraith (Invercargill) was refereeNOTES ON THE GAME. DUNEDIN, September 14. The great crowd of 8000 people that witnessed the match on Saturday were disappointed with the display of both teams. The first spell consisted of scrambling forward rushes and line-out play, Otago, if anything, having a slight advantage. In the second spell the Auckland forwards were undoubtedly the better set. Tyler and Gallagher hooked the ball from their opponents, and the weight of the Auckland forwards told as the game proceeded. Their line-out work was splendid, and they broke through the Otago line time and again. The Auckland back play was disappointing, many of the backs holding on too long before transferring, which has

been r. notable feature of the tour. Sutherland, at full, played his usual sound game, but had no -tackling to do. Asher had little or nothing to do, and he hardly received a pass during the whole game. McKenzie, on the wing, kicked well, and found the line well. Harrison. in the centre, played fairly well, but had a tendency to go too far before passing. The same thing applies to Diek McGregor and Phelan. Gerrard, who played scrum half, was new to the position, but played well and stopped in good style. Doran played well on the wing. Of the forwards, it is hard to single out any player, as they played well -to a man. Eaton deserves a word of praise, as lie scored eight points. His goal from the line was a beauty. Lewis, who is playing lock for -the team, deserves mention for the manner in which he keeps his pack together, besides doing good ser- ■ vice in the open. McDtiff and Long were about the best of the paek. The team were entertained at dinner in the evening, and yesterday they went for a drive through the country to Outram, where they dined and returned in the evening. THAMES TEAM ON TOUR. DEFEATED BY TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 10. The football match, Thames v. Taranaki, was played to-day in fine weather, and there was a large attendance. The ground was sodden. The local team was not so strong as when playing against Auckland. The score at half-time was: Taranaki, 6: Thames, nil. In the second spell play was fairly even, the visitors having hard luck once or twice in not scoring, Newland on one occasion kicking the ball against the bar. Towards the end of the. game Thames proved in better condition than the local men, but could not score, though they strained every nerve to do so. At call of time there was no addition to the half-time score, Taranaki winning by six points to nil, and thus being victorious in all matches this season. ; BEATEN BY WANGANUI. WANGANUI, Sept. 12. The Thames-Wanganui football match was played here this afternoon iu the presence of a large crowd, and resulted in a win for 'Wanganui by 11 points to 5, The teams looked fairly even. Thames having the advantage if anything in weight. I’lav throughout was of a brilliant nature, both sides putting in some splendid passing work. Times out of number what looked like certain scores for the Thames were prevented by rhe splendid defensive game of the local team. It was undoubtedly the finest exposition of football witnessed here this season. i- -s SOUTHERN MATCHES. WELLINGTON V. CANTERBURY . CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 12. The interprovincial match, Canterbury v. Wellington, was played at Lancaster Park to-day, in splendid weather and on a good ground. After their win against Auckland last —reek the visitors were favourites. The game was fast throughout and full of incidents. the issue being in doubt right up to the call of time. The visitors had the better of the first spell, but were beaten by rhe good combination of Canterbury in the second spell, and bad to submit to a three points' defeat, the final score being Canterbury 8, Wellington 5.