FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 11, 15 September 1909, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. Auckland v. Taranaki. The return match between Auckland and Taranaki was played at Alexandra Park on Saturday. The weather was splendid for football, there being very little wind, while the ground win fast and dry. The attendance was estimated at about six thousand. Amongst those

present were his Excellency Lord Plum, ket (who was accompanied by his prlvate secretary, Mr. 11. C. Waterfield), and the officers of the warships now in port His Excellency, or arrival, was met by Mr A. E. Devore (president of the A.R.U.). . The ground was in beautiful order with a slight breeze blowing from the western eild. It was ten minutes past three when Gillett led Auckland on to the field, being followed immediately afterwards by Taranaki, who were captained by Mynott. Auckland won the toss, and played with the sun at thefr backs, and a slight breeze in thefr favour. Pini kicked off for Taranaki at 12 minutes past three o’clock, the kick being recalled. Murray fielded the second kick, and found the line at halfway. Auckland secured from the scrum, but no advantage was gained. The visitors were awarded a free kick, and play went to Auckland’s territory, a free kick to the locals, however, regaining lost ground. Play was of a loose character, till Thurston whipped up and sent to Camertn, who kicked high, and Renwick failing to take, matters looked serious for Auckland, but Gillett saved, and the forwards, getting round, rushed play down field, the visitors being hard put to it to avert a score. The yellow and black forwards cleared their line, Crowley heading a forward rush, which took play to half-wiA where, fro ma scrum, Thurston secured, and a passing run, to Mynott, to Dive, to Beamish, saw the latter well stopped by R. Magee. Auckland cleared, ajrd Cameron, failing to field a kick of Wilson’s, play settled at the half-way. The blue and whites gradually worked play back, and the forwards, screwing the scrum, rushed the game on to Taranaki's line, C. Sheahan just saving in the nick of time. Auckland set up a hot attack, O’Leary throwing away a chance by failing to take an easy pass from Magee. Auckland were still attacking hotly, and first Hayward and then Williams made a dash for the line. The defence was solid, and they were unable to get through. Shortly after, Webbe snapped up a clever mark, and O’Leary had a shot at goal, which was rushed down, and the visitors got breathing space. It was only temporary, however, and the blue and whites were soon back, and Wilson streaked for the line, being thrown out near the corner. From the throw-in Gillett secured, and, cross-kick-ing, put rather too much weight into th* effort, and the visitors forced. Auckland were more than holding their own, and the visitors were again put on the defence from a high kick of Wilson’s, which the forwards failed to take the full advantage of, and a chanew was lost, the visitors being forced shortly after from a kiek at goal by Francis, from a mark. The kick was a good one. Auckland returned to the attack, Cameron getting his side out of difficulties, sending play past the centre. A free kick gained the yellow and blocke further ground, which was increased by Mynott with a good kick, finding the line well inside Auckland’s 25. The blue and whites gradually relieved, Williams showing prominently in a loose rush, whiih was spoilt by Sellars getting off-si<b», and Cameron, with a long kick, pit Auckland on the defensive again. It was only temporary, however, as tile home team quickly cleared, Murray and Gillett being prominent. The visitors were eventually forced by a long kick of McGregor's. Returning to the attack, Auckland looked like scoring, but Con. Sheahan stopped their progress. The blue and whites still threatened danger, and Webb cross-kick-ing, Murray threw away a certain score by failing to take cleanly. Auckland were not to be denied, however, and Bob Magee, making a splendid opening, ran to Dixon and then passed to Sellars, who shot across and drew first blood lor Auckland, after twenty-eight minutes’ play O’Leary’s kick was a good, but unsuo cessful one. Auckland 3 Taranaki 0 I’lay went to half-way from the kickout, where some even exchanges were witnessed, till Auckland put Taranaki on the defensive again with a passing run, Webb to Gillett, to Magee, who missed the pass, and Taranaki relieved, but were compelled to force a few moments later from a forward rush, headed by Herring. The visitors worked play to Auckland’s

25, but failed to hold their advantage, and the homesters, with a passing rush, Gillett to Francis, to Hayward, to Williams, to Sellars, put the yellow and blacks again on the defensive, but overeagerness threw away a chance, and Taranaki got relief with a free kick, ’which was well followed up by Beamish and Sheahan, Wilson saving his side with a nice kick. Taranaki, aided by a kick by Dive, took play to the centre, wnere O’Leary sent the ball across to McGregor, and the Auckland three-quarter, out-pacing Beamish and Sheahan, looked like scoring, but unfortunately just went into touch, and a certain try was lost. Cameron was responsible for a couple of clever runs for the visitors, but the relief was only temporary, and Gillett made two splendid openings in succession, but faulty handling by O’Leary nullified his efforts. Auckland, however, was at length rewarded, Gillett making another opening, and shooting out to Murray, the latter dribbled past Beamish and Dixon and scored Auckland’s second try'. O’Leary’s kick failed. Auckland 6 Taranaki „ @ ’’ Auckland returned to the attack from the kick-out, and O’Leary made some amends for his previous mistakes with a tricky run, which threatened the visitors, but the effort was not sustained, and the bell rang for half time with the score unchanged. Francis set the ball rolling in the second half, T. Sheahan being unable to take his place in the Taranaki team, the vacancy being filled, by Swanson. The ball was twice recalled, but eventually from the kick play settled in Taranaki’s twenty-five. The yellow-and-blacks relieved, and C. Sheahan kicked to the centre. Auckland were soon back, Webb finding the line in Taranaki’s twenty-five. The yellow-and-blacks relieved, but the home team was soon back again, Dixon saving, and Taranaki rushed play over Auckland’s line,, where Wilson foolishly tried to run out instead of forcing, his pass to McGregor being forward, and pli(y settled on Auckland’s line. The blue-and-■whites broke away from the scrum, Gillett and Wilson, by combined play, taking the leather down the field. Taranaki retaliated with a passing run, Mynott to Dive, whose pass to Cameron was faulty, and a chance was lost. The yellow-and-blacks were still attacking, and Auckland were compelled to force. The visitors were making great efforts to score, McGregor giving his side relief; but Taranaki were soon back again. C. Sheahan made a dash for the line, and although he got over Renwick just succeeded in forcing him into touch a few yards from the line, the Auckland full back getting a nasty knock, and play was stopped for some time. Renwick had to be carried from the field, his place being taken by Miller. On resuming, Taranaki again attacked, and Mynott, working the blind side, passed to Sheahan, who was thrown into touch in goal. Play was stopped for another few minutes, Francis getting a knock which incapacitated him for a few moments. Taranaki were keeping play in Auckland’s 25, hut were unable to break through. A free kick relieved Auckland, and Gillett kicking high, Dive secured, and running round the Auckland forwards, sent to Cameron, whose kick was weak, play settling in the centre. The visitors secured on the line out, but their passing run was straight across the field, and availed them nothing. Another passing run, Mynott, to Beamish to Cameron, saw the latter make a very feeble attempt to get through, and Wilson gave his side relief, and the forwards chipping in, carried play to Taranaki’s 25, where Francis claimed a mark, which was not allowed, and Dixon kicked into touch near the 25. From the line out Herring secured, and sent to Hayward, who shot over the line with Tamu hanging on to him. Magee failed to convert. Auckland 9 Taranaki nil 'Auckland returned to the attack, and Waddell got over, but lost the ball, and Taranaki forced. Loose play followed the kick out, the visitors taking the leather to Auckland’s line, but the homesters were soon back, Gillett putting the yellow and blacks on the defence with a long kick. From the ensuing scrum, Gillett again secured, and sent to O’Leary, to Wilson, who, when tackled by Cameron, sent it back to O’Leary, the latter ■coring. Gillett failed with the kick. Auckland 12 Taranaki , nil

Auckland were now playing a winning game, and some excitement was caused by a passing run, in which half a dozen of the Auckland forwards took part. A free kick was awarded the home team, and Gillett, kicking high, followed up fast, taking the ball from Dixon past infield, and after it had gone through half a dozen hands, O'Leary secured, and shot across to Murray, who failed to take, but McGregor whipped in, secured, and with a brilliant run scored. Wilson failed to convert. Auckland 15 Taranaki „ 0 The game was now very fast, and Mynott started a passing rush, Cameron secured, and badly beating Wilson, Murray, and Miller, scored clone to the posts, amidst very considerable applause. Dive converted. Auckland . 15 Taranaki 5 Taranaki were put on the defensive again soon after the kick off by a long kick of Murray’s. Fast and exciting exchanges now resulted, Auckland just missing scoring, and play ended at the centre. The home team was still keeping. up a hot attack, Dixon saving cleverly, and the visitors shifted the scene of play down field, where Cameron made another electric flash, Wilson retaliating for Auckland. The blue and whites had the visitors again defending, and Murray potting at goal, just missed, but McGregor following up fast, beat Sheahan and Beamish, who held him, but the Auckland three-quarter broke clear, and racing for the line, scored Auckland’s sixth try. O’Leary failed at goal. Auckland 18 Taranaki 5 The bell rang shortly after with the score unaltered. Inter-Varsity Match. The second test football match between the Sydney University and a New Zealand University team was played at Wellington on Saturday, the New Zealanders winning by 17 points to 14. Otago v. Wellington. The interprovincial fixture between Otago and Wellington was played at Dunedin on Saturday, the Northerners winning by 13 points to 3. The Australian Game. The first representative match between Auckland and Canterbury (Australian rules) -was played at Christchurch on Saturday, Auckland winning by 7 goals and 8 behinds (50 points) to 5 goals and 17 behinds (47 points). Manawatu Beats Wairarapa. In fine weather and on a good ground, Manawatu proved much too good for Wairarapa, which did not play up to its oldtime reputation. Owing to a misunderstanding on the part of two forwards, who thought the game started at three instead of 2.30, Manawatu played the first 15 minutes two short. Ford and Buchanan scored tries for Manawatu in the first spell. In the second spell M. Carroll scored a try, which Buchanan converted, and C. Carroll also scored. Then McKenzie scored for the Wairarapa, Ball converting. The game ended: Manawatu 14, Wairarapa 5. Wanganui v. Taranaki Maoris. In a Rugby match between Wanganui and the Taranaki Maori representatives, played here on Saturday afternoon, the visitors won by 20 points to nil. Napier Matches. A match between the Hastings Rovers and Ahurirl to-day for the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union's championship challenge shield ended in a draw, each side scoring six points. Wallabies Beat Kangaroos. The Wallabies beat the Kangaroos by 15 points to 6 on Saturday. The Wallabies played a brilliant game, completely outclassing their opponents.