Athletics, Etc:

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 59, 10 September 1891, Page 8

Athletics, Etc:

FOOTBALL.

FIXTURES. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Sept. 11 —Auckland v. Taranaki, at Hawera 12—Auckland 2nd fifteen v. Tauranga, at Tauranga. 12—Otago v. Canterbury. 12 —Auckland v. Taranaki, at New Plymouth. 12 —Waikato v. Auckland 111., at Potter’s Oct. 10 —Wellington v. Auckland, at Potter’s Paddock—(Association game.)

The Auckland-Wanganui match resulted in a victory for the former by 22 points to nil. Some of the members of the Wellington representative team would appear to have been misbehaving themselves is some way during their recent trip down South, and they are to be called to account by the managing committee of the Wellington Rugby Union. General regret is expressed that Alf Tanfield was unable to get the necessary leave of absence to go with the reps. Mr. Herrold filled the vacancy. The Waikato footballers hit upon a happy time to be fully assured that they would meet a fairly representative third Auckland team on the 12th inst., for on that day our first-class team of reps, will be playing at New Plymouth and the second at Tauranga. Our country friends will, we predict, find foemen worthy of their steel all the same, - and we may expect a very good game.

AUCKLAND v. THAMES.

The match which has excited the greatest interest at the Thames in the history of football, is that which took place at the Thames on Saturday sth inst. between Auckland and Thames. In honour of the occasion, a half holiday was declared by His Worship the Mayor. The day was beautifully fine, and fully 1,500 people assembled. The teams were driven out to the ground at Parawai, headed by the Thames Nival Artillery Band. The following were the positions taken up *in the field :—Thames : fullback, A. Kenrick; three-quarters, W. Moore, J. McGregor, W. McGregor; halves, R. Stewart, F. Ladner, W. Johnston ; forwards, J. Laing, A. Billings (wings), J. O’Sullivan, E. Twohill, D. Stewart, H. Brownlee, W. Smith, H. Boyle. Auckland —fullback, H. G. Kissling; three-quarters, R. Masefield, F. Gaudin (centre), F. Jervis; halves, W. Elliott, A. Braund (centre), M. Herrold ; forwards, H. Poland, A. Smith, R. McKenzie, I. Mills, R. Bruce, C. Penalligan, C. Stone, R. Caulton. Penalligan kicked off for Auckland, and Kenwick returned, when Elliott got a mark and sent the oval out in the Thames quarter. A lot of loose work followed, and the ball went into touch. Mills breaking through on the line out and Jervis passed to Braund, who punted into touch again. O’Sullivan, Smith and Laing coming away with a rush for the Thames, W. McGregor eventually punting it out after several rushes had occured. Braund marked from a throw in and Penalligan had a shot at goal, making a beautiful attempt, but failed. A lot of loose give and take play followed, Laing, Billings, Smith and Brownlee showing prominently for the diggers; Stone, Bruce, Mills, and A. Smith doing likewise for Auckland. Masefield punted to J. McGregor, who marked and returned to Braund, who passed to Jervis, and by a quick dodgy run he passed all the Thames backs and scored amidst great applause from the spectators. Penalligan was alloted the place, and by a really magnificent kick, landed an unmistakeable goal, for which he also was awarded great applause. Auckland 3, Thames o. D. Stewart kicked out, Gaudin returning. Rushes of the local team came thick and fast, and W. McGregor intercepted a pass from Braund, and ran up the touch line, being knocked out, Some good passing by the visitors ended in Masefield getting a shot at goal, which was saved by W. McGregon Jervis, Elliott and Gaudin did some splendid passing, which W. Smith, Stewart and Billings neutralised for the Thamesites by a good rush,

Braund relieving with a screw punt. A. lot of even play followed until the Thames forwards, headed by Billings and Twohill rushed over the line, but only a force resulted. After the kick out, some exciting play followed, Masefield and Elliott being conspicuous, the latter getting well into his opponents 25 passed to A. Smith, who sent it out smartly to Mills, who took the pass neatly and succeeded in crossing the line. Penalligan converted again. Auckland 6, Thames o. The play from this to the end of the first spell was in the centre, and very even. SECOND SPELL. On resuming Stewart kicked off for Thames, Elliott returning to touch after a scrum which the Aucklanders carried. D. Stewart made a fine run up to the goal line before being collared by Masefield and thrown out. After the thrown in the visitors indulged in some passing, but for a considerable time the Thames forwards held the advantage of the game. By fast following up, Smith, McKenzie and Stone spoiled the return of the Thames fullback, and another score was looked for, but Laing by splendid line play saved his side, and the ball was carried to the centre flag. A splendid dodgy run by Mills took him right through, and he scored his second try, for which he received a round of applause. Penalligan made a third attempt, and was again successful —Auckland 9, Thames o. From this out the Thames appeared to get demoralised, the visitors having the best of it in all departments of the game. Masefield and Bruce each secured tries, but although Penalligan went near each from a very difficult angle, he was unsuccessful, his fine place kicking being the feature of the match. The game ended Auckland 11 points, Thames nil. The Auckland team, who returned early on Sunday morning, speak in high terms of praise of the way they were received at Quartzopolis. The team left for the South on Monday morning. In addition to the fifteen who played against Thames, A. I'anfield (who got leave at the last moment) T. Roberts and F. Murray have joined the team. Mr. Geo, Dixon, the popular secretary of the Rugby Union, accompanied the team as manager, and he in conjunction with A. B. Braund (captain) and H. Poland will select a team for each match. The Selection Committee —Messrs. Arneil, Wells and Henderson—have chosen the following teams for next Saturday: Second fifteen to play at Tauranga —Full: Stichbury ; threequarters : Cole, Hill, Peace; halves: Rhodes, Pearce, Brady; forward : Marshall, J. Poland, Loomb, Cautley, Gordon, Airey, Williamson, Williams. Third fifteen to play at Epsom against the Waikato team — Full: Walton ; three-quarters: Breen, McConnnell, Otway; halves: Stephenson, Davidson, Rees; forwards: Harvey, Meilis, Leathert, Beamish, Andrews, Speight, Smart, Wright.

SENIOR FOOTBALL.

[by POSTER. I

A moderate attendance only witnessed the practice match between the second and third fifteens at Potter’s on Saturday. Barring a little too much sun, better football weather could scarcely be wished for. Strengthened by the first rep. substitutes —Roberts and F. Murray —the Third fifteen had a trifle the better of an even contest, which ended in a tie, each side scoring 7 points, but while the Third fifteen secured five tries, only one was converted ; the Second gained but three tries, placing goals from two. With better place kicking the Third fifteen must have won easily. There was hardly a breath of wind, and Seconds kicked off against sun at 3.20. Play was mainly in Thirds’ 25, until Cole got in from a forward rush, and Peace placed a goal from the try at a moderate angle. Score —Seconds 3, Thirds o, at 3.25. A long even struggle followed, including give and take work in all departments, the Thirds’ forwards appearing to the best advantage, until 3.50, when Smart, from a forward rush secured a try, which Murray failed to improve. Score —Seconds, 3, Thirds, 1. Immediately after, Williamson made a good run from which a try resulted, scored by McConnell, but Murray failed with the place. Score —Seconds 3, Thirds 2, at 3.52. No further points were added during the spell, although Loomb on one occasion would have scored but for an un-

fortunate slip, and Roberts almost got a try on the goal line, but Rhodes and Stichbury hauled him into play. Stichbury played a fine game at full, and Walton was also very good. In •the second spell Gordon kicked off for Thirds at and for a quarter of an hour a determined battle raged with varying fortunes, until Wright, after a neat run, passed to Smart, the latter transferring to F. Murray, who scored. Roberts took the place, but the angle was extremely oblique, and no goal resulted. Score —3 everybody at 4.30- Eight minutes after, Roberts, after a grand run, scored, Peace collaring well, but just too late. Murray, at a difficult angle placed a splendid goal. Score—Thirds 6, Seconds 3, 4-3^ - Three minutes later, Murray after a fine dribble picked up and scored, and made a good attempt from about the same angle. Score —Thirds 7, Seconds 3, at 4.41. A lot of loose forward work, and some passing among the backs, with rushes and counter rushes followed for some minutes, Loomband Cole especially shining, while F. Murray was playing grandly for Thirds. At last Brady after a good run passed to Cole, who got in. Peace took the place, but the ball rolled, and no goal resulted. Score—Thirds 7, Seconds 4, at 4.45. Rhodes next, with the best run of the match, from about midfield got round or fended every opponent and touched down behind the posts. Peace easily converted, and brought the score to 7 all at 4.58. A brilliant dribble by Airey and Brady was the most remarkable feat during the remainder of the spell, and the whistle blew with the scores unchanged. In addition to those mentioned already, Davidson, Rees, Hales, Andrews, Leathart, Williams, and Meilis played very good games. Auckland may justly feel proud in being able to put three fairly good Representative teams into the .field on the same day. The personel is No. 1, (Taranaki)— Kissling, Jervis, Masefield, Gaudin, Elliott, Braund, Herrold, Tanfield, Roberts, H. Poland, Smith, Mills, Bruce, McKenzie, Stone, Caulton, Penalligan, F. Murray. The pick of the above should make a fine team. Some critics object to the presence of too many of the wing and open class among the-forwards, but I venture to hope with such good backs, if the game is made a loose and open one, our men will give a very good account of themselves at Wanganui and Taranaki. “ Heel out and break up the scrums ” should be their watch-words. Want of practice and combination however may bring them to grief. The Second 15 (Tauranga)— Stichbury, Cole, Hill, Peace, Rhodes, Pearce, Brady, Marshall, J. Poland, Loomb, Cantley, Gaudin, Airey, Williamson, Williams. This is a good team, especially in the forward department. Third 15 (Waikato)—Walton, Breen, McConnell, Otway, Stephenson, Davidson, Rees, Harvey, Meilis, Leathart, Beamish, Andrews, Speight, Smart, Wright. The backs in this team are better than the forwards, and indeed nearly as good as the second 15 backs. It is to be regretted that the Waikato team which visits us next Saturday is not a representative one, but merely a Hamilton team —the fine Huntly club being unrepresented. However, if they manage to beat our Third 15, more honour to their pluck. Still, I specially regret the absence of that brilliant back —Lou Harris. The result of the match—Auckland v. Thames —was of course not unexpected. A victory by 11 points to nil is the least our men could achieve if they are to conquer Wanganui and Taranaki. However, a spectator, upon whose judgment I place reliance, tells me that had it been necessary, Auckland could have scored about 20. Penalligan’s fine place-kicking quite justifies his inclusion in the team, and I trust that he will be played in the two more important matches. Jervis appears to have played up to his old form, and Gaudin proved himself quite worthy of his place. Stone, Mills, Smith, Bruce, and McKenzie appear to have been the best of the forwards, but all seem to have played extremely well. The Thames men played a good gallant, if a trifle rough game. The brothers McGregor shone brilliantly but W. had the misfortune to sprain his ancle severely. Moore, the other three-quarter also played well, and Ladner was the best of the halves. Stewart, Brownlee, Billings, Laing, and Smith all did Yeoman service among the forwards, but the first named was especially brilliant. Mr. W. Meldrum made an impartial

and capable referee, and Messrs. Orlando Wells and J. Morgan carried the umpire’s flags. Albie Braund and D. Stewart captained their respective sides.

Howie and Pickering have been matched for 125 yards, the match to take place in 4 weeks time. Howie is to concede Pickering 2 yards, the first deposit was put up on Saturday