FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 108, 18 August 1892, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

[by

POSTER.]

Saturday proved an ideal day for spectators and players alike. Splendid weather, a moderate sou-westerly breeze, and a dry ground attracted a large crowd to witness the match between Auckland and Tauranga. The exhibition of football was from a scientific point of view not of a very high order, but the game was fast throughout, and frequent scores by both sides kept up the excitement. At Hamilton a second Auckland fifteen was doing simultaneous battle with Wai-

gained some- useful knowledge with reference to The players available for inter-provincial selection, and it cannot be denied that there are men in each of the above teams whose claims for rep. honours deserve more than a passing consideration. For example, in the Tauranga match, Rawiri’s forward play was brilliant and effective to a degree which won universal admiration. In the Waikato match Gillett, too, and Sampson, proved themselves a splendid pair of forwards, and in the Thames team several forwards and backs showed grand form. In selecting our team against Canterbury it would be wise to remember such men, to ascertain how many of them could play if chosen, to give those available a trial, and so pick a team truly representative of Auckland provincial strength. Other provinces do not limit their selections to the large cities, but go further afield and take a good man when and wherever they can secure him.

Since the Taranaki match “ Poster ” has been pondering over a new rule which he ventures to suggest for the consideration of the Rugby Union. Cricketers have a rule enabling either side to call for a new bail. Why should not footballers adopt a similar one ? Take the case of a wet day, with a strong wind blowing from goal to goal. The side playing with the wind during the first spell has the advantage of a comI paratively light ball. The wind assists the attack and paralyses the defence. As the game proceeds the ball absorbs water and collects mud (half a pint of water weighs half a pound). When sides are changed after the spell the conditions are seriously altered for both attack and defence. The ball, quite doubled in weight, travels much more slowly with the wind, and much better against it. The defending side can kick and dribble with power and effect, while the attacking side, although still having a strong wind in their favour, do not enjoy the same overwhelming advantage which their more fortunate rivals held during the first spell. Surely the addition of the following to the Rugby rules could do no harm, and would as far as possible equalise the conditions under such circumstances : At the commencement of the second spell either side may call for a new ball.” Auckland v. Tauranga. The teams appeared on the field at 3.6 p.m., and after mutual cheers took their positions, Auckland winning the toss, and having the advantage of wind and sun bedind their backs. At 3.8 Warbrick kicked off, but the ball was called back for off-side, and a scrum formed. The ball was out at centre, and Auckland presently had a free kick Rushes and counter-rushes followed. Duncan made a good run and pass, but a miss-kick by Burt enabled Cole to get in easily. Penalligan took the place at an acute angle, and went near, but did not convert. Auckland 2; Tauranga o at 3.15. After the kick out play continued in Tauranga 25, and Jervis nearly scored after a fine run, but Warbrick tackled well, and Tauranga were presently forced. Braund secured a mark, and Auckland had a free-kick, from which Penalligan nearly placed a goal, and Tauranga forced. After the kick out Auckland worked up to Tauranga 25, Murray, Masefield and Peace doing good work. Tauranga responded with a good dribbling rush, in which Rawiri, Swainson and Darragh were prominent. Masefield replied with a fine run and pass to Mills, but a throw on caused a scrum on Tauranga side of centre. Auckland had a free kick, and fast play followed, Masefield, Jervis, Peace, Duncan, Burt, Rawiri, Elliott, and Clarke doing brilliant work for their respective sides. After a fine run by Duncan, and a good collar by Taylor, a great Auckland rush, with Murray at the head, followed by a smart kick by Peace and a grand run by Elliott, brought play near Tauranga goal, where Burt got his arm hurt, but soon recovered, and continued to play a fine game. A good run by Duncan relieved the pressure, but Auckland came again, Ronayne and Peace playing well, and the latter forcing Tauranga with a good kick. Clarke headed a fine rush to Auckland side of centre, and another rush took play into Auckland 25. Penalligan here received a nasty kick on the knee, and had to retire. A lot of marks and exchanges followed, and play continued in Auckland 25, Tauranga threatening a score. S. Tanner, with a good pot, nearly

--x W run Auckland nearly scored, but Tauranga forced. After some play in Tauranga 25, rushes and counter-rushes left the ball near Tauranga 25. Braund passed to Peace, who transferred to Jervis, the latter getting in, but the score, was disallowed as Ellliott got in the way of would-be collarers. Shortly after a free kick was awarded to Auckland for Duncan holding the ball, and Jervis placed a fine goal from it. Auckland 5 ; Tauranga o, at 3.4.5. Four minutes later MacMillan scored a try, which Jervis failed to convert, and the spell ended with the score —Auckland 7 ; Tauranga o.

SECOND SPELL. Murray" kicked off at 4.10, and this spell was remarkable for quick and alternate scoring by both sides. After a lot of ding-dong work, Elliott ran and passed to Jervis and the latter got in. Murray did not increase. Auckland 9, Tauranga o, at 4.27. Shortly afterwards Cole ran and passed to Elliott, who scored, but Jervis did not convert. Auckland 11, Tauranga o, at 4.30. Tauranga now rallied, and after a fine dribbling rush H. Tanner scored and Burt placed a neat goal. Auckland 11, Tauranga 5, at 4.35. Auckland retaliated presently, Elliott with a magnificent dribble scoring in a fine position and Jervis converting. Auckland 16, Tauranga 5, at 4.39. lauranga’s turn came about eight minutes later, Burt potting a clever goal from a pass by Warbrick. Auckland 16, Taurauga 9, at 4.47. Soon after Auckland came with a rush and Masefield scored, Jervis placing a fine goal from a rather / difficult angle. Auckland 21, Tauranga 9, / at 4.48. Tauranga replied soon after . with a goal from a free kick placed by; Burt. Auckland 21, Tauranga 12, at 4.50. A great Auckland dribble resulte/d in Mills scoring, but Jervis did not Increase. Auckland 23, Tauranga 12, at 4.51. After some give and take work Ronayne ran well and passed to Elliott,’* who got in, scoring Auckland’s last try, which Jervis converted, raising the total to Auckland 28, Tauranga 12, at and the spell ended with the scores unchanged. A most enjoyable smoke concert took place in the evening at the British Hotel. The fun did not falter for a moment, and Mr. Duncan and others won musical as well as football glory. Quite a feature of the evening was a splendid haka, sung and acted by the Maori members of the Tauranga team. Mr. Fred Edwards made an excellent chairman, and a delightful evening was spent.

Wellington v. Canterbury.

The following team has been selected to play on behalf of Wellington against the Canterbury representative team:—Fullback, Davidson; three-quarters, Ellison, Gage, Baker; halves, Puddey, Wynyard ; forwards, Stuart, White, Lee, Oliphant, Cockcroft, McLean, Milne, J. Campbell. Bishop. . Baumte; forwards, Forsythe, Pringle. Of these, eight represent Poneke; three the A thletics ; two, Petone ; and two the Wellington Club.

CANTERBURY V. AUCKLAND.

(from our own correspondent.) Christchurch, August 15, The following team has been selected by the Canterbury Rugby Union to make the trip north, on behalf of that province:— Fullback, F. Hobbs; threequarter backs, Mendelsohn, Lang, Balch ; half-backs, Forbes, and Price ; forwards, L. Ebert, Stokes, Childs, A. Ebert, Evans, Humphreys, Samuels, McKendry, and Johnstone. Emergencies : backs, A. Hobbs, and Whiltee; forwards Haskins, Forrest, and Garrard. The team chosen to represent Canter- -■ bury gives general satisfaction in football circles here, but in some quarters it is fancied that Matheson (Merivale) should have been included. He was absent from the Trial Match on Saturday and gave a lame excuse for his absence, so the Selection Committee left him out. The Committee appear to have heavy men, and probably the style play adopted will be forward, relying on their backs. F. playing in grand form this the wing three-quarters Lang is both dodgy and not pass enough. The improved men, rushes well. play on the The others but not

combination I am of opinion that they would prove a strong one, but even now they should make the best of the Northern teams play their hardest to win. The Canterbury Rugby Union’s committee, at a meeting held on the 9th inst., decided to appoint the captain and two members of the team that are being sent to the North Island a committee of management for such team, it being considered undesirable to send a special manager with the team.

AUCKLAND v. WAIKATO. (from our own correspondent.) The match between teams representing Auckland and Waikato was played on Sydney Square, Hamilton on Saturday. The weather was fine and there were about 500 people present. Mr. R. J. Gwynne acted as referee, and Messrs. Speight and C. Bowden as line umpires. The teams were as under :— Auckland (blue and white) : Bullback, H. G. Kissling; three-quarters, H. Branson, 0. Riley, A. Tanfield ; halves, T. Whiteside, E. Edmonds, F. Brady; forwards, C. Stone (captain), H. Dacre, W. Geard, J. Spraggon, R. Green, C. Speight, R. S. Caulton, J. Walker. Waikato (maroon and blue): Fullback, L. Bull; three-quarters, C. Kusabs. W. Hammond, C. Lovell; halves, T. Connolly (captain), J. H. Hume, F. — Bowden ; forwards, J. Samson, J. Bailey, J. Montgomery, J. Gillett, A. Peacock, E. H. Aubin, W. Macky, W. R. C. Walker. The average weight of the Auckland men was list 61b, and of the Waikato men list Stone kicked off for the visitors, and play was soon in Auckland 25, but Kissling returned smartly. A rush on the part of the Auckland forwards soon transferred play to Waikato quarters, whence Hume and Bowden took the ball back to centre. Connolly soon made a brilliant run, but was brought down in the Auckland’s 25, and from a free kick Hammond had a pot at Auckland’s goal, but without success. Auckland forwards then took the ball back to Waikato’s 25, where Branson got hold of it, and narrowly missed potting a goal. Soon after the kick-out Riley got over the line, and drew first blood for the visitors. Stone failed to convei-t the try, and the score thus stood—Auckland 2, Waikato nil. From the kick-off Branson returned to Singer, but he held it too long, and Auckland were awarded a free kick, which Stone converted, and the score then stood —Auckland 5 ; Waikato 0. This was still the state of affairs at the end of the first spell. Soon after commencing the second spell, Green got a try for Auckland, but Stone failed to convert. Score: Auckland 7, Waikato 0. Edmonds soon afterwards made a pot at goal and Caulton secured a try between the posts by a bit of smart play. Stone kicked a goal, which brought Auckland’s score up to 12. When the leather was again kicked off the Waikato. -4urwSraS ffffii&e a and took the ball over the Auckland line, where Giliet and Aubin secured first try for Waikato Hammond kicked a goal, making Waikato 5 to Auckland’s 12. The Waikato men, encouraged by this success, played up well and Hammond had an unsuccessful try at goal from a penalty kick. Waikato forwards kept matters going in fine style and soon got the leather over the line and Gillett scored a try, which Hammond changed into a goal. Score : Auckland 12, Waikato 10. In the few minutes remaining play there was no alteration, the game thus ending as above. The visitors were entertained at a concert in the evening. ||!|B (from our own correspondent.) New Plymouth, August 12. Yesterday the Star 11. and Tukapa teams played a return match on the racecourse. In the first spell Nich scored a try for Stars, and Way kicked a goal from it. In the second spell Duffin scored another try for the Stars, but the kick at goal was abortive. The Tupakas then woke up and put two tries to their'eredit, D. Crozier and H. George being the scorers, but the shots at goal were abortive. Stars thus won by 7 points (goal from a try and a try) to 4 points (two tries) There was a great deal of unnecessarily rough play among the forwards, and I think the referee would have been quite justified in reprimanding a couple of the players. On Thursdsy next the first fifteens of the Star and New Plymouth Clubs meet in deadly strife. The game is causing considerable interest, the former being odds-on favorites.

(from our own correspondent.) Taranaki, August 9. The result of the rep. match between Auckland and Taranaki was received here, on Saturday evening, with feelings of regret. That our boys were able to get two tries and were unable to convert one, was considered hard luck indeed. I don’t want to blame Bayly, the captain, or cast any slight upon Lusk, but I am of opinion that the second kick at goal should not have been entrusted to the latter, as he appeared to be “ off” in his kicking. This was amply demonstrated in the match against Manawatu. There were plenty of good kicks in the team, and as so much depended on obtaining a goal from a try. I think fresh talent should have been used for the second shot, after Lusk missed the first chance.

The result was considered unsatisfactory by the supporters of the amber and black in this town, and the general opinion was that it would have been preferable that the team had lost by jo points to nil than that they should prove the better team and then lose the game by a measly bit of luck. The Taranaki team returned home this morning. They all speak in terms of praise about the handsome way the Aucklanders and Thamesites treated them.

Our boys will meet the Canterbury reps, at the end of the month, and the Wanganui reps, about the same time. They ought to win both matches. FThe above had to be held over owing to pressure on our space last week.—Ed. Sporting Review.]

The committee of the Otago Rugby Union have suspended a couple of players belonging to the Alexandra and Clyde Clubs respectively, pending further consideration, for fighting during the progress of a match between the clubs named.