All-round Sport

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 211, 9 August 1894, Page 1

All-round Sport

By

Hurdler.

FOOTBALL FIXTURES. August 11—Auckland v. Thames, at Potter’s Auckland v. Waikato, at Hamilton South Canterbury v. Wanganui August 13—South Canterbury v. Manawatu August 18—Auckland v. Hawke’s Bay, at Potter’s South Canterbury v. Wellington August 25 —Auckland v. New South Wales, at < Potter’s August 29 —North Island v. New South Wales, at Auckland : > September I—Aucklandv. Wellington, atPotter’s Taranaki v. New South Wales, at New Plymouth September 3—New South Wales v. Combined teams from Wanganui and Manawatu September s—New South Wales v. Hawke’s Bay September B—Auckland8 —Auckland v. Wairoa, at Wairoa New South Wales v. Wellington September 11 —New South Wales v. South Canterbury, at Timaru September 13 —New South Wales v. Canterbury, at Christchurch

September 15 —New South Wales v. New Zealand, at Christchurch September 19 —New South Wales v. West Coast, at Greymouth September 22 —New South Wales v. Combined team from Nelson and Marlborough, at Nelson September 24 - New South Wales v. Wairarapa, at Masterton

Football.

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH. AUCKLAND V. SOUTH CANTERBURY. A WIN FOR AUCKLAND. The first interprovincial match between Auckland and South Canterbury took place at Epsom on Saturday last, in the presence of nearly 3000 spectators. The weather was even more suitable for football than that of the previous Saturday. The turf was in excellent condition and the afternoon turned out calm and dull, there being no wind or sun to interfere with the play of either team. Headed by Hunter’s Artillery Band, the two teams left town at two o’clock, and play commenced punctually at three o’clock. Mr J. Webster acted as referee. The following were the teams ;—South Canterbury (green and black) : Fullback, T. Simpson 12.4; three-quarters, Alf Boys 10.7, A J. Shallard 11.3, W. Johnston 11.3; halves, Artie Boys 11.0, S. Helean 11.7; forwards, Gardiner 11.8, G. Fox 12.10, C. Hall 12.4. R. Quinn 12.4, Stewart 14.4, Hart 12.3, F. Shalland u. 4, Kerr 12.6, A. Thompson 11.8. Auckland (blue and black): Fullback, R. Masefield 12.0; three-quarters, D. McGill i 0.6, H. Kissling 10.4, F. Rishworth 9.5; halves, W. E. Elliott 12.2, F. Edmonds 10.4; forwards (wings), R. Oliphant 12.0, and T. Mills 10.8, C. Brady 12.0, H. Donald 12.0, R. Hallamore 12.4, C. Marshall 12.8, R. McKenzie 13.0, O. Murphy 13.0, and W. Rhodes 14.3. The Play. The local men winning the toss decided to defend the. eastern goal, and Hart kicked off for the visitors, Elliott sending the leather into touch at the 50 mark. From the throw in, a rush of the Auckland forwards carried the play into the visitors’ 25, where Edmonds, picking up, sent the ball out to Kissling, who was, however, collared before he passed. From a scrum formed here Rishworth got possession of the ball, but he also refused to pass and allowed himself to be collared within a few yards of the line. For offside play by some of the local reps, the visitors were awarded a free kick, and Rhodes marked. His kick was, however, a poor one, the ball going out at the centre. From the throw in, Artie Boys received the ball, and punting high in the air Elliott failed to mark, and the visiting forwards got on a dangerous rush, which was, however, stopped by Masefield. From the scrum which followed Edmonds passed out to Elliott, but the latter fumbled the pass. Mills, however, came to the rescue and carried the ball along at his feet well into the

/ visitors territory. With every facility for , picking up and passing out, Mills sent the ball into touch, and thus lost a great opportunity. Edmonds secured the ball from the throw in and sent it on to Elliott, who again failed to take it cleanly. The green and black forwards were on the ball in a moment, and by a splendid 8 rush, in which Hart, Quinn. Stewart and t Gardiner were all prominent, carried the t play into the Auckland 25, where a hard s kick by Johnston compelled the local t team to force. Murphy kicked out, and j Helean returned to McGill, who got his 1 side into trouble by not claiming a mark. r A good rush of the local forwards headed by Oliphant, soon, however, changed the . scene of action from their own to the visitors’ 25, where Rhodes, picking up smartly, passed to McKenzie, who in turn sent the ball to Oliphant. The latter after » a fine dash succeeded in drawing first 1 blood for Auckland. The kick, which was by no means at any easy angle, was , taken by himself, and amidst great applause the ball sailed fairly between the

posts. Auckland .. . • 5 S. Canterbury .. .. o Gardiner kicked off, and Rishworth returned to Artie Boys, who made a fine screw punt, sending the ball into touch at the centre flag. In the play which followed the throw in, Helean was responsible for a couple of errors which nearly got his side into trouble. The local men here got on some good passing and Murphy immediately afterwards headed a dangerous rush to the visitors 25, but a lucky kick by the fullback caused play to centre for a time. A long kick by Mills caused the visitors to force. Gardiner kicked out, and Canterbury were awarded a free kick for Rishworth holding the ball. An exchange of good kicks between Stewart and McGill gave Brady a chance, but he hesitated, and in another moment the ball was knocked out of his hands by Johnston, who put in some grand play, and by his own efforts took the ball into the local 25, where Masefield kicked into touch. The ball remained for a long time in dangerous proximity to the Auckland goal line, and for off-side play by one of the local men the visitors were awarded a free kick. A. Shallard tried at goal but failed, and Auckland were forced. Murphy kicked out, but the visitors were not to be denied, and again worked the ball to the Auckland line, where, after numerous endeavours to score, any further efforts were for a time put a stop to by Rishworth, who got in a fine kick and transferred the play to midfield, where, by good following up, Murphy prevented a return. A dangerous rush of the visiting forwards was spoiled by someone kicking too hard and enabling McGill to mark. Johnston returned and Stewart and Kerr were immediately afterwards prominent in a rush of the green and black forwards, which transferred play to the Auckland 25. After desperate attempts to score, the S. Canterbury men again compelled our players to force. On the kick out, Shallard failed to take the ball, and Artie Boys coming to his assistance, made a good kick to the centre mark. Masefield got off a high punt which enabled Murphy, by good following, to head a rush into the Canterbury 25, where Oliphant almost scored. A splendid rush of the visitors, in which Stewart, Hart, Gardiner, and Shallard all took part, quickly changed the aspect of affairs, and a score was only prevented by the grand defensive play of Masefield. The green and black forwards, however, continued to drive the ball towards the Auckland line, where it was taken back over the line by Mills, who ran some 20 yards along behind his own goal line, but ultimately kicked into touch near the 25 flag. From jn gdmonds

marked and kicked to midfield, where the local men got on some excellent passing, which nearly ended in McGill scoring. Elliott immediately afterwards got another good opening, but passed recklessly, and Shallard kicked into touch at the 50 mark when the bell sounded halftime. Murphy set the ball in motion for the Auckland team, and Johnston failing to - return, the blue and whites at rushed play into the visitors’ 35, where Murphy was responsible for some fine play. The green and black forwards replied with a spirited rush which took the play to midfield, where Thompson, picking up and making a long kick, compel- 4 led Auckland to force. A long kick by Artie Boys, which followed the kick out,_ again compelled the local Murphy kicked out, and for a MM'. the play centered, but a Artie Boys and a useful dribble again rushed the leather into the locHl||||| where it was not, however, allowed main long owing to the efforts of

more and Brady, who dribbled the leatheinl to midfield. Oliphant, following up well,; here got possession of the ball and crossed the S. Canterbury line after a run ’ of over fifty yards. He took the kick ! himself, but failed to add the extra point. Auckland .. .. 8 S. Canterbury ... .. o The play which followed the kick out again placed Auckland on the defensive, but after considerable amount of loose play, Auckland was awarded a free kick, ' and play was transferred to the centre Gf the field. After a good rush on the part of each vanguard, in which Stewart and Gardiner for the visitors and Oliphant and McKenzie for the local team, were conspicious, Johnson obtained possession of the ball and made a brilliant run to within a few yards of Auckland’s line, where he was grassed by Masefield. Play continued within a yard of the Auckland line, until McGill kicked to the 25 mark, where Kissling running up and securing the ball, made off towards the Canterbury line and then transferred to Murphy, who ran over half the length of the field and touched down between the posts without opposition. Oliphant easily converted. ' ? Auckland .. .. ir v S. Canterbury .. o Following up the kick off the visitors began to make things lively for the local men, and the efforts of Johnston, Stewart and Quinn again took the ball close to the Auckland line, where after some loose play, Hart picked up and forged his way over the Auckland line amidst great applause. A. Boys took the kick but failed. Auckland .. ~11 S. Canterbury .. 3 For the remainder of the game the < visitors had much the best of the actual play, but were never able to register another score owing to want of combination. Time after time their forwards would take the ball into Auckland territory, but some error on the part of their backs would enable our men to get on a rush or passing run. A few minutes before the call of time, the Auckland forwards carried the ball into the South Canterbury 25, where from a scrum formed in front of the visitors goal,Rhodes passed out to Kissling, who having no one to pass crossed the visitors’ line and touched down near the corner flag. Murphy took the kick, and by a splendid effort sent the ball fairly between the posts. A minute later the whistle sounded “no side,” the scores being:— Auckland .. . 16 South Canterbury .. 3 » The defeat of the South Canterbury men by the Nelson team caused our local reps, to go on to the field very pronounced favourites on Saturday, but I

IBventure to assert that were another match HF to be played to-morrow the supporters of F the local team would not be so sanguine of the result as they were on Saturday. There can be no denying the fact that the victory of the Auckland team was to a great extent due to the luck which favoured our players throughout the contest, and this appears to be pretty well recognised by all who witnessed the match. The only try obtained by the local reps, in which there was any degree of merit was the first try obtained by Oliphant. This was the result of fine play on the part of Rhodes, who after dribbling the ball a considerable distance picked up and passed to McKenzie, who sent it on to Oliphant. The latter made a quick dash for the line, and under similar circumstances would have scored against any team. Oliphant’s second try was obtained partly through the opposing backs being out of their places, and partly owing to the great pace of the scorer. I feel thoroughly satisfied that Eno other man in the team, be he back or . forward, could have scored from the B chance which Oliphant got. Rhodes might have possessed the pace, but I think he would have hesitated, and had Oliphant done so I think he would never Mriuxe scored. tries obtained by O. Murphy and Kissling were as simple as ° falling off a log,” and were solely due to the fact that the South Canterbury backs were not in their places. The former got possession of the ball at the 50 mark and was chased the remaining twenty-nine players F until he crossed the line. Kissling scored a pass direct from the the visiting backs making him. to Murphy’s try I think be little or no doubt that Kissoff side when he took the ball it to Murphy. McGill kicked ball from his own corner flag, and running up and securing it, passed to Murphy, who scored. Had been on side when he took the ball, it would have been necessary for him to be behind his own goal line when i McGill kicked. The latter was standing almost on the line when he kicked, and made no attempt to put his men on side. That Kissling was not behind his own -■ line I feel certain, and it was bad luck for the visitors that Mr Webster was in a bad- position to see, for had they been awarded a free kick, it is any odds on that they would have kicked a goal. 80 far as forward play was concerned the visitors had much the best of the game and narrowly escaped' scoring on ' numerous occasions. Their forwards are V a fine fast set and particularly good in the loose open play. Their frequent rushes caused the Auckland backs no end of = trouble, and the result of their efforts certainly deserved a better fate. In the a scrum they invariably pushed the local vanguard. The latter knew more of the -; art of securing the ball, but the visitors prevented them from heeling out in a . clean manner. That at least three of the Auckland ** pack ” forwards could not have been doing their honest work in the scrum was manifest from the ease with which the visiting vanguard pushed our men. ' According to the weights, which appear above, our men are the heavier, and to judge by the appearance of the men on the line but, one would think that our forwards averaged nearly a stone more their opponents. Yet in scrum work Auckland was again beaten, and beaten badly. It is a thousand pities that the selection committee cannot dis who these dishonest players are. Personally I have a strong suspicion that I could name a few of them, but I dislike even making a suggestion, for I know that unless one is actually in the scrum it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty what players are or are not working. Thus much is however certain that the man who works in the scrum and shines in the open must be an ex ceptionally good forward, whilst he who loafs in the pack and does not shine in the open must be an exceptionally bad forward. If we have, therefore, no bad and no exceptionally good forwards in the team, common sense suggests that . the floaters” are to be found in those men who so frequently give exhibitions of brilliant forward play. One honest scrummager is worth half a dozen “shiners,” for without the former the ~ backs will be constantly on the defensive. The defensive back play of the visitors was very weak. It would be impossible .for the three-quarters to have got into more useless positions. The two wing three-quarters were always about fifty yards from each other, and each of them nearly on a line with the wing forwards,

whilst the centre three-quarter was never in a position where he could be of any use. The centre half was the only man between the scrum and the fullback. Had the backs kept in their proper places I think South Canterbury would have won. Of the visitors backs I liked best the play of W. Johnston, whom.l considered head and shoulders above his comrades, and in fact the best threequarter on the field. He possesses a rare turn of pace, which he uses to advantage. Luckily for Auckland, Johnston got few openings, for nn the few occasions on which he did get Tfie ball he made things merry, and got dangerously close to the Auckland line. He has a taking style of play, and I feel satisfied he is a good ’un. Simpson at full did some good work, but is not a reliable man. Alf Boys and A. Shallard were not much use to their side. I have no doubt that each is capable of playing a good game, but on Saturday they were constantly out of their positions and thereby got their team into many difficulties. Of the two half backs, Artie Boys and Helean, the former was the more serviceable. He got in many fine screw punts, and did some good tackling. Helean does not pass as well as he should. I he S. Canterbury vanguard was the team’s strong point. Each of the forwards played well, and but for their efforts, the score os the local team would have been much greater. Stewart I consider the best of the pack forwards, and on Saturday’s form I certainly like his chance of a place in both the Souths Island and New Zealand teams. He was the heaviest and most dashing man in the team, and took part in all the forward rushes. Hart played well and scored cleverly. Gardiner’s wing game was a good performance. He captained the team, and although he appeared to recognise the fault of the backs, he did not show sufficient determination in compelling them to keep their proper places. The remaining forwards all appeared to work honestly, and made no mistakes. Masefield appears to improve upon each preceding game. He has now acquired a better knowledge of full-back play, and uses splendid judgment in his kicking. There is, however, one point to which I would draw his attention, viz., that in the run he makes’before kicking, he tucks the ball under his arm. On one occasion he was called upon to kick quickly and the time he lost in getting the ball to his toe caused him to make his only weak kick during the whole game. I still like Mase’s chance of a place in the North Island team. Of the three-quarters, Kissling was the best. His defence was as strong as usual and he lost no time in getting over the line when he scored. I hope that I will be able to write thus of his play on Saturday next. Rishworth and McGill each shaped as well as I expected, but I consider neither as good a man as Roberts or Breen. It must, however, be remembered that on Saturday the Auckland forwards were beaten, and as a natural result the backs were placed on the defensive. This being so, wing three-quarters are not given a fair chance, for the recommendations of such men to places in the team are, or at least should be, their propensity to score rather than their defensive powers. Elliott again played an indifferent game. He was uuable to take the ball himself, and judging by the manner in which he gave passes he was determined that no one else should take it, for he sent it with almost as much force as a shot out of a gun. In his play during the last four matches no one would recognise the Elliott of last season. Edmonds played his usual hard and plucky game- He does not, however, know enough to captain the team. Oliphant was points ahead of Ike Mills, not because he scored two tries and kicked two goals, but because the latter’s game will not stand the test of analysis. Mills lost a certain try through not picking up the ball and passing when it bounced beautifully from the ground, and offered him every inducement to do so. On another occasion he showed bad form in rushing and taking the ball away from Rhodes, who had taken it along at his toe for 25 yards, and could have continued to dribble it at least another 15 yards before he came to the fullback. Ike generally plays a good game with his head, but on Saturday he was not in his usual form. Oliphant’s feet work and handling of the ball could not have been improved upon. JBteossesses a rare turn of pace,

and knows how jfto use it. He proved a great protectioy to Edmonds, so much so think 3n several occasions he was guilty of obstruction. I would suggest to Bob the necessity of letting his centre half battle for himself on Saturday next. Every referee might not be so lenient as Mr Webster. But, then, Bob’s head is screwed on the right way, and he probably knows when it is safe and unsafe to take a liberty. Murphy proved an acquisition to the forwards. I did not think he was so fast. His goal was the result of a fine kick, and whoever captains the team on Saturday next should rememblft - the fact. Murphy should bo “ all there ” should Auckland get a mark or free kick between the 50 and 25 flags. Rhodes played a clever game and was instrumental in giving Oliphant and Kissling their tries. Very little was seen of Marshall, Hallamore or Brady. Hallamore, I believe, had a bad ankle. McKenzie and Donald were at times conspicuous for clever pieces of play. The Auckland team for Saturday next to play against the Thames is as follows: Full-back, R. Masefield ; three-quarters, T. Roberts, H. Kissling, W. Fitchett; halves, A. Braund, F. Edmonds; forwards, C. Brady, H. Donald, R. G. Hallamore, R. Oliphant, C. Marshall, R. McKenzie, I. Mills, O. Murphy, W. Rhodes. It will be noticed that in the back division several alterations have taken place. Rishworth, McGill and Elliott have disappeared from the team to make room for Roberts, Fitchett and Braund. I am pleased to see that Roberts and Braund are again in the team, and I feel confident that should the forwards do their honest toil on Saturday, these two players will give a good account of themselves. I would prefer, however, to see Braund behind the scrum, for it is his proper position. It was he who first demonstrated to local footballers that in such a position, a clever player could prove of great service to his team, and though he has been imitated by many candidates for the same position, he has so far been equalled by none. It is rarely that a player is taken suddenly from the ranks of the juniors and placed, in the reps. Yet such is Fitchett’s case. The player took part in the Parnell H. — Ponsonby 11. match a few weeks ago, and showed such good form that the Ponsonby boys asked the Union to class Fitchett as a senior. In order to do this the management committee made enquiries concerning his past performances in Dunedin, and were delighted to find that during the last two seasons Fitchett played a brilliant game for a leading Dunedin club, and would in all probability have represented Otago this season. Such a high recommendation combined with the favourable impression caused by his first game in Auckland, has induced the committee to give him a trial on Saturday. I saw Fitchett’s play in the match against Ponsonby 11, and saw him score a clever try. He weighs over 13.0, and possesses rare dash, whilst he also kicks well. If Fitchett passes well, I am sure he will justify his inclusion, for at tackling, kicking and stopping rushes he is “ none too bad.” It will be noticed that the forward team remains unaltered. The following team represents the Auckland Rugby Union in the match against Waikato'on Saturday next: Fullback, Freeman ; three-quarters, McPhail, Warnock, Breen ; halves, Elliott and McDonald; forwards, Clarke, Cole, Heffernan, Hobson, Major, Speight, Stone, Valentine and Williamson. Neither the first nor second Auckland teams has any “soft thing” on for Saturday. I think Waikato will win, whilst the Thamesites will give our reps, a good “ go.” Jim Poland has been given a place in the Wellington rep. team. The members of the South Canterbury team made themselves very popular during their stay in Auckland. NAPIER FOOTBALL. [by wire.] August 7th. The Probable—Possible test match last Saturday resulted in a win for the Probables by 11 points to 5 The play throughout was very uninteresting, the form shown being very poor. Swan scored a try for the Probables, John O’Connell converting, and Laws kicked a goal from a free kick, and also scored a try, which was unconverted. Hqme scored for the Possibles, W. O'Connell converting. Swan, Toohey, Cockroft, Laws and Macfarlane were the best of the

Probables, and for the Possibles, Hume, the twin O’Connells* P. Kelly, and Smiler were the best. Mr F. Logan has chosen the following team to represent Hawke’s Bay in the football match on Wednesday against South Canterbury:—Full-back, J. O’Connell ; three-quarters, Bennett, Laws and Macfarlane ; halves, Caradus and Donnelly ; wings, Swan and Kelly ; forwards, Cockroft, Hiroa, Cheer, Malcolm, Ryan, McDowell and Toohey. Emergencies: three-quarter, Hume ; half, W. O’Con- * nell; wing, Jagg; forwards, Biel and Barnett. This selection is for Wednesday’s match. In the match next Saturday, Gorman will be chosen full-back, and immediately after that game is concluded the full-back for the tour will be chosen.

TARANAKI FOOTBALL.

(from our own correspondent.) July 30th. The victory of the Taranaki team over Auckland was received here on Saturday night with great satisfaction. Although we were sure that our team would defeat the Aucklanders, the most sanguine of the amber and black supporters never thought that they would administer such a crushing defeat on the Northerners as 14 points to nil. The chances of Tukapa annexing the Junior Cup are looking more promising every meet. There is some talk of the Star Seniors taking a trip to Aucklad to meet some of the leading clubs, but the matter has only been suggested, and has not yet taken definite shape. Taranaki and New South Wales meet at New Plymouth on September 1, and Taranaki and Wellington at Hawera on September 4.