Football.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 215, 6 September 1894, Page 2

Football.

INTERPROVINCIAL CONTEST. WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND. DEFEAT OF THE LOCAL TEAM. The sixth contest between the above teams, which has for many weeks been the all absorbing topic in football circles, was played on Saturday last at Potter’s. From the previous Thursday the weather had been most unfavourable, and until within a few hours of the match the rain was almost continuous. Although it w r as known that the ground would be in a sloppy condition and absolutely unfit for play, the appearance of the sun’s rays about 2 o’clock on Saturday raised the hopes of the competing teams, and induced about 2000 of the usual visitors at Epsom to wend their way thither. The change in the weather was, however, not destined to continue, for a quarter of an hour later the rain came down in torrents, and made the journey to Potter’s anything but enjoyable. The game, which resulted in a win for the visitors by 13 points to nil, was played under the most unfavourable circumstances, the spectators themselves appearing almost indifferent concerning the result of the contest. In the first spell the local men kicked with a strong wind in their favour, and, although they had considerably the best of the play, they were, nevertheless, unable to score, the spell ending without any points to the credit of either team. In the second spell the visitors succeeded in crossing the Auckland line on three occasions, tries being obtained bv Bennet, Kelly and W. Wynward. Campbell by fine place-kicking converted two of the tries. Mr C. Caradus performed the duties of referee, and Messrs Davey and Keefe acted in the capacities of line umpires. Hunter’s Artillery Band was in attendance and gave several choice selections of music. The following are the teams :— Wellington (black) —Full-back, Davidson 11.0; three-quarters, D. Gage 11.8, W. Wynyard 11.10, Duncan 12.0; halves, Bennet 11.9, Pudney 10.7; wing forwards. McKenzie 13.6, Kelly 11.10; pack forwards, J. Poland 13.8, Swindley 12.8, Campbell 12.10, Bishop 14.0, Young 13.7, Pringle 12.4, Maber 11.12. Auckland (blue and white) —Full-back, R. Masefield 12.0; three-quarters, W. R. Fitchett 12.6, F. Edmonds 10.4, J. Breen 11.2 ; halves, W. Elliott 12.4, A. Braund 10.7 ; wing forwards, R. Oliphant 12.2, W. Rhodes 14.0; pack forwards, C. Stone 13.7, J. Brady 12.0,0. Murphy 13.0, T. Clarkin 13.12, A. Haua 12.8, R. McKenzie 12.10, H. Donald 12.0. The Play. Campbell kicked off for Wellington, but the ball was brought back owing to some of the players being in front of the ball, and a scrum was formed at midfield. A splendid rush of the black forwards, headed by Kelly and McKenzie, carried play to the local territory, where for Masefield lying on the ball the visitors were awarded a free kick. Campbell had a place kick at goal, but no score resulted and a scrum was formed near the Auckland line. The local players had the best of the pack, and got on a determined rush. Mainly through the efforts of Oliphant the leather was sent into touch at the 50 mark. From the throw in Pringle secured the oval and passed to Pudney, who after going a little distance transferred to Duncan, who was collared by Edmonds. From the scrum which followed, the ball was sent to Edmonds, who after running a few yards, kicked well down the field to Davidson, who made a poor return into touch near his own goal line. Elliott threw in quickly to Stone, who amidst applause from the spectators, forced his way across and grounded the ball behind the Wellington line. For some reason the try was, however, disallowed, and a scrum took place five yards from the visitors’ line. From this, Bennett got on a good dribble which

carried play to midfield, but a long punt by Edmonds sent the oval into touch in the Wellington 25. From the throw in a scrum was formed, from which the blacks forwards got on another rush, which was, however, well stopped at midfield by Breen, who punted to Davidson, the latter after a good run, sending the ball into touch at the 50 flag. From the thrown in a combined rush of the local vanguard, in which Stone, McKenzie, and Murphy were prominent, carried play to the blacks’ 25, where Edmonds obtained a mark and punted to Duncan, who returned into touch. After several scrums and lines out, McKenzie (Wellington) gained ground by a clever piece of dribbling, and by the aid of a mark obtained by Poland, the leather was sent into touch at the 50 flag. The throw in resulted in a good run by Wynyard, who passed to Gage, but the latter was well tackled by Rhodes. From the scrum which followed, McKenzie and Pringle got on another rush, and being well supported by the rest of the Wellington vanguard, play was carried well into the Auckland 25, where Masefield knocked on. After several more scrums and some loose open play, in which the blue and whites appeared to have the advantage, Bennett made a strong dash for the Auckland line, but was collared by Braund, and Fitchett, picking up the ball, made a long kick to the visitors’ 25. Oliphant following up fast, put in some good feet work, but Duncan picked up cleanly and punted. An error on this part of an Auckland back enabled the Wellington forwards to start a good rush, which was well stopped by Masefield on his own side of the 50 mark. For offside play here by Murphy Wellington was awarded a free kick, but Braund returned into touch at the centre mark. From the throw in, the last mentioned player secured the ball and passed to Elliott, who sent it into touch at the Wellington 25 flag. In the midst of a heavy hailstorm the blue and white vanguard got on a splendid rush, which transferred the scene of operations to the visitors territory, and after some loose play in which the local men almost registered a score, Kelly, Pringle and McKenzie retaliated with a fine dribble to near midfield, where the oval went into touch. The rain now came down in torrents, aad for about five minutes the players were forced to seek shelter beneath the umbrellas of the spectators. On play being resumed, the visitors came away with a fast rush, which was, however, well stopped by Edmonds, who, picking up cleverly, returned to midfield by a good punt. Auckland was here awarded a free kick, from which Donald placed the oval into touch in the visitors quarters. From the throw in the black vanguard again came away with a determined rush which carried play into the local 25, where Wynward, picking up, made a great dash for the line and almost scored. For a time the Auckland men were compelled to assume the defensive, and from a scrum close to the local goal line Bennett secured the leather and passed to Gage, who was only stopped within a few yards of the line by Edmonds. A free kick for the local men was taken by Murphy, but little or no ground was gained, and the ball went into touch. From the line out Donald and Stone came away with the ball at their feet, carrying play well into the Wellington quarters. Unfortunately for the local men, the ball struck the referee, or otherwise a score might have resulted. From the scrum which followed Bennett obtained posses - sion of the leather and made a long run to Masefield, when he passed to Duncan. The latter, however, failed to take the pass, and thereby lost a certain try, the ball going into touch. Obtaining the ball from the line, Braund made a long punt to Davidson, who returned poorly into touch. From the throw in Oliphant made a splendid run, and when within a few yards of the line passed to Fitchett, who almost scored. From the scrum which took place, a hard kick by some Wellington player gave Breen a great opening. The latter had only to pick up and run across the line, but the oval was too slippery, and before he could obtain possession of it several of the visitors were down upon him. Wellington here got a free kick, from which Breen obtained a mark close to the 50 mark. Murphy essayed at goal, but the ball fell short, and Wynyard returned into touch at his 25 mark. From the throw in a scrum was formed, from which Braund secured the leather, and after evading the opposing wings and half back, passed out to Elliott who made a great effort to score, being collared by Davidson within a few feet of the line. Many

thought that Elliott had scored, but the referee’s decision was a force down for the visitors., Eroni the kick out the visitors rushed to near midfield, but a punt by Edmonds sent the oval into touch at the Wellington 25. From the throw in Duncan got off a good pass to Wynyard, who made a clever run to the centre where Oliphant secured the oval and punted to Gage, who returned into touch at the 50 mark. The throw in resulted in another rush of the visitors, the ball being carried to the local 25, where, after much loose play, Donald was instrumental in dribbling the ball to midfield, Gage punting into touch. A loose straggling rush carried the scene of action to the other side of the field, Gage getting on a good dribble to the Auckland 25, where he collided with Fitchett, the latter getting winded and having to be carried from off the field. He, however, returned a few minutes later. Securing the ball from the line out Gage made a quick clever punt Rhodes marking and kicking to midfield where Wellington obtained a free kick. By a well-judged kick Gage sent the oval into touch in the local territory. From the throw in McKenzie, Rhodes, Oliphant and Stone came away with a good rush to midfield, but Wynyard secured a clever mark and by a good kick placed Auckland on the defensive. Loose play in the local territory resulted in Masefield marking and kicking to Wynward, who returned into touch at the 25 flag. Haua, obtaining a mark from the line put, kicked to midfield where Braund was conspicious for a quick punt. McKenzie, however, got possession of the ball and made a strong mn to the Auckland 25, where Duncan put in a screw punt compelling the local men to force. Murphy kicked out. and by good following up Donald and McKenzie got on a splendid rush to the Wellington 25, where Oliphant cleverly picked up and made a dodgy run getting dangerously close to the Wellington line. On being tackled by Gage, he passed to Elliott, who, however, fumbled the ball, and lost a great chance of scoring. Duncan, securing the leather, relieved by a strong run, and kick to the 50 mark, when the whistle sounded halftime neither side having scored. Second Spell. In the second half of the game the ground was in a terrible state having been badly cut up by the play in the first spell. Murphy kicked off to Bennett, the latter returning into touch at the half-way flag. From the throw in an interesting exchange of kicks between the backs let play in the Auckland 25, where for a long time the Wellington men made great endeavours to score. At this stage of the game a severe hail storm made it almost impossible to distinguish the players. After much loose play in the local territory Oliphant and Rhodes were instrumental in rushing the oval to near mid-field where a scrum took place. Fr©m this the visitors got on a dribbling rush which was however spoiled by one of the forwards kicking too hard. Breen picking up smartly endeavoured to run but was collared by Bennett. From the scrum which followed, Donald started a telling rush which was not stopped until the ball had been sent well into the visitors quarters. Duncan here put in a short run, and losing possession of the ball, it was carried along by several of the black forwards to the 50 flag. Rain and hail now coming down with great force compelled the players to leave the field for several minutes. On play being resumed, a fast rush of the Wellington forwards placed the local men on the defence, but a minute later the blue and white vanguard replied with a combined rush to mid-field, where Wynward obtained a mark. The latter punting high, the Wellington forwards by fast following up started a dangerous rush, which was only stopped by Edmonds throwing on. The scrum which took place close to the Auckland line, . resulted in a loose straggling rush of the blue and white, which brought relief to the local team by sending the ball into touch at the 25 flag. From the throw-in Rhodes took the ball cleanly and passed to Edmonds, who made a long punt to midfield. From the scrum which took place Kelly got away with the leather at his feet, and being supported by several of his comrades, the ball was carried past all the local backs, and dribbled across the Auckland line. Fitchett by a good spurt reached the leather first and saved, just in the nick of time, Murphy kicked out, and the play centred, until the visitors were awarded a free kick, and Breen failing to return the local team were again compelled to save. Murphy kicked out, and through a free

kick awarded to the visitors Gage sent the ball into touch at the Auckland 25. From the throw -in the blue and white vanguard gained some ground by a loose rush, but Wynward, picking up smartly, made a clever run to Masefield, when he transferred to Bennett who dashed across the Auckland line and drew first blood for Wellington. Campbell was entrusted with the kick, and sent the oval FAIRLY ACROSS THE BAR. Wellington . . . . . . 5 Auckland . . .. 0 Murphy kicked out, but the visitors immediately rushed down upon the Auckland line, and the local men were called upon to defend. A free kick for off-side play by a Wellington forward, brought relief to the local team, and the ball was sent into touch outside the 25 flag. A lot of uninteresting play followed just outside Auckland’s 25, the players being so covered with mud that it was almost impossible to distinguish one from the other. A dangerous rush of the blacks was well stopped by Edmonds, who obtained a mark. Bennet returned and the visiting vanguard following up fast, the ball was again driven across the local line, Fitchett forcing. From the kick out a scrum was formed near midfield, from which Pudney secured the leather, and after a short dash passed to Wynyard, who in turn transferred to Gage. The latter made straight for the corner flag, and, although he crossed the Auckland line, a score was prevented by his being thrown into touch in goal. From the kick out Wynyard secured the ball and made a fast clever run, getting to within a yard of the Auckland line. From the scrum which followed the blue and white’s cleared their lines by a good rush, but the relief was only temporary, for a minute later the visiting forwards bore down in a body on the Auckland line and Masefield was compelled to save. The kick out was followed by a series of attacks by the visitors, from one of which the ball was rushed across Auckland’s line and secured by Kelly. Campbell made a splendid kick and laanded a pretty goal. Wellington .. .. .. io Auckland .. .. .. o For the remainder of the game the local men were constantly on the defensive, the ball rarely going outside their ■own 25. The blacks made great efforts to increase the score, and in the last minute of the game Wynyard picking up cleverly from the midst of the forwards crossed the line near the corner flag, and registered Wellington’s third try. Cambbell again tried at goal, and although unsuccessful he made a great kick, the ball just going outside the posts. “ No side,” which was sounded immediately, left Wellington victorious by 13 POINTS TO NIL. A worse day for football could not be imagined. Heavy and almost constant rain, hail, thunder and lightning, were circumstances under which the contest took place. Auckland has been particularly fortunate this season in having an almost continual run of fine Saturdays, the only match, prior to Saturday last, which was not played on a dry turf and ’neath the bright rays of the sun being the game against Hawke’s Bay. Local players have thus been unaccustomed to handling a wet greasy ball, and on Saturday last their want of practice was constantly in evidence, from the very kick off to the sound of “no side.” I do not wish to make excuses for the defeat of the local team, for in my notes of last week I selected Wellington to win. I willingly grant that “ on the day ” the better team won, and under similar conditions would win nine matches out of ten. I am not, however, with those who say that on a fine day the visitors would win just as easily. Considering the nature of the day the play of the visitors was particularly good. The manner in which the backs handled the ball was throughout the game the subject of much favourable comment. They invariably took the ball neatly and with the greatest of confidence, and showed good judgment in making such frequent use of the touch line. The local backs on the other hand appeared to lack confidence, and after failing once or twice in taking the leather they, during the remainder of the game, allowed the ball to bounce, a practice, which it is needless to say, got them into many difficulties. In forward play the Wellington vanguard appeared to possess the greatest amount of dash and got on many dangerous and telling rushes. The local pack, as I have previously mentioned, showed undoubted superiority in scrum work, but having no confidence in the backs, they wisely refrained from

heeling out. Our vanguard clearly endeavoured to make the game purely a forward one, but went the wrong way about it. Instead of screwing the scrums they tried to push their opponents, and although it was clear that they possessed the necessary power, the slippery nature of the ground invariably caused the scrum to fall in. Once the ball got clear from the scrum, the visitors had the advantage, although this fact might be due to the inferiority of our backs at stopping rushes. Little or no clever line work was shown by either set of forwards, the throw in resulting in a scrum in almost every instance. At full back Davidson played a sure game. During the first few minutes of the game his play was a little weak, but he more than made up for this by his strong defensive work throughout the remainder of the contest. Of the Wellington three-quarters it would be difficult to separate Gage and Wynyard. Each showed fine form, running, kicking, tackling and passing in rare style. From start to finish Ido not remember either of these players making a single error. Duncan at times got off some good play, and gave me the idea of possessing plenty of dash. Of the halves, Bennett and Pudney, I liked best the play of the former, who put in a lot of useful work. In Kelly and McKenzie the visitors have two clever wing men, and with all respect for the latter’s reputation in this position I certainly think that on Saturday Kelly proved the more useful man. His try was well gained, and there were few of the Wellington rushes in which he did not take a prominent part.