FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 267, 5 September 1895, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Our second fifteen proved successful at the Thames on Saturday last, defeating the representatives of Quartzopolis by .10 points to 3. The match created a great deal of interest, and a large attendance was present to witness the struggle, opinion being pretty equally divided as to which would prove the victors. Right through the game seems to have been of an even and exciting nature, the passing and all-round tactics of the Auckland back division proving superior to that of tbeir opponents, who seem to have equalised matters by the dashing play of their vanguard, who outclassed the Auckland forwards both in line work and the open. The visitors drew first blood, Hogan registering a try shortly after the kick off in the first spell, from an assault on the Thamesites by our forwards, which was converted. Play from this on continued of an even though somewhat uninteresting nature, and despite the continuous attacks of the Auckland backs, in which Elho't was always prominent, the fine collaring and all-round defensive tactics of the Thames backs prevented any score being registered until well towards the end of the spell, when Freeman (wing) picking up from a nice dribbling rush initiated by the visitors’ vanguard, dashed for the Thames line, and passing to Roberts in the nick of time, the latter, with a strong run, crossed the line and secured Auckland’s second try right behind the posts, and taking the kick himself, successfully piloted the oval over the bars, the call of time leaving the score —Auckland 10 points, Thames nil. By no means discouraged at the long lead assumed by the Aucklanders, the Thames boys went at it with great vim in the second half, and for some time kept their opponents on the defence, Gaudin, Paul, and McGregor doing great work on the aggressive, though their efforts were successfully staved off by the brothers Hay, Elliott, and Smith. The play continued fast, even, and exciting, and the fine passing of the visitors’ back division, and the clever tackling of their opponents, called forth rounds of wellmerited applause. From a nice pie;-e of passing between Bradley and Paul, the latter tranferred to Gaudin, who set sail for the Auckland line, and after a clever run, in which Hay and Smith failed to grass him, Fred reached the desired haven, and recorded the first score for Thames amidst great applause. The attempt at goal was a failure. I o the close of the game the play continued of an even and interesting nature, lhe spectators being treated to a capital exposition of the Rugby game, and though strenuous efforts were made by both,sides, no further score resulted. -

The Auckland backs all played well, their passing being particularly good. Of the vanguard Freeman (wing), Thompson, Gallagher, McConnel, and Hogan were the pick. Of the Thames back division Gaudin, Bradly, Paul, and McGregor were most prominent, and of a fast, willing set of forwards Smith, Cantley, Billings, and Wilson were always to the front.

On Saturday evening the Aucklanders were entertained by the Thames “ reps.” to a smoke concert at the Pacific Hotel, where a very pleasant and enjoyable reunion was held. A correspondent, who witnessed the match at the Thames, writes me as follows concerning the individual play:—The Thames v. Auckland match was witnessed by a number of well-known Auckland enthusiasts, who accompanied the team and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Hogan, early in the game, scored Auckland’s first try, the result of a fast rush by the forwards. McGregor tackled splendidly all through the game ; in fact, good tackling by the Thames backs was a feature of the match. Roberts (Auckland) secured a try right behind the post, after a fairly good run ; he took the kick himself and was successful. Gaudin was the most conspicuous of the Thames backs, and was given every chance by his team. He secured his try by jumping when tackled low by Smith. Paul played an unusually hard game. He had several shots at goal, but his kicks lacked direction. McConnell lasted the best of the forwards, and “ Auckland’s John ” was very prominent towards the close of the second spell. Brownlie (Thames) was a tower of strenth on the line, but was inclined to pick up too much and often spoilt rushes by so doing. Bradley, who played wing three-quarter for Thames, is blessed with a lot of pace, and made few mistakes during the match. Breen captained the Auckland team, and E. Binney, of the Rugby Union, acted as manager.

Since our last issue the Auckland representatives have met the Canterbury and Wellington fifteens and on both occasions the Northerns have suffered defeat, Canterbury winning by j lO points (2 penalty goals and a goal from a mark) to nil, and Wellington by 9 points to 5. The match with Canterbury, played on Thursday last, has not evidently given us a line as to the strength of the two teams, as a strong wind which favoured Canterbury during the first, half died away in the second spell, leaving Auckland without the advantage that had assisted the Southrons to such good effect. The Aucklanders grafted in good style during the whole game and several fine forward rushes which might have proved effective on a calm day were completely demoralised by the long returns of the Canterbury backs. Taken on the whole the play seems to have been of an even nature, either side proving dangerous at times, the only advantage apparent being the splendid kicking of the Canterbury backs, Appleby, who had been included for his kicking, being responsible for the scores registered against the Aucklanders. The blue and whites had again to play second fiddle to Wellington on Satur lay las»\ »he latter proving victorious by 9 points to 5. The game was witnessed by a large attendance, and on the whole proved of a fast and exciting n titre ■

throughout,' both teams battling right loyally for the honour of their province, and though the Aucklanders made a great startd the representatives of the windy city proved themselves too strong for the Northerns, and the consensus of opinion. is that the best team won. The vanguard of the “ blacks ” was stronger than the Auckland forwards and seem_to., have had somewhat the best of it, their line work, and follovv : ing up being particularly good, though the backs of either side seem to have been much on a par. The score of, the Wellington fifteen consisted of three tries gained hy Hardcastle, Swmdley, and Kelly, that of the Aucklanders being a try by Absolum, which was converted by Murray. The Aucklanders were forced several tiines, and Wellington who bad all lhe best of the first half had hard luck in hot adding to < hur score, whilst the blub arid’ whites were also dangerously near adding to their points on one or two Occasions, Commenting on the individual play a cOrtespondeht' sayS : —“ For the winning team Davidson (full-babk) and Kelly were the pick of'the backs, though the whole of this division, with the exception perhaps of Roberts, who. did not seem quite up to his usual form, were responsible for good work. McKenzie and Kelly,did great work on the wing, and the whole of the forwards grafted in grand style, comparing on their all' round play more than favourably with the vanguard of the visitors, Swindley being perhaps the most prominent, though I think it mvidious to individualise. Of the visitors backs Masefield (full), Absolum. and Gage were the most conspicuous, Absolum in particular playing a splendid game, though he did not seem to take his passes as cleanly at times as one might have

expected. Gage put in a lot of good work, his fine defensive play being all that could be wished for, whilst his kicking was also goed. “ Tabby ” Wynyard was not up to the mark, and proved somewhat disappointing to the Wellington spectators, who have so often witnessed his dashing play. He is evidently rot yet quite himself. Your wing players, Stevenson and Mills, did splendidly and proved quite equal to the opposing wings which is saying a good deal for them, and of the forwards Clarkin, Murray, Speight, and Brady were the best, the first mentioned playing a great game, though the whole of this division worked hard to turn the tables.

The match between Nelson and Auckland played on Monday last resulted in a win for the latter by 9 points (3 tries) to 3 (a try). The weather was bright and fine and the ground in good order, though a strong wind that was blowing somewhat interfered with the play. Nelson Won the toss and playing with the wind soon had the visitors on the defence, Nesbitt finally getting across the line from a throw out at the corner, and scoring first blood for Nelson, though no goal was recorded. Play continued of an even nature during the remainder of the first half and Clarkin equalised by crossing the line for Auckland just before the call of time. In the second spell the Aucklanders assumed the aggressive and kept Nelson on the defence to the close of the game, Absolum and Green, each scoring a try, though neither were converted, the game ending Auckland 9, Nelson 3. Mr Garrard gave every satisfaction as referee.

Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay play on the 14th, inst.

The Auckland representatives meet the redoubtable Taranakiteani fo-day (Thursday),and as the amber rind black fifteen are undoubtedly the strongest combination in the colony/ despite the fact that the Wellington team played a draw with them, it is naturally looked upon as a foregone conclusion that the Aucklanders will once more have their colours lowered. The following will represent Taranaki Full back, Robinson, list 51b ; three-quarters, H. Good 14st lib, L. Allen, list 101 b, C. Young 13st; fivezeigths, A. Bayley (captain) 12st 101 b; half, A. Humphries Ost 101 b; wings, J. laing 13st, A. Good 12st; forwards, B. O’Dowde 12st 121 b, W. Lambie 12st 71b, D. Hughes 13st, W. Buckley 12st 21b, D. Watson 13st 51b, F. Livingstone 12st, W. Wtlls 12st 81b.

Speaking of the play of the Auckland backs in the recent representative match against Otago, “ Forward ”in the Witness says “ Clayton, the Auckland full-back, camo through a trying ordeal with a good deal of credit, and Absolum, who as the scorer of all the tries obtained by the visitors in the two previous matches at’racted a good deal of attention, fielded beautifully and ran splendidly, but in the defensive work he was not reliable like Gage and Masefield, both of whom—the former especially—did fine service in this respect. Gage, however, is not the player he used to be. Braund, the scrum half-back, was the best of the Auckland halves, but he was riot so smart as Mason, white Ronayne was outclassed, and H. Stephenson was brilliantly erratic.

The takings at the Otago—Auckland match was £152, which indicates an attendance of about 5,000.

The following team has been selected to represent Otago against Canterbury on Saturday next: — Fullback, Ross; threeqparters, McKenzie, Cunningham, and Stephenson ; halves, Duncan, Davis, and Carn ; forwards, Esquilant, Torrance, J. Torrance, McFarlane, Given, Priest, Lawry, Beadle.

I appears that Ronayne was ordered off the field at Christchurch for remarking that the referee, Mr Firth, who is exceptionally tall, was long enough to see an infringement which the Aucklanders had appealed for, and not for continued misbehaviour as previous wires had stated. The Association Tournament. — Auckland and Wellington met last Thursday (August 30) in the first round for Brown’s Challenge Shield, which resulted in a win for the home team by 2 goals to nil. The weather-was fine, though there was a strong wind blowing, which to a great extent spoiled the plav- Wellington won the toss and elected to kick with the wind. The game was very fast, the ball being carried continuously from one end of the field to the other. Hailwood and Ferguson had several shots at the Auckland goal, but mostly went wide of the mark or the few that did go straight were cleared in fine style by Dr. Roberts. Austin Smith and Hamilton scored for Auckland. For the losers Heafford and Auld played good defensive games, McDonald and Penderleith being the pick of the forwards.

On Saturday Auckland met Ruahine, and as the Ruahine’s were nearly all old English players a good exposition of the game was looked for. In this one was rather inclined to be disappointed, as for instance, De Lisle, who is said to have

played in an International, match, England, v. Scotland, played a very poor game. The ma‘ch resulted in Auckland scoring 3 goals to nil, Smith kicking 2 and Hamilton 1. The Ruahines played a much more combined gainein the second half, and this may be accounted for from the fact that they had been selected from a large district arid had never played together before. For trie winners Snith and Hamilton played the best forward games, Rice also doing some very good dribbling. The backs all played good games, F. Obamberloin doing some very good vollying. For t’ e visitors Field and Andrews undoubtedly played the best games, always placing the ball well and doing some good tackling. The Auckland team are to be congratulated on winning the Trophy|whieh they have worked for so hard for the last four years. Mr A. H. Giigg {acted as Referee, and Messrs Blair and Perkins as line umpires.