FOOTBALL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 527, 30 August 1900, Page 7

FOOTBALL

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Vigilant. ]

INTERPROVINCIAL FIXTURES. September I—Otago v Auckland, at Auckland. September s—Otago v Taranaki, at New Ply* mouth. September B—Otago v Wellington, at Wellington" September 12—Wellington v Southland, at Wellington. September 16—Otago v Southland, at Dunedin.

Ki THE FIRST INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH.

WELLINGTON V AUCKLAND. A HANDSOME WIN FOR THE HOME TEAM. There were many wakeful football enthusiasts during the late hours of Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning, for the ram

. came down heavily-and with a persistence worthy of a better cause. And when people began to more about the city there was no abating of the rain storm, so that we were reminded of the last visit from the Wellington Rugby Union repre- | aentatives. Two jeers ago, very much the same * sort of weather was experienced There was this difference, that on the previous visit the rain held off till about the time the people thoughht of making a start for Potter’s. On Saturday, however, the downpour did not cease until within a few minutes of the time for commencing the game. Of course this bad state of things had a depressing effect, and thousands who would Eave gone bad the weather been slightly better, declined to face the long journey and the probability to of a ducking. As it was, the attendance was somewhere between five and six thousand, just about half the number which would have been reached with a fine day. Besides the bad weather F there was another factor which kept the supporters away. The game was regarded as aforegone conclusion for the Auckland team, consequently there was not nearly as much enthusiasm as was evoked by the visit of the Wellington i-‘ players two years ago. Still, once on the ground, the strong rivalry in football that has always exr isted between the two provinces was very apparent. Here and there on the stands were compact little bands of stalwart supporters ft of the “ black and gold.” They were hemmed

in on all sides . by Auckland barrackero, but though in force they were vastly outnumbered, in repartee they gave as good as they received. A taste of Wellington weather had sharpened their wits a bit, and whenever they were challenged to a verbal combat the visitors were quick to take up the gage and swift in the attack. By the time the rival teams had come on the ground things were rather lively, and when the players issued from the grandstand a roar of tremendous volume greeted the thirty finely-built young fellow?. Wellington was without their best back, De Vere, who had a finger broken in the encounter with the Hawke’s Bay fifteen, and soon after the start Roberts, perhaps the crack three-quarter of the side, was placed hors de combat, the result of a vigorous charge by Irvine. This was bad luck for the visitors, and though Williamson took Roberts place, and worked hard, the absence of two of the best backs disorganised the Wellington rearguard. Still, the game was a very interesting one to watch, and it was not until within a quarter of an hour of time that the Aucklanders asserted their superiority. When they did they did it very well, and in the last ten minutes of the game they swarmed all over their opponents, and scored three tries in quick succession. The visitors excelled in hooking the ball and in loose forward rushes, and their backs—notably Woods, Meredith, and Kelly—showed individual brilliance. Staying power the visiting forwards

lacked, atd the Auckland pack lasting longest enabled the backs to score, and bring a well deserved victory to the wearers of the blue and white.

Auckland lost the toss, and Wellington chose to take advantage of the wind blowing from the eastern goal. A. Wilson kicked off for Auckland, and the Auckland vanguard following up carried play to Wellington’s 25. Play, however, did notjremain long in this quarter, for the Wellington vanguard, headed by Calnan and Wylie, carried the ball to Auckland’s line, and pressure was only relieved by Auckland being awarded a free kick. Gallagher, the Wellington wing man, returned across Auckland’s line, and Hay forced. From the kick off, Wellington again invaded the home territory, heeded by Kelly, the Wellington five-eighth. Play was confined between the line and the 25 for some minutes, until Riberts received a nasty bump and was compelled to retire. A. Williamson came on in his place, and play was resumed, Wellington forwards again attacking Auckland’s line. O’Brien, McGuirk, and Gallagher did a lot of work, but were in the end foiled by the stubborn defence of the blue and white’s vanguard div sion. A Wilson, Doran, and Gallagher ultimately relieved the situation, and play was carried back to mid-field, where Hales,the M ellington full-back, kicked intotouch. From the throw-m Eiernan got lhe ball away to Riley, who in turn sent it on to McGregor, who

transferred to Harrison, and the latter gained a few yards, which was, however, only to be lost by a good kick by Woods. McGregor kicked up to Hales, who returned well into Auckland’s territory, and once more the blue and whites were put on the defensive Riley, however, relieved by obtaining a mark. From the kick, Meredith transfered to Woods, who . sent on to Howe. The latter, however, passed wide, and spoilt what looked like a good chance. Play centred for some time, until Oalnan picked up and kicked into Auckland’s tarritory. The kick was followed up by Kelly, who raced Hay for possession ; the latter, however, saved by forcing. Shortly after the kick-off Gallagher got the ball from a throw-in, and after a tricky run sent it to MoGregor, who in turn transfered to Harrison, and the latter crossed the Wellington line near the corner flag and scored, amidst loud applause. A. Wilson’s shot at goal failed. (Auckland 3, Wellington 0). From the kick-off play became somewhat faster, and Auckland’s forwards assumed the aggressive, and off -side play on Wellington’s part gave Wilson another shot at goal, but this also proved a failure, though the kick was a good one. From some loose play Tyler kicked out near the corner flag, and from a scrum Meredith was compelled to force. The kick-off was followed by forward play, and Alec. Wilson gained considerable ground with a fine dribble, and the ball travelled out near the Wellington line. Doran was conspicuous from the

throw-in, but was beaten by the Wellington fullback. Wellington were on the attack for a few minutes, but Kiernan relieved and A. Wilson and Doran dribbled the ball to the corner flag, and Harrison made a determined effort to score, but the ball rolled over the dead ball line. Halftime was then called, with the play in the visiters’ territory. Shortly after the kick-off Auckland’s vanguard, headed by McGregor and Brady carried the ball into 25, where Hales saved. Gallagher, however, renewed hostilities, and carried the ball back with a nice dribble to Wellington’s line, where a scrum ensued, and Wellington were compelled to force. From a scrum at half way Gallagher came away with the ball at his toes, and carried play to the blacks’ 25, where Kiernan, Harrison, and H, Wi’son took up the running, but were spoilt by Woods, who punted to centre. McPike getting possession ran down the line to the Wellington goal line where he lest possession, and the 8< utherrers forced. After the kick-off V oods ran to wi'hin a few yards of Auckland’s line, where he was collared by Hay. The blacks here kept on 'he attack, and after some loose play Hales dropped a fine goal amidst loud applause. (Auckland 3, Wellington 4.) With only twenty n inu'es to go and the visitors in the lead Auckland shock 'hemeeive 0 togetber and penned the I lacks in their own 25. From a throw-in near

the 25 Kiernan got the ball away to Riley, who transferred to McGregor, who, after neatly evading the Wellington forwards, passed to Harrison, who outstripped Howe and Hales and crossed the line, scoring Auckland’s second try. Kiernan took the kick but failed. (Auckland 6, Wellington 4.) Auckland again attacked from the kick-off and Doran managed to get over the line, but lost possession of the ball. Passing runs here ensued in Wellington’s territory, and Harrison looked like scoring, but he was grassed, and Woods relieved. The relief was only momentary, however, for the Auckland forwards again invaded the visitors’ 25, and Gallagher kicking over allowed Harrison to score. A. Wilson made a good attempt at goal, but failed. (Auckland 9, Wellington 4j From the kick-off Auckland forwards made the game very fast, and the visitors tiring let Riley get an opening just on the call of time, and.the Thames* five-eight registered another try. Kiernan landed a fine goal, and on the bell sounding Auckland retired winners by 14 points to four. NOTES. Hay, at full-back for Auckland, was not all that could have been desired. He seemed nervous, and was slow in getting in his kicks. On one occasion he was beaten for the ball, and a score was narrowly averted. 1 Harrison was as cool as ever, and seemed quite at home in the wet. He has a smart knack

of always being in the right place at the right time. His kicking was good. Dick McGregor was a host in himself,lihis attacking was good, and he collared with (precision. He was perhaps the best back onjthe ground. McPike had little to do, but got through all he was entrusted with in a creditable manner. He displayed his speed in following up, and on one occasion neatly beat Kelly near Wellington’s 25.

Riley was the man for the day. He played a hard, safe game, and at all times used judgment. He was responsible for at least two of Auckland’s tries.

Kiernan, behind Auckland’s pack, seemed to be at a disadvantage with the wet ball. He could not handle it, and was thus beaten nine times out of ten. Another fault he has is his hanging on to the ball too long. He was also greatly hampered by the deliberate off-side play of one of the Wellington wings. Davey Gallagher was a tower af success. He time and again beat the Wellington forwards with his clever tricks. He was the means of Auckland’s first score, which was the result of a fine bit of passing. Doran, on the other wing, although on the light side, shone out, and fully justified his inclusion.

Auckland’s forwards worked hard to a .man, and outclassed the opposing set. H. Wilson, Cunningham, and Tyler stood out perhaps the most prominent, but there was very little to choose bstween any of them. Hale, the Wellington full-back, displayed one of the finest full-back games played on Potter’s Paddock for some years. His kicking was splendid, and at all times found the touch-line. Woods was undoubtedly the best back on the side. He kicked with judgment, and always managed to get up with the ball, and his defence was the soundest. Bobarts, who played centre three quarter at the start of the game, put in some excellent play until he was compelled to retire owing to his getting one of his ribs crushed. Williamson, who filled his place, was not so successful. Howe, who took De Vere’s place, was not a Success. He was only a third man for. the place, and therefore could not be expected to do anything brilliant. Kelly, at five-eights, was as good as of old, and started many brilliant invasions into Auckland’s territory. He displayed coolness and tact throughout the game. Meredith, the half-back for Wellington, played a very good game, and whenever the ball came out on his side of the pack he made good use of it. The Wellington wings were more conspicuous for their off-side play than their brilliancy. Time and again they could have been penalised for breaches of this part of the game. The Wellington forwards were outclassed at the end of the game, and lacked the form which the blue and whites displayed right up till the bell went The mostconspicuous of Wellington’s vanguard were Oalnan, O’Brien, and McAnnally. These three players were always prominent, and each individually played rattling games. Mr W. G. Garrard, of Christchurch, officiated as referee, and was fairly satisfactory. At times, however, he allowed breaches of the rules to pass his notice, which should have been penalised. Angus Campbell, of Auckland, will officiate as referee in the Wellington-Taranaki match, and Mr Symes, of Taranaki, will have charge of the whistle in ■ the Auckland-Otago match to be played on Saturday next. OTAGO V SOUTHLAND. On Wednesday of last week Otago met and defeated Southland at Invercargill by seven points to nil. The match was a welLcontested one, and the score does not truly represent the merits of the game. Otago’s score consisted of a goat from a.mark, kicked by Wallace, and a try •cored by McKenzie. OTAGO V CANTEBBURY. On Saturday'last the Otago representatives met and defeated Canterbury ;by eight points to nil, after a well contested game. Duncan and Wallace Were the most conspicuous on the Otago •ide, while Mason played an individually good .game for Canterbury. Mr A. D. Thomson, of Wellington, officiated as referee. TARANAKI V WANGANUI. On Saturday ,last, at Wanganui, Taranaki were defeated by Wanganui by five points to three. The scores were a goal from a try and a penalty, goal. HAWKE’S BAY V WELLINGTON. On Wednesday of last week the Wellington representative team played the Hawke’s Bay representatives at Napier. The weather was fine, and the game was well contested; Woods scored in the first spell while playing against the wind, and this proved to be the only score during the first half. In the second spell O’Brien beat Howe, and scored for Hawke’s Bay. This equalised matters, and the game ended at the call of time in a draw, each side having scored a try. During the progress of the match De Vere had the misfortune to break the little finger of his left band.

Hume, the ex-Parnell five-eights, displayed good form for Hawke’s Bay against Wellington last week.

Bob Oliphant, the ex City wing-forward, rendered good service for Hawke’s Bay against Wellington He has not forgoten how to play football as is evinced by his clever beating of his Wellington wing opponent. The referee (Mr Hallamore) in the Hawke’s Bay-Wellington match did not give thorough satisfaction, his derisions being adverse to the visitors.

Roberts played a good game, but got very few opportunities. Bales did not have much to do but kicked well.

Meredith passed well and put in a lot of useful play. Wood, who played five eights against Hawke’s Bay, was right off and could not take the passes from Meredith. His display upset the whole of Wellington’s back play. Bangi, Ngatai and O’Brien, Maoris of the Te Aute College played well as three-quarters. Our Napier Correspondent writes: —Owing to the wet weather on Saturday, all football matches were postponed. The secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union received a wire from the Wairarapa Union on Ti ursday, stating that the tour of their junior representative team has been abandoned, as they cannot get a team to travel. The match arranged to be played at Napier against Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday is therefore off. The Ctago representatives have also intimated their inability to visit Napier.