WANGANUI V. AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 529, 20 September 1900, Page 8

WANGANUI V. AUCKLAND.

WIN FOE THE HOME TEAM BI 20 POINTS TO NIL. Saturday last saw the curtain rung down on the 1900 football season, when Wanganui met and ■were defeated by Auckland by 20 points to nil. The weather was most unfavourable, and heavy rain ’fell during the greater part of the first spell. The attendance was very poor, there not being more than 1300 present. Wanganui took the kick-off, and scrums followed in Auckland’s 25. . Shannon got a mark and Takarangi took the •hot at goal. The kick was a good one, the ball just falling short. Asher returned, and McGregor, with a smart run, carried play to the visitors’ 25, where he was grassed. A scrum took place here and Gallagher marked. Absolum took the shot at goal but failed. Auckland’s forward’s kept Wanganui on ‘the defensive for some minutes close to their line. Absolum got (possession, and handed to Harrison, who got over the line, but knocked on and a scrum followed syds out. Auckland was awarded a penalty kick. Cunningham took the shot but the ball went wide and Wanganui forced. From the kick-off Wanganui invaded the blue and white’s territory, but Hay saved by a fine kick, and the forwards, headed by Doran and Gallagher, carried play back to the visitors’ 25. Some loose play took place here, until Absolum got away and looked like getting -a certain try, when be slipped •»nd fell. Scrums ensued in the 25, and Moss relieved. This relief was only momentary, however, for Auckland continued the attack. Brady kicked over, and Takarangi forced. Robinson, with a fine kick and a>smart follow up prevented Hay from returning, and he carried the bail out some few yards from the Auckland line. Auckland were awarded a free kick, and Kiernan eased the pressure. Play was now cjnfined between .the 25 and the half-way flags. Bonnella headed an invasion on the visitors’ territory and carried the ball to within ten yards of the

visitors’ line. Kiernan got the ball away from a scrum at this position, and he transferred to Asher, the latter passed on to Absolum, who was off-side when he received the ball, and Auckland were accordingly penalised. Auckland’s backs started a dangerous passing run, but were cleverly checked by McDonnell irtercepting the pass Auckland received a penalty kick shortly afterwards and Absolum was entrusted vith the kick He landed a fine goal amidst loud applause. (Auckland <(3, Wanganui 0). At this stage the visitors’ captain had the misfortune to injure one of his ribs, and he had to retire. His place was taken by Franklin. From the kick-off, Robinson placed Auckland on the defensive, but the forwards relieved, and'half-time was sounded with play in mid-field. In the second half the weather cleared up. Auckland placed the visitors on the defensive from the kick-off, and Absolum made a slashing run for the corner flag, but was thrown out in the corner. Dick McGregor got over from the throw-in, but the ball was ordered back. Auckland, however, kept up the invasion, and Absolum scored in the corner He made a good attempt at goal, but the ball went wide. (Auckland 6, Wanganui 0). A few minutes later, off-side play by Bell gave Auckland a penalty kick and Absolum landed another fine goal from near half-way. (Auckland 9, Wanganui 0). From the kick-off, loose play followed, until a long kick by McDonnell went behind the posts, and Auckland forced. The kick-off started another invasion, and the bine and white forwards made good use of it. Kiernan got possession and passed to Absolum. The latter set sail for the corner, and once more grounded the ball. He took the shot himself, but slipped just as he went to kick. (Auckland 12, Wanganui 0). From the kick-off a ecrum ensued, v-nd Kiernan .passed to Harrison, who 'joaade.a.good run io -well within-the visitors’ 25, where he tried to pass to McGregor, but threw /Shannon relieved, and Wanganui-assumed j the aggressive. A free kick -was awardeddjp- the!

| visitors on the Auckland side of the half way flag, and Robinson took the shot. He landed an unmistakable goal, but to Wanganui s dismay the whistle had sounded for his having over-run his mark. A long kick by Wanganui compelled Auckland to force. From the kick-off Gallagher, by fast following up, smothered Steadman’s return, and McGregor whipping in picked up and sent the ball out to Tyler, who transferred to Absolum, and after a brilliant dash the City three-quarter transferred to Harrison, who ran right round and grassed the ball behind the posts. Kiernan took the kick, but failed to add the major points. (Auckland 15, Wanganui 0). From the kick-off Wanganui’s forwards started an invasion, and carried the ball to within 10 yards from Auckland’s line, where Montgomerie kicked over into touch-in goal. From the kickoff Hay made a very poor attempt to return a long kick, and Franklin marked in a good position near Auckland’s 25. Robinson took the kick, but Cunningham charged it and spoilt. Asher returned. The Auckland forwards came through to half way, where Dick McGregor got possession, and after a very clever run managed to beat the whole of the visitors’ backs and score. , Kiernan’s attempt at goal was a success. (Auckland 20, Wanganui 0). Ihe bell sounded five I minutes later without any further score being registered, NOTES Dug 'Hay, at full-back for Auckland, at times showed fair form, but on many occasions he persisted dn taking the ball on the bounce and running, when a good line kick would have served much better. Of the three-quarter line Dick McGregor was the pick, and he is without a doubt the best centre three-quarter in New Zealand this season. His attack and defence were equally sound, and his handling of the wet ball was splendid. Absolum showed his worth as a scoring man on Saturday, when he scored the first 12 points for Auckland. He is always on hand when an opening is made, and ably supported his colleagues. - ■. / Harrison was, slightly better in his handling of the ball on Saturday, and showed some of his old defensive play. Asher worked hard and played a sound defensive game. His passing, however, was at times a bit erratic. Kiernan, at centre-half, played a good game behind the pack during the second spell, but in the first half he displayed his old selfish habit of going on his own. Once he did a very erroneous thing in kicking a rolling ball when trying to stop a rush in his own 25. Gallagher and Doran were too clever for their respective opponents. The latter’s foot work was as good as ever, but Davey was, as usual, too fond of scrapping with his vis a-vis. The Auckland pack worked hard to a man, and none did better than Scotty Bonella, who made his first representative appearance. Takarangi, at full back for Wanganui, was veiy safe, and his line kicking was far ahead of Auckland’s. His collaring was all that could be wished for. Robinson was the pick of Wanganui’s three three-quarter line. His kicking was good. McDonnell and Tregear each tackled well Steedman, at five-eighths, had little chance of distinguishing himself as he was watched like a mouse, and came to earth as soon as he received the ball. Shannon, the Wanganui half, proved himself good on the defence. Hie line kicking was also good. Montgomerie and Malone were no match for Auckland’s pair, and it is a wonder that Malone’s off-side play did not get his team penalised oftener than it did. Wanganui’s forwards were a willing lot and worked hard. Though beaten they were not disheartened, and fought out gamely till the call of time.