FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 752, 4 August 1904, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

(By

“ Scrutator.”)

~A AND “ B TEAMS’ MATCH

A DRAWN GAME—I 4 POINTS EACH

The trial match between the “ A ” and <« g » Teams, from which Mr Murray made his final selection of “ reps ’ to meet Wellington on August 6, was played at Alexandra Park on Saturday last. The ground was in first-class order, while the weather was overcast, there being no sunshine, but there was a strong northerly wind blowing which greatly interfered with the line kicking and had the tendency to work the play almost wholly on the pavilion side during both spells. Mr C. White had charge of the whistle and certainly did justice in the position. The teams were placed as follows « » Team. — Full-back, Renwick ; three-quarters, Absolum, Murray, Carlaw ; five-eighths, McGregor ; half, Kiernan ; wings, Fraser, Heath ; forwards, Tyler, Gallagher, Meldrum, Lewis, Mackerell, Joyce, Trevarthen. “ B ” Team.—Full-back, Mays ; threequarters, Marshall, Phillips, Lendrum ; five-eighths, Shera ; half, Young ; wings, Wells, W. Tyler ; forwards, Irwin, Capell, Autridge, Cunningham, Scott, Francis, McCluskie. The game might be said to be a very fair exhibition of Rugby. It was fast and open, with a fair amount of scrums and line play. At times the passing of the backs was quite a treat to witness. It is not my intention to give a detailed account of the play, but sufficeth to say that every man was playing for his cap,” and this was made very evident from, the way the backs on botl? sides “ shepherded ” and anticipated the pass. The forwards to a man grafted hard, although it was noticeable at times that some of them did not seem in a too great hurry to “ line up.” There was little to choose in the play of the full-backs, and I am not surprised to see that Mr Murray has passed them •over. Certainly Mays had a little more to do than Renwick, yet summing up the whole of his work I am inclined to think he is below representative form. His stopping of rushes was good, but the tackling was much “ off.” Absolum played up to form, his taking •of the ball being exceptionally good. The piece of work early in the first spell, -when Kiernan passed to McGregor and he •to Murray, and the latter to Absolum, who crossed the line, scoring the first blood for “iA’s,” was as good a bit of attack as I have seen at Alexandra Park for some time past. In fact the pla v of this trio was good throughout, and it might be said that up to the time of his being hurt Murray certainly played the best game on the ground. Carlaw put in a useful run or two, but had a tendency to cling too long to the ball. McGregor, at five-eighths, got to work in real earnest, and was instrumental in making many openings. Although much out of condition, the tricky bit of work in which he snapped up the ball and sent it on to Absolum, who transferred back to McGregor, who cut in and being eloselv pressed passed to Gallagher, thus making a certainty of the try that he himself might have scored. McGregor was rewarded for his unselfishness shortly after, for Trevarthen smothering a pass sent the ball out to him and he dodged in and scored an easy try. Another instance in which McGregor shone was in passing at the right moment to Murray, the ball travelling through the hands of Absolum and Carlaw, the latter scoring. Kiernan played one of his sound games, and got the ball away to the backs cleanly and smartly. His kicking was an improvement on his display in the Goldfields match. Young, who filled the position of half for the “ B’s,” worked hard,, his tackling and line kicking being exceptionally good. The three-quarters of the “ B ” Team, Marshall, Phillips, and Lendrum, were continuously on the defence, and it will

be seen that the scoring for the team was left wholly and solely to the forward division

Of the wings I liked the play of Mel - and ’Tvler the best, the first-mentioned being a source of constant annoyance to the opposite side. M ells scored a try for the “ B’s,” the result of a smart bit of foot work between himself and Scott. V . Tyler obtained his try through a good bit of passing emanating from Marshall to Autridge and to W. Tyler, who crossed near the corner.

Gf the forward division I think it will be admitted that the “ B’s ” were the smartest lot in the open, but with Tyler and Gallagher in the front row against them, who were “hooking” well, the “A’s” were able to make it a back game. Although four tries were scored only one was converted. It was really, in the placing kicking that the “ B’s ” were able to equalise matters. Tries were obtained by Wells, W. Tyler and Scott, one of these being converted by Francis, who also drew first blood for his side early in the first spell by “ putting over a penalty.” There is no question about it, we. are sadly in want of a good “ place kick,” and Mr Murray might do worse than give Francis a place in the team for that qualification only. The Ponsonbvite has certainly shown first-rate form in kicking from angles in the Cup contests just completed.

THE AUCKLAND-WELLINGTON MATCH.

Mr F. S. Murray has selected the following players to represent Auckland in the interprovincial fixture against Wellington next Saturday : — Fullback : W. Harrison (Northern Wairoa) ; threequarters, Asher (City), Gerrard (North Shore), McKenzie (Grafton) ; five-eighths, R. McGregor, Ward, (Grafton) ; halfback, Kiernan (Grafton) ; wing forward, Gallaher (Ponsonby) ; forwards, G. Tyler (City), Irvine (North Shore), Lewis (Newton), Nicholson (City), Seeling (City), Trevarthen (Newton), Joyce (North Shore).

The above may be said to be about as “hot a lot” as we can place on the field, but of course it is impossible for Mr Murray to please all the critics who visit Alexandra Park.

The most curious point about the selected team is that Gerrard, who is to act as fullback for the N.Z. team is not given that place in the interprovincial contest. This should have been a golden opportunity of trving him out in the new position as full back. After the grand work put in by Murray on Saturday last, I fully expected to see him take the place allotted to Gerrard, and the latter to occupy that given to Harrison, for it must be admitted that the last-mentioned player is an unknown •'quantity to us in Auckland this year, and we have merely to rely upon reports received from the North.

McGregor, who I have referred to earlier, and prior to knowing who the selected team were, is fully entitled to consideration, and I have no doubt will give a first-class account of himself. If Asher’s leg is right, there is no more dangerous man in the team, for we all know he takes a bit of stopping when under way, and is a good scoring man.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION.

Sacred Heart I. v. Grammar School I. : Sacred Heart won, 3 to nil. King’s College I. v. Prince Albert I. ’ King’s won by 8 to 3. Grammar School 11. v. Sacred Heart 11. : Grammar School won, 13 to nil. Prince Albert 11. v. King’s College IT. : Prince Albert won, 12 to 3.

OLD SCHOOLBOYS’ COMPETITION. Onehunga v. Mount Eden : Onehunga won, 27 to nil. Beresford-street v. Chapel-street : Beresford-street won, 20 to nil.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ MATCHES. . Nelson-street v. Newton West : Nel-son-street won by 3 points to nil. Parnell v. Richmond Road : Parnell won by default.

Onehunga v. Wellesley-street : Oneliunga won by 6 points to nil. Ellerslie v. Remuera : Ellerslie won by 3 points to nil. Marist Brothers v. Mount Eden : Marist Brothers won by 18 points to nil. Bayfield v. Epsom : Bayfield won by 14 points to nil.

GREAT BRITAIN V. AUSTRALIA.

THIRD TEST MATCH. Some 25,000 took advantage of the fine weather which prevailed and attended the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday to witness the third ’Test Match between the British Team of footballers and the New South Wales cum Queensland team which played under the name of Combined Australia. The teams were as under :— Great Britain. — Full-back, O’Brien ; three-quarters, Llewellyn, McEvedy, Gabe, Morgan ; halves, .Bush, Vile ; forwards, Harding, Swannell, Beevan, Dobson, Crowther, Traill, Edwards, and Massey. Australia. —Full-back, Redwood ; threequarters, Nicholson, Wickham, Futter, McLean ; halves, Evans, Finley ; forwards, Miebush, Oxlade, Richards, Dixon, Lutge, White, Judd, Walsh.

The visitors opened with a strong wind at their backs, but for a long time they were unable to make any impression on the home team’s defence. Just before half-time a faulty piece of work by Redwood gave Morgan a chance and he scored, but the try was not converted. On resuming Australia attacked strongly for a time, but as has been the case in all the other matches they failed to stay till the finish and at the end went all to pieces. Swannell, Morgan, and Gabe crossed the Australians’ line in quick succession, O’Brien and Bush converting two of the tries. The British Team thus won the match by 16 points to nil.

Otago defeated Southland on Saturday after a very fast game by n points to 8. The match which was played on the Caledonian Ground, Dunedin, attracted an attendance of 5000 people.

The following players have been selected to represent Otago and Southland against an Otago team next Saturday with a view to the final selection of ti combined team to meet the Britisheon the following Wednesday :—Fullback, Murphy ; threequarters, Gilray, Bennett, Baxter ; halves, Hislop, Burgess and Stead ; forwards, Robinson, Hughes, Abbott, Burley, Stuart, Adamson, McDonald, Porteous (wing).

Wairarapa defeated Wanganui on Satturday at Wanganui, by 20 points to 6. The match was played in heavy rain, the visitors heavy forward team showing to advantage on the slippery ground.

Wellington beat Manawatu at Palmerston North on Saturday, by 8 points to 3. In the first half, WellingtonJiad all the best of the game, but in the second spell they were kept on the defensive all the time. The match, which was played in splendid weather, proved one of the most exciting seen on the ground.

Taranaki defeated Wairarapa rather easily last week by 17 points to nil. The match was played at New Plymouth.

The Southland player Stead has been chosen captain for the New Zealand Team against the British Fifteen in the big match in Wellington on August 13. * * * * The following team has been chosen to represent New Zealand against Great Britain at Wellington on August 13 :— Full-back, Gerrard (Auckland) ; threequarters, Wallace (Wellington), Harper (Christchurch), McGregor (Wellington) ; five-eighths. Wood (Auckland), Stead (Southland) ; half, Harvey (Canterbury)wing forward, Porteous (Otago) : forwards, Tyler (Auckland!, Cross (Wellington), Glenn, (Taranaki), Gallaher (Auckland), Cooke (South Canterbury), Fanning (Canterbury), Seeling (Auckland).

Canterbury beat South Canterbury last week by 18 points to 8 in a match played at Timaru. « » « * Wellington rather easily defeated Southland in a match played at Wellington last week. At half-time the score was three all, but in the second spell with a strong wind in their favour the local men had all the best of matters, winning by 14 points to 3. * * * * On Saturday the Ponsonby and North Shore teams played off the tie in the comr petition for the third grade championship, Ponsonby winning by nine points (three tries) to nil. The scorers were Mathieson, Trevarthen, and Carlaw. Ponsonby thus win the third grade championship for season 1904. * * « * The match between Auckland and Waihi, which was played under Australian Rules, ended in a victory for Auckland by 4 goals, 10 behinds, to 2 goals, 9 behinds. The match was played at Waihi, and attracted a big attendance. The visitors were entertained at a smoke concert in the evening.

The British Team of footballers left Sydney on Saturday evening by the Union liner Warrimoo and were due to arrive in Wellington last night. They play Otago and Southland on Wednesday.

ASSOCIATION.

NEW SOUTH WALES V. NEW ZEALAND.

THE SECOND TEST MATCH ENDS IN A DRAW.

Some three thousand spectators were present at the Athletic Park, Christchurch, on Saturday, to see the return match between New South Wales and New Zealand, included among the spectators being Lord and Lady Plunkett. The teams were as follows .—New Zealand : Goal : Smallbone ; backs, Clapham and Amies ; halves, Taylor, Clark, and Kilgour ; forwards/ Morrison, Mouat, Forshaw, Sale, and Riley. New South Wales : Goal, Spencer ; bachs, Condon and McMahon ; halves, Byers, Hilder, and Timms ; forwards, Wadell, Carey, Moore, Medcalf, and Rae. After some give and take play, Forshow was first to score for the home team, and soon after, as the result of some smart work, Sale added another goal. The visitors then rallied, and as the result of a very determined attack, Rae shot a nice goal. Directly after from a corner Moore headed the ball through, thus equalising the score. Very even work was done in the second half, the home team showing more powerful play, which was neutralised by the superior combination of the N.S.W. men. Rae kicked another goal for the Light Blues, but Sale managed to put the home team’s score level with a good goal. Very fast work followed till time was called, the game thus ending in a draw. Lady* Plunkett subsequently presented the Pinnock Cup to the Aucklander Sale, as being the best player of the New Zealand team.

The match between North Shore and Corinthians, on Saturday, ended in a draw, as did the match between Grafton and W.Y.M.I.