THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 916, 26 September 1907, Page 13

THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

(BY

“SCRUTATOR.”)

It, was befitting that the last rep. match of the season should also be the ‘best. ' Taranaki came with the full intention of repeating the drubbing administered a month ago at New Plymouth. Auckland took the field with the determination to win. back lost laurels, and assert its superiority. The result was a keen contest, in which play was fast and furious. Tn fact, within the last half-hour it devolved in a species of hurricane football, and such a strenuous exhibition ■of Rugby has not been seen for a long time in Auckland. * * * * Auckland won the toss and elected to play with a very strong wind behind them, Taranaki having to face the full glare of a blazing sun. Notwithstanding, the visitors commenced by making matters very willing. For the first 20 minutes it looked as though the home team was to be kept chiefly on the defensive, but the dexterous line-kicking of one or two of the blue and whites got them out of a tight corner, and gave the chance the backs had been waiting for. * * * * Gillett managed to get possession within Taranaki’s 25. He transferred to Bater, who in turn passed to Wilson, and the speedy threequarter .streaked through and scored. Francis has quite forgotten the art of goalkicking, and his attempt to convert, from an easy angle, went hopelessly wide. Very shortly afterwards Asher had the chance of resurrecting a flash of the old-time brilliancy over which the crowds used to go into ecstacies. Gillett and Bater were again instrumental in working a splendid coup, giving Asher the chance of-putting in the finishing touch. “ Opai,” not satisfied with getting over the line, essayed to go one further by planting the ball behind the goal posts. Sheehan made an attempt to check his career, but the Auckland threequarter hopped clean over him and scored. Yet again Francis mulled the chance of converting. « ♦. < ♦ Auckland’s third score was rather a neat one, Hogan getting across in the extreme corner. Hall made a good attempt to add the major points from a difficult angle, but just missed the mark. Taranaki then worked hostilities into Auckland territory, and by means of really fine dribbling rushes managed to keep the blue and whites defending. The visiting forwards were particularly adept at the dribbling game, and the best work of the kind seen this season was when Kivell, Sheehan and Co. would get the ball under way and carry it down the field. As a result of one of these manoeuvres, T. Sheehan, at the head of a forward rush, dived over the line and scored. Colman’s endeavour to pilpt the ball over the crossbar was unsuccessful.' * * * * Resuming after half-time, Auckland attacked with no end of vigour, yand had Tarapaki in trouble right away. Seeling had been “ all out” from the sound of the whistle, playing a particularly fine game. He and Nicholson forced play into Taranaki’s 25,and then Seeling once again proved his right to be considered a dangerous man on the line; Taking a pass from Nicholson he simply dashed across and a brilliant try. Hall’s ef-fort-to convert was . hopeless in the facb of-a strong wind. '•

Twice Asher made the mistake of interfering, with Miller, the Auckland fullhack, when it should have been left to the latter to take and return the ball. The third time proved fatal, and the try scored was directly hpv zbad>:play jQn. )o Asher’s ;part. ' ECuhter?s>boosted^';the -."S>aH into Aufekj„lan4’sf 25, . a^d^shei^ J instead of leaving it to if- ever, misses, z mulled - ! the ! "take. The “ All followed on smartly, sniped'the'b^al-fipi-find scored. Colnian’s goal 'was a';beaujy.„' 7 -For -the rest bf.the game play'was 'fast and furious, and., moved . the „cro,wd,tp a t bf The ''Jprw>]fd .dlVislp^f'.bf Wli;ippihs..>ere

though no further scores were added, the strenuous battle of the last 20 minutes was the best part of the game. ; Taranaki possesses a very strong combination this season. Much disappointment was felt at Hardgreaves’ inability to play, since much had been heard of the Southern fallback. Hunter and Mynott were naturally the double to attract most attention, and their play at five-eighths was an exhibition in itself. Colman, however, was the most conspicuous player on the ground, and either behind the scrum or in the open he was a wonderful asset to the visiting fifteen. Whittington is the best warrior in the Taranaki pack. Crowley, Kivell, and T. Sheehan were prominent in much of the loose work, but thd pack was a'together a creditable one. * * * * In Saturday’s match C. Seeling easily stood out ahead of all others in the brilliancy of his play, and his deadly tackling and vigorous rushes were a feature of the game. Herring and Tyler were also particularly solid. Gillett, in his old place as wing forward, was right in the thick of it all the time. The backs were all at their best, Wilson perhaps deserving most credit, though Miller, at fullback, was a marvel. . NEWS AND NOTES. Hunter, the “All Black” captain, did not return with the Taranaki team on Sunday, but went on to Rotorua, vrhere he is spending a brief holiday. * * * % At a banquet following on the Auck-land-Taranaki match, reference was made in the usual after-dinner speeches to the entire absence of rough play, and the strictures of the Southern press were generally decried.

The reason of W. Cunningham’s retirement from football is now evident. The famous “All Black” went over to the ranks of the Benedicts this week, and is now honeymooning at Rotorua. Rugger enthusiasts will unanimously wish “Cunny” and his bride the hapiest of. life-partnerships. . * * • ' * . * That. Herring, the City hooker, should shine out so prominently in such aristocratic company as he found himself last Saturday-in the AucklandTaranaki match, speaks well for his chances of figuring next season as a New Zealand rep. * ■ * * * Ponsonby club is jubilant over winping so many rep. caps this year, and .is. to ,celebrate,, tlie,.event and wind up ‘ the season generally, with a smoke social. . ' When the New Zealand professionals touched at Freemantle, they were ; interviewed by' the local Press. The : “Daily News”; reports a chat with Mr Palmer, ( the’■ manager, who said:— “*ViZlien w;e^get;ih,' , i>'j't i .of system going I think - we-shall?;be stronger than any team that. has„.left; New Zealand. ' It must nbFbe "that the . All Blacks’ they--left <New Zealand

(3 to nil) points. Of that famous AH Black combination, we have on board now M'Gregoi’ (back), Johnston (forward), Mackrell (forward), and Smith (back). Then there is Messenger, of New South Wales, who has thrown in his lot with us, and who can safely be regarded as the greatest three-quarter in the world. We have not played together much to acquire much system, but the Northern unions have generously made provision on the provision on the programme so that we play the weakest teams first. This gives us a chance to get some sort of a system.” * * * * Who is the best player unearthed this season in Auckland football? Miller, the sterling North Shore fullback, and Hall, the dashing Ponsonby forward, should nearly share the honour of those this year relegated to rep. honours.. * * * * This issue practically rings down the football curtain. The season has in every way been a satisfactory one. The premiership competitions were never more interesting than they were this winter, and the Ponsonby-City finals were productive of some very keen football. The departure of the professionals is an era in the history of New Zealand football, and several of the Auckland clubs suffered severe losses. * * * * The Southern tour of the Auckland team was not altogether fraught with success, but the fact that we still hold the coveted Ranfurly Shield is a consolation which has a balmful influence. Despite the insinuation at our “rough play,” the season has been wonderfully free of accidents, and there has not been a serious mishap to chronicle

throughout the season. The Auckland Rugby Union may well feel satisfied with a strenuous season’s work. * * * * The Ponsonby fourths met a combined Maori team picked from the St. Stephen’s and Three King’s Colleges on Saturday, when the latter fifteen gained a victory over the fourth grade championship winners by 11 points to 3. When the teams lined out it was seen that the Maoris were far heavier than their opponents, and the general opinion was that the pakehas were in for a good licking. The way in which the Ponsonby ites got to work kept the Maoris busy, and had they possessed a little more weight the result would undoubtedly have been. reversed. A feature of the game was the excellent passing of the Maori College backs, who handled the ball in great style, and gained much appreciation from the onlookers. Most of their passing runs were thwarted however, by the splendid tackling of the Ponsonby men, who time after time broke up the attacking line of the Maoris. . The Maoris secured three 'tries,. ope of- which . was converted, - whije tee Ponsonby fifteen succeeded in -a 'try, - • c •

Wellington appears to be meeting with a somewhat similar experience to that of the Aucklanders during the tour of. the South Island. On Saturday the Wellingtonians received the second defeat, of the tour, when Otago gained a win over them by 9 points to 6. The absence of Wallace and Roberts weakened the Wellington team considerably, but the game was keenly contested all through, and its issue was doubtful right up to the call of time. In the first half Macpherson (2) and Paton scored tries for Otago, while Evenson notched a try for Wellington. During the second half Evenson crossed the line again for Wellington, and no further score resulting, the game ended in a win for Otago by 9 points to 6. NAPIER NEWS. My Hawke’s Bay correspondent writes: — Probably the largest attendance of the public, including a large number of Napier visitors, at Storford Lodge this season, assembled on Saturday to witness the Rovers v. Scinde match in the banner final. Scinde won the toss and faced the sun. The Rovers kicked off against a moderate wind. After some even play, the Rovers were awarded a free kick for offside play, but failed. . From a throw-in Payne took the ball and passed in. O’Neill caught the ball and got near the line when he passed to Paddy, who took the leather behind the posts and scored. Williams failed with the kick. Scinde again attacked and were awarded a free kick, but Walshe failed. . A scrum was ordered near - Scinde’s line, and H. Jago picked up the ball and scored. Caulton did not .add to the score. In the second spell, Scinde commenced . aggressively and

soon after the start Heath scored; Walshe failed to add the major points. Rovers then attacked and Mclntyre kicked the ball over Scinde’s line, and scored, Caulton converted, as the result of a good passing rush. Wood succeeded in crossing Rovers’ line, blit Walshe failed at goal. 'A little later, after excellent passing, Wood again scored and once more Walshe failed. A few minutes afterwards Caulton failed with a good kick from a mark, and, the ball careering down the field, Thow scored and Caulton converted. Scinde ■ attacked and from a free kick Walshe placed a goal. Scinde played a plucky game, and near time they almost scored from a splendid f .passing; rush ■ headed by White, -Russen''-:wd‘v:-ito<jaf > thy'> The game resulted: Rovers-16, Scinde 12. Mr Pegler k discharged the duties of referee.' . . - -