THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 966, 10 September 1908, Page 10

THE FOOTBALL WORLD.

AUCKLAND B.U, FIXTUBES. September 12: Against Otago. ' (g AUCKLAND v. GOLDFIELDS. The Auckland representatives journeyed td Waihi on Saturday for the purpose of playing the return match with the Goldfields team, but owing to the inability of several P la / er t!2 make the - trip, the blue and white combination was not regarded as an o v er _powerful one. Still, the Auck landers placed a win to their credit, the Goldfields team being defeated by 10 points to 3, after a game which was devoid of any brilliant play. The Auckland forwards particularly were far below their usual strength, but though the Goldfields forwards proved a fairly solid set, honours rested with the visitors, who were mostly engaged on the attack. Judging by the exhibition given by the Goldfields representatives on the occasion of their first meeting this season with the Auckland fifteen at Alexandra Park, a couple of months back, and in view of the defeat of the Aucklanders last Saturday week by the Thames team, it was thought the wearers of the blue and white would go under at Waihi in Saturday’s match, which expectation, however, proved incorrect. The superior tactics of the Auckland fifteen were brought into play with advantageous results, and their win was thoroughly deserved. The match was played on the Waihi Recreation Ground under splendid weather conditions, and attracted a large number

of spectators, a good many of whom journeyed by train from the Thames. The Goldfields won the toss, and for the first ten minutes kept Auckland busy defending. Fine kicking by Gillett, however, relieved the situation, and the Auckland forwards, with a vigorous rush, carried matters into the home team’s 25, but were unable to break through the Goldfields defence. A long kick by the local men found its way into the hands of the blue and whites’ full back, and the Goldfields’ forwards, by smart following up, smothered his return, and a score seemed imminent, but strenuous work on the part of the Aucklanders was responsible for relieving the danger and shifting play into the home team’s territory, where, from a penalty kick, Gillett had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Shortly afterwards the Auckland backs secured possession of the leather from a scrum, and Renwick, taking a pass in good style, ran in and scored Auckland’s first tiy. Gillett placed a goal from a fairly easy angle. The Goldfields then made a determined effort to score, and were successful in this respect, a clever passing run enabling Johnston to get over in the corner. Brennan took the shot at goal, but failed to add the major points. Auckland, 5; Goldfields, 3. The Auckland backs then showed out in several passing rushes, but the defence of the local men was

found too solid to penetrate, and half time was called without further score. The commencement of the second half saw the Goldfields lead off attacking, the leather being forced mto Auckland’s 25, but the blue and white forwards soon removed the danger and carried the ball into the home team’s territory. Here Gillett had a shot at a penalty goal, but without success. Play being taken into Auckland’s 25, and the visitors being penalised, Johnston had an unsuccessful attempt at goal. A period of willing play, in which the Aucklanders had the Goldfields men hard pressed in their own 25, followed, and though the visitors were within an ace of scoring their efforts to get over proved fruitless. The Goldfields being penalised, Eaton was entrusted with a shot at goal, but failed in his attempt. Finally, from a scrum, Eaton secured the leather, and broke over the line and scored. The same player succeeded in adding the major points. The Aucklanders then attacked hotly, and, being awarded a free kick, Eaton made an unsuccessful shot at goal. Shortly afterwards the Goldfields made matters look dangerous for the blue and whites, but once again the Auckland forwards cleared their goal line. The final incident of the match was another attempt at goal from a penalty kick by Eaton, which failed to increase the score, and the game ended: — Auckland, 10; Goldfields, 3. Practically no interest at all was taken in the match played at Alexandra Park between the Wednesday Afternoon representatives and an Auckland B team, not more than a hundred spectators being present. The game proved to be a very secondrate display, many of the players being much out of form. As was expected, the Auckland B fifteen had little difficulty in securing a victory, the game ending in their favour by 12 points to 3. The first score was obtained in the latter part of the 'first spell, Wolfgram, with a speedy run, getting over and drawing first blood for the Auckland B s. Hall was entrusted with the kick, but his attempt proved fruitless, half-time sounding with the score: Auckland B, 3; Wednesday Afternoon Reps., 0. In the second half the Wednesday Afternoon men equalised the score shortly after the resumption of play, Brighton getting over and registering a try, which was not converted. The Auckland B team then made matters lively for their opponents, and tries were scored in succession by Estall, Pople, and Williams, none of which, however, were converted, and no-side was called with the Auckland B fifteen winners by 12 points to 3. COUNTRY MATCHES. At Papatoetoe the local fifteen defeated Mangere by 18 points to 3. At Hamilton, the Thames representatives defeated the Waikato team by 6 points to 3. THE GAME IN THE SOUTH. At Napier the Auckland Sacred Heart College Old Boys fifteen met the Napier Marist Bros. Old Boys team, the game ending in a draw — six points (two tries) each. At Christchurch a match was played between the Canterbury representatives and the Otago team, and after a vigorous game, in which both sides were responsible for a fine forward display, the contest ended in a draw, each side scoring eight points. Canterbury played with the weather conditions in their favour during the first spell, but were unable to do more than hold their own against their doughty opponents. Both teams succeeded in registering three points before the whistle sounded for halftime, Sutherland notching a try for Otago, which was not converted, while for Canterbury Weston kicked a penalty goal. Play in the second spell was of a lively character, both teams being very evenly matched, and getting to work in solid fashion. Otago were the first to register a score, Patterson breaking through the Canterbury men’s line of defence and securing a try. Paton took the shot at goal, and was successful in piloting the ball over the crossbar.

Canterbury then rallied, and shortly before time was called a smart passing run resulted in Fryer dashing in and scoring. Weston was successful with the shot at goal, making the final score:—Otago, 8 Canterbury, 8. NOTES. A. F. Harding, captain of the British team, had a bone in his ankle fractured in the first match which the Anglo-Welsh team played in New South Wales.

The Harry Phillips benefit match, played at Ellerslie on Saturday, between the Harp of Erin fifteen and the Ellerslie Hotel team, resulted in a win for the former by 6 points to 3, after a highly exciting contest. At the close of the first spell the Ellerslie men were leading by three points—a try scored by Forgie—but in the second half the Harp managed

to run up six points, a penalty goal kicked by Hardwick and a try notched by H. Blackburn. Photographs of both teams appear elsewhere in this issue.

The recent match between Southland and Otago is the last ’ rtant game in which W. Stead, the wellknown All Black five-eighths, will participate, as he has definitely defied to retire. Stead in his day has been a brilliant player, and by his form in the match in question (says a Southern paper) he demonstrated that he is still quite in the first flight. It is, indeed, not too much to say that Stead was the best back on the ground, and his individual effort which led up to Southland’s second try was the best display of intelligence and initiative in the match. We in Otago (continues the paper) have in the past been most unfortunate in not seeing the All Black at his best, and for several years when Stead played before an Otago audience he was degrees below form, xiiis created a false impression as to his abilities, and the critics were unable, on what they saw, to give the popular Southlander all the honours due to him. Of recent years, however, Stead has proved beyond doubt what a fine player he really is, and after his recent exhibition he retires with the full confidence of Otago’s enthusiasts.

Referring to the meeting of the Otago team with the Auckland representatives on Saturday, the “ Otago Witness ” writer “ Fullback ” says that the contest will probably prove to be the toughest match of the Southern men’s tour. It should be an even game in general conditions, as Auckland this season is much like Otago in that their backs are nothing out of the ordinary, and, speaking flatteringly, are not in the first flight. But the forwards! (he goes on to say) Well, they are just the toughest proposition in the whole of Maoriland, and I am writing of an intimate knowledge of all the packs in the Dominion. Good as the Otago forwards are on paper and on the field, they are not quite the class of the Auckland vanguard. In weight and strength, yes; in line-out and scrum, no; and in dash and “devil,” years behind. The dash and “ devil ” of the Auckland pack is something

to ponder on, and it is the same vim put into their play which has a demoralising effect on the enemy, and makes them crumble like a cracknel in a dog’s mouth. Otago’s chances of beating Auckland with a mediocre lot of backs and a good forward team such as the province has sent away on tour is at this writing remote. Yet there is one chance of winning the Ranfurly Shield, and one chance only. Play Auckland at her own game-—a game of dash and “ devil,” fast, following up, and deadly tackling. Give Auckland strong doses of her own medicine —attack from the jump with horse, foot, and guns. Drive them back on defence of their own line. Give them defence to do, and pen them up like cattle in a corner. There’s only one way to bring the Ranfurly Shield to Otago, and that is to attack Auckland where she lives—in the vanguard. * * ♦' * ■ The Otago representatives who meet the Auckland team at Alexandra Park on Saturday in the match for the Ranfurly Shield, arrived in Auckland last evening (Wednesday), after having travelled from Wellington via the Main Trunk line. The Otago team left Wellington on Monday morning by train, arriving towards evening at Taihape, where they stayed overnight at the Gretna Hotel. Leaving Taihape on Tuesday morning at 8.30, the team travelled all day by rail and coach to Taumarunui. where the night was spent at Meredith House. The long train journey to Auckland was made yesterday, the footballers reach!r.' .- the Queen City just before darkness set in. The Otago men thus have two clear days in which to prepare mselves for the contest, >o that they should step on to the field on Saturday in the best of condition. :<s * * * The Auckland professional team leaves to-day (Thursday) for Wellington, where they play the return match with the Wellington professional team on Saturday. It was formerly the intention of the Auckland team to leave yesterday for New Plymouth and play a match against a Taranaki thirteen to-day, but it was found impossible to secure a ground; The Auckland team is as follows: — FrTl back. S. Riley; three-quarters. P. Redwood. H. Rowe, C. Dillamore; five-eighths, W. Tyler and A. Asher; half, R. Wynyard; forwards: W. Mackrell, W. Trevarthen, C. Dunning, S. McDonald, G. Barclay, and Hooper. Mr. Horace Jones, of the Rob Roy Hotel, accompanies the team as manager. * * i Much amusement was caused in Saturday’s match between the Auckland B team and the Wednesday Afternoon reps, by a certain member of the former fifteen, who had been persuaded to don the jersey owing to one of the players selected not putting in an appearance. This enthusiast who filled the vacancy, it may be mentioned, had not figured on a football field for as many years as sufficed to rob him of all knowledge of how to play the game. As an ex-

periment, however, Skipper Todd tried him in the front row of the pack, but as his hooking abilities were found wanting, it was decided to play him in the half-back position. Here he appeared to be more at sea than ever, so that as a last resource he was given an opportunity on the wing forward. Needless to say, he proved a failure im this position, with the result that he was finally shoved in among the forwards and allowed to roam about at will. ' To add to the humour of the situation, just before the call of time he was given a chance of putting his goal-kicking capabilitles to the test, but his effort in this direction was sadly in keeping with the rest: of i his play, and,, not surprising to relate, the ball did not go over the cross-bar.

A rather one-sided game was played between Otago and North Otago last week. All through the game Otago proved themselves superior to their opponents. In the first spell Otago scored 10 points to North Otago’s four, and in the second spell Otago added a further 17 points, while North Otago failed to score, the result being: Otago, 27 points; North Otago, 4 points. North Otago played five substitutes, that number of the selected team not being able to play.

Marlborough defeated Wellington B representatives last week by ten points to eight after a well-contested and’, interesting game. The local team’s score consisted of an unconverted try by Paul, a potted goal by Manning from nearly half-way, and a penalty goal by O’Brien, while Wellington’s total was made up of a try by Flanagan and a try by Perry, Gardner converting the latter. The trip of the Marlborough team to Auckland and the coaching received at the hands o* G. Tyler would seem to have effected an improvement in rhe play of the whole team.

The following extract from the official organ of the Victorian Football League refers to the New Zea-land-Australian Rules team:— “ The visitors are a fine, sturdy lot, and comprise among their ranks many who were former fine exponents of the Rugby game, but who, being possessed of a certain amount of intelligence, naturally decided to play the game. From a football point of view,

there is only one game. . . . Nobody but a Rugby fanatic will even attempt to argue the point as to the relative merits of the two games.” Evidently the Rugby players of New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland are people of no intelligence. Yet it seems curious that the intelligent people who play the Australian game in the cabbage garden appear to mix up more riots, free fights, assaulting the referee, and that sort of thing with the play than all the other States put together. Is it because the players and spectators want a little excitement after so dull a game?

THE OTAGO MATCH.

Next Saturday the big match will be between Otago and Auckland, and this will virtually ring down the curtain for the season. It will be played at Alexandra Park, and is a challenge match for the Ranfurly Shield. The following team has been chosen by the selector (Mr. D. Gallaher) to represent Auckland: — Full back: Miller. Three-quarters: Renwick, Murray, and Wilson. Five-eighths: R. Magee and G. Bater. Half-back: Morse. Wing forward: G. Gillett (captain). Forwards: J. Maguire (City), F. Herring, A. Francis, W. Cunningham, G. Nicholson, H. Hayward, and C. Seeling. It will be noticed that Miller, of North Shore, is full back, while Renwick has joined the three-quarter line in place of Johnston, who could not play. Although Otago is said to have a fine f. -ward team, their back division is ueak, and under the circumstances it seems fairly certain that the Aucklanders will still be custodians of the Shield after the game is over.

AUCKLAND JUNIORS v. THAMES JUNIORS.

The Auckland and Thames Junior teams will meet at the Thames on Saturday, and the selector, (Mr; H. Jones) has chosen the following to represent Auckland: — Full back: Healey (Newton). Three-quarters: Cross (Ponsonby),

Smith (Parnell), Sergeant (North Shore). Five-eighths: H. Wynyard (North Shore) and Thomas (Parnell). Half-back: Dick (Parnell). Wing forward: Dervan (Marist Brothers). Forwards: Baker (North Shore), Fricker (Ponsonby), McKinnon (Ponsonby), Callaghan (Newton), Grundy (Ponsonby), Shaw (North Shore), Hayward (Newton). Emergencies^- Forward, Gardiner (Newton); back, Carlaw (Ponsonby). A RUNAWAY GAME. Wellington simply ran over Manawatu on Saturday, winning by 46 points to 5. Tries were obtained for Wellington by Rush (3), Evenson (2)7 Matheson, Shadbolt, Roberts, Hamilton, “ Ranji ” Wilson, and McLeod, five being converted, while Roberts kicked a goal from a mark. Manawatu’s score consisted of a try obtained by McMinn, and converted by the same player.