NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1073, 29 September 1910, Page 12

NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND.

SOUTH AGAIN VICTORIOUS.

The North-South Island match, which was played at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, on Saturday, resulted in one of the fastest and finest games that has been seen in the Cathedral City. The weather conditions were all that could be desired, and fully 5000 spectators assembed to witness the battle royal between the chosen of both islands. The South Island succeeded in adding another win to their list of victories, the match ending in their favour by 14 points to 10. The game, which was of a very willing character from start to finish, was devoid of any rough play, and the excitement was intense throughout, the forwards making the game as open as possible. The superior play of the South Island forwards won the match, the Southerners beating their opponents both in the close and open work. The teams lined out as follows:— North Island.—Fullback, J. O’Leary (Auckland); threequarters, T. M. Grace (Wellington), F. Mitchinson (Wellington), H- Dawson (Wellington); five-eighths, T. Kaipara (South. Auckland), M. McLeod (Wellington); halfback, E- Roberts (Wellington); forwards, H. Avery (Wellington), A. Francis (Auckland), J. F. Wylie (Auckland), H- T. Whitington (Tara-

naki), T. Rapson (Wellington), W. Winiata (Horowhenua), P. Leahy ■(Wellington), E. Perry (Wellington). South Island. —Fullback, A. Scott (Otago); threequarters, P. Wall

(South Canterbury), P. A. Anderson (Greymouth), R. Colvin (Buller): five-eighths, G- D. Gray (Canterbury), G. Coles (South Canterbury); halfback, C. Green (Buller); forwards, H. Murray (Canterbury), T. Bain (Canterbury), J .Ridland (Southland), J. Graham (Otago), A. Patterson (Otago), H. Paton (Otago), C. Fitzgerald (South Canterbury), R. G. Forbes (Marlborough). Mr. A. Hooper (Canterbury) was referee.

The Northerners were captained by Francis, while Paton acted as skipper of the South Islanders. Francis set the ball moving, and an exchange of kicks followed. Weak defence by Grace gave the Southerners a chance in the North’s 25, and Green securing possession from a scrum made a tricky run through the opposition and scored. He took the kick himself, but was unsuccessful: South, 3; North, nil.

The Southern forwards were displaying magnificent form, and gave the Northerners an anxious time. The North being penalised, Paton had a shot at goal, which, however, resulted in failure. A moment later Patterson made a brilliant attempt at potting a goal, the ball just missing its mark, and the Northern representatives forced. From the kick-out the Northern men livened up, and good work by Francis carried the leather into the South’s 25. The Northern backs failed to make use of a good opportunity, and Gray cleared the danger, the ball eventually finding its way into touch in North’s 25. The Southerners were having the best of it, Murray particularly playing a sterling game, and Green again securing the leather from the scrum, scored another clever try behind the postsPaton sent the ball over the bar: South, 8; North, nil.

The Southerners continued to hold the advantage, and Paton, being entrusted with a kick from a mark taken by Green, the Otago man sent the ball fairly between the uprights: South, 11; North, nil. The Northerners then took a turn at attacking, and Paton being penalised in South’s 25, O’Leary piloted the ball over the bar, half-time being sounded shortly after with the score: South, 11; North, 3. The Southern men were early on the attack in the second half, and Anderson raised the excitement of the crowd by putting in a good sprint until grassed toy O’Leary. The Northerners were now playing with better combination, and Coles securing, kicked to O’Leary, and the Aucklander potted a superb goal: South, 11; North, 7. A series of forward rushes by the Northerners had the South Island men in trouble, but the latter soon returned to the attack, Patterson finally scoring a good try. Paton made a fine, though unsuccessful, shot at goal: South. 14; North Island, 7. The Southern forwards were putting considerable dash into their ef-

Iwere “The Parting Hour,” ‘‘Spring Ikgain,” and Tosti’s “ Good-bye.” L Mr. Cyril Towisey’s piano solos were impromptu A Flat,” and five lyric {pieces by Greig, while he also acted as accompanist with a finish that maker tally added to the success of the [concert. Miss Beryl Yeoland, Dr. ! Reith and Mr. O. E. Farrow also contributed enjoyable items. AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS SOCIETY. i Considerable public , interest is being shown in the competitions to be held in November next, as was evidenced by the large attendance at the ; concert at the Choral Hall on Thursday, held under the auspices of the Auckland Competitions Society. The Choral, Orchestral, Liedertafel and Shakespearian societies gave their support to the concert and helped in no small measure to its success. Competitions are invaluable for arousing a spirit of emulation, and the success of similar societies in other centres should not fail to be achieved by the local society, which has progress for its keynote. At Thursday’s concert very pleasing items were contributed by the Auckland Liedertafel under Dr. W. E. Thomas, Mr. Robert Bell (tenor gold medallist at the recent Waikato festival), Mr,. Cyril Towsey, Miss Mary Cooper, Mr. A. J. Black, Mr. Wilfred Manning, Miss Blanche Garland, the Lyric .Quartette. Mr. Farrow and Miss Beryl Yeoland.