FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1122, 12 October 1911, Page 11

FOOTBALL.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH. NORTHERNERS VICTOR«OUS. A RAGGED DISPLAY. There is generally a good deal of interest taken in the inter-island match by the Rugby-going public, but this season appeared to be an exception to the rule, for owing to the lateness of the fixture all enthusiasm in football •matters had practically ebbed out .by the time last Saturday’s match came up for decision at Athletic Park, Wellington. Ever since the date of the inter-island match was made known it was pointed out by Rugby authorities in all parts of the Dominion that October 7 was much too late for the fixture, and the result of Saturday’s game, both from a playing standard and financial point of view, proves the wisdom of these statements, and the New Zealand Rugby Union have no doubt by this time realised their mistake. The teams which took the field on Saturday as Rugby representatives of the North and South Islands were very different from those originally selected, and it is doubtful if ever the northern and southern combinations were of such poor calibre as in last week’s game. In the North Island team Aucklanders, who have played

so prominent a part in previous interisland contests, were conspicuous by their absence, not one of the quartette of Aucklanders chosen making the trip to Wellington. The South Island team also underwent considerable alteration, so that both fifteens were a long way below their original strength. Some 3000 onlookers assembled at Athletic Park, the weather being perfect, but too warm for the players, while the ground was in a very hard condition. The North Islanders were regarded as the greatest sufferers through the defection of players, and the Southerners were therefore considered to have the best chances of securing a victory, especially as in both the previous inter-island matches the men from the South had come out on top. Contrary to expectations, the South Island team, after starting off well, suffered defeat at the hands of the North by 19 points to 9, though the Southerners were mostly on the attack, and it was only sheer bad luck that nipped their efforts in the bud at the critical moment on several occasions. The game was strenuously contested, but nevertheless was a ragged exhibition, most of the brilliant work being accomplished individually. One could not expect the combination of the teams to be faultless, since they were brought together at such short notice, but it was thought that experienced players who are good enough to represent the North and South would combine better than was the case in last Saturday’s inter-is-land contest. The fact of many of the players being out of condition accounted in no small measure for the

mediocre display which the game sometimes developed into, and emphasises more than ever the need for this match being played earlier. THE TEAMS. The teams were as follows: — North Island (black): —Full-back, Kinvig (Wellington). Three-quarters, Ryland (Poverty Bay), Grace (Wellington), Rawhiri (Horowhenua)- Fiveeighths, F. Roberts (Wellington), Kaipara (Poverty Bay). Half, Brown (Taranaki)- Forwards, Colman (Taranaki), Leahy (Wellington), Elliott (Wellington), Downing (Hawke’s Bay), Sullivan (Wellington), Young (Taranaki), Desmond (Wairarapa), Wilsbn (Wellington). South Island (white): —Full-back, Scott (Otago). Three-quarters, Guthrie (Canterbury), Lynch (South Canterbury), Burns (Canterbury). Fiveeighths, Irving (West Coast), Gray (Canterbury). Half, Green (Buller). Forwards, Murray (Canterbury), Hasell (Canterbury), Biggar (Southland), Macdonald (Marlborough), Forbes (Marlborough), Patterson (Otago), Dalton (South Canterbury), Best (Nelson). INCIDENTS OF THE GAME. South Island availed themselves of the wind as a result of winning the toss, but they were troubled by the sun in their eyes; South were soon invading North’s territory, where after a vigorous attack they were awarded a penalty, and Scott taking the kick sent the ball over the cross-bar. South

3, North nil. The Southern men immediately returned to the attack from the drop out, but the Northern backs stemmed the opposition in good style, play being shifted to neutral territory. Murray, the Canterbury forward, then created great excitement by breaking through the North Island’s defence with the ball at his toe, but his career was stopped by Kinvig, the Northern full-back, gathering in the leather neatly, and cleverly saving the situation with a powerful line-kick. The South Island forwards continued to hold the upper hand and drove the Northerners back almost to their goal line, where a scramble ensued, and Macdonald, taking a short pass, was across the line in a moment. The referee ruled the pass forward, however, and ordered a scrum. A passing run by Rangi Wilson, Roberts, and Grace threatened danger to the Southerners, but the last-named player’s pass to Ryland was missed by the Poverty Bay three-quarter, who fell and lost a good chance. Roberts lost no time in again setting the North Island backs in motion, the ball going to Kaipara and on to Grace, who dodged past two of the Southerners, and, outpacing the others, scored a good try behind the posts. Rawhiri was successful with the kick- North 5, South 3. The Northern backs were now wound right up and after several futile attempts to improve their score, Rawhiri gathered in the leather and sent on to Roberts, who transferred to Wilson to Ryland, and the speedy Poverty Bay three-quarter made amends for his previous failure by sprinting in and scoring. Rawhiri narrowly

missed the shot at goal. North 8, South 3. From a scramble Lynch, the South Canterbury player, secured the ball near the half-way and raced for the line. He evaded Kinvig, but was pursued by Ryland, whom he threw off when overtaken, but Rawhiri then went at him. Lynch, however, managed to get across, the line and ground the ball with his opponent still clinging to him, the try being the signal for much cheering. Scott failed with the kick, and half-time sounded with the score: North 8, South 6. Good work by the Northern backs carried play to South’s 25, where Rangi Wilson put the finishing touches on some brilliant play by picking up the leather and breaking across. Rawhiri kicked a good goal. North 13, South 6. Guthrie, the Canterbury three-quarter, making a splendid opening for the Southerners, Lynch scored a fairly soft try. Scott’s kicking was again at fault. North 13, South 9. A brilliant run by Grace gave promise of a score, but the Wellington three-quarter was brought to grief when close to the line, a force resulting a few minutes later- A clever rush by the Southern forwards gave the Northerners considerable anxiety in their own 25, a score being narrowly averted. With the Southerners working hard for a score near their opponents’ line matters became exciting, but their efforts met with the worst of luck, Burns and Lynch both being pulled up when almost across. North gradually forced the Southerners back, and Rangi Wilson, seizing an opening, shot across smartly

and scored. Colman failed with the kick. North 16, South 9. Roberts, securing the leather, set his rearguard going by passing to Grace, who put in a fine sprint and transferred to Rawhiri, who succeeded in getting across, but a scrum was ordered. A moment later Desmond secured the ball from the scrum and scored, but Colman failed with the shot. North 19, South 9. It was now quite apparent the South Island men were handsomely beaten, and though they made big efforts to reduce the margin of points in the remaining minutes of play the whistle blew without alteration in the score. Mr. H. E. Card controlled the game in efficient style.