ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1217, 28 August 1911, Page 6

ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

FIRST OF THE BIG MATCHES.

TARANAKI MEN PLAY ALL OVER WELLINGTON

STOHR'S FEAT IN PLACE-KICKING.

Outplayed, out-manoeuvred, and walked nrfr —that was Wellington's portion on Saturday. It was the hugest father of a beating that they have had from Taranaki, and, (hough (hoy did not altogether "take it lying down," they had to take it all the same. One of tho features of the match, as will be seen, was Stohr's unerring boot whenever it came to goalkicking. He lias shot over lots of "gcod ones" in his time, but, on Saturday, ho soeiuert to be right at th'e top of his form. llio ground was in perfect order, and tho conditions generally were all that could bo desired. Something over six thousand spectators gathered to witness the match—the first big representative game of (he reason —and the general opinion appeared to bo that Wellington would win. The game had not progressed very far, however, before the local men were "up against it," and this was established beyond all doubt before the (irst half ended. At that stage Taranaki bad a credit of 12 points as against Wellington's 3. lu (lie filial half tho visitors continued to pile up their score until the total was 23 points to 3. ]t was indeed a heavy'beating. The Wellington forwards played a good losing game, 'and stuck to their doughty opponents until the end, but (lie local back's were hopelessly outclassed. The 6no try, scored by Wellington (curly in the game) was a really fino picee of work, Cook streaking over at the corner after the ball had passed through the whola chain of backs. A e-oupio more tries might have been added to the puny scorc of tho local men had play gone to Cook's instead of to Daly's wing in the second half. Well, Daly had his chances, and ho threw them away, .and, with them, his chances of further representative honours (his season probably go also. It was almost humorous to see the visitors counter tho feeble efforts of the Wellington rearguard in attack. Almost every timo that tho local men essayed a passing run it was turned to rrertit by M'Lcod, Mynolt. Cameron, and Co., who simply played all over the Wellington backs. The performance of tho visitors will bo long remembered, and oven tho most biased supporters of the local team must admit its brilliance. It was Iwd to watch Wellington going to the wall, but it was magnificent football tor the spectators, even though most of tliem had come to see Wellington win. As mentioned, a feature of the gamo was the place-kicking of Stolir, who put up a remarkable performance by kicking four penally goals and converting a try— fourteen paints out of a total of 23. Better place-kickine lias not been seen on the Athletic Park than the exhibition given on Saturday by the Taranaki man. In all, 17 games have been played between tho two provinces, Wellington having won S, and lost S, whilst one lias been drawn. Saturday's seoro_ is the highest over recorded in a Wcllington-Taranaki match. The Teams. Taranaki (amber and black).—Fullback; Hill. Three-quarters: Cameron, Roberts, Stohr. Five-oiahlhs: M'Lcod, Mynott. Half: Brown., Forwards: Wliittington, Dcwar, Young, Smith, Hawkins, Cain, Osborne. Wellington (black).—Full-back: Eietison. Three-quarters: Daly, Mitchinson, Cook. Five-eighths: J. Ryan, Kinvig. Half: Tilyard. Forwards: 1 Hills, Elliott, D. Sullivan, Moffitt, Pevrv, King, Bell. Two Tastes of Stohr. From the kick-off Wellington carried play into tho Taranaki twenty-five, and the ball came out to Tilyard, who mulled. A l'rec-kick was then awarded to Wellington, and the ball was taken on the Taranaki line by .Stohr, who cut infield, and. after beating (Several men, neatly kicked tho length of the field, the leather going out at the corner. Taranaki were now boring hard into the Blacks' twenty-five, and presently M'Lcod snapped a mark in front of tho posts and enabled Stohr, who was destined to be so much in evidence all day, to shoot tho ball over tho bar in workman-like style. Taranaki 3 points, Wellington 0. From the kick-out tho Wellington forwards attacked, and play was swept up to the Taranaki twenty-five line. A freekick to tho visitors relieved, but Kinvig put Wellington back in the twenty-fne again with a fine line-kick. A nice dash bv Wilson shook things up,- mid fast following by J. Ryan and Hills added to the temporary discomfiture of the visitors, but their defence held sound. Play all this time had been on the Taranaki side of half-way, but it was all the time observable that the visitors were getting the ball, although, to be sure, they were not making much uto of it. Fast following by Roberts presently smothered Eveuson, aiid then the venue was changcd to tho Wellington line. Taranaki got tjio ball out from the scrum, but could not get away. Again they got tho ball from the loose, but the attack was spoiled. At this Wellington were once more penalised near the posts, and Stohr, amidst some applause, just did what lie had dono before—lie goaled as if the effort cost liiin no trouble at all. Taranaki G points, Wellington 0. On resuming, Taranaki came again, but Tilyard sent them to the right-about with a good kick, and, following (his, the Wellington backs got going from a scrum near the twenty-five line- The ball went through the hands of Tilyard, Ryan, Kinvig, Mitchinson, ami Cook, the lastnamed racing over at the corner just as ho was tackled by Hill. Mitchinson failed to convert. Taranaki (i points, Wellington 3 joints. Ajnnnuto or two later tho "Stohr patSnt" was in evidence again. The redoubtable one lock a shot at goal from past half-way and near the side line, and, amidst excitement and suppressed breath, the ball wobbled down only a few feet short. It was a groat effort. Tho visitors followed this up with a heavy attack on tho Wellington citadel, broke it in, and scored a brilliant try. Brown got the ball from the ruck, and passed to M'Leod, who put in a pretty due, and then handed to Roberts, who passed to Cameron, the last-named getting over after a pretty piece of concerted workThis timo Stohr failed with the kick. Taranaki 9 points, Wellington 3 points. So far as things had gone, the Taranaki forwards were setting a merry pace, ami occasional dashes by the backs kept Wellington very much on the qui vive. The Terrible Stohr Again. Then came one or more of those dreaded free-kicks against (he locals, and once more that terrible person Stohr was brought up to do the deed. Tt was taken from nearly half-way, but Stohr apparently saw nothing difficult about it, and over it flew once 'more. Taranaki 12 points. Wellington 3 points. A nice dash by Coleman left mcst of the Wellington men standing, but the last line of defence held. I'lay was still confined to tho Wellington twenty-five, and Stohr had a further shot at goal, but misled this time. Led by King, (lie Wellington forwards at length attacked, and made several onslaughts on (he Taranaki line, but (here was no method in -their plan of battle. Taranaki again assumed the aggressive, only to bo driven out by Cook and Moffitt. A dash by Cook looked premising for Wellington, but Slohr tackled him, and Roberts centred. Taranaki (hen swept the'ball over half the length of tho field, and a score threatened for soino minutes, but Evenson brought Coleman clown on (lie lino and saved the position. Cain came through AVellingtou with a great dribble after (his, and passed to Stohr, but the latter was blocked on tho line, and smothered. A few minutes before lialflimo Wellington nut in their most dangerous rush of the spell, but a forccdown was Hie only result.

a free-kick relieved, although ploy still held in Taranaki quarters. A dash by Osborne, followed by another by Mynolt, transfened play to the Wellington side of half-way. The Taranaki forwards, headed by Smith, broke through with a promis-ing-looking rush, but Evensnn saved with a neat mark. Wilson led Wellington out of the danger zone, and threatened tho visitors, but M'Lond saved. At this stage Wellington essayed a passing rush, but the last man of'the string, lialy, overran tho ball, and Cameron snapped it up and ran straight; along the line from the half-way tla.T, and scored at the corner. Stohr failed to convert. Taranaki 15 points, Wellington 3 points. Ploy now settled down in midfield, but presently Mynott broke away, only, however, to be checked by Kinvig. At this stage Coleman was injured in endeavouring to tackle Cook, and had to be carried off tho field. He was replaced by Taylor. I'lay was now fairly even, but ii hovered on the Wellington sido of half-way. It was apparently a dangerous place to leave it. hovering, for presently Stohr had another shot at goal from a penalty-kick well out, and "brought dswn tho house" by landing another great goal. Taranaki is lioints, Wellington 3. Wellington Walked Over. A brief rally by Wellington was foll? wc jl , 1)y a Rrrat run "P the centre of the field by M'Leod, who kicked over the full-back's head. Stohr followed up fast, ami smothered Cook under tho goal, but the Wellington forwards swarmed round, and the local men got. out of an awkward position luckily. Wellington essayed another passing tuu, but as was tho ponoral rule, Taranaki turned it to account, and rushed the ball up the field until they woro pressing under the' posts. After a hard struggle, a free-kick to Wellington relieved. A good line-kick by Hill saw iaranaki pressing on tho lino again. On one occasion Dowar got over, but ho was vlr or wcrnl throws-in oil the Wellington line, the ball was sent out to Smith on the end of the line, and ho dived over near the corner. Stohr converted. Taranaki, 23 points, Wellington, 3. A spell of even play was succeeded by a further series of attacks by Taranaki but a dash by Jlitchinson at 'length turned the attack. Another rush followed, Kyan leading the charge, but Hill saved nicely, and Taranaki worked up again, and Stclir ended a dash by kicking over tho line. Evcnson, however, won the race for tho ball, and forced, the Weilington forwards shaped better during the next few minutes, aud, on one occasion, Jiitl was aim est over from a forward rush, M'Leod forcing in tho nick of time, up to within a few minutes of time honours were all with tho visitors, but Wellington made one final effort which eft them m an attacking position when tho bell rang, 'two liico passing runs Indie backs being stalled off by the excellent defence of M.vnott, Cameron, and Co. Ihe game ended:— Twnnaki 23 points Wellington 3 points Mr. E. Al'Kenzie was referee. COLLEGE MATCH, AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL BEAT'S NELSON COLLEGE. As a "curtain-raiser" to tho inter-pro-vmcial fixture at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, Auckland Grammar School played kelson College, the'former team proving tho victors by 13 points to 8. An interesting game was looked for, hut expectations were not realised, and tho play was not up to the usual standard of Colli'' 0 f°°tball. Auckland wore superior in the forwards, but Nelson had the better backs, though Trussing, at five-eighths, was a hindrance to tho passing rushes of tho latter team. Ho is a South Island Country representative, but was suffering from the effects of a sprained ankle, and was really not fit to'play. Auckland forwards, who were heavier than their opponents, commenced to attack from the start, and for the first quarter of an hour' tho Nelson backs had a particularly busy timo defending. Eventually a concerted torward rush by tile Auckland team ended in Dufa'ur scoring, but Marks failed to add tho major points. Auckland, 3; Nelson, nil. Following the drop-out, Nelson rallied, and t.hc forwards, led bv Tunniclitle, tcok play to within a few'vards of the Auckland line, where a knock-on resulted. Auckland then returned to th« attack, a.nd was plaving splendidly at half, secured a mark' in a fair position, but Marks again failed with llio kick. Auckland kppt up llio attack for another ten minutes, when relief came to Nelson through a pretty passing rusfli between Trussing, King, Bosselliuan, and Saxon, who was pushed into touch at the twenty-five. Further passing between Iloddcr and King gave Nelson another clwuce, but. the Auckland defence proved sound. \\ liilo another Nelson passiug-rush- was in progress, Fisher intercepted at half-way, and broko ckan away up field, kicking the ball over the full-back's head, he was, however, overtaken and grassed by Gilmour. Auckland were attacking for tho remainder of tho spell, but the score was not. increased during that time. On resuming, Nelson forwards rushed the play towards Auckland's'line, and the backs commenccd a passing-rush that seemed certain to end in a score, but Saxon knocked on the critical moment, Two minutes later another Nelson pass-ing-rush was spoiled through King hanging on. rrcsently Fisher broke away for Auckland, and kicked down field, but King brought Nelson back to the attack with a good run, followed by a great linekick. About this time Nelson missed two easy shots at goal ill quick succession, but this only caused the (cam to redoublo its efforts, and a pretty passing-rush between Lusk. King, Bossellnian, a.nd Saxon ended in the hist-nanicd scoring at (ho corner. Richmond failed with tho kick. Auckland, 3; Nelson. 3. Once more Nelson eamc back to the attack, and Richmond crossed Ihe line, but lost possession, and Auckland forced. Several pass-ing-rushes of the Nelson backs were spoiled through Prus-sin'g's penchant for "cutting in." At last. Perry. M'llroy, liichmond, Bosscllman, and Saxon oombinod successfully, and the last-named, after a palpable "knock-on" recovered the ball and scored. Richmond converted. Nelson, 8; Auckland. 3. This reverse caused Auckland waken up. and for the first, time in the second half they worked down to Nelson's twenty-five. Here Olson got the ball from a scrum, and transferred to Fisher, who dashed over, and kotcd under the. posts. Blundell converted. Auckland, fi: Nelson, S. A\ith a few minutes to go, Olsen gained possesion in the loose, and sent: a long pass toJwrker, who transferred to Pratt, and tho latter after a nice run, scored near tho pests. Bluncloll again converted, and llio final result was Auckland 13, Poison S. Mr. C. Alkiuson was rcforcc.

The Sccond Spell, flood line-kicking by Tilyard saw Wellington attacking on Taranaki lino almost immediately after resuming;, Imt Mvnolt cleared with a llyiug kick. The .Wellington forwards .caino on again, but

DEPARTING players. J Tilyard and .T. Prendevillc, who have boon playing for' the Poneko Club for vonrs now. nrc Ikjlii to i<yi\o Wellington, the former to go to Wanganui and the latter lo Wvetalui'.ia. Last wrelc Tilvard was the recipient of a drcssing-oa«e from his fellmv-nwmbom of the club, nn.l Prendcvillo received n smoker's outfit. The presentations were made bv Dr. A. K. Newman, prosHlint.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. Tho following players will represent Wellington in the junior representative match against Iforowhcnua at Athletic, Park on' September 2:—Full-back, Sheridan (Wellington); three-quarters, Warner (Southern). Ryan (Potono), Ihirio (Wellington); live-eighths, Whitley (Pel one). Klili'o (St. John's); half. Kus-01l (SouthonOr forwards, Guthrie (Peloiw), M'llwaith (Oriental). Fisher (Petone), Miller (Wellington), Collar (Wellington), Luoui i -Vtlilctic), Roberts (Schvyn),