INTERPROVINCIAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1241, 25 September 1911, Page 6

INTERPROVINCIAL.

THE WELLINGTON TEAM ON TOUR. CANTERBURY MATCH. (By TclcCTanli.—Pross Association.} Christchurch, September 23. .The Rugby season in Christchurch was brought to a closo this afternoon, with the twenty-fourth match between Canterbury and Wellington, which was played at. the Show Grounds. The weather was iine, though cold, and a fairly .stiff southwest breeze was blowing across the ground. There was a Tory fair attendance of the public, the.' takings amounting to JCI2S 3s. Od. • The poor form shown bv the Canterbury team in their last match in Christchurch—that against Taranaki—was not encouraging to their supporters, and the game rcsnlted in nnother decisive boating for tho homo team. The match was interesting enough from a spectator's point of view, thero was plenty of scoring and, with it, naturally, plenty of incident, but it was not a particularly highclass display. The first spell saw the homo team play-, ing in very half-hearted fashion, and halftime was called with the score reading 15 points to nil against them. In tho second spell they showed much better form, and, for more than half its duration, they had the better of tho play. In the closing stages, however, they went to pieces again, and, as a result of their feeble . tackling, Wellington was enabled to score a couple of easy tries. Wellington Open Strongly, Wellington won the toss, and Canterbury kicked off against the wind. An exchango of kicks left play at the centre, and, from a scrum, Burns set his' hacks going, but a wild pass from Gray to Fuller spoilt the 'opening, and Pyle just kicked out in time. Almost immediately afterwards, a long kick by Burns compelled the Blacks to force. A forward rush by the Reds was stopped by sound kicking and, when the Canterbury backs made another attempt to get going, Tosswill passed wildly, and Pylc had a kick hurriedly. With play in midiield, Gillespio broke away, and shifted the venue to the Canterbury line. Hero. Roberts got tho ball out to Evenson, but tho latter lost a cood chance by knockiug-on. Wellington still kept their opponents pinned down. A free-kick relieved, but the Blacks were quickly back again, and Kvenson potted at goal, but without success. Then a pretty bout- of passing sent the ball out to Grace, who was well tackled near the line. Another attempt to get over was stopped by Pyle marking. Play rolled back past tho centre line, and .Ryan secured possession and made a good attempt to pot, the ball dropping just a little short. Wellington wero still playing tho better game, and soon had the Reds defending once more. ■ Play jostled up the Canterbury line, and from a scramble Cunningham forced his way across. Wellington, 3 points; Cantorbury, nil.

Followiii;: the kiek-nut. Carroll headed a rush that Rave Wellington some trouble, and Graco followed this up with n kick that found tho lino near the corner. Jlitchinson, however, pot his side out of danirer, but J,'ylo returned with a dash down tho line. The steady and reliable kicking of the Wellington hacks, however, drove the attackers out. At this stage M'Kcnzio was injured, anil changed places with, Grace. The Dlnrlc rearguard now came away in good style, and Evenson was held up at the corner by Henry. The Northerners n't once made another attempt to open up play, bnt-Miller cut oil' n pass, and raced (o Kinvig and then kicked, but tho Wellington tacks |!«t round in time to prevent a score. Tho Wellington backs got away again, a passing rush ending in Grace scoring. Wellington, G points; Canterbury, nil. A Taste of Roberts. Itoborts took tho ball from the kickout, and, before anyone could realise what was coming, ho swiftly astonished everyone by dropping a goal, which shot fairly over between the posts. Wellington, 10 points; Canterbury, nil. Never slacking off, Wellington swept down on the somewhat feeble Cantabrians once more. Wilson made a finn flash down tho centre of the field, and then passed to Gillesnio, who went over near the posts, and Kllioft shot over nn easy goal. Wellington, 15 points; Canterbury, nil. Half-time «vR called a few minutes later. Second Spell—Home Team Rallies. The opening of tho second spoil saw an exchange) of kicks, which was ended hy Millar charging down Grace's return. Fast following up hy Burns improved matters for Canterbury, but he was unablo to get the ball out to Gray. From a. free-kick Morris made a poor attempt at goal, but, eventually, Burns got in a well-judged centre kick, which enabled Murray to score for Canterbury. Wellington, 15 points; Canterbury, 3 points. I Following the kick-out, the Wellington forwards, playing with a lot of dash, gave Canterbury a busy time, but Murray and Carroll replied with some effective tackling, and sound footwork assisted in pushing lack this onslaught. Willi play near tho centre, Burns intercepted a pas's from l'oberts, and ran to the Wellington twenty-live, but was unsupported. The Kcds, however, kept going, and I3urns Be-

cured possession near twentji five, nml tlion passed to Gray. The latter, after n short dnsh, sent the ball on to Pylo, who raced over at the corner. Weilington, 15 points; Canterbury, C points. Play at this stage was decidedly faster than, it had been at any previous sta-so, the lf<>ds showing ranch better form than they had done previously. Another rv«h, in which Burns, Gray, and Pylo was stopped by sound tackling, and, at length, the invincible line-kicking of the Wellington men cleared their ierritory. With play.uear tho centro, Even, son snapped the ball, and passed to I?o----borts. who beat the whole opposition badly- Pylo chased him, but the Wellington half stopped twice in his stride, nnd pushed his opponent off, and ultimately finished up by scoring at the corner. Shine, by the long series of reverses, the 11yds : livened up again, and Burns Rot uis backs (joins once more with a passing rush, which ended in Pylo scoring his seel ond try. Wellington, 18 points; Canter, bury, 9 points. Collapse of Canterbury, But Canterbury, no doubt weakened by their struggle against the wind in the irst spell, wcro nnw done with, nnd Ko. Berts secured possession of Iho ball from a .scrum, nnd passod to Grace, who ran in practically unopposed, the Canterbury tackling being disgracefully weak. Houlihim kictel an easy goal. Wellington, 23 points; Canterbury, 9 points. On getting (o work again, the Welling, ton backs, threw the ball about freely anil Perry scored an easy try. Time was called immediately afterwards, with the final score- Wellington 2G points (two goals from tries, a potted goal, and Join tries); Canterbury, 9 points (three tries). Mr. l>. T. Evans n-ns referee. • OTAGO VICTORS. THE WEAKNESS OP SOUTHLAND. (By Telceraph.-Press Association.) Duncdin, September 23. . Otago and Southland met here to-dar m tho presence of about 3500 people. Iho gamo was won by Otago, by 9 points to 8, and on the run of the play, Otaqo had much tho best of things. Southland shoved-a vory poor front in the opening spell, their defence being wretched, and T e pu i', , on , three tries ' In the K =<:ond spe 1 Southland played with much greater clash, and tho game then became fairly interestmp;.' They put on eight points (a converted try nnd a goal from a mark), but still had to face savcral very strou? forward attacks from tho Blues. A few minutes after starting, Eckhold got the ball away to Williams, and it finally went to Norrie, who raced round and scored. Otago, 3 points; Southland, nil. ' The Otago forwards again got going, after an opening by Black, and Noma nearly got over at the corner again. The Otago forwards continued to drivo homo their heavy attacks, and, after repeated rushes, Nelson dropped over, from a scramble. Otago, C points; Southland, nil. Southland continued to present a feeble resistance, and Otago wero now beating them back and forward. A dash up the lino by M'Nccce brought Southland to Otago s twenty-five, but Scott's defence was sound, and the-visitors wore promptIy repelled. A minute later tho burly Patterson smashed through the cpposition with the ball at his feet, and right to the visitors' line, but, bting unsupported, a try was lost. Towards tha close of the spfll, the Southlandcrs made a promising rally, and swept the ball insido the home twenty-five, but Otapo met this effort with a solid defence, and soon ousted them. it'Nccce, on the left-wing, received two or three chances, but did not show sufficient speed, and, when Otago onco more gathered way to drive them out, they did it with a. completeness that fnirly nonplussed the visitors. A smothering rush then, developed, and, with tho Blue men handy, Brown crossed easily. Otago, 9 points; Southland, nil. With tho opening of tho second spell, Otago drove-homo another punishing at-, t.ick, hut Southland cleared, nnd Otago wero presently pushed up-fitld, and had to fore* down. The Southland forwards were now working hard, nnd they ngain carried play to the local territory, where At'Ncece m«do a good bid for the line, hut Patterson tackled him in fine style. Southland attacked again with spirit, rind a fast passing rush by R. Norrie, Smith, and Gunn ended with Norrie (Otago) intercepting a- pass, nnd finding touch. From a looeo rush Ivimcy made a fine break for Southland, but met a solid olv staclc when he camo to Scott. But Southland still pressed vigorously, and, from loose play, Scully picked up, and scored. Martin converted, Otago, 9 points; Southland, 5 points. The. pace now increased considerably, and a long drivo fell under Otago's goalposts. Scott, with Ford and another flayer hot on him, \conld not get in his kick, but passed to Watson, who drove to tho line. M'J.<?nnan presently marked near touch, and Martin placed a "fine goal, Otago, 9 points; Southland, 8 points. Otago responded vigorously. Patterson broko .away, and Khe local backs swung , into attack, but the tackling was too sound, and a lucky kick by ST'Lcnnan sent Scott racing back, and his return was feeble, giving (he visitors tho attacking losition. Williams and then Symonds changed tho venue, and Scott followed with a fino dasli up the lino, but Southland beat them off, and tho game ended without further score. LIGHTER VEIN. CONSTABULARY AND THE PRESS, HARDLY HOMERIC. A Rugby complement of Rugby critics displayed their want of knowledge of the national gamo before a small, shivering, weather-beaten crowd when the PolicePress match was called on. The Police, like Noah's mastodons, "walked on two by two." The Press straggled on like any other football team. Tho gamo disappointed. It was not so absurd, nor so funny, nor so exciting as the small wind-buffeted spectorate expected it would be. Mr. O'Lcary played tho whistle; ho was tho referee. The Press won the loss, and-the Police (with about It over-anxious players a street in front of Iho ball) kicked off. Matters were a barely intelligible jumblo for a while. Bro\vn, Hankin and Packard (Press team) were about the only people playing Rugby. The name of the game which tho remaining 27 wero plnving has not, so far, been discovered. >Then the Police came to their censes, and went off with a forward rush, in which Bliss and another wero prominent. However, nothing of consequence happened just tlwn, but the P.C.'s came again. For a long While tl-o Press wero nailed in their own twenty-five, and had to call constantly upon their defence, tho last line of which surprised everyone by his exceptional ability in keeping out of the way. Taylor, of Wellington South, worked off an ounce or (wo of energy v :i h fine effect. Sherlock Hnl me* got. on a wrong duo at a critical moment, and performed a seii'siikmal gallop, but difovered Inter that n youngster had thro.ii ,\ii extra ball on lo the field, and Shorlcok had unwillingly attached himself to it. At about the'sun* timo another frrecin'is constaWe bustled past Hcii-sky, of The Dominion, strode past Hill, of tho " Pnst. , but came to a deservedly bad end b.v tripping over his own boots. 'The, Pr?<s were now defending hard. From a serum near the line, one of The Force made a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to get over. Hunt pot over sWlly afterwards, and a try was allowed, notwithstanding that tin did not even, have tho courtesy to wait till the Press fullback had retired to a distance of safety. TCnnf missed the goal. Police, 3 points; Press, nil. Hostilities wore resumed, and Hill had α-shot at goal. Hill had another shot nt. goal, without luck; and hnlf-Umo arrived.

Tho Press opened tho second spell with a very creditable attack, in which they wore materially ■assisted liy Police-Con-stable Somebody, .who ■ gathered the oval aud sprinted half tho'length of tho field in tho wrong direction. Then tho Polico (jot a warm few minutes; tho Press pressed, and the Police forced Bowman evened the scores bv kicking a. penally goal for the Press. The next item was an,elegant mark by P.C. Doyle, which., tho referee did not allow. Taylor went for another gallop, nnd looked like winning through, but eventually crossed his legs and sat down. A line run by .T. Gallagher succeeded, and the Press forced. Schramm then contributed'a run which did not add to tho reputation of the critics as tacklers. Did anyone preach during the season: "Go low and hard"? A while later the critic full-back booted a. ball for the first timo in the game, and shortly afterwards ho forced brilliantly. The: scribes were now wearing their bulkier opponents down somewhat, and did a good share of attacking, during which Eankin scored. Press, fi points; Police, 3.' The Police had little.risible mean-; of support, at tho end, and tho Press, aided by mysterious manoeuvres on ths part of their opponents, looked like scoring again.' Boasley cleaned up a fino chance by .taking n pot at goal, just when the coast seemed clear and not a policeman on tho beat. The ball struck the- grandstand, linal: Press, 6 points; Police, 3.

OTHER MATCHES. A house match w;s played at Miramar Park on Saturday afternoon between teams representing tho employees of D. .Jobcrtson and Co. and S. Luke and .-Co., and resulted in a win for the former by U points to nil. The game, which was played on a ground half under water, was not' so ono-sided as the .score indicates. Although Messrs. Luke hrns shhmtmsm of two players, they Fometimes had their opponents'in very tight places, which compelled them to force down more than once. Tries wore scored fov Hie winners by Drury (1), Rowo (1), aad Morgan (2), and the 'last try was converted by PaterEon. Mr. W. Barr was the referee.

Tho'annual match between, representatives of the' Wellington Harbour Board s Casual Staff and the Permanent Staff was played on No. 2 ground at Athletic Park. Tbo Casual men won by G points to nil. Elliott arid Flack scored. fries.

At Palmerston on Saturday St. James (8 points) defeated Kia Ora (6 points). Tries were scored for the winners by Kelly and Heketa, Crewcs converting one. Egtin<rton scored and. M'Kewen kicked a penalty goal for the losers.