FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2862, 29 August 1916, Page 9

FOOTBALL

COLLEGE TOURNAMENT

WELLINGTON DEFEATS CHRIST'S COLLEGE

Tho pulses of old footballers who visited the Athletic Pork yesterday iftornoon were stirred by the really admirable display of Rugby football given by tho teams of the Wellington and Christ's Colleges. There was a lively interest displayed in the result of the filial. Wellington proved victorious by one point (19-18), the winning score being made most opportunely about two minutes before tho final bell Tho match was remarkable, in that the visitors (who opened with tho wind with them and the sun at their backs) did all their scormg'in tho first spoil, and Wellington Collegu emulated their example by all theirs in the second. The conditions wore perfect. There were' between 2000 and 3000 people present, include ing His Excellency the Governor and tho Countess of Liverpool, and a contingent of staff and other officers, all of iVhoni took the liveliest interest in the match, which was Iho best seen i>n the Park for years. Tho teams were as follows:— Wellington College; — Full-back, Marsh; three-quarters, Welch, Morton, Scott; five-eiguths, Ptirry and Popo; half, Hanson- forwards, Keene, Smith, Donald, Booth; Sutherland, M'Kegg, Clachan,, and Edwards. Christ's College.—Full-back, Cooke; throe-quarters, Cowlishaw, T. C. Lowry, Matson; five-eighths, A.' F. Hindmarsh and H. S. Htodmarsh; half, H. W. MacFarlane; forward, Gerard, Tothill, Strachan, Wairen, Reeves, Waliis, J.N. Lowry, and J. Williams.

AYellington kicked olt against a light breeze, and a Christchurch threequarter sent tho hall high into the centre, allowing his forwards to get well under. The Black and' "Whito pack carried the ball down field, and kicked too far over the line, forcing, Wellington down. From the kickout, a bit of offside play gave Christchurch a free-kick neat- (the twentyfive Hag, but no score resulted. Tho Wellington backs rushed the ball up field, T. C. Lowry relieving with a splendid line punt. Full of ginger, the Christchurch forwards scurried down field, and in the : enemy's ground picked up tho ball. ilanson caught tho ball from a dribbling bounce, flashed it out to Cowlishaw, who presented it on the gallop to MacFarlaniy who dashed over tne line, and scored. Lowry failed with tho kick. From the kick-off, Wellington got well up field with a dribbling rush, headed by Scott and Sutherland. T. C. Lowry relieved with a good angle kick. From half-way, Christchurch attacked fiercely, and ouo particularly hot rush down the side-line was only relieved in time by the cool play of Scott' and Morton, both alert in defence. From a penalty at half-way Christchurch tried to find, the goal, hut 1 ailed, and from the ensuing play a starting rush was made by tho Christchurch forwards, terminating in. Oerard catapulting over at tho corner post. Matson goaled. Christchurch, 8; Wellington, nil. No sooner was the ball play then- Christchurch, full of virii, attacked artistically—a beautiful passing rush between Hiudmarsb, Lowry, and Matson enabling the last-named to score behind the goal-posts. Matwin fjoalcd. Christchurch, 13; Wellington, nil. From the kick-off AYellington was almost immediately on the defence, and with Christchurch's back division, playing like clockwork,- found tho' work'none too easy. Another rush saw tho hard-working Gerard over tho lino again, and onco moro Matson coaled. Christchurch, 18; Wellington, nil. Between tliife and half-time,there was somo lively line play in neutral territory, and Wellington had to touch down twice to avoid trouble.

When tho whistle opened the sccond half it looked any odds on Christchurch, and in t)ie first two minutes they looked really ugly, owing to Wellington's backs being too deliberate. Hanson managed to relieve with a good kick, which was marked. Tins habit became infc-ctious, : and from ono Sutherland essayed a goal,' which missed. From tho kick-ofl', line play, resulted. From ono long throw-in,.' Wellington's backs initiated a brilliant passing rush,- which resulted in a tiy--lirst blood for • Wellington. Sutherland's kick at goal was misdirected. Christchurch, IS; Wellington, 3. From that out'-'Wcllingtoii showed renewed dash and their movements Cecamu more staccato. From tho kick-off they soon had Christchnrch forced down in the cornet. Some nic>; open play, itlx uo beg pardons? saw Wellington invading. Kanson picked up, slipped the leather to I'erry, who hurled it to the. flying Welch, who grounded it successfully, lu his kick Morton allowed a littlo too much for tlie wind. Christchurtb, 18; .Wellington, 6. With Wellington still pressing, spmp Iw; cn>Sft rushes, and scrum melees took place in Christchurch's half, in one, of which Perry was kicked on the head, hut played oil. Eight in front of the goal Sutherland tried, a pot, but got under instead of over 'the bar. Now as lively as "Fuzzies" on the rush, the Wellington lads inaugurated rush' after rush, only stopped by the gamo tackling nf. the visitors, who went down to it every time. . At> last, persistence was rewarded by ' Sutherland getting over at the 'corner. ITis kick at goal failed. Cliristehurrih, IS; Wellington, !). The next Wellington rush was repelled by C.'owlisbiiw's good punting into toucii. The next one saw Scott do a fine sprint, which resulted in M'Kcgg sprawling over the line. Morton mado no mistake. Christnluireh, 18; Wellington, 14. From the kick-off. Christchurch worked the play up-field, with HindutfiVjh, Cowlisliaw, and MacFarlane prominent, but the invasion, was only temporary. The Wellington forwards, as fresh as ever, charged down field, and Welch was only stopped on the line. From the scrum the ball went out to Hanson, who.throw it to Morton, and in the nick of time he hurled it to Welch, who took the ball at full gallop and dropped on it behind the line, amidst cheeis. Once more Morton added the innj'Or points. Wellington, 19: Christchnrch. IS. Two minutes later the bell clanged tho finish of a game that was interesting from start ti finish., and which showed that our College boys are still uphold ing the best Rugby ideals. Mr. L. Simpson noted ss referee.