ASSOCIATION MATCH IN BASIN RESERVE

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 130, 4 June 1919, Page 4

ASSOCIATION MATCH IN BASIN RESERVE

WELLINGTON v. CANTERBURY FOR THE BROWN SHIELD.

The crowd of over a thousand spectators that assembled on the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon enjoyed every moment of the representative -match between Wellington and Canterbury for the Brown Shield. The.c was scarcely a dull moment from start to finish, and on a dozen occasions at least the issue was in, such grave doubt as to rouse the onlookers to the highest pitch of excitement. Wellington won, by quite a reasonable majority, but their- combination was by no means equal to that of Can- J terbury, especially the forwards, and ] time and again they had to thank the goalkeeper (Webster) for the scientific, cool, and sometimes dashing manner in which he averted what seemed almost certain disaster. As a matter of fact, the play of Webster, the Canterbury forwards (with Bissett most prominent), and Porter (the light and agile wing) were the most outstanding features of the game, and solid work was done by Reid and M'Kenzie at full back and Frickleton at centre forward for tho home team. Wellington, winning the toss, kicked .off with a light northerly breeze behind i them, and within a few minutes, after some quite interesting play, Porter seized his chanco, and beat' the Canterbury goalkeeper with a hard drive. Wellington I—o.1 —0. The Southerners got to work, and gave Webster plenty of exercise, but the Wellington men were playing with great determination, and mado several bold bids for further success. But Canterbury was not to be denied. The excellent forward" combination told its tale, and, after a nielee in. front of Wellington's goal, the ball was hustled through. 'Wellington 1, Canterbury 1..| After a brief period' of play, which wias generally in favour of Ca-ts.bury, Frickleton, who was getting well. into his stride as centre-forward, put in a, splendid shot, and the score was—Wellington 2, Canterbury 1. It was a really fine effort, and was greeted with, well- ■ deserved applause. Canterbury a-ttacked vigorously, but the Wellington backs, with Webster as safe as a house, man-, aged every time to save the situation, and frequently retaliated with some excellent bits of play, which seriously interfered with the peace of the Canterbury goalkeeper, and at the same time kept fully alive the interest of the crowd. Time, and time again it .was touch and go on both sides, Norman, on Canterbury's right, and Porter, on Wellington's left, being particularly noticeable. Bal■lard, Wellington's inside left, was also playing a sterling game. Half time arrived without any alteration .to the score. SECOND SPELL. The second spell was not quite so good as the first, but it was on the same lines. Webster was again kept busy, and wos again in splendid form. If anything, Canterbury had the better of the play as far as combination was concerned, but the Wellington backs were in good form, and what the forwards could not do they succeeded in doing, Reid and M'Kenzie proving, a perfect tower of strength, while Porter was as good n_ ever on the wing. Among other incidents was a very pretty run by Frickleton, who only just missed netting the ball, and a sensational miss by Canterbury, who got within a few inches. With a little better guidance it must have beaten even Webster.' Then came Fvickleton's ' chance. Wellington . was pla.ying a good hard game, particularly the backs. The ball was nicely centred from some real good up and down play. Frickleton got it at his feet in the centre within fairly easy reach, of goal, and scored again for the home team. The whole affair was a good, bit of work, and was loudly cheered. , Wellington 3, Canterbury 1. Canterbury made several desperate attempts after that, but could not get past the back division, and Wellington won a clean, hard, and wellplayed game. No cleaner game has been seen here,-and very few better. Mr. V. Astill was the referee.