Football News.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 52, 27 August 1894, Page 2

Football News.

MANAWATU v. WANGANUI. The annual match between representatives of the above Unions was played at "Wanganui on Saturday. The local team had all the best of the game, and it was only the splendid collaring of W. Shannon, Matravers and Richards that prevented them scoring. The first spell ended without a score, although Manawatu were forced down three times. In the second spell the play was very fast, and good work was shown on both sides, the defence of the visitors being particularly noticeable. Towards the end of the game Watts intercepted a pass in his own twenty-five and he was not collared till well within the opponents' twenty-five, when he passed to Richards, who was thrown into touch a few yards from the line. This was the first time during the spell that the play was near the Wanganui line. From the throw in Watts took the ball, and passed to Duncan, who scored between the posts. He took the kick at goal himself, and easily put the ball over the bar. The game thus ended — Manawatu, 5 points ; Wanganui,

nil. After the above match Messrs Weekes (Palmerston) and Thomson (Wanganui) selected the following team to represent combined Manawatu and Wanga nni against New South Wales: — Fullback, Jacob (Wanganui) ; three-quarters, Blair and McLean (Wanganui), Isberwood (Palmerston) ; halves, G. Shannon (Marton), Duncan (Palmerston) ; forwards, Smith, Elliot and Manning (Palmerston), Sanson (Feilding), Mc Lean, Emmerson, Riddell, Blair and Morton (Wanganui). Emergencies: Back, Jewell (Palmerston) ; forward, Rakena (Palmerston). That a great amount of partiality was shown in picking the team is verj evident. Wanganui has eight men ir and Manawatu seven ; that is as i1 should be, if it goes on Saturday's play, but why five out of the seven from Manawatu should be taken from Pal merston no one but Mr Weekes can tell Isherwood has been the weakest spot ii all the Manawatu matches this season being a failure at three-quarter he was put at full, where he has done little oi no better. Now, in an important match, he has been selected to take s place which should have been filled bj Richards wbo, by his play this season has proved himself the best wing threequarter in the Manawatu. On Satur day he was not given a show to dis tinguish himself, and for that has boer left out. Manning did not play on Sat urday, but Mr Weekes has a bij opinion of his play, Matravers, as t wing, has few superiors, and he should have been selected in Manning's stead Jowell has ouly played once this season and yet he is first emergency ; Rakens never played on Saturdry, and the high opinion held of him by Mr Weeks is open to question. Marton players are also discarded, and this may be on account of the treatment Mr Weekes received while acting as referee up there. It is apparent Mr A. D. Thomson had nothing to do with selecting the Manawatu players.