FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1850, 3 September 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND 11, WELLINGTON 5,

Auckland, last night. Groat interest was taken in tho seventeenth interprovinoial match botwoon the Rugby football representatives of Auek land aud Wellington, played hero yesterday, aud tho contest, whioh was for tho Ranfurly Shield, was witnessed by about 14 000 spectators. Tho Aucklanders were sl'ghtly favorites, but in point of weight there was nothing between the team?, aud both sides woro in splendid oondition to soo out a fast aud strenuous game. It was well that they were, for the paoe was

tremendous throughout, end Auckland’s victory by 11 points—a try converted, a goal from a mark, aud a penalty goal to 5 (a try converted)—was duo to the superiority of the looal forwards, couplod with Dufty’s fine goal kicking. Had tho Wellington backs boen given half a obance they would have caused trouble, but the home forwards were down on them !'k tigers, and smothered thorn before tuy oould get going.

For Auckland Wynyard scored a beautiful try from a passing rush, cutting in very cleverly, while for Wellington Thomson scored as a result of his great paoe, The ball was kicked across the field by Mageo (Auckland), and Mitchinson (Wellington) picking up smartly, sent it along to Thomson, who with a dear field galloped away from the looal men, and scored, Wallace addiog the extra points. Dufty kicked the Auokland goals.

THE REPRESENTATIVE TEAM,

The final practice was hold on Saturday afternoon at the Viotoria Domain, when it was decided to play the A back team

against the A forwards. Tho teams lined out; Erekana, BrougtoD, Hay PufLti, Kaipara, Brown, Poul son, Wi Friday, MoKeczie, HanseD, Thompson, Tier, and Blair, Tail, Aorere, Witty, Johnston, J. Roderick, Osborne, Stewart, Wepiha, Brooking, Heke, Hekowai, P. Turei, and Saunders

The play was fast and interesting, the A backs having tho advantage of the play, tries beiDg scoured by Brown, Poulson, and Hay. Saunders aud Witty scored for the other side, the wings being at fault on eßch occasion. In the second spell tho soleotorp, Messrs Eaton, Hailamore, and Sheriff,decided to give the probable representatives some practice together, and tho following pack was seleoted to assist the backs:—Wi Friday, Wepiha, Brooking, P. Turei, Blair, Hakowai, Pine, and Han sen. Nolan, Tuboy, and Cowan went out to assist tho B team. Contrary to a'l expectations the B team gave their opponents a lively time, end the representatives did Dot show np as wed as it was expected they should, The three-quarter line was decidedly weak, but tlao fiveeighths, Brown and Kaipara, and Poulsen at half, shaped very satisfactorily, and Erekana at full was all that could be desired. Each side soored a try. Kaipars, who was the best back on the ground on the day’s play, ioitiatad a fine piece cf passing from Wi Friday. Brooking also got over between the posts, but the referee was not in a position to see, and ordered a five yards’ scrum. On the call of time T.er and Stewart broke away with a fine piece of footwork, and JohDston picking up at top speed raced through the A backs and scored between the posts, a goal resulting. Amongst the B forwards Heke, Stewart, Tier, Thompson, and McKerzie played sserliog games. The following is tho final selection Erekana, Broughton, Rowe, Nolan, Brown, Kaipara, Poulson, Wi Friday, Blair, Turei, Brookiog, Hakowai, Wepiha, Pine, and Hansen. Emergencies: Back, Poflrtt; forward, Stewart. Tho players are requested to meet at the Masonic sample rooms at 730 on Monday and following evenings,