FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1862, 17 September 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO 6, WELLINGTON 3.

PJRESS ASSOCIATION Wellington, last night. The Otago-Wellington Match was played at the Athletic Park yesterday afternoon, in the presence of about 4000 spectators, and resulted in a win for the visitors by 6 points to 3. The weather was favorable, but the ground conditions were all against scientific Rugby, and militated against accurate manipulation of the ball by the back division The Issue was confined to the vanguards, Otago outclassing their opponents in all phases of forward play, their lively and vigorous work in the open, superb concerted foot • work, fast following up, and sound and certain tackling being in pronounced prominence throughout. The home for- 1 wards gave a disappointing exhibition, and the backs with two exceptions, Mitchinson and green, shirked the forward rushes of the Southerners. In the first spell Wellington was on the defensive practically tho whole time, the ball being always on its side of the half way fllag. Otago also held the upper hand Mi the succeeding half. The home com-* Jjßination came with a big burst in the "last five minutes, and just missed making a draw, if not securing a victory. Otago’s first try in the first spell was the outcome of passing between Eckold, Abbott, and Ongley, the last named going over the chalk mark close to the posts' 'The kick at goal was resultless. Mid-way through the second spell Abbot followed up a comrade’s kick smartly, and fumbling by local backs resulted in his getting possession and scoring behind the posts. No success followed the attempt at goal. A few minutes to time Green, Mitchinson and Byan participated in a passing rush, Byan touching down at the corner, Spencer failed at goal.

HAWKE’S BAY 12— MANAWATU 3

PRESS ASSOCIATION i Napier, last night. The representative football matoh Manawatu v Hawke’s Bay was played on the Bcoceation Ground on Siturday afternoon. The weather was fiae, but a rather strong wind was blowing. Theie was a largo attendance. In the first spell Hawke’s Bay attacked strongly, and by good passing rushes repeatedly beat the opposing tide, four tries being eeored, none of which were converted. In tho second Bpell Manawatu livened up, and bb the result of a good passing bout, in whioh Skelioy, Ongley Bnd Stalker were prominent, they gained o try. The Hawke’s Bay attack, however, was almost bs strong as in the first eptll, Qnd towards the j end of tho second half they hsd Manawatu on the defence a'most continually. The local forwards were a much faster aod cleverer lot than the visitor?, wbilo the back division of both sides were safe and clever. Smith, Bailey, Munro, and Glasgow floored for tho local loam, and Ske loy for the visitors. The Manawatu ternm were the guests of tho local union at a dinner, and were taken for a yaohtmg cruise to-day.

UNIVERSITY MATOH.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Dunedin, last night. The return football matoh, Sydney University v. Otago University, was played yesterday on the Ca'edonien Ground. Bain fell in the morning, and the ground was heavy and greasy, as was also tbe ball. A stiff south west breeze was blowing, with at times a driving mist. Playing against the wind in tho first spell the Sydney players more than held their own. tho forwards playing a fine gamo. The local becks failed to score, and it was evident that if the Sydney men played as well in the second spell the game was theirs; but they faded away tc nothing some time after the second f]t>eil was going, and after persistent attacks Gilray eoorid a clever try for 0 ago. Sydney rallied, aDd a penally kick nearly equalised the ECOtes, the ball striking the crossbar and falling undernea'h. Otago won by three points to nil. The Sydney player-to-day could foaroely be recognised as the team which 0 ago ran over last Saturday. If the backs had been stronger in attack (boy must have won.