FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1921, Page 4

FOOTBALL

A DRAWN GAMEND SCORE RECORDED. [ 1!Y TBf.KG HATH —PER PRt'.SS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. It could only have boon a. matter for conjecture what the crowd would have been ah the Athletic Park to-day on the occasion of the final tost match between New Zealand and South Africa, had the weather been fine. Rain commenced to fall yesterday afternoon, and it continued, without intermission, throughout the night.

To-day broke with the elements still unfavourable. During The forenoon drizzling showers prevailed, and by the time tlio match was scheduled to Matt it seemed to have set in for a steady downpour. And so it proved. It was a bad day for the spectators, but, nevertheless, tlio enthusiasts rolled up in their thousands, at the time of starting, probably So.OOO people worn present.

As a spectacle, the game was disappointing, purely owing to the state of the ground, ft was dry on top, ; s the rain had not had a chance to soak in. and ennsoc|Uontly it was a question of mud holes and pools of water. It was unfortunate that it should be so, in view of the importance of the occasion ■ but. to the credit of both' teams, he it said, they rose to the •occasion, and provided an exhibition of football which perhaps exceeded the expectations of the onlookers. Tt was a great struggle, hut was mostly confined to the forwards, and perhaps a draw was a fitting result.

In the first spell the Springboks bad a good deal the better of the play, and they consistently attacked tile All Blacks' line. Their handling of the ball amonest the backs was superior to that of their opponents, hut in so far as the packs were concerned, honours were even.

In the' second spell, however. the advantage was more with the All Blacks, indeed towards the end ’f the game, they over-ran their opponents.

and. except for an occasional burst by live wearers of the green, the All lllacks looked more like scoring the few .points which would have been required for a win._ Because it was a game in which three prints scored either way might easily have turned the tables essentially a mud slog between the forwards -anything in the nature of concerted play

was naturally lacking. It was with the had s mostly a question of speculators, and surprisingly elfuciive at times they proved. The play throughout was tasi and willing but. w ith one or two extrptions, it was not rough. The ball travelled up and down the liriffto a great rate, although at times halflilig either side by a sudden stop in a miniature lake. Alter such a sodden stoppage the forwards usually got to work with suelt vim that iinlhai.-d. given line weather, it. would have, been

•• must spectacular game. Time and again, more cscpeially in the second spell, did kite New /ealands break through the African backs’ defence, only to reach Gerhard Merkel at full hack', who played a remarkable game, and indeed, it, may he said that It V.a- lie who robbed (he All Rhieks of tielnry. (Tool in all eireiim.-Tanres, he lidded and kicked with remarkable •a curacy, and his line finding was a treat to witness.

Merkel was the outstanding figure all through the piece. Zeller. in the Springbok three-quar-ter line, was frequently of much r-s----sitam-e in aiding bis compatriot in (he deleiie ■ of their citadel. el the game itself niiieli .-annul he

-••ii. It did not lend itself to deiriplo'ii. 11nli mi i 1 1 \ it was suppose 1 Mint the All Blacks. i| I'a rutiled l.\ nuL neither t oiiitu tens, at aid 10.-. c luinp-

1 ■ I I. '"lt the Spmigiail.s d..spoil, d ' ' a t at a thoroughly wet prouu l ■ old put th. mat .1. 'I hex v,, n> mu. As has loop pointed out, licir I.mulling (It the i ;;d in , la- |i,- ,f spoil >. ■ a •. o | deal mol * a a lira(.■ : l.oii .I at : lim Ail lacks. lon the „t- ---: a: passing, wen* awtiys mi'li:l d i.' the gltast state of the bail, i In- Springl oks had the better of the -p.l!. although in the .rvt few mils. No. Zealand attacked so ■ i ; 1 I > .st' la is- |he hopes oi their pj orters. who. naturally, were ma ny. "Two great tearns of forwards.” was I lie eolimielit of an old All Black, and that just about sizes up the sit mil ion. It was a battle of giants in tiiis respeid. As mentioned. Gerhard Morkel at lull back, was wonderful for t.iie visitors. Ills display lias seldom, if ever been equalled since the days of “Billy” Wallaeo. Zellur and Meyer were tlio jii-k of the Springbok’s tliree-quarler iine. Strauss also put in a lot of useful work in the back division, alongside De Kook; w'lio, however, did not, get. many 'opportunities to .shine. Michau, at half, was clever, and Ids screw kicking was at times of nine!: value to bis side.

(IT tilt' African forwards, Hay .Mai 'tel anil Van Itaayan wore always | romiiiflit, lull perhaps wart' fortunate 1 ill not lifinjjr up mon* often tl ;m tlu»y ware lor breaches of the off-side rulo. Mr Wilson was especially .lenient in tli is raspaat. Mallisli. ton. amongst tlia forwards, put in a lot of solid graft, and was nnforlunato in receiving a nasty knock lata in tlia game in attempting in' tackle Siddells. Ellis was tlia mast retires file amongst the other forwards, each of whom played as if everything depended an their efforts. Of the New Z oat'land team, TCingslon waved his aide on many occasions. Ill's fielding left little to l>o desired, and, while his line kinking perhaps suffered in comparison to that of his vis-a-vis. his game was sound. Steel and Siddels shared the honours in the three-quarter line. Each shewed ability in defence and attack Ihrooighont, and justified their inclus- | ion. Mark Niehfolls— tried may he as an; experiment in the centre was not I often in the picture. I| Tfwerson and Eea, at fivefeighths, i and Roberts, at half, got through n i tremendous amount of work. The two

former perhaps shone more individually than ill concerted work, but Roberts, while feeding his backs well, when tlio rare opportunity offered, did heroic work behind the pack. It is an accepted saving in Wellington and a tine one, that “where the hall is Roberts will he.” This saying was exemplified to-day. , , Beilis. Fletcher, West and McLean wore the best of a hard-working set of forwards. Trained to the hour they did credit to their trainer, “Dome’ Leslie, and they lasted the game out to the end in a manner' which dearly showed, after the experience in Auckland, the advantages of scientific litiin-

ing. I The treforee, Mr Neilson, has g.vetr j ma„ v better displays, but in Ins favour tit must be said that it, was a, dithet.ltgame to handle. Indeed, so strenuous was it, and so holding the mud, that on one occasion he got so intermingled with the player's that he was temporarily incapacitated. Mr Neilson a interpretations of the advantage * was liberal .and at tunes Ins de.-ton. did not altogether meet with tie approval of the (spectators. Outstanding incidents in the game were few. In the very early stages ot the game, the All Rhieks looked like scoring, ami the Springboks were toreed twice in rapid succession, but the rest of tin' spell tile Springboks practically dominated the play. At the very first- of the second halt pn vigorously did the greens attack, that it locked much like as ii they might .men their account, hut a trhhorn defence kept them at bay, -■ ml towards the close so dominant were tlm All Rlaek forwrds that it seemed as if it- were only a'matter of time for them to score. Taken "by and large”, as the sailor says, a draw just about represented the respective merits o r the teams on the (lav. so the '‘ashes.” and incidental! v the Rugby Cham punish ip of the world, remains with New Zealand, hot there are those who would have liked to ms' what they describe ns it ‘‘real test" ruder different weather . > n»!i----t ions

F ELICITATIONS. dinner after match. WELLINGTON, This Dav. At th,. dinner to the teams, lion G. Coates, on behalf of the G..e?rnment and people of New Zealand, expressed appreciation of the visitors 1 ith on and off the playing g'o-mds. as sportsmen. They had made a splendid showing ami as citizens of Sooth Africa tliev were welcomed by tbe (itizens of the sister State. Maoris ami pakelia were one in this country. Wo were proud of the Maori and lie thought tin 1 visitors nlnv unders oot him. Me .bo referred to the hospitality extended to New Zealand soldiers. Mr Bennett (Springbok manager), in reply, said be did not think there could have been a more happy ending to the tour. As lie put it, “The Lost teams drew." lie spoke very highly of their treatment everywhere, ami -aid though on occasions they had complaints to make, too much must, not 1,0 made of that, lie specially depreciated the inference drawn from the incident at Nelson that it was to injure the prospects of the Africans in. the last test. That was merely .: joke, the point of which had been lost. Mr I’ieiia.'ir (captain) said when they left they were told they were'in for a, strenuous time and they now realised it. Fie had hoped to take hack the “ashen” with him, but that hope was not realised. Tie thought New Zealand had made a marvellous progress for a small country.

RFEKRF.ES INJURIES. WELLINGTON, This Day. Mi Neilson, I'eleree in Saturday's match, was mole injured, than was -upI o*l <1 mid alter the game was over had ■, , ice uieili' at attention. In laet. ~ |n,mr oui ul.oiit lb;”/ lie was ti-.-ad. ' , |,c was only coniine t to hi:; bed an I

I j, ~s , , in l.e about again in a <ay I or two, (TP FOR BEST RACK. WEI I I.NGTON, This lu:y. Slid (West Coast) of New /■ aland, l.e n awarded tint cup for t : 'r best l-aek in 11iv three tests. He ■ ><' cured the medal I'er the best La-a i n Saturday, and Van Rmiycii tlmt for the best forward. 'l'll,, others who have been awarded medals in the pret ions games are Mielinii. G. Morkd, 11. Nieliolls and Beilis. AFRICAN SATISFACTION. fßeceived This Dav at 0.10 n.m.) CAPETOWN. Sept. 17. The .result, of to-day’s won.lerfinl nialcli at Wellington was received with unbounded salislaetion as a fitting end to magnificent tour. Whatever disappointment may be felt at Hie indecisive outcome of tbe test mat.'ln’s, is swalVnved tip in gratification at the success of the tour, which is regarded as a. complete vindication of Rpringbox t,unties and of appreciation of tbe splendid sportsmanship of the New Zealanders. SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS. ROTOR l’'A. September 111. The Arawas telegraphed In Mr G. 11. Bennett. Manager of the SpringLuhs. accepting Ips exj'l'Miat Inn and denials, and reciprocal ing. lie f oli: ; of regri'l a I the episode. They slated (hat. they bad telegraphed to the lion. Dr Pom.ire to personally convey the thanks of the Aranas and to slate Hint the sentiments expressed Messrs Bennett and Pienaar at Rotorua again dominate the situation. OTAGO DEFEAT TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH. Sept, 17. The match between Otago and Taranaki was played here to-day in the presence of about 2000 spectators. Despite the heavy rain all night the ground was in fair condition, but a light rain during the match made the handling of the bull difficult. The game was mostly confined to the forwards, though at times Itoth sides essayed passing limits. Otago forwards wore superior to Taranaki, particularly in (lie loose, and to that they largely owe their victory. I

Otago played with the wind in the first spell. Whittington scored for Taranaki hr the result of faßt follow.

ing up within less than a minute of the kick-off. Thereafter Otago had the better of the game and scored 8 points. Owles goaling from a penalty whilst Perry scored from a passing limit and Owles converted. The second spell was more even, each side taking a turn in attack. McNaiigliton scored by fast following up for Ot-ago, whilst Hit-key scored for Taranaki ns the result of a fine run at the end of a passing hunt. Neither try was converted and the game ended, Otago 11, Taranaki 0.

•SOUTHLAND 12, CANTER HI'RV 3 CHRISTCHURCH. Sept, 17.

Southland 'lLd'eated Cn.nterbitry try 12 points to 3. Haiti fell throughout the ‘uinie, which was mostly confined to the forwards. The visitors handled the greasy hall very effe. lively and on the whale had much the better id the game, though Canterbury in the irly stages should have scored several tine’s their inability to handle the ledl proving their downfall. T.K.VfitT. I OOTISAhb.

AI'S'I'ItAI.ASIANS' I'HIST KAMI'. I.ONDON. September If. The Au.strala.-nan l.'Hnne footDaH team opened us tour to-day against Salford. nt-iir Manchester. Tlu' Australasian leajll was a- follows: l-’i ji-s-.m- (rjijitainl. Holder. lilitikhoni. Crnio. Ve-t. Caples. Thompson, Watkins. IVano. Cray. Hurso. Ityan and Sell nits’.. Tin' weather was lino anil tlio atti'mlniici’ \ias ton tlionsaml. Rarclslcy. tho cricketer. kicked off against a diagonal wiml. After ti period of fluctuating . Di \. a brilliant visitinjj ivisnino in Salford's 2-*. resulted in Vast senrim; a try. wlii' li vim not i onvo' ti'd. Tlio Salford tniklinp was good. Crain tlmn sent Burge over. fn thirteen minutcs Thompson kicked a coal. Than Craig. taking llm hall from Vest. Hindi' a fine run and senrod but Thompson failed to convert. Tlio visitors' weight and speed manifested their superiority. fn a brilliant run from his own half. Vdinkhorn licnd--0,1 off two Salford players and scored under the posts amid groat applause. Cray increased the score.

From rapid passing rushes, the Australasians continued to secure the greatest advantage, but there were disappointing .infringements (five in number) in the serums against 'lie visitors : n the first half, and a soctb nof the crowd objected to offside taetb s. Four minutes after resuming >!order ran Prom his own half and scored brilliantly under the posts. I his was likewise converted. Herder received an ovation for his effort.

Craig by a dodgy ton. sent Rims burn over and Burge kicked a goal

Holder, who was well tackled, gave the bull to Ryan who got a try. Burge hit the pus! with the kick. I!" followed later with a try and a goal. Alter a erind of one-sided play Salford livened rp. Thomas scoring.

After a great Lout of short pa-sin Rlinkhorn seemed a try which

< nuvrrted. Holder by a dodgy run obtained a try which he failed to convert, Vest in a short time ran over the line lull Holder failed with Hie kick. |!v their passing and general I, 'lice the Australasian team ran uv<r Salford. They created a great inipression. The half-time score was: Auslrdashins 21 : Salford nil. The full-'. urn sore was: \ list ralnsinns IS; Salford WOMEN'S LEAGUE MATCH. •SVDNEV, September 5 “. In the i'll.si women's Rugby League forth, 1 11 match here, the AL'li'opußtan I, Mm defeated Sydney hy 21 points to 11. north and soi v ni is: an c W \NG \NE L Sent ember 1 The .annua! int-'i-l laud A>s :nn football match was played this a Iter--1,. on in deli /lit f I weal’•cr. all ho ”1 it v,j [h I gods. South 1 p- a’s. a’. • v . of ■ n i .it n.”. v. i: ■’ I!■ ..! '. main -t 1h" ''■•nth.', ite: - 'idler.' wa - a <lvt"" of a-i iili lit -. I r y .ut'i |-l iltd t.layers bein'* hurt ; mi I'l 1- 1 1, ■ last ha I i -hour they !la ved w t'a

The ivfciee was iniim d abm I ■ lit sail)" lime al’ I was rep! a ml. by 11 Sulim tid. Tile mu' was id'• yt'<! jit a

s /endid upi.i i n provided a good exhibit ion

GREY BEAT iN.AN'GAII!'A. GBEYAIOUTH, Sept. M>

There was a poor attendance at Victoria Park on Saturday, when Tnangrh iki (elinllenpers) met Gre.v (holders) for the Dittmmi Shield. Weather conditions were the reverse ol pleasant, anil the ground looked more like a quagmore than a lootball field, lnaugaliiia did not field their crack O'Regan : Osbourne and Guthrie being the notable absentees! Stivl and O'Ciillaglinii were unable to don the jersey for Grey, their places being taken hv Winchester and G. .Nelson. Hie game was interesting all through, but plav was mostly confined to the forwards. in which department the Southerners showed superiority. Giey on the day. were much the better team .uthl the scores— 12-3 in their favour is a good indication of the ton ms.

team to meet afa ßi-RORornii

The following team lias Imen selected to make the trip to Marlborough in quest of the Seddon Shield: Racks -Ooodnll (O.L I'owfey (ID. Russell (G.l, Steel (G.l. Rvan (0•). Mclntosh (G.l, Dunne (G.l. For wards--Deere (0.). Tingar TT.) Mon at t (G.). nail (G.L Rutherford (Tl) Davis (R.) <l.awry (R.) E. King (0.). Emergeneiies : Forwards TTanmlian (G.), A f elbow (R.); Racks Nelson and Walton (GA