FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 587, 23 July 1913, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The cup fitxures under the auspices of the Maniapoto Rugby Union, which should have been played last Saturday, were postponed in consequence of the Health Department's regulations. It ia still uncertain when the fixtures will be resumed and th°re is every likelihood that no football will be played on Saturday next. The contest for the Ranfurly Shield between Auckland and Wellington, which eventuated at Auckland on Saturday last, produced a great game and the southerners had bad luck in not lifting the Shield. The conditions were all against good football, a north-east gale and heavy rain pieVailing. The Wellin-?top back 3 adapted themselves to the conditions remarkably well, but failed to register more than five points in the first half when playing with the wind. In the second spell Auckland managed to score a penalty goal and a try and so retained the Shield. The Auckland forwards had rather the best of things, and consistently hooked the leather in the scrums. This enabled them to keep the game close, and prevented the Wellington backi from getting many chances.. As has been the case on many occasions the superiority of the Auckland forwards mors than offset the undoubted superiority of tha Wellington backs. Had the weather been fine there is just a chance that the visiting backs would have been able to make more use of their opportunities. On the other hand the Auckland forwards have the knack of throwing the ball about themselves when occasion offers, and they take some stopping.