FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 891, 13 September 1910, Page 4

FOOTBALL

Marlborough and Wellington B “rep” teams met at Blenheim on Saturday, and after an interesting game resulted in a draw, six points each. At Palmerston North on Saturday, Manawatu defeated Horowhenua by 14 points to n. Wairarapa “reps” defeated Bush Union by 27 points to 3 at Masterton on Saturday. The match Wellington v. Otago was played at the Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday, under excellent weather conditions. The scores resulted, after an exciting game, with Wellington 19 points, Otago 6. Tries were scored (or Wellington by M’Kellar (converted by Kinvig), Roberts, Mitch’nson, Perry (converted by Jas. Ryan), and Jas. Ryan kicked a penaltygoal. The points for Otago were secured by Watson (try), Hardringe (goal from mark). The Otago forwards proved superior to the home forwards, but the Wellington backs out-generaled the visitors. The attendance at the match is estimated at 5000. FOXTON 8, v. HIMATANGI6. The above match played at Himatangi was witnessed by a fair crowd of spectators and was a very willing and exciting go. Foxton were lucky to win, as in the second half the All Blacks had considerably the nest of the argument and should have scored on more than one occasion, but their chances were spoilt through over eagerness, and the green and white just managed to notch a two point victory. The visiting team were very socially entertained by the Himatangi-ites who had provided plenty of good things that hungry footballers enjoy. Frank Robinson captained the Himatangi while G. Dunn acted in a like capacity for the green and whites. P'rom the kick off the Blacks started to make things willing and for the first fifteen minutes the Greens were strictly on the defensive. Repeated attempts bv C- Price (at halt) to make the game open had the desired effect and play was shifted to Himataugi’s territory, where Nick Martin with a good piece of individual play sent the ball over the line and G. Dunn falling on it, scored first blood. The shot at goal was unsuccessful. From the kick out W. Cook got possession and returned to Rori at full, he failed to field the ball, and G. Dunn getting possession, he raced away from the opposing backs and scored in a good position. Cook converted. From the kick off that followed the Blacks worked play well on to Foxton’s line, where, from a scrum, Reihana got over. The kick at goal missed, and the first spell ended five points in the Green’s favour. In the second half, the Blacks shifted Rori up to five-eighths, and Haeana to wingforward , while the only alteration iu the Green’s formation was that Hendetson replaced Evans as lock. Howe kicked off and Withers took play well down the field where some tight play and hard knocks took place. Things were beginning to look very interesting tor the Blacks, but the referee caught Price going into the scrum after the ball, and as a result of the free kick which followed play went right to the Green’s line. Hooker got off-side, and Reihana had a shot at goal, but missed. Himitangi were not to be daunted, and kept the pace up, and as the result of a fine dribbling rush, Haena scored. Rori took the kick at goal from a difficult angle, and the ball went wide. Robinson returned the kick out and the Greens were soon iu trouble, and it looked odds on the Blacks again scoring. From a five-yard scrum Smith got possession, and with a great kick found the line iu mid field. The whistle shortly after sounded “ no side,” and a hard fought battle was brought to an end in neutral territory. A visiting referee from Wellington had charge of the game, and gave every satisfaction.

A match will be played on the racecourse on Saturday against the Himataugi juniors, and the team will be as follows : —J. Heunessy (full-back), Withers, Currie, Robinson (three-quarters), Hukiki (five-eighth), C. Price (captain) (half), Hooker and Smith (wings), Howe, Evans, R. Rimmer, C. Perry, A. Rimmer, Nick Martin, and Henderson. Emergencies: Backs, Royal and McDonald ; forwards, Brunette and Riley. THAT RANFUREY SHIEED. THE INVINCIBLE AUCKLANDERS. AUCKLAND 6 v. CANTERBURY 4. [By E. G. S.J Auckland, Saturday. The Ranfurly Shield excitement is over for the season, and this afternoon’s match may be put down as threatening the most serious removal of the trophy from Auckland of the three matches played here of late weeks. Wellington certainly drew with Auckland after perhaps the hardest--fought amateur rugby struggle of the decade while Taranaki made things decidedly lively for the northerners in their encounter of last week, but Canter- j bury actually had the Shield in their grasp right until the last few minutes of the game this afternoon, when those invincible Auckland forwards responded to the calls and cries of the 20,000 specta-,

tors and snatched victory from the very jaws of the southerners, when they were beginning to congratulate themselves on being the victors, and, those favoured by witnessing the last few minutes play of this afternoon’s contest cannot fail to realise that in this coveted piece of Raulurly’s silverplate rests some honour. Otherwise, why did the northerners put such a lot of steam into their efforts ? Fact is, the game must be regarded as one of the most historic ever played in the Dominion, and was full of brilliant incidents. Canterbury led off, and their forwards, mainly Murray and Shadbolt, actually defeated the northerners during most of the game. But when the Auckland vanguard did wake up at the conclusion of the struggle, they woke up and made their pressure felt in no uncertain manner. With the realisation that Canterbury were four points in the lead, and had had the better of the fast and brilliant game, Hall, Hayward, Tyler, Maguire, Cunningham and Co., got to work with a will. Parlour methods were not studied in their efforts to wipe off that four points lead, and they fought like lions, both with head, hands and boot to such extent that in no time four or five of the southerners felt the severity of some compact or other and became temporarily disabled. Included in the victims was Bert Shadbolt, who will, in consequence, visit Foxton in preference to accompanying the team on its Wairarapa tour. To cut a long story short, Harrison scored a try from a passing rush by Playward and P'rancis, and readers can easily imagine the feelings of spectators as Joe O’Leary took the kick. To convert the try meant putting Auckland one point in the lead (5 —4), but the kick failed and Canterbury led by 4 to 3. Yet with three minutes to go, these northern forwards spurred themselves up to the occasion and finally Wyllie grassed the oval over the line to the tune of the wildest excitement ever witnessed at Epsom. Well may the football enthusiast ask : Can Auckland be beaten ? It certainly will take a decent set of footballers to “out” them while their team of forwards are of such a high standard as at present. Henry Hayward was the shining light in to-day’s match, with Tyler, Cunningham and Hall as good seconds to him, Wolfgramun was the best of their backs, with Joe O’Leary again safe at defence, though his line-kicking suffered in comparison with previous displays. Murray and Shadbolt were the pick of the hard working gang of Canterbury forwards, but their backs were brilliant both in defence and attack. Mitchell was the “star,” while Doell was good, also Dolly Gray, who is just as solid as ever.