Out Door Sports And Pastimes

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 108, 26 July 1902, Page 18

Out Door Sports And Pastimes

By Touchline.

Rugby Football. IDEAL weather prevailed in the Wairarapa Valley on Saturday last, on the occasion of the first match this season between the representatives of the Welington and Wairarapa Rugby Unions. When the Wellington team arrived ait Carterton the sun was shining gloriously out of a clear sky, but, in the shaded places, the remains of a heavy frost were still in evidence. The convincing ground— the Carterton Recreation Reserve — even at. the commencement of the game., had not recovered from the effects of the cold snap, the turf being very holding. E. McKenzie and Y. R. Meredith were the respective captains. The former won the toss, and gave the opposing team no alternative but to play with a strong sun in their faces, said sun during the first half of the game hampering: the town backs considerably. * * * The game itself is easily described. It was. with very few exceptions indeed, of a very uninteresting character, line play and scrummaging work being the principal features. Now and again the ball would be oassed about among the backs, but the collaring was of a very high order, and man for man beiner the order of the day, the attacks on either side failed because of the solidity of the opposing defence. The first spell was more than half through when a free-kick was awarded Wellington for off-side tactics of the country "wingers," and Wrigley, with a fine drop-kick, piloted the ball safely across 1 the baa-, and between the uprights. The lead of three pointe was only of ehort duration, however, for a similar decision was given against the visiting team. E. McKenzie, amid encouraging cries of "Do your best, Ted," satisfied the barrackers by kicking a splendid goal from near the touch-line midway between the twenty-five and halfway lines. The interval for refreshments came directly, with both teams level, and odds in favour of Wellington ultimately winning. But "hope deferred," etc., was truly felt during this half, and I began to think that a draw would be the final reBult. Attack after attack was frustrated in good style by the country rearguard, and their vanguard occasionally visited the opposing territory. On one occasion, a fine passing rush ended in the Ball going to Roberts close to the touch-line, about 15yds out. "Cocky" streaked for all he was worth, but McKenzie loomed up larger than ever just here, and, with a magnificent effort, threw himself on to the agile Wellington three-quarter, and landed him safely in touch. For a while anxiety prevailed for the veteran of the Wellington team, but, when he had got the bulky form off his chest, the hero of many a battle on the Rugby field came up smiling. Methought this was Wellington's last chance, for the Wairarapans cleared their lines in the easiest of ways from the succeeding throw-in. However, Manson got the ball near the half-way line somehow or other, from the side or the back of the scrummage. The first man that tried to stop him got a lump of his jersey only. Manson staggered, but. recovering his stride, he got right down to business with a long, loping run, and as far as the big full-back he went before he was stopped. In the bump that followed the meeting of the two big fellows, the ball rolled clear, and Dodd, who was handy, gathered it up, and, carrying it to the wing three-quarter, he transferred it at the right time to Kelly, who had no difficulty in scoring the only try in the game. Time was called shortly afterwards, with the game six to three in Wellington's favour. * ♦ * The Wellington fronl>rankers were much ahead of their vis-a-vis in hook ing tactics, getting possession nine times out of ten. The ball did not, however, come too clean from the pack to Meredith, hanging in the back row, with the result that the game the Wairarapa team were indulging in proved remunerative to them.

Tlie country players were playing the "out" game for all it was worth. Directly the visitors, obtained possession, the wing-forward on the side the attack was coming from shepherded WriglevThe back-rankers packed with thoir heads out of the scrummage, and directly the wing-f orvv arc! left his place the baok-scrummer on that side watched Meredith, and when he tried to come through the gap there was someone there ready to stop him. Now and again the tactics of the Wairarapa men were defeated, either through over-eagerness on the part of the wing-forwards, or through Wriglev'& extra cleverness. The most of the game, therefore, was an open attack on the part of the Wellington team frustrated by clever wing play. It must not be imagined, however, that this was all the game. Now and again there would be fast dashes by the Wairarapa rearguard, and dribbling rushes by the oposing forward divisions, but, generally speakiner what I have referred to were the prevailing characteristics. * * * In view of the match with Canterbury on Saturday, though, the principal consideration is how did each man play and, therefore, I will give mv opinions. G. Spencer did not seem too hapny at full-back. In the first half, he was? playing with a blinding sun in his face, which militated against a good showing from him. His kicking was good, and he invariably found the touch-line. Johnson was solid, but he appears to be lacking in the pace that is necessary in a left-wing three-quarter. The final dash does not seem to have enough vim in it, there being a, slight hesitancy. Wallace was not able to do justice to himself. A nasty knock on the hip early in the game, added to an unfav-

ourable trip up in the train, spoilt his chance of giving a good showing. Roberts successfully silenced all his critics. The game he played wae worthy the best traditions attached to his name. His defence was as solid as a rock, and on the attack he made no mistakes. The way he took one pass in the first spell, with the right hand, when going at top, was a real treat to see. Wrigley bore the brunt of the hardfought battle, as Patron Buchanan called it art the dinner. His game was a brilliant one, marred occasionally by a tendency to run too far after he had made his opening. This failing was excusable, though, the repeated appeals from the barrackers of "Go for Wrigley low" testifying to what the lookers on thought of the way he was threading his way through his opponents. Meredith passed out cleanly, swiftly, and with precision. His line-kicking was sure, and, altogether, his game was worthy of him. Kelly and Manson had a heavy afternoon's work. The former and Armstrong were very attentive to each other, their efforts in blocking being keenly appreciated by the spectators, but occasionally, it apipeared to me, a gentle hint could have been administered to both of them by the referee. Dodd and MoMinn had a long way the best of the deal in the front of the pack, and fitted each other splendidly. The former was much in evidence in the open, although a combined rush by him and Kelly up the far touch-line was spoilt by a hard kick just when it was getting dangerous. Sweeney, Walsh, and Joyce worked well together. The former's smile was much in evidence on the line-out Watch held his pack well together, and Joyce kept his side compact.

J. Spencer's line play was the prominent feature of his work, although his all-round performance was in his best style. Adams stood out by himself for hard effective work. He worked bo hard at times that it took two or three of his bulky opponents to stop him. "Bill," however, has one failing. He make? fine openings, but, having done so, he hangs on to the ball too long. If, when he breaks through, he dropped the ball at his feet, a combined rush of forwards would be sure to result, with an appreciable amount of good to his side. The hint is given him. • • • On the country side, E. McKenzie played a slashing game as guardian of the uprights. "MeUin's Food," as he is now designated, is bigger than ever, and put 9 as much power as previously into his kicks. Occasionally, though, he seemed to take no risks about finding the touch-line, and did not gain as much ground as he should His collaring was very deadly, the time he brought Roberts down being a fine effort. When the try was scored by Wellington, his effort to> bring Manson down was a good one, the concussion resulting in his being dazed for some time after. 'Ted's" chances for inclusion in the New Zealand team for next year are splendid, but at present he is carrying too much flesh, and an effort to get himself into proper playing condition would be to his own advantage. Smart's name fits him well, and both Roydhoaise and he fulfilled expectations, albeit both have a lot to learn yet. The latter has a tendency to crowd his centre. Rogers, at centre three-quarter, was responsible for a lot of fine play. On one occasion he put in a neat kick, and, following through fast, he got on to the

ball again in good style, and the opening he made caused the Wellington supporters to temporarily hold their breath. He should develop into something above the ordinary in a year or two. McGuire — the same McGuire wbo played for Melrose a few years back and aJso represented Wellington- — -was on the slow side, beine content, as a rule, to act on the defensive rathei than the aggressive. Pa^ton was not too successful at halfback. When his forwards got possession — which was very rarely — the ball came so fast from the pack as to generally beat him easily, and the advantage gained nas nullified theiebv His hnekickmg was sine. The t\\ o great w mg-foi w ards — J McKenzie and Annstrong — played up to then leputations. thedi footwork being particularly neat The former overdid the follow mg-up at times, and a freekick to his opponents spoilt his good work. IT civ is as solid as ever and was conspicuous right through the game. Johnson is a traditional Wairarapa forward — big burly, and strong — and, for such a heavy man gets over the ground, and on to his onponents. in good style. Cadwallader, Jury, Lambie, Conlan, and Workman all grafted consistently in the heavy work, and now and again were in evidence in the open. * * * Mr. W. C. Cargpll had charge of the whistle, and conscientiously did his best to deal fairly between two teams. His control of the game was much bettoi than in the same match last season, al though T must say he seems to have an unusual idea of wing-forward play judg ing bv the w ay he allows the players on the side of the scrummage to pull each other about. However, lam not going to growl — the refereemg was good, on the whole. « ♦ * Mr. C. E. Bird, the junior selector, has chosen the following team to represent the Wellington Union in its lunioi representative match with the Wairarana Thursday Union, on Saturday, the 2nd August — Full-back. Jacobsen . three-quai-ters Toohill. Stevens, and Webb, five-eighth. Cleland : half, Macbeth, forwards, C arey and McGrath (wings) and Murphy, A. GaJbraith, Gome, McKenzie Collerton, Bunckenburg, and McColl Jacobsen lias played a consistently good game for Poneke in the championship contests at full back, although his showing in the trial match last Saturday was not up to junior representative form. Fell, Stuckev, and McAnally were not available for selection, and the three-quarter line may have been weakened thereby Toohill and Stevens however, aie very strong on the attack, and the lattei will prove valtiable as a place-kick. Webb has been playing in a w eak back team during the season, and the soundness of his defence has been thoroughly proved. He is a dangerous man on the attack at times. Cleland and Macbeth should work well together at five-eighth and halfback. Cleland is dashing and a splendid line-kick, and represented Horow henna last season. Macbeth is inclined to hang on to the ball too much, but, generally, he is very solid in defence, and resourceful m attack. Carey has been playing brilliantly on the wing-forward in every match. His line-out work and loose play are always a treat to witness. He should captain the team. McGiath Drotects his half in fine style, and is all lound a useful man to any team. "Kiltie" has been a senior repiesentative wing-forward Murphy and Galbraith are a wellmatched pair for the front of the sciummasre. Then combined efforts at hooking should prove satisfactory. Galbraith does a lot of useful work on the line-out. The rest of the paek — Gome Colleiton McKenzie, Bunckenbui and McColl — are all honest grafter^, and good in the loose Colleiton a& pivot, does an immense amount of work in the scrummage and shows to advantage in the open. The team, as a whole, is rather on the light side, but, with such an eager and hard-working lot of forwards, they should give a good account of themselves in their engagement. The selection reflects credit on Mi Bird, and shows evidence of much care and trouble on his part. Generally speaking, in previous years, the Selection Committee for the juniors have met together with a lot of names in front of them, and, without seeing some of the aspirants for honours play, have, in a haphazard style, selected the team This season Mr. Bird has consistently followed the junior matches, with the result that the team which he

has put on paper has the confidence of the junior players, an<:l does credit to himself. "Bangor" Row secuied a centre-three-quarter place in the New South Wales team that played Queensland on Satuiday last. Logan, the tricky and lesouiceful halt of the Old Boys' Club, is leaving: Wellington for Masterton in a few days He should be of great service to the club of that name. "Rody" Gray and "Billy" Watson two of the finest forwards in their day of a union that has been piohfic of playeis in the vanguard — Wanaiapa — were interested spectators at the match at Carterton on Saturday Canterbury and Wellington meet on the Athletic Park on Saturday. Morrie" Wood has been chosen to captain the visitors, and among the team are such well-known names as Fanniner Cross, Cooke, and Drake The game will be a fine contest, and I fondly anticipate the defeat of last season will be avenged on this occasion I do nnf feel too sure about it, though. Mr Norris will aot as refeiee

It is probable that the North and South Island match will be played in Wellington on the 13th September. Peter Gerrard was placed five-eighth in the Auckland team that played the Thames last Saturday , R. McGregor beincr shunted in his favour. The referees-veterans' match, instituted last season, will be played again this season the takings from the match to be handed to the Hospital as a donation . In the New South Wales team that played against Queensland last Saturday, seven of the team that toured New Zealand last season were included — Maund, Wickham, Finlay, Costello, Burden, Judd, and Shortland, while another — Beaumont — was not available owing to an attack of rheumatism. A movement is on foot by the Athletic Club to make a presentation to Mr. H. W. Kelly. Considering his services to the province I think a presentation from, the footballing fraternity of Wellington should be given him, and to that end would suggest to the Athletic Club to invite the co-operation of the Union and the other clubs in Wellington.

One "t other side" theatre has chopped down to the matinee hat nuisance. The management insists that when two eeats are reserved the gentleman should sit behind the lady. If she is wearing a hat that obscures the stage that is his look-out, and he will be careful next tune. • * * Mdme. Florne Rhodesia, the 'lady Cinquevalli," who took her circus namo from the fact of being one of the siv riders sorted out by circus proprietor Frank Fillis to escort the late Cecil Rhodes through Capetown on his leturn from Rhodesia, is still with Fitzgeral 1 Bros. Circus, and will tour New Zealand with the show dm ing the appioachmg summer. Extract from Dan Leno's speech at the Queen's Hall, London —"My dear friends, I may say— nay, I should express, the belief — or, in other words should declare, that in the whole course of my professional career, I have nerer seen such a beautiful, or, so to speak, charming — 01 , I might go even further, and say exnuisite — with the accent on the 'quiz' — so exquisite a gathering of matinee hats." • * * An Australian scribe says that Jean Gerardy has become unrecognisably fat since he left, us last year. As he has been travelling night and day touring through America,, where he gave eighty-six concerts, he is. evidently of a contented disposition. Mr. A. H. Canby is "managing" him, and he has with 'him a celebrated pianist, GottnelH Galstan, and Electa Gifford, a soprano of some note. • * * Miss May Beatty, who has quite won Australia with her "Fi Fi," in the "Chinese Honeymoon," is paragraphed lately to her heart's desire. ' labJe Talk " Melbourne, runs to three columns of May, and describes her from her smile to "her bootlaces. The on* point that Miss May seems quite convinced about is that her success is entirely due to her careful training with "Pollards." "Pollards are probably as proud of Tattie' as 'Pattie' is of her old operatic school. • • • The Fitzgeralds, who have not forgotten that increase of £3000 to their banking account during their New Zea land tour, are coming back to augment it by another £3000. They are bringing us the sensation of a bike act. which consists in four riders (the Panzos) riding round a track tilted at an angle of sixty degrees. The same sort of thing was a tremendous success a while back at the Agricultural Hall, London. • • • The Yankees axe still going ahead. If you cannot go to the theatre, because of the bairns, you can take them right along to the play, either in Brooklyn or New York, and hand them over to a uniformed nurse, who will take them to a delightful little nursery adjacent, and entertain them, give them sterilised "bottles," and all the rest of it. Tho idea cannot help being popular. The baby who isn't wanted will be sure to find"' its way into those theatre nurseries, and then to the "lost" columns' of the police organ ! » * * An arithmetical critic, who saw Howard Vernon. as Lord Chancellor, in "lolanthe," at Melbourne "Her Majes ty's," made a calculation. "By actual timing by a stop-watch," he says, "Mr. Vernon takes takes one minute and three-quarters to sing his solo, 'When You're Lying Awake,' in 'lolanthe.' T have counted the words in the number, and find that it contains 595 words (768 svDables). The vocalist, therefore, emgs to music — not merely speaks — at the rate of over 300 words a minute, and, as every word is heard, I think that this must be something in the way of a record for rapid utterance 1 " * ♦ * "Pasquin" remarks that the Pollard Company had an experience in Gore, where they performed for two night* the other week. Opening on the second night, the electrio light, usually so reliable, went back on them, and acetylene lamps had to be brought into requisition to see the piece on a portion of its journey. Later on the electric light was got into working order, and everything proceeded satisfactorily. The dressing-rooms afforded no such luxury as electric light, and many of the company had to find their way into their various wardrobes by the aid of a tallow-dip. The company showed in the Town Hall in Gore. An election took place on the second day of the Pollards visit, and while the company were rehearsing electors were dropping in to record their votes; also some dropped in without recording votes, and saw the rehearsal just the same.