Out Door Rugby Football.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 111, 16 August 1902, Page 18

Out Door

Rugby Football.

By Touchline.

THK Auckland-Wellington match, at Vuckland, last Satuidav, was not such a um-away victory as the scenes would seem to indicate The dashing displays of the Auckland backs in their match against Canterbury the previous Saturday led us to believe that at was there the strength of the northern team lay but in last Saturday s game it was the spreionty of the Auckland forwards that turned the tide ot the game m their favour. From lLynx's" notes, I gather that the fiiist few minutes of play satisfied ■bhe onlookers that the redoubtable Aucklanders had taken on a stiff task. The home forwards thrust the visitors inside the Utters' 25, and, letting the ball out to the backs, the Auckland rearguard commenced flinging the leather about, but though they delivered attack after attack, the defence was too solid, and the Wellington men, backs and forwardls alike tackling well, kept their lines clear, and though forced several times no score was registered against them in the first spell, while they, on the other hand, scored five points (a try converted). They, of course, had the advantage of a fairly strong breeze, and were playing with the sun behind their backs but so good had been the stopping that local supporters, while confident that the blue and Avhites would turn the tables in the second half, were not looking to any large margin of point® in their favour. In hooking the ball in the scrums the visitors had not so far had much the worst of it, but on the line-out and loose open play the Auckland forwards had clearly demonstrated their supenoritv and when they threw themselves heart and soul into their work, their weight told its tale against the lighter Wellington pack. Time after time the home vanguard charged the ball down the field, and well into Wellington's quarters, but just when we were looking for some good result to reward their labours one or other of the blue and white vanguard's men would kick too hard, and the Wellington backs, who were kicking splendidly, and invariably finding the touch-line, would send it sailing back beyond the half-way flag. Thus all the good work was being undone As our backs had failed to find a weak spot in the defence, it was to our forwards that we looked to pull us through in the second spell, and our hopes were fully realised. With a lead of five points the visitors naturally confined themselves to defensive tactics when playing against the wind, and for some twenty minutes, during which tame the Auckland forwards were not playing with anything like the life or dash expected they succeeded in keening their lines clear, and occasionally made an incursion into the home team's quarters. Then, from a throw-in near the Wellington 25-line, Laing broke away by himself and scored Auckland's first try. This was the turning point. Thence on the home vanguard kept up a continuous attack, amd, breaking away from the line-out, and crashing throueh the scrums, they swept everytihing before them with them- irresistible tierer rushes. Rising grandly to the occasion, they undoubtedly won the day for Auckland, and it was only then a ouestion as to how many points the home team would put together before the bell "Lynx's" comments on the Wellington players — 'Wellington was well represented with G. Spencer as defender of the sticks. He had a lot to do, particularly m the way of defensive work in the second spell and came through the trying ordeal most creditably. He is not endowed with Harrisons pace, but is very sure, and a shashing kick. If I mistake not Southern critics have said that, he is a bit slow in getting the ball away when in a tight corner, but he was certainly not found wanting in this respect on Saturday. "The defence in the Wellington threequarter line was severely tested, and there was no weakness there. All three tackled splendidly, going at their men with great determination, and always taking them well down, while the linekioking was undoubtedly superior to that shown bv the Auckland three-

quarters. They put more powei into it. Mclntyre, who is said to be then most dangerous aggressive player, did not get many chances to distinguish himself, and Wallace was, on the day, about the best m attack On the whole, however, there seemed to be no claim to brilliance in tins department of the game. The connecting links between the ioiuaids and backs, Menedith and Johnston—halt and five-eighth respectn ely — ueie not as stiong all lound as the Auckland pair. Manson wa& the best of the t\\ o \ung(», and played a haid game, while McMnin was always prominent among the foi wards. They had a big task before them against Auckland's heavy, dashing lot, and on the whole acquitted themselves well, getting in some hard rushes at tunes and tackling to a man " •* * * I have to extend my smceiest sympathies to Mauson and S. Wilson in their unfortunate accidents in the AucklandWellmgtou match Scott Wilson returned on Tuesday night, and appeared to be veiv cheerful, making light of his misfortune. Manson had to be left behind in the Auckland Hospital , w here lie is receiving many kindnesses at the hands of Auckland friends and sympathisers. He will perforce have to lay by far about eight weeks, but that the least modicum of pain may be his m his trouble is mv earnest wish. On Sunday last, at Auckland, Manson received a beautiful bouquet of flowers, composed of blue and white violets, with a stem of snowdrop standing up m the middle of them, labelled, From a young lady sympathiser in your unfortunate accident." That the gift was much appreciated goes without sayThe first junior lepiesentative match between the Canterbury and Wellington Rugby Unions was played at Lancaster Park, Chnstchurch, on Saturday last, and resulted m a win for Wellington,' after an exceedingly liaid-f ought game, by two tries (six points) to one try (three points). When the two teams lined out on the field it was easily apparent that the Canterbury players were collectively much heavier than the team from Wellington, and the deduction proved a correct one. During the first half of the game their superior weight, enabled the Canterbury boy® to get the ball in the scrum, but. generally, their success in this direction was not much use to them. After the ball had passed Fraser, at five-eighth, and Flower (centre tlixee-quairter) it was usually mulled, the previous good work being spodit thereby. Rich (wing-forward) opened the scoring for Canterbury from a forward scramble. This was the only score in the first speJl, and Canterbury's only ooie during the' game The Wellington team got fairly going at the commencement of the second half, and their forward rushes soon had their opponents busy on the defence. McKenzie secured the bail from one of these rushes, and beat four or five of the opposition, and made the scores equal. From a line-out, Fraser (Canterbury) got well away, and a try seemed inevitable, but a pass from him was badly missed by Flower, and a counter attack by Wellington ended in Stevens scoring as the result of good work by Macbeth and MoAnally. After this, Canterbury were mostly on the defensive, with one or twoi occasional rushes up the field. Condition and combination were the main factors in Wellington's win. The forwards m the second spell got possession, and all the backs did fine work in line kicking. Macbeth, at half, was the means, of stopping a lot of Canterbury's rushes in the first spell. Toohill's line kicking calls for special mention, and was very effective on a somewhat sodden ground. Altogether, the^ whole team's play was of a meritorious character, and they beat a really good team. Mr. F T. Evans was a satisfactory referee. The team, which travelled under the management of Mr. C. E. Bird, returned to Wellington on Sunday morning, after a tnp in which they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and they are loud in their praises of the many kindnesses shown to them by the officials of the Canterbury Union and the players in the Cathedral City * * * Canterbury's last two matches — Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay — proved only exercise game* for them. They won them both very easily. Tom Pauling, the ex-New Zealand representative, is evidently shaping well as a referee. The Queensland captain, Mr. S. A. Spragg, in referring to the recent match, Queensland v. New South Wales said — "All th£ members and supporters of our team were very well pleased with Mr. Pauling's refereeing, not one man taking any exception to his ruling, and what a good game he made of it." (Continued on page 19.)

The beam to repiesent the Wellington Pubhc Schools Rugby Union in then match with Wairarapa is, with one exception, the same fifteen that was defeated by Taranaki when it travelled to New Plymouth about six weeks ago The following is a critique on the diffeient players in the team — Full-back CondUffe (Mount Cook) Fair, but can only use his right foot , is veiy likely to play a good game, but could* with advantage use his touchline more than he does generally. Right wing three-quarter Galloway (Thorndon).— Safe, fairly smart, but nothing startling. Left wing three-quarter Mason (Petone) — The Schools Union appears to be suffering from the same complaint as the senior union — its wing three-quar-ters aie Aery much on the weak side. Mason is the best of a poor lot. Centie three-quarter McDougall (South Wellington). — Very good on the attack fast and one of the best m the back division. Five-eighth Kelly (Petone), captain. — Yeiv solid and is always looking for work Better in defence than on the attack. Half-back Green (Petone).— A midget, very clever player, smart in attack, and sound in defence. Green, Kelly, and McDougall nlay well together, and are the backbone of the back division. Wing forwards C. Irons (Clyde Q ua y). — A very hard worker, and one of the best forwards in the team. Ashcroft (Petone). — Good player, but has a tendency to wait for chances Front-rankers Olsen (Petone) and N Irons (Clyde Quay).— Two of the hardest workers in the team and fairly clever at getting the ball. These four are the best of the "scnimmers," and three of them played in the representative team last season. Second rank- Judd (Petone), very slow and big Shera (South Wellington), lock, ditto, Sullivan (Petone), slow, good tackier. These three are similar players, solid in the pack, but slow in the open play. Back row Pettitt (Mount Cook).— The new player in the team, willing, but rather raw." Binney (Terrace) — Very eager, but has a lot to learn. Emergency Patterson (Clyde Quay. —Good boy, fast, and willing, hard player, but on the small side. The match will be played on the Athletic Park on Saturday, commencing at. three o'clock. A good game is anticipated. *. * * Dan Toohill, the St. Patrick's College player Wairarapa senior, and Welling ton junior representative player of this season has joined tlie Wellington Club. Mr. A. J. Kellow was on a visit to town during Coronation week. His soiourn in Nelson seems to be agreeing with him, judging by a hasty exchange of greetings. We were both too bus\ when we met on the Saturday to talk football, though * • * Commenting on the Wairarapa-Can-terburv match, "Off-side Me" says ' the features of the game were the machine like precision of the Canterbury pack in obtaining possession, screwing the scrums, and heeling out and the fine passing dashes of Ormandv Wood, and McGregor." "Cross was the most conspicuous forward on the field, and he was ably supported by Drake and Cooke. This trio passed unselfishly, and played hard throughout the game. Nine New Zealand forwards like either Drake or Cross would paralyse the world." "The Wairarapa backs were disappointing. They passed well, but were wretched on the defence." 'Collaring was where Wairarapa foundered, and the spectacle of representative men going for their men high was simply ludicrous" * * * The Canterbury footballers attended a concert at Carterton last Saturday night and from the newspaper report, appear to have had a good time. " 'The Empire Calls' was really good to listen to and appealed especially to members of the Canterbury football team, who responded to the call in the chorus with such effect that the large audience applauded with great enthusiasm." "The Canterbury footballers lent thenaid to Mr Sheriff m 'Dolly Gray.' " "Mr. Kirk also had the assistance of the Canterbury footballers, who trolled out the chorus to 'The Lads in Nai v Blue' in a most in&pirating style " A few clippings from "Full-back's" notes in the "Otago Witness" — "Duncan was merely a spectator of Saturday's trial match at Bishopscourt. and many inquiries were instituted as to the reason of his not playing. The veteran arrived on the ground prepared for bhei game, but, as he had informed the Selection Committee that, owing to

piossure of business, he would be unable to make the northern toui with the Otago team, they very properly let him out. "The probability of Duncan not being able to make the tour as a member of the Otago team has never entered the minds 1 of local players and enthusiasts, so that tihei published fact is likely to disturb them until Duncan appears at the Dunedin railw ay station on the morning of Thuisday, August 28, with his well-known portmanteau (already covered with labels of previous trms) freshly labelled 'J. Duncan, passenger for the north ' " "Otago has seldom had such a wealth of material to pick from m the forward ranks as, the' present year affords, and the claims of many, though particulaih good, will have to be passed over for someone just a trifle better." "Apart from Duncan, the men who have chief claim for representative honours in the Otago team's back division are by no means brilliant the halves will be the weak point. Certainly, to the writer's mind it will be a stiongei combination than last year. When

that lias been saad, none of the players have been stripped of any glory. Take Duncan out of the team (an erne 1 gen oy which must be provided for), and what is left? A back division which bv no manner of means can be called firstclass." ■/- -r * Reynolds, the ex-Southland representative, has joined the Wellington Club. Two solid forwards in Otago, members of the 1 Alhaanbra Club — Roddick, 13st 101b, Mitchell, 14st 71b. Dan OBrien, who left for the war with the Eighth Contingent, has received his discharge, and purposes staying in South Africa far some time. In reply to inquiries, as far as I know Southland or Otagoi do not play Auckland this season, neither of those teams travelling further north than Hawke's Bay. Wairarapa and Wellington play their second match this season at the Athletic Park next Saturday. Other matches in Wellington this season are — Versus Southland, Wednesday, 3rd September, versus Obago Saturday, 6th September.