FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8829, 4 June 1907, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

North v. South. Press Association. Chhistchokch, June 3. The match between North and South Island was. played at Lancaster Park this afternoon in fine weather, and before a crowd numbering between six and seven thousand. The game was strenuously contested throughout, but once play had settled down, it was apparent North Island were a better team, and South Island never looked liked winning. The Northern backs showed much better combination, and played with more dash than their opponents, whose efforts were more or less spasmodic. South Island forwards did some good work, and they were not well supported by their backs, and though they were more successful in their hooking than the Northerners, they gained no advantage from this, for the smartness of the North Island backs quickly retrieved the position and the defence was turned into attack with lightning rapidity. The opening stages of the game were indecisive, but North Island quickly got to work, and a very strong attack was set up. Deans intercepted a pass and passed to Dansey, who was well tackled by Mitchinson. From a shot at goal by Turtill the North Islanders were forced, but from this out the Northerners had much the better of the game. Their passing was very frequently forward, and this fact alone prevented the score from being considerably larger. Finally a brilliant passing rush took place in which -practically all the North backs had a hand. Hunter go!; over at the comer, G. Spencer failing with the kick at goal. This was the only score at half time.

In the second spell, the North still held the upper hand, and it was but rarely that the ball reached their 25's. The only occasion in which the South looked really dangerous was when Fryer kicked high and G. Spencer failed to take the ball. A Canterbury player had followed up fast, bu overran the ball, and Hunter relieved the Situation by sound kicking. The -North, backs took the play to the South goal line, and after a hard forward struggle Bailey scored. Wallace converted the try. In the closing stages of the game the South backs had one or two chances, but their handling of the ball was faulty. Just on the call of time North were attacking again and Eoberts made an opening for Wilson, who scored an '.easy try. Wallace failed with the kick at goal, and time was called with the North winning by eleven points to nil.

Wellington v. Wairarapa,

Per Press Association. Wellington, June 3. v The Wellington and Wairarapa representative teams met on Athletic Park today, Wellington winning by thirteen points to three. In the forwards the teams were fairly even, but the Wellington backs were much the better individually and in combination. Wairarapa's only score was a goal kicked from a penalty by Wrigley. Wellington men scored ten of their points in the -first half. Their scores were made by Twohill and Byrne, each getting tries which were not converted, Gilchrist kicking a goal from a mark, and Bogle potting one from the field of play. The match between Wellington Weir nesday reps, and Wairarapa Thursday team, ended in the defeat of the visitors by six points to three. The play was a general scramble, in which the floundering attempts of some players to secure the ball furnished the public wits with cause for great hilarity.

Press Association. Wanganui, June 3. The seven-aside football was won by Pirates.