FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8878, 1 August 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The Professional Team. Per Press Association; Napier, August 1. The professional Rugby team will olav a match iuJParis on their way home, and an invitation has been accepted to play California on their return to tho colony. Tho team will bo known as tho All Blacks, wearing tho same costume as the 1 former New- Zealand team. No less than KiO applications were received for places in tho team and the selected members will assemble at Sydney, where throe matenes will ho played, followed probably by others in Melbourne and Adelaide. J. 0. Glccsou, of Napier, has boon 1 appointed playing manager.

Rangitikei v. Wanganui. A representative team selected from Wanganui Thursday Clubs played a match agaiust Rangitikei—principally junior players—at Marton yesterday. Tho day was ideal for football and the ground was in capital order. Tho game had its livelv moments, and was faiily interesting throughout. The teams were about evenly matched, hut Rangitikei forwards had rather the

best of it all through. Both teams indulged in some serviceable passing it times and tho visitors’ first score, and the homo team’s last try, were got by smart work among the backs. A feature of the game was the numerous penalties which had to bo given for breach of the laws, the result being that five penalty goals were kicked during the game—three by Wanganui and two by Rangitikei. Tho match exidod in favour of Haugi* tikei by 18 points to 13. The visitors total was made up by an unconverted try and throe penalty goals and Raugitikei got two tries, one of Which was converted by D. Henderson a -. i _ i i _ ji 1 t--i g-iWr\i\ Ivtr

penalty aud potted goal, kicked by the same player, aud a penalty kicked by B. Signal. Two minutes after the start of play Wanganui had crossed the line. They had Raugitike penned on the line and from a scrum the ball went to tlie \ isiting backs aud after some smart passing the wing three-quarter, O’Hara, got over. It was not long before play gradually found its way to the other end of the field and before it was shifted Henderson was successtui with a penalty kick, thus making the scores even. Soon after Raugitikei had the visitors in difficulties and from a scrum near tho line lugle secured neatly and crossed over without opposition. Henderson placed a pretty goal. Even play and loose forward rushes followed for some time aud then Wanganui had a shot at goal aud Pickering, with a flue kick, was successful. Some smart work was now being done by tho home backs and the visitors had to show their best form to keep their line from being invaded. The backs were equal to the occasion. From loose play in Wanganui territory the home backs got goiug aud the ball was quickly transferred, across the field aud finally readied Henderson, wbo took advantage of an opening and smartly potted a goal. Wanganui began to assort themselves and they soon bad tilings their own way —Callaghan usually, breaking the line—giving Oapstick, at fall, plenty of work to do and he proved to be too safe. Off-side play in front of the goal gave the visitors an easy chance and Pickering was again successful. The scene of operations was then transferred to Rangitikei goal line and a strong attack was kept up, thou a mark was obtained, aud B. Signal had a long shot at goal and was successful with a beautiful kick. The score now stood Rangitikei 15, Wanganui 9. It was not long before Rangitikei wore penalised and Pickering kicked another goal. With ten minutes to go the play livened up aud some great work was being done, the home players showing to advantage and the forwards swept down the field in good style. At the 25 line Northover picked np aud after making a good rim passed to Hartley, who outpaced the opposing hacks, and scored a fine try. Tho kick at goal failed. Tho game ended without further score.' Mr Nicholson, of Bulls, was referee. For tho winners Oapstick, at full, played a sound game, stopping rushes aud kicking well. The three-quarter line —Signal, Green and Illston—made few mistakes and Henderson, at five-eighths, put in a lot of work and made some good openings.' The forwards grafted hard, without exception ; Ingle, on tho wing, played well. _ ~ Mr Mace Walters, “White House, Marton, kindly leut a set of jerseys for the match.

The following is the Sanson tean 1 to play the Albions at Rongotea for the Abraham Cup competition;— George, Richardson 3, Scott, Carroll, Thompson, McNae, Reed, Williams 3, Sanson, Carroll 2, Knight, R. Henderson. Emergencies—Hartley and Lobb. All the above are expected to attend.