FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9162, 4 June 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

BRITAIN 14 v. SOUTHLAND 8. Press Association. Invercargill, June 3. McEvedy won the toss, and Hamilton kicked off from the southern end, facing the sun. McEvedy returned to Hill. A dashing forward rush put Southland in the ascendant, and a series of passing attacks were indulged in. Fast followinglby Pyle enabled him to get the ball on the line, but Jackett pulled him down. Then Clark pickecpup in the loose, and passed to Walker, who gave Hall a pass with a clear run in, but Hill dropped it, and the,ball went out at Joucb. The Southland forwards went along touch in style to the goal line, where Jackett was carried out. Here, in a scrum, a free kick was awarded Southland, and Hamilton placed a fine goal. Southland .. .. .. 3 Britain .. .. .. 0

From the kick out play went to the Southland 25, but a smart forward rush took the, ball to half way where a free kick for off-side took them back. Hamilton broke from the line, and W. Stead put in a jerky run that was spoilt by Walker taking - the pass off side. From a free kick Hamilton returned to J. Williams, who marked well outside the 25, and he dropped at goal without result. From half-way Hamilton suddenly broke away, dribbled on, picked up, and out-paced the inside back. He panted over Jackett’s head, and getting again to the hall at the same time as Jackett, beat him and passed out on the line along the ground. T. Clark picked up smartly and scored in a good position. Hamilton kicked, an easy goal. Southland .. . . .. 8Britain 0

The Colours roused up considerably now and Thomas and Morgan (with a good line kick) assisted them past half-way. A forward rush by the Reds gained ground till Morgan started the Colours away in a fine passing bout, in which ‘‘Titan” and Pouty Jones were prominent. A nice pass from the line by Dibble went to “Tuan” Jones, who found touch within 10 yards of the Reds’ line by A. MoNeece, who infringed the on-side rule, and Jackson had a fruitless shot at goal. Gradually Southland worked to the attack again aided by a penalty off Jackett, a free kick for his hanging to the ball. A knock-on by Hill, however, let the Colours hack again. From loose play Williams sent Pouty Jones away. He effected a swinging cut-in before passing to Williams, who sec for the line, hut A. McNeece proved equal to the occasion and threw Williamaout at the corner flag. Here the visitors indulged in one of their long throwouts, and the ball went loose. “Tuan” Jones held in great style, ran to the line, and sent on to McEvedy, who scored a pretty try. Jackson landed a lovely goal. Southland .. .. .. B Britain .. .. .. 5 From the kick-ont play centred and a terrific straggle amongst the forwards'ensued. Eventually a hard kick was fumbled by Jackett, hut he recovered pluckily and put in a brilliant run across and down the field. When blocked by Broad he passed to Williams who was thrown out at the half-way flag, and the whistle blew. SEOOND®SPELL. The second spell opened smartly. Britain’s kick off was a short one, and was taken by Redlaud, who was pushed into touch, A good rnn by Williams —who made a bright smart break away from a scrum—placed Southland on the defensive at once, and a free kick giveu against them made matters worse. Jackson had a shot at goal, hut failed. The kickout was returned to Broad, r .who kicked down the centre of the field to Ponty Jones. This player made no mistake about his return, which found touch about half way between goal and the 25 lines. The Maroons were once more defending, but the forwards had managed to get away with the hall at the toe when one of them kicked too hard, and the ball ran out to Jackett. In a clear field the latter beat Hughes cleverly, and then dropped a very pretty goal. Biitain 9 Southland 8

The game was soon going again, but very quickly settled down to scrumming, and more or leas uninteresting work. Scrums took place about half-way from cue of which Morgan sent the hall out to Ponty Jones, from whom if’“went to “Tuan” Jones, and McEvedy in turn. The latter made a very fine run, and looked very like scoring, being stopped about ten yards from the line |,by Redland. Southland rallied momentarily, and cleared their line, but the Britishers returned to the attack on the other side of the field, where Williams made a very fine run, but was tackled and lost the bail close on the line. Broad snapped it up, but was surrounded by the opposing forwards and seemed bewildered. At any rate h« ran to his own goal, and then kicked the ball very weakly over to the undefended wing, and a score against his side was a certainty. “Tuan” Jones was the first to get bold of the ball. He passed to Smith, who simply had to tall down to score. Jackson took the kick and Added the maximum points. Britain 14 Southland 8

When the game was resumed, Southland Had rather the host of things for a minute or two. After a good deal of scram work McEvedy twice nearly scored. The forwards on both sides were taking things easily and the game ended without further score. WELLINGTON v. WANGANUI. Wellington, June 3.

The Wellington football reps, defeated Wanganui at Newtown Park to-day by 13 points to 8. Play had not long ’commenced before McKellar got the ball from the throw-in, passed to Ryan, who got in at a. good position, and sent it on to Ritohings, who dodged over and touched down behind the posts. M. Ryan converted. Immediately after the Wanganui forwards got on a rush and forced the home team. Then play hung in neutral territory for a time. Wellington then worked into down field, but Bell intercepted a pass and relieved. Magee started an attack on the visitors’ quarter, bat it was Lustrated bv Soubhoombe iiaercepting and kicking out. The Wanganui forwards then put in some good footwork, and invaded the home team’s territory, but 'were soon driven back. The Wanganui forwards were making for the lino with the ball at their toe, when J. Ryan stopped the rush. A free kick for off-side play relieved the Blaoks,

and they got down to tho visitors’ quarter. J. Ryan started a passing rush, in which Ditchings and Evenson participated, the last-3samed getting right down to the liuev He was collared, and was unable to get rid of the ball advantageously, otherwise a try seemed .certain. From a scrum at half-way Green got tbs hall and passed to J. Ryan. He? started to run past the scrum, but slipped down on one knee. He was up before the exclamations of regret had died away, glided past a couple of opponents, and dashed down the field. He transferred to Magee, who was backed up by Hitchings and Evenson. The last-named got • the ball a few yards from the line, and clashed over. M. Ryan converted?! with a splendid kick. Until time was called, a few minutes later, Wellington were attacking. Shortly after the spell from a scrum near the line Wellington got the hall. Green sent it out to Matheson in good style on the 1 blindside, and the three-quarter got over without trouble. M. Ryan failed ro convert. . *

The ball next travelled up and down the field, Green eventually kicking it to the Wanganui fullback, and he punted-. Buslv took amark, and M. Ryan attempted to kick a goal, the-ball just going outside the post. Ac this stage Dustin retired hurt, and Baton took his place. Wanganui then began to give trouble, a dash by Abbott taking the ball near the home line. From a scrum Wellington broke away and seemed to be clearing their lino, when a short kick by Rush was marked in front of the goal hy Sbuthoomhe. He took the kick himself, but failed. The visitors returned undaunted to the attack, and gave Wellington a lively time. The ball changed hands with great rapidity, eventually a fine piece of work was ended by Meulli, Southcombe and H. Abbott, the last named scoring. Southcombe failed to convert.

The visitors were at this stage having the better of the game, but Wellington rallied and invaded the visitors’ territory. The forwards came away again, but Hitchings went down and covered the ball. One of the opposing forwards made a kick at the ball, and hie boot seemed to strike Hitchings heavily on the head. He fell like a log, face downwards, and had to be carried off. He recovered after a time, and was able to resume play. Wanganui continued to attack, but. there was no further score, the game ending in semi-darkness.

WANGANUI v. RANGITIKEI. This match took place at Wanganui yesterday in the presence of a large number of spectators. Both teams suffered by the . absence of several players who had been chosen in the first instance. Taking 'the game throughout, it was well contested. In the first spell the visitors had all the best of it, Awhile in the second half the tables] 1 were turned, the final result being 15, Rangitikei 3. Signal kicked a beautiful goal from a mark made by Hill. Hill, Broderick, Signal and Richards were the pick of Rangitikei backs, and Carter, McGurke, Pine and Marchant were always prominent in the forward division. RANGITIKEI BUGBY UNION. A meeting of the Management Committee was held at Mar ton on Wednesday. Mr J. A. Pawson being in the chair. The suggestion to allow Turakina and Wangaehu Schools,to combine in the school competition was approved. Mr O. E. Gibbous offered to present the winning team in school football with a set of silver medals. —This generous offer was accepted and a vote of thanks accorded the donor. — Messrs Horn and Japinlin (Hunterville) were classified as junior players.—The visit of the Horowhenua Reps, to Martou next Wednesday was discussed. The Secretary reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made as to accommodation of the team and that tickets had been issued for the entertainment of the visitors in the evening. Mr Martin was appointed treasurer for the Smoke Concert, and Mr Gibbons was elected referee for this match. Mr Martin was appointed to referee the Marton v. Excelsior match at Marton on Saturday and Mr Gibbous for Hunfeerville v, Marton at|Huuterville. The subcommittee was requested to draw up whole of.,remaining fixtures.

HUNTERVILLE 11. v. BULLS 11. This match was played at Bulls and resulted in a somewhat easy victory for the home team team by 19 points to nil. Green converted two tries and kicked a goal from a penalty. Mr Hinkley refereed. match between Marton and Excelsiors will take place on Marton Park on Saturday next at 3 p.m. Excelsiors junior and seniors will practice at Signal’s stables to-night.