FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 54, 25 June 1914, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI (14) V. WELLINGTON (10). In beautiful weather, without n breath of wind and on a dry ground, the representatives of the Wellington and Taranaki provinces tried conclusions yesterday on the Hawera showgrounds. The Taranaki men won by a handsome margin, scoring four tries to the visitors’ two. The game was a strenuous one} and both teams worked hard. Tho visitors showed dashes of fine passing and solid defence, but lacked tho consistent solidness of tho home team, whose forward division worked with a well sustained vim throughout. ■ Following were the teams : WELLINGTON.—Capper; McTaggart, Beard, Twomey; Tilyard, Robinsou; Nunn; Gilchrist; Coritter, Donne, Dent, Paton, McFarlane, Kyne, Parker.

TARANAKI. George} Loveridge, Roberts, Young (Stratford); Cameron-, Brown; Taylor, Column;, Whittington, Dewar, Young, Smith, Patterson, Cain, Birchall.

Wellington kicked off and moved play down to yellow's’ territory, Taranaki being forced. The visitors continued to press, and an ugly forward rush was stopped by a nice mark by Roberts. Helped by a nice line kick by Roberts Taranaki worked over the half-way line. Brown took a mark just past half-way and just missed with the kick. • Wellington were well in their own quarters, when the ball came out and Roberts failing to take it, the fast Wellington forwards set off after it and got dangerously near the line, the ball going out. Taranaki relieved the pressure and near half way’Brown secured with nobody much to befit, but there was nobody to back him up. Soon again Brown got tho ball and put in some useful footwork, a force resulting. Then play went to Wellington’s quarters, but gradually worked upheld, C.' Young being very near the visitors’ line when he was pushed out. Colman also put in a nice mn but was not supported. Wellington had a kick from their line and, the ball rebounding, a Taranaki score looked possible, but a nice kick upheld relieved. The visitors continued for some time on -the defensive. There was some very tight work near Wellington’s line, McFarlane relieving with a good line kick. , C. Young Took a mark, but the attempt at goal was resultless. A Wellington mark was also without result. From a forward rush Taylor got over the Wellington line, Brown failing with the kick— Taranaki 3, Wellington 0, Within a’ few' minutes Wellington got the ball near half-w'ay and set up a pretty passing rush, which culminated in McTaggart crossing the lino near the corner and grounding near the posts. The major points were added.—Wellington 5, Taranaki 3. The next score was not long of coming, Smith getting over from tight work in the corner, Column failing with the kick.—Taranaki 6, Wellington 5.

Play was taken to Taranaki’s quarters by smart passing, but the ball went out and Taranaki relieved. The pace was made very willing, but half time was called with play in neutral territory. Wellington opened the second spell strongly. G. Young secured, but was collared in attempting to run. He passed to Brown, who saved the position by kicking out. Play was very •strenuous in Taranaki’s quarters for some time, tho advantage, if any, being with Wellington. Loveridge opened up nicely from a line-out and play was taken to Wellington’s twentyfive. After give and take play Loveridge intercepted a pass and was collared just in front of the posts. Taylor was following up and scored without difficulty. George added the major points.—Taranaki. 11, Wellington 5. Taranaki’s territory was again invaded, hut Taranaki played up and took play to the other end, and from a scrum near the posts Loveridge and Roberts and later Loveridge by himself nearly got the ball over. Wellington relieved, and then Dewar put in a good run, being pushed out at the corner. Taranaki continued to press, and from tight work in the corner Taylor got over. Tho kick failed.— Taranaki 11, Wellington 5. • With about ten minutes to go Wellington livened things up considerably and Beard scored after a good run, McFarlane converting.—Taranaki 14, Wellington 10. Taranaki were attacking when the game ended. Mr Newson controlled the game.