FOOTBALL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3514, 28 June 1920, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

WANGANUI v. TAIHAPE AND EANGITIKEI. The match between teams selected from the above was played at Wanganui on. Saturday, resulting in a win for the home team by 15 to 8, after a good' game. JUNIOR DIVISION. At the Recreation Grounds, Taihape, two junior matches were played. Mataroa met Utiku, and an interesting game resulted in a draw. Huias played a very vastly improved game in their match against the Pirates. Though they were vanquished by 6 to 0 Huias played a good game, notwithstanding •the fact that they had two palpable passengers in their team, The play of the juniors is improving every week and after another match or two their football will reach a fairly high standard. INTER-UNION FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON v. WAIRARAPA. HASTERTON, June 26. The Wellington-Wairarapa senior reps, match was played at Masterton this afternoon. The ground was very heavy, but .the weather was fine. In the-first half Wellington backs showed to advantage, and indulged in splendid passing rushes. From a passing rush in which Nicholls, Jackson, Connor, Fitzgerald, and Aitken took part, . Aitken scoring and Shearer converting. Just on the call of half time, from another passing rush, Ryan scored and Shearer converted. The spell ended Wellington 10, Wairarapa nil. In the second spell the Wellington backs paralysed Wairarapa, and indulged in splendid passing rushes despite the wet ball. Time after time the Wellington backs, who were fast. would sweep down field, and despite the stubborn play of Wairarapa. added several more tries to score. Aitken scored three tries, and Ryan one, Shearer converting the latter. Carson scored a try for Wairarapa, the final score being Wellington 24, Wairarapa 3. Wairarapa held Wellington fairly well in the forwards, but as Wellington got the ball in the scrum the Wellington backs had plenty of chances to get going. It was the Wellington back play which won the match. The game was an interesting one to watch. NORTH ISLAND (12) V. SOUTH* ISLAND (3). j A HARD GAME. j BELLIS SCORES TWO TRIES. Jf WELLINGTON, June 26. The annual Rugby fixture between teams . representative of North Island and South Island was played.at Wellington to-day in the presence of about 7000 spectators.' The heavy rain of the week spoiled the ground considerably and it was very heavy indeed. Notwithstanding this fact the game was a good exhibition of the Rugby code and was full of interest from the start to the end. Victory i went to the North Island by 12 points ' to 3, but the score did not indicate that there was this margin of difference between the opposing teams, and if anything the South Island gave a better display than fTie Northerners. They seemed to play 'with more combination and they handled the ball a little more cleanly than the North Island team/ Both sides -were fairly evenly matched and the tussle between the two forward divisions was splendid. The game was mostly of a forward character. Thus the "crack" backs of both sides were not seen to the best advantage. Especially was this the cast with respect to J. Steele, the well-known West Coast player, who established his reputaion in the Inter-Island match last year, when he jECored two brilliant tries. To-day the ball seldom came his way. J Consequently the spectators were disappointed in not seeing him "in actioc to the fullest extent. On the otherhand P. W. Storey (South Canter- } bury), who came to light with the ! N.Z.E.F Rugby team was i n excellent form and was prominent throughout the game. He was in everything that j was going and gave a fine indiyidual j display. A. McK. Sandman, the Southern half, did well and had little difficulty in countering the efforts of C. Brown, the North Island half-back. Of the Southern forwards W. Hassell and H. Harty were the most conspicuous, and they did some excellent work. The best forward on the ground was undoubtedly Donalld, of Wairarapa, the North Island winger, who played a great game. He created some splendid openings and was ever in the thick ,of the fray, when he retiree lurt towards the closing stages of the inatch He was warmly applauded. J. T. Tilyard and C. E. Badeley, the Northern five-eighths, both acquitted themselves exceHently, Tilyard's "work be?ng brilliant at times, especially on the defensive. N. A. Barker, B. Algaf, and V. W. Wilson, the I ; Korth Island three-quarters, all #l3f;- I

ed soundly, Barker, by reason of his

speed, especially justifying his inclusion in the team. Wilson played a valiant game and was unfortunate in not being able to carry some or his* work to a definite issue. J. G. O'Brien, the great Auckland fullback, was as safe as one could wish, and could be relied on whenever there was trouble brewing. Rain fell at intervals during the game.. The teams were: NORTH ISLAND (Black): Full-back: J. G. O'Brien . (Auckland); three-quarters: N. A. Barker (Wellington), B. Algar (Wellington), and V. W. Wilson (Auckland); fiveeighths: J. T. Tilyard (Wellington); C. "E. Badeley (Auckland); half: C. Brown (Taranaki); wing-forward: Donald (Wairarapa); forwards: M. Cain (Taranaki), A. Carroll (ManaAvatu), J. E. Moffit Wellington), A. H. W T est (Taranaki), H. Jacobs (Horowhenua), E. A. Bellis (Wanganui). and C. Fletcher (Auckland). SOUTH ISLAND (White): Full-back: E. E, Evans Canterbury); three-quarters: P. W. Storey (South Canterbury). J. Everett (Nelson), J. Steele (West Coast); fiveeighths: W. R, Fea (Otago), * A. Thompson (Canterbury); half: D. McK. Sandman (Canterbury); wingforward: B. Davidson (Otago); forwards: W. Duncan (Otago), E. W, Hassell (Canterbury), C. Hall (West Coast). F. M. McLean Buller), D. T. Baird Southland), H. Harty (Otago), L. O'Leary (South Canterbury). The North Island kicked off against the wind, and South Island were the first to score, a rush on the part of Hassell and Storey ending in the i first-named a n excellent try which Hassell did not convert. After a good ,deal of aggressive play on the part of the South Island, North Island took a turn at attacking j but their efforts were without avail, j and the first spell ended with South Island 3 points in the lead.

After the second spell opened, South Island set up a hot attack,, which Algar broke up by intercepting a pass. North Island penetrated to the Southern twenty-five and the battle now became very strenuous. Little by little the North 'crept towards the Southern line but the tide turned and things looked ugly until Badeley put in a good run down the line and transferred to Barker, who scored at tlie corner. Bellis failed to convert —3 all. The game now became most exciting and the North Island had the narrowest of escapes. At last, after some determined play in front of ten Sout hlsland line. Bel- ■ lis got possession and dashed across. , Jacob s failed at the goal—North 6, J South 3. Less than five minutes af- j terwards Bellis again scored a try, I which Jacobs could not convert — | North Island 9, South 3. Light was now failing and within ten minutes of time Donald had to retire with an injured leg. Singe took hi s place. Within a few moments of time West scored the last try of the game, and the final score was: North Island 12 South Island 3 Mr A. C. Kitto (Wellington), was referee.

; THE LEAGUE GAME. AUSTRALIA 8, v. ENGLAND 4. A "SCRAPPY" GAME. BRISBANE;, June 26*. The first League football test game >vas played before a record crowd of thirty thousand. The weather was dull and warm. England attacked at the outset and almost got over. Bacon was forced out. Horder (Australia) broke away twice without result, England wa&- awarded a free kick and Gronow from near the centre obtained a goal. England continued to have the best of the play, though the Australian defence was too strong. Groiiow again got a goal .from a penalty. Australia then took play to the other end of the field and made several determined attacks in which Broadfoot, Vest and Horder were prominent. Binge twice failed to goal from free kicks. The game developed into a rough and scrappy character, both teams playing off-side. The referee warned Hilton (England) and Pearce (Australia) for indulging in fisticuffs. During the rest of the first half the Australians were in charge, Frazer picking up in the loose and scoring a try which was not converted. At half time the scores were: England 4 Australia 3 On resumption, play up and down the field. Broadfoot made a brilliant dash on the wing but Thomas and Rogers tackled and bustled him into touch near the corner. Australia were penalised for illegal tackling, but Gronow failed with the kick at goal. Play became rough and excitement reached a high pitch. Broadfoot (Australia) ana Thomas (England) participated in a rush for the ball over the line, ana England saved. Broadfoot colliaed with the posf but resumed play. A linesman reported that England were punching in tke scrum and Australia were awarded a free kick

but Frazer failed in the attempt at goal. After scrappy play, .Border kicked up to the left wing near the line and Burge made a flying leap and dived over. Horder converted. Australia were thus four ahead. There was terrific excitement when Horder again broke away and almost scored. Australia were penalised near the centre but. Gronovv's kick failed. The final scores were: Australia 8 England 4