FOOTBALL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3553, 16 August 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

WANGANUI V. SOUTH ISLAND COUNTRY TEAM.

WANGANUI 15, SOUTH ISLAND 5.

There was a large attendance at the Recreation Grounds when Warfganui reps./took the field to defend their reputation against the South Island Country team reps. The ground was' greasy, and the game throughout was not up to the standard expected. Taken on the whole the local reps, had all the best of ..the game, though the visitors drew first blood. The colours of the teams were: Wanganui (Blue and White); South Island (All White). The visitors won the toss and elected to defend the southern goal. From the commencement of hostilities. Blues rushed play to White territory • where things-looked dangerous, when* Nelson, picking up smar

sent the leather hack to halfway. Here hard forward play took place, scrums and scrums again taking place. From a scrum Whites got possession hut too much boot saw the Blues forced. Again in action Blues took a hand and carried play steadily to White territory, hut only temporary, as again the White pack took charge and soon had Blues hard at it defending. A free gave relief. Long exchange of kicks followed, when Batley got possession rushed play to White 25 and had them” hard pressed. From a .throw-in play was carried to Blue 25. Here a great struggle took place, Whites striving hard but hoot again spoilt a good fihance of scoring. Blues forcing. Play returned to mid-field with both packs doing their best. A free to Whites sent the leather well into Blue backyard. Now they were at it hammer and tongs, and a smart pick up by Bowers saw him slip across. Nelson took the kick and landed an easy goal. SOUTH ISLAND .. 5

WANGANUI . - 0 On resumption Blues rushed play to White 25, scrums and line play being the order. Play swept across the field. Gradually Blues 4 worked their way into White territory. A good line kick saw the pack back to centre. At this stage a Blue got injured and Bennett took the field, getting r just in time to save a score. Prom now on till half-time play swept across the field with the score still: SOUTH ISLAND .. -5 WANGANUI .... 0 Play was soon carried to White territory, where the Blues were striving hard to get across and even matters. At last they were rewarded, for from a throw-in and forward rush Cowie scored, but failed with the kick. SOUTH ISLAND .. 5 WANGANUI .... 3 Sparked by their success the Blues got busy, and both packs were hard at it up and down the field. Bines gradually worked their way to the visitors territory, where Bennett taking had a shot at goal a.ful landed a

beauty, as the result of which ho received a great ovation. SOUTH ISLAND ..5 WANGANUI 7 v, , Now in front anjj now behind, b®r sides got down to it in earnest. PPy hovered at mid and scrums and scrums again being the order. A good kick by Bennett saw' the line found well in White backyard. Blues were now having all the best of masters, and were pressing hard when Nelson picked up' smartly and sent. play back to centre. Long exchange of kicks and line finding went on for some time. Prom a scru ■at mid Blues got possession and a pretty passing bout took place, Cowie, Dockery, and McAuliife handling the bail, the latter slipping over and scored a good try well behind the posrs. Cowie landed a neat goal. SOUTH ISLAND .. 5 WANGANUI .. 12 Blues again got busy and soon had the visitors doing their best to save their position. Forward play being the order at mid, when Batley got away ana carried play to White 25, the visitors being hard pressed, when a free gave relief. Not to be denied the Blue s again came to the attack and Whites were forced. Play returned to centre where both packs' were doing their best, keeping the halt down. From a scramble well in the visitors region Dcckery got possession and* went across like a flash. Cowie failed with the kick*' •SOUTH ISLAND .. 5 WANGANUI .. 15

From now on Blues had all the best of matters and were pushing the visitors all over the paddock when the whistle sounded an armistice. Mr Kelsall controlled the battle and gave every satisfaction.

VISITORS ENTERTAINED. Yesterday, the South Island teamwas taken charge of by a large party of Taihape sports and eight motorcars were provided to convey the. whole party to Moawhahgo, wherethey were entertained at afternoon teg by Mrs Batley and family. Theparty comprised over fifty, and thoroughly appreciated the kindness and hospitality of Mrs Batley and family, who expressed their pleasure at being given an opportunity to entertain the visitors.'

The members of the visiting team were apparently not expecting a great deal in the way of entertainment at Taihape, and the treatment accorded to them during" their stay here was an agreeable surprise to them_ Members of the *team individually expressed their appreciation of the efforts made to entertain them here, and stated that they had met with greater hospitality here than anywhere else since they commenced their tour.

AN APPRECIATION. To The Editor. Dear Sir, —The members of the South Island Country Rugby team wish to thank the people of Taihape : for their kindness during their stay in your town. The trip to Moawhanga arranged by the members of the Tai|hape Rugby Union was very much ; appreciated by the) team and they wish me to convey to them their thanks. We would like to personalty thank those gentlemen who lent their cars:~ Messrs D. McLennan, H. Dashwood. G. Little* J Eteveaeaux. Smith, .1. Coutts, and also Mrs Batley and family for their kind hospitality during there stay here, also Mr Geerge Bray for his kindness arranging onr drive,. —I am, etc., GEORGE HOWE, Manager^

WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP. WON BY PETONE. WELLINGTON, August 14. The Rugby championship final resulted: Petone 12, Poneko 3. THE LEAGUE GAME. 'FINAL TEST MATCH. WELLINGTON, August 14. The final League test, England v. New Zealand, was played to-day m the * presence of about 3000 spectators, and resulted in a win for England by 11 points to ten.