FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 202, 11 September 1903, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THAMES v. TABANAKI, Favoured with fine weather this ma*.oh at (ha Recreation Grounds on FiiursJay aftcanoon attracted 3000 vi-iti.-i':'. Tho g;ound wus pomewha hoavy said not- fio.i I'iom n\wA\ pools of water, but both ttam.-t w< io not unused 'o playing o.i sue a a sutface, and though it told against forward lushes thero was nothing serious to complain of. The following were the respective teams: THAMES (blue and black). Full, Noredick. Three quarters, Wynder, McOoiluuo, Morgan. Five-eighth, 1 Fiynn. HalF, Houghton (captain), Wings, Cameron and Fiaser. Forwards, Ansel, Newlaud, Molley, Diinlop, Renshaw, Mullens, and Plant. TARANAKI (amber and black). Full, Burke. Three-quarters, Olarke, Mynott, Hunter. Five-eighth, Alien (captain.) Half, Humphries, Wings, Guy and Hamblyn, Forwards, Glasgow, Fihama, Glenn, McDonald, Phillip?, Douglas, and Ryan. Taranaki kicked off and carried play into their opponents 25's, where a knock-on relieved. The kick out was quickly returned, tho ball going across the ground, where a free kick was given to. Thames, the ball going out. On the throw-in Taranaki got a good forward rush on, but McQollum nipped it in the bud. Thames then worked up to Taranaki's quarters, but Mynott sent the ball out. Almost directly tfter, Thames were awarded a free kick, and Nowland had a shot at goal, but happening to kick low Ryan intercepted. At this stage the visitors were playing a very fast gamr, their forwards putting in a lot of hard graft, while Taranaki .licked cohesion. Play was carried into the local team's quarters, Thames gradually working up. From a set urn Thamrs obtained a fre'J kick, bringing play near Tarauaki's goal line, where, after one or two scrums, Taranxki forced. The kick-out was quickly returned and the Thames forwards came down with a great rush into Taranaki's quarters, but the ball speedily returned to centre. A fine passing run in which Allen and Guy were conspicuous was chtoked by the latter being grassed and the ball went out. From the throw-in Taranaki worked down to the Thameß 25's and thence towards the goal line where a series of scrums eventuated. Morgan secured a mark but only kicked the ball out of play. Allen from the throwin sent the ball down the field, but it went eut, Mynott then secured a mark, Frasor following suit. The ball was then taken to Thames 25's, but a free kick relieved, though only to have the ball returned. Taranaki secured a free kick and owing to McOollum muddling Glenn cleverly sent the ball down the field and immediately nfcer Mynott got over tne line, but Glasgow's attempt to increase the points failed.

Taranuki .. ..3 Thames ~ ..0 From the kick-off pky was taken to Thames quarters, where Newdick sacured s mark, but the bait was quickly returned to the visitors' quarters, where a scrum followed, and play went up the field, but Hunter, with a clever kick, sent the leather back to Thames' 25's, where Taranaki obtained a free kick, Allen's attempt to score being feeble, the ball going out. From the throw in a scrum followed, resulting in a free kick to Thames relieving their pressure. Play cantred and Fiynn secured a mark, but only sent the ball out. Taranaki got the better of the throw in, Allen sending the ball down with good force, Thames beiug again | relieved by a free kick. Flay became rather loose, eventuilly sending the ball into Thames' quarters, but only to have it quickly retured. Taramki now put in some good work, resulting in Guy getting over the line. Glasgow made an attempt to register the major points from a difficult angle and failed. Taranaki,, ~ ..6 Thames 0

Taranaki resumed the attack on their opponent's quarters, but a froe kick relieved, Fraeer b*ing particularly smart in punting. The amber and black colours again appeared in the Tham< s quartets, but from a throw-in the visitors started a rush up the field, Allen, however, interposing with a kick out, Owing to loose play by the local team play was taken into their quarters and worked down to their goal line, Thanrs doing thsir utmost to get over, but, after a few scrums, play centred. McDollum, with t good kick, sent the ball into Taran.ki's 25's, his team following up well. Some exciting play followed, Allen stopping a dangerous rush towards Taranaki'd line by a good kick. Thames, however, returned to Taranaki's 25's, and some fast give and take play followed till the interval took place, when the score stood

Taranaki 6 Thames 0 Soop after resuming Taranaki, from a loose scramble, worked down towards Thame a' line, but a free kick to the visitors relieved. This was followed by a good forward rush by Taranaki, who just failed to gat over the line. Thames replied with a similar rush in Taranaki's quartern, Taranaki to force. The play of the local team was at this point loose and lacking both cohesion and bkill, A series of scrums took place near the Taranaki line, but eventually play centred, and Thames obtained a free kick. For awhile some hot play took place in the vicinity of the Taranaki 25's, ending in Thames obtaining a penalty kick. Newland made a splendid shot at goal, the ball hitting the bar about the centre, evoking great applause, though it was hard luck for Thames cot to score.

Prom the kick out Thumbs got possession and started a determined rush, but from a scrum near Taranaki's line the ball w&s returned to oentrp, where Thames obtained a free kick, but Mynott soon sant the ball into Thames 25's. Give <md take pity followed, Taranaki gradually working up. After a sorum Flynn and MoOollum got a good rush on to Taranaki's! 25's, where the ball went out.) W»y was now vwj flww, find.

Thame3 were frequently off-side, but appm-auUy this cud net catch I.Le re-ft'i-oo's ey«. The gsm- was stopped for a few minutes owing to JUurke being hurt. On resuming the game again became fast, Thums< slnwing greater slamina than t kw opponents, and making strenuous effort 9 to get over the line, Play h'>vered between centre and Taranaki'u 25V, a good ru-h b\ Tmauaki being checked on the half line. Myno.t punted the ball infn Tnames quarters, but a free kick re ilieved, th ugh phy Boon returned to Thames 25's. Give and take pla) followed, and Thames, obtaining a free kick, removed p'ay to centre. Tara,naki worked down, but; by muUing loit a chance of scoring. From this point till the close the game was of a dingdong character, Tataniki having the best of the play, and Thames being on the d> feDsive, co alteration in the ton taking place. Tarauaki ~ ~ 6 Thames 0 The Thames forwards were an even lot, and put in good fast work, Newland being conspicuous, Keating, Mc Oollum, aud Ffynn doing excellent service for the backs, Newdiok, the full back, being especially good. The Taranaki forwards, as a whole, played a far inferior gam 3 to that against Auckland, in fact they hardlyseemed the same team. Probably this was caused by Wilson's absence, the pack saeming to be lost without a leader, and lacking combination, Pihama showed greatly improved form and was very handy, Glasgow and MoDonald also put in gcod work, Humphries played a splendid game, his generalship being excellent, and it is a matter for regret that he should have icjured his ankle. Allen, though playing well, was not at his best. Mynott was frequently conspicuous fo» 'good play, but Burke did not shine at full back. The referee, Mr Hallamore, had rather a hard time, and no doubt did not see some of the oft side play and fouling of the ball which occurred-a difficult matter in a fast game. The line umpires were Messrs H. Brownlee and 0. Young. In the evening the visitors attended the Theatre Royal at the invitation of the Amateur Opera Club. They leave for Wanganui this morning.