FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 186, 11 August 1904, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

BRITAIN v. OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, August 10. The football match, British v. Otago and Southland combined, was .played in the Caledonian Ground, which was in wonderfully good order lin view of the rain showers of the morning, judging byi If* must nee oi slipping and the prevalence of fast running. The ttay was beautifully fine, with hot sun and no wind. The crowd of sixteen thousand was surprisingly impartial. The game was fast and open, interesting and exciting, yet was somewhat disappointing through the British not liekig seen to tho advantage that had been expected. As a matter of fact, the combined team had the best of the play for lifty-iive out of the ninety inmates. The strength of tho British is in turning defence into attack, once the ball gets to the backs. They are dangerous anywhere, passing fearlessly, gathering in cleanly. They never hesitate, speculating against charging forwards, and except towards the end of tho second spell when they kept ringing on the line for defence, always centre ball, if possible. Tiie forwards take the risk of getting oftsido, and instead ol getting round they wait for the ball. Had' there been a reliable place-kick with tho combined team this would probably have cost the visitors tho match as eignt or nine free kicks were given against them in. the first half hour, nearly all in good positions for placing goals. Bush is exceedingly tricky, and is the stai player, while Morgan is very fast.

I'iuai the kick-olf the combined Otago and Southern (Blues) quickly became aggressive, the British team having a warm time, several free kicks being given aguinst them in quick succession. The British vanguard broke away repeatedly, but were speedily drivon back, the blues getting the ball mostly from the scrums and showing good passing. At length the visitors got away with good dribbling- and passing, kicking to the Blues' 25, and though repeatedly penalised they kept up tho attack, putting in some prottypassing rushes. One of these failed through O'Brien failing to take the ball. After the blues bad been forced, Bennett stopped a, dangerous British 1 dribbling rush. Tho succeeding serum broke up quickly, and Dobsou getting the ball, scored softly, O'Brien placed a goal. Britain 5 Otago and Southland ~. 0 The visitors again attacked, Bush, Morgan, and O'Brien putting In some great runs. From loose play in the blues' 25, the ball went to Bush who quick as lightning potted a goal Britain 9 Otago and Southland '.'.', 0 The blue backs made the mistake of not going (or. „ man with the ball but waiting for a pass, and paid the penalty. Baker slipping with the ball, Crowthcr snatched it from hin and passed to O'Brien, who sent it on to Bush,. The latter fooled the opposing .backs and ran in unmolested, running round and grounding under the bar. O'Brien kicked a fine goal. Britain 14 Otago and Southland ... 0 Munro and Murphy each had an ineffective shot from free kicks, and the spell ended British 14 Otago and Southland ... 0 In the second spell Murphy at full changed with Munro at half, and the blues having learnt the secret of the British success adopted their tactics with such success that they were practically attacking all the time. Only twice did the visitors reach the blues' 25 flag, and then the back play, was paralysed by determined tackling and quick cutting ' n by Bennett. Bush strove hard to get the machine going, but only two or threetimes did the ball get clear to Morgan on the wing. The blues were passing well and at length got in. Hislop sent the iball on to Stead, and it went to Murphy and Bennett, who (tent it on to Baxter. The latter failed to take it, but Bennett ran round, and gathering the ball at full speed, scored. Munro failed with the kick. Blues at once attacked, and Munro failed with a shot from a free kick in good position, Hislop failing a fow minutes later. Again tho blues attacked, and passing between Stead, Murphy, and Gilroy who passed back to Bennett, saw tinlatter score. Murphy placed a goal. Britfoh 14 Otago and Southland ... 8

The bluos had the measure of their opponents, and for the rest of the spell were attacking nearly all the time. Twice the visitors got to the blues' 25 flag, but were driven back. Tho blues, however, failed to score, andi the British won by 14 to 8. The spectators would have liked to have seen more of the back play of the visitors" as when the backs got going it was pretty generally effective and exciting, and given a few minutes of thcln own way would have run up a scoro. Bennett was the hero of tho blues' tide, and Stead and Murphy put in valuable work. The whole team played as if for dear life. So faraacould'be judged, the visitors were fully extended. oi T oAn atte ' Klance ** tho lnatch w «« 21,000, an<l the takings £B4O. The visitors were entertained at a banquet. in the evening by the ot o go Union. In the course of a speech Bedell Sllvwright said the standard of play in the match was the highest they had yet met with, O'Brioii corroborated this, and said the Otago and Southland men had sot to work to wipe out the' big scoro in true British style. BULLER v. MARLBOROUGH. BLENHEIM, August 10. A representative match played today between Bullcr and Mari&rough teams resulted in, a win for the former by 11 p o i n t s to 3. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM, 4 » .u WEL MNGTON, August 10. All tho members of a team to represent New Zealand against tho Britishers, except Stead, of Southland are now located in training quarters at Day's Boy. Gallon*!- will i lay on the wing i„ place of Portoous and McMinn goes into the front rank of the scrum. Nicholson, of Auckland, replaces Cooke. It will .be decided on I'l-iday whether Gcrrard's knee is sound enough to permit Mm playing. TARANAKI (11) v. WELLINGTON (8). Tho Wellington touring team met Taronaki yesterday, and after a fast game had to admit tho local team's superiority toy 11 points to 3. Great interest attached to the match, principally from tho fact that the visitors had had a record tour so far having beaten In turn Monawatu] Hawko's Bay, and Auckland), capturing from the latter the much-' coveted Ranfurly Shield. Victors against tho doughty Northerners, it was only to bo expoctod that the Wellington team would, make a good stand against the Jocal reps., a nfl It would liavo been no great disgrace to have been defeated by a combination of suah colonial prowess. The v |t' o !',\ wcre wit ho"t tho services ofWalWce, McGregor nnd Cross, who are reserved for the big match at Wellington on Saturday, whilst Taronaki sorely missed Hunter in tho backs, and Glenn was absent from tho pack, both of these men being in Wellington for tho same purpose Mclntyre, Blacklock, and Sweeney filled the vacancies Aq the Wellington ranks, a nd Greville and McKay filled in for Taronaki. The Wellington team showed by far the better back play, their fast passing rushes being a real treat, overy man handling cleanly aa a rule, and making the most of opportunities. The visitors were also superior in scrum work, securing the ball in tho majority of cases. The local forwards, though beaten in the scrums, had all their bwaway In tho looso, arid Individu-' ally and collectively did great work. In the line-out they were ahead" of

their opponents, whilst the defence • was sound and the collaring absolutely certain. Wellington set the bull rolling, i and s.wrtly afterwards a scrum was I formed at half-way, The Taranaki pack carried the bull right (.'•.rough, and started a headlong rush into dangerous territory, ainiu.si roars of cheering. Then an infringement gave : the attackers a free kick right in front of the po-ils, and it seemed that the yellows were to score thus early, Hut Glasgow's kick wub wretched, and the ball was quicklf returned. ' forward play ensued, and eventually the blacks relieved by a free kick, transferring play to neutral territory, and the oacks obtaining possession, the ball was sent within striking distance of the homo goal. By forward work the game was taken to less dangerous ground, when Mclntyre gpt the ball tucked away and darted for the lino. What a revorßa; there was no man near enough to stop him, and a score was certain, but the vhistle brought him back (or offside ;>iay. A smart mark by Frewin resui. d in operations being removed to Wellington territory, where from a rush I'rewin snappeuup the ball, which was sent on to Mynott, then to Guy, who scored in , a good position. Glasgow's kick at goal was abortive. Toranaki 3 Wellington 0 This early reverse put the visitors more on their mettle, and on resuming the yellows had all they could do to slave oil a score. For oil-side play the referee gave Wellington a free kick, and Spencer made an ineffectual shot at goal. [■'rora the return the ball was taken at a fast dri-bbling run by Wilson into the visitors' territory, and was followed up smartly. The opposing backs were almost beaten, but saved after the bull had crossed the line I 1 by kicking along behind the posts and back into ploy, w'hen it was sent out of touch near the 'line, A fine passing rush by Hard- ! ham, Barber, Mclntyre, and Gray 1 placed Taraiwki on the defen--1 sivc, but the attack failed, being met : by collaring that was sure as could ue wished for—good sound tackling • from the hips downward, so attempts > at hugging or strangulation. Kxcit--1 ing play eventuated at this stage, ' the home team getting a lively tune. but •eventually Frewin relieved. Hanii blyn, who had been showing prominently all through, got in a longi dribbling run, the chase being taken up by Guy until stopped by Spencer at lull. From the line-out the ball was lest to Guy, who passed to Abbott, and the latter was grassed near , the line. Just afterwards Welling- ! ton was forced. On resuming,. My- • nott made his way through the op- . posing pack, and punted, over, Weli lington forcing again. Scrum work and a lot of uninteresting tactics took up some minutes, Wellington i getting the benefit, until at last I their three-jpiarters started another gallop down the field, Mclntyre beati ing all but Blyth, who tackled gamely and secured his man, averting ; what looked like a certain score. The ball was sent back, but only momentarily, and presently Hardham initiated another dash, which looked • dangerous, whon a pass forward checked its progress. Gray had a shot at the posts,, but the kick fa' ed, being stopped by Douglas, who, with Glasgow, Wilson, Hamblyn, and o'Sullivan, carried all before them foi a while, and later Fookes and Thomas took a hand in the rush, which then assumed an interesting phase, I a passing run Ixy Fookes H A!bfjott, My- . nott, and, Qreville making a good deal of ground. From line play o'Sullivan and Thomas got away . again, and looked like scoring, but , Spencer saved. Then quick as a . flash came Barber, Gray, and Wilson, : with a passing run into the home I team's territory, but Wilson checked . their progress. No further score . was made up to half-time. In the second spell Glasgow, Guy, Wilson, and Thomas showed proraii nently in a lot of forward work, stubbornly opposed by Calnan, WatI kins, aijdDodd. Wilson intercepted i i a pass from Mynott to Abbott, and • by a smart run placed Taranaki i again on the defensive. Flay was I removed into safer territory, then i Greville mulled a long kick, a n d plac- , od his line in danger, but the charges 1 of the Wellingtonians, Mclntyre, Gray > Wilson, and Hardham were unable i to break through the defence. Hamblyn got away on a smart run, but • hung to the hall too long, and was ■ grassed. Thomas secured the lcathor, and after a short run pnssed to Mynott, who made for the line, passing in good time to Abbott, who scored after a brilliant,dodgy run . He took the kick himself, and placed ■ a neat goal. Taranaki ... 8 Wellington 0 On resuming, Blacklock and Barber ■ attacked strongly in eupport of the . visiting forwards, and essayed a kick over the line, evidently hoping to outpace their opponents in securing it. Blyth marked, and the danger • wad over for the nonce. Then Mclntyre Gray, and Wilson made a run into the home team's territory, and but for very sound collaring must have succeeded in notching a score foi Wellington, but Fookes and- Greville each grassed his man. The pressure was relieved by Hamblyn and O'Sullivan, who dribbled right through to the opposing full-back, but were un- I atolo to get any further. Calnan, Watkilna, and Hardham were responsible | for a change of scene, and Taranaki was put on the defensive. A forwurd charge by Thomas, O'SulliVan, and McKay sent the ball back again, and passing between the backs in front of the Wellington posts Beemed to prophesy a score, but Greville missed badly when he had o simple chance. Spencer, who was not playing up to form in the second spell, was soon afterwards bustled near the line, arid a good deal of lino play took place, the ball eventually, being sent about merrily among the Wellington backs but Abbott saved in time. The visiting forwards, took control, but owing to over-eagerness missed their opportunity and the ball came back to Ijhe blacks' defence. Mynott, after a short run was collared bv .Watkins and passed wildly. Abbott was: handy, and taking the ball at arm's length, made use. of his great pace and beating three men, scored. He failed to add the major points. Taranaki H Wellington ... ... ",,, y Desperate attempts were now made by Wellington to score, and timci after timo the forwards, hooking the ball, sent it out to their backs, and invariably a passing rush brought a score perilously near, but there was nodenymg the collaring, and each ■printer found Mother Earth. Espeually good was the work of MclTtyre, Wilson, Barber, and Robertson. Gradually TaranakTwereTo™ down into their OW n 25, and from a scrum near-tho line the bairVaTsent by Blacklock to Barber, from Xe to Mclntyre, back to Barber who s*=r «*•«£*» and slipped it over the li Jlo . Speneer'K fctckfttgeai failed, and the „„» «nded. shortly afterwards with the score-- " lnc Taranak( ~ Wellington ,',.' "'. '" u 3 The expectations of those who looked for an exposrftion of the forward game were reaped to the full so far as open lin .l looso work was =oncemed, the visitors being entirely outclassed .in this tioparUmeht of the gumo. This was Taranaki's strong point, Guy and Hamblyn iforging their way through again and again; whilst Glasgow, O'Sulllvan, Thomas Douglas and Wilson did Trojan work and seemed to paralyse their opponents. McKay also played a sound gamo, and Bourke was seen to advantage on several occasions. Their line play was superior to that of the visitors, Wilson being a tower ' of strength i n this department. The pack, however, generally failed to "hook" the baH. i$ the scrums, or ' it it was sent out it wan done in a haphazard manner, which gave, the ! half no chance of securing it proper- | ly art shooting it out to tin tata i

-so different to ths visitors' dispUjr,; M 'The forwards were 'often too sagcr ■-' \"3 when free kick* were awarded tima* , constantly setting in (ronft: ©* t*» \ ball. i? , Frewin, at half, played a good game, tackling and stopping ruche*. well. He should send those short i punts into touch. He was not treated well by the ecrumtaers. * > Mynott was good, running, tack* ling, kicking well, and taking cleanly. He tihould pass sooner, and direct the pass, instead 0 f sending the ball at random as at times yestef duy. He contrived some splendid oiKniujs, . . ,) in the three-quarter Uae, JTooke* pluyod a safe game, collaring beautifully and putting ia excellent use kicks. His catching is none too < clean, jyaj Abbott played "the gams oflils

life," catching in all positions, showing the line art of taking the Uall. high with one hand while at full speed. With great pace, gbod kicking and collaring ami skilled dodging, be is a sure scoring u%n. Hit \ two tries were well earned. l Greville, on the other winjf, wai the weakest man in the team,, though at times he got in some good work. He lacks pace and Confidence. Blyth, at full, was all that- could be wished for, colluring well, catching and kicking with judgment, and, showing groat coolness throughout. ' The team, aB at ,'priMsot, will'giys a good account of itself aojywhere, und when reinforced by Hunter at three-quarter should* prove invincible in this island. Wellington's beet nten were Mcln» tyiv. Gray, Wilson and Barber in the backs, and Caiman, Hardham -. vning), Dodd and Watkins -in the forwards. The two latter "hooked" the ball in most of the scrums. . Mr'H. KivJl was a fair and iiapart tiul referee, * ..; ] > TAHANAW BUUBY UNIQN,' A meeting of the Management Committee of the Taranaki Hugby Union > was held in the Central Hotel, Hawera, on Tuesday evening. Present— Messrs A. Bayly (in the chairj, Jury , Buchanan, Spuidle, Bellringer,, and' Clarke. ■-•!', V. It was asked why a local man had been appointed to take charge of the Weilington-Tamnaki There was a very decided opinion Chat out- . , side men should be obtained (or thee* matches. Mr Arndt said fcs had r*i peatedly wired and wnttea about the matter, but it bad apparently oseo ' overlooked - by the New 'Zssiand Union. It wte resolvell, this Union regrets ttet tbrousA.che '"in. aoiltty of the New • Zealand » HuoH. Union to appoint « ref*r*s-Ja Wlfe-ranaki-Wellinjton match this union has been compelled to appoint a local referee, • .. w With regard, to the match, the rep*. v, South Taranaki, Mr Jury gave an .'xplanatibn. He and Mr Slattery "* picked the team talking on the telephone, and they entirely forgot £l- - Bltham Club are to be written to stating that the union * regret that the oversight owiirred. ; The action of the aub-commJJ.tSi was confirmed with regard to the fencing off of certain/ 'parts of the recreation ground for' the match in New Plymouth. ' ~ j. Regarding the 'entertainment of bhe team," it was reported 'that 'the Williamson Company had invited the teams to be present on the first nnjht of their arrival, and also offerMxeaU at 4a for the second night. It was resolved to take forty tickets for the ■ second night. The programme for the entertainment of the team has now been arranged. Mr A. Bayly (President of ihe Union) who will be to Wellington, will accompany the team up the line. At Stratford he will introduce ,**he other' members of the Maakgesient' Committee, and the Union's- official welcomowill be made there.-At New Plymouth a civic welcome .will .he J - given by the Mayor and CottdeiUsra '.*- and prominent townspeople. The team will then have the option of go- .-' ing to the opera. > z log it is anticipated the team fill ~ practice, and for this purpose' % drag - will bo in readtaeas to take : -them to. the roceeourse. In Mm- afternoon they win be driven toWaitsM, and in the evening the member* of the team may attend the opera again or the Guards' ball. Wednesday ■ the matfihwUl be, played, and ,jn Mm evening the team have been iuvitsd to the Star social, where- they will > he farewelled at 10 o'clock, the train leaving at 10.30, and the steamer at " • u * .- vltii A vote of thank's was the Jfew Plymouth Towh Band -lor playing at the Wafrarapa nutteh gratis, and also for the offer to olav at tho Englishmatch. "<.. ." The Union will ask for extra" police on the day of the English maUh In New Plymouth. - '' . The New Plymouth ground,, is to bs Improved on the day of tike match. / by being top-dressed with sand V A guarantee list is to bo obtsJnso at Hawera for the English mltch. lhis had not been done before Tow.. - » The WeHi«gton men are to hs> entertained at dinner to-night. H was reported that the Walmate 1. men had been paid at the rstee* 10s a man for the expenses of *ths game in New Plymouth, but ton had claimed more. It toj.ay anything further. T? The- question arose as to whetlir outside men should be picked to pie* against the British team, and it was resolved that the selector l» empowered to pick any outsider whonTfhe considered would improve th* team —Hawora Star.

Taranaki will strive to "lift! 1 tlwS Hanfurly Shield now held br Wei! lington. * ' The Star F.C. ladies" committee is laying a special supper tor the Brttish and TnaaneJd teams at the Stir social on the 17th Inst. ' Thompson (Weßsanul) wiU be available for the Brltish-Taraisil matcn next week. MclHnn (ilsaawatu) lias also been communicated tvith.. Taranaki wants a decent nlac*. kick. With such a man yestfrdwS score would have read 18 to 8 Abbott is practising this part of the •• gamo. * On the strength of yesterday's win caps have been ordered for the raronaki reps, They deserve them. Hamblyn was rather eager on one or two occasions. Following is the butchers' team to • play against tho trainers and jockeys to-day at 2.30 p.m. on the racecourse ground .--Harvey, Wooller, Joban, Lowe, Nash. Murphy, Stanley. Fox, Gray.O. Dixon, C. Pearce-» ComWe, The trainers' and Jockeys' team Is as under :-Full-back'. McKoy ., three- - quarters, Irwin, Eva, and Julian- v Standring ; hall. Barlow", wings, Moore and Duffla ; forwards. Blytho, Barlow. Russell, Otto. Btowart. Dudy, and Alexasdqr. Prow wodsare of the hospital ■ saniwo, , The collaring amongst the Tars# . nakl men yesterday wss the result of systematic work. "Every man a man, and only, that man" Wss the motto imprsssed by Mr Symeand Mr Alf. B.ayly. It acted, The. co)l«r----iiig was a revelation.. The Now Zealand Union came in ■or "language' • yesterday, /oi ., •ng to ap]>oint a referee for Ute Web £ lington-Taranaki match, aud'forcina -•■ the local union to select a local taaa Mr F. T. Evans, of Christohurch' has been agreed on to act as referee, for the Britain-New Zealand match