FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81844, 10 September 1906, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON V. MAN AW ATU. (Pel Press Association.) Palmerston N„ September 8. The representative football match Wellington v. Manawatu was played before a large crowd of spectators today. Manawatu, who for the first time this season, were able to play with a truly representative team, were defeated by 17 points to 6. The Wellington scores consisted of one converted and one. unconverted try, two goals from marks, and ti penalty goal, Manawatu getting two penalty goals. The game on the whole was evenly contested, though the home team lacked the finish of both the for ward and backs of the visitors.

OTAGO DEFEATS CANTLKUUItt Christchurch, September 8. The 28th annual match between Otago and Canterbury w : as played at Lancaster Park this afternoon before an attendance 01 about tince thousand spectators. The weather was beauifully fine, with a warm wind blowing-, and the ground was in first class order. The Otago team was not tiie strongest that could have been chosen, owing to the absence of the University players, and it was thought that Canterbury might at lease secure a win. The home team began in promising- style, a passing rush by the backs enabling' l-'ryer to score under the posts and D. McGregor converted the try. When they really settled down, the Otago forwards showed themselves to be su perior to the Canterbury vanguard, securing- the ball more frequently in tae scrums and being much more dashing in loose work. Half-time was called with Otago leading by 6 points to 5, tries having been scored for the visitors by Fitzpatrick and McKcnzie. The first portion of the second spell saw Otago attacking almost continually, chiefly as the result of their forwards' work", and Dougherty scored two tries, which were un converted. The Canterbury backs, who. were undoubtedly superior to their opponcts, were unable to secure the ball until the game was nearly over, and though Egan added a try to their sccj-e, their efforts came too late, and Otago won by 12 points to 8.

HAWKE'S BAY V. POVERTY BAY. Gisborne, September 8. The annual footba'l match, llawke's Bay v. Poverty Bay, played to-day, resulted in an easy victory for liawke's Bay by 25 to 6, The local team had the best of the first half, scoring- two tries to nil, but in the second half were on the defence all through, and never rallied, the Hawkn's Bay backs' passing- tactics beating them eyery time.

OTAGO UNIVERSITY V. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY. Dunedin, September 8. The Rug-by match between Sydney and Otago Universities was played on the Caledonian ground in the pre sence of about five thousand spectators. After a long- spe'l of fine weather, rain set in this forenoon, and the ground and ball were greasy. A stiff south-west breeze was also blowing. The game was interesting, but too one sided. The ground, no doubt, handicapped the visitors, but they must have played much below themselves, as they were never dangerous. Playing with the wind in the first spoil, Sydney were beaten by the -local forwards, and Otago put on 8 points. On changing ends, the visitors held their own for some time, but nearing the end they tired, Otago putting on an additional 13 points, the game ending—Otago University 21, Sydney nil. Tries w-ere scored by Footc-, i.omas, Gilray, O'Callaghan, and Harrison, of winch Harrison converted three. Two of the local men were injured, Tansey, the best of tlv forwards, having his shoulder dislocated, and except for seven minutes, Otago played with only 14 men in the second spell.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. CANTERBURY V. OTAGO. Dunedin, September S. The Association football match, Canterbury v. Otago, was played at Culling' Park. The visitors were a strong' combination, composed entirely of ex-British players, and it was early apparent that in respect of individual skill and clever c'oncci';:d play, the Canterbury men surpassed the local team. Otago, however, played the more dashing game, and their final victory by two goals to one justly represented the total of their opportunities turned to advantage, The first spell was very evenly contested, Bassett scoring first goail for the- visitors. Raeburn, outside left for Canterbury, was conspicuous for speedy dashes down the line, and excellent centring. For Otago>, McLeiland was equally clever at hooking the ball into the centre. From one of his openigs, Morrison equalised the score for Otago, In the

second spell the local team made the bulk of the attack, and Morrison scored the winning goal. Occasionally the Canterbury forwards, spletididly led by Bassett, Ijroke awav cleverly, but jack, the Otago custodian, gave a high-class exhibition of goalkeeping. Among the visitors' backs, Forrest ari'd McCreener stood out' prominently, the Otago centre-half, Rutley, being the only one to equal their brilliant display. Last year Canterbury beat Otago on Lancaster Park by 5 goa's to 1.