FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81847, 14 September 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

WANGANUI V. TARANAKI. There was only a moderate attendance at the above match, played at Stratford yesterday afternoon. The weather was ideal for football, and the grcund was in cc-pital order. Although Taranaki won with plenty to spar>'_ it was not until about 15 minutes before time that a win was a certainty. The exhibition given by the local representatives was for the greater part of the game ragged in the extreme, and until near the end combination seemed non-existent, if the manner in which Dive and Ward played into each other's hands at times be excepted. The visitors' forwards for the greater part of the game played with superior dash, and on many occasions seemed to hustle the Taranaki centre backs. Individually, the local back team was cleverer, but the power to strike at the crucial moment was apparently lack-

ing—there was no "devil'-' about their play, although opportunity to infuse

■t was ever recurring. On the other aand, Wanganui made the most of

the chances that came their way, and half way through the second spell seemed to have the game in hand. The pace told on the Wanganui men, however, and in the last twenty minutes their forwards unexpectedly went to pieces, and the local team iimply swarmed over the visitors' unprotected back division. Dive stood out by himself among the Taranaki backs, and was directly responsible for at least three of the scores, owing to fine and judicious centring to Ward. McGregor, of the Wanganu; three-quarter line, played a fine game alike in attack and defence, and in the latter respect, especially in collaring, the visitors gave our men points. The game was fairly interesting, principally because of the surprises. Infringements were of too frequent recurrence, Taranaki offending repeatedly, and the penalties inflicted appeared not to find favour with some of the onlookers. There was too much petty pointing, nowever, and the numerous tree kicks given the visitors were quite warranted. ~

Wanganui kicked off, a series of kicks amongst the backs ending in favour of the blacks. Loose play followed until Mynott snapped up the ball and sent it out to Hunter, who transfeired to Ward, and the latter gave Cameron an opening to kick, the visitors' fu'l back running out near the line. From the throw in O'Suiliran broke away, but was called back. Colman missed behind the scrum, and the Wanganui forwards came away with a strong rush, which was checked by Ward. E. McDonald secured and put in a strong run, 'until he bumped against Dive. Mynott picked up and slipped through the ruck, passing out to Cameron, who made a good dash. From a penalty kick Wanganui cleared their lines, but Mynott, Hunter and Dive returned with a quick passing rush, McDonald upending the latter. Co.man broke away, but was unable to get past McDonald. Play, however, continued on the Wanganui side of half-way, but the blacks' forward rushes easily cleared, and the quick breaking up of their scrums prevented Colman getting liis backs going. Cameron picked up in front of a Wanganui rush, and passed to Hunter, Mynott and Ward subsequently handling the ball before a bad pass was sent to Dive, Wanganui clearing with a free kick to half-way. The visitors were awarded further free kicks in quick Succession for offside play by the yellows, transferring play to the Taranaki end. Cameron broke away ,Hunter and Mynott taking up the running, but a ground pass to Ward spoi.ed the rush, l'lay centred for some time, until a rambling rush by Taranaki saw the game being waged on the Wanganui line, where a dever mark by Craig relieved. Dive was next prominent in a strong lonchanded run. Hardgreaves secured and essayed to pot, but the attempt was a feeble one and the visitors forced. The Wanganui pack, which up to now had been merely holding their own in the scrums, commenced 'o iieel the ball out, but the passing of the backs was on.y fair. Beckett secured and passed to Kirkpatrick, who feinted splendidly, but spoilt his effort by sending an impossib'e pass to Meuli, on the Taranaki line. Wanganui kept up the attack, the game at this stage being very willing. Dive was principally responsible for clearing, setting up a passing rush in which Hunter, Mynott and Cameron took part, the latter being grassed not far from the line. The visitors' forwards cleared, but Dive replied with a dash to the line. The blacks' vanguard again broke away with a big rush, getting right past Hardgreaves, Hunter back to save. Wanganui set up a passing rush, in the stopping of which Colman was penalised, and Craig kicked a splendid goal. Wanganui 3 Taranaki o

Play centred for some time, until Suiter, the Wanganui wing forward, headed a strong attacking rush. For an infringement in a scrum, the local men were penalised, and Craig again made no mistake with a long l:>. k. Wanganui 6

Taranaki o Ragged play followed, of which the visitors bad the best. Uhittington at last broko away on his own, and Mr Donald's clearing kick rebounded over the Wanganui line, but the opportunity to score was Wanganui forcing. Several free kicks were awarded the visitors, but Hardgreaves' line kicking generally neutralised the advantage- Beckett marked cleverly behind a scrum, and Craig had a shot, the ba'l just falling shnrt. Ward, Hunter., and Dive responded with a pretty passing rush, which was spoiled bv Crowley being offside, and Craig made a splendid effort to majorize, the ball just missing the posts as the halftime bell sounded.

Follow ing the kick out, a long kick by Hardgreaves forced the visitors. Plav continued fast, but the passing of the local backs seemed to gam no ground, and for a time they seemed, with the exception of Dive, unable to field the ball unerringly. Play gradually settled down, and Cameron broke away with Ward, who was grasped near the line. \Va"hganni slowly cleared to the 25 flag, and

then occurred the best individual effort of the game, E. McDonald securing at his own -5 and running right through the local*, beating

Hardjjreaves and scoring a well-mer-ited try. The kick was rcs'ultless, Wilmington charging down. War.ganui q Taranaki o Still Wanganui held the upper hand, swarming down on top of the Taranaki rearguard. Meu'i broke away, and was collared from behindBeckett secured and sent to Kirkpat" rick, to McCarthy, to McDonald, the lat'-r being grounded on the line. Colman, Hunter, and Cameron broke

away in the open and carried play to half way. Tht l Taranaki forwards seemed to be improving, Crowley and Osborne being noticeable, anil plav was carried into Wanganui's territory. Hesitation by Colman lost a good chance, but immediately afterwards the visitors were penalised, and Hardgreaves made no mistake with the kick. Taranaki 3 Wanganui 9

This success seemed to put additional heart into the yellows, and a determined rush saw Ward on the line, bu' unab'e to ground the ball. Wanganui cleared, but Cameron se- ( ureil and set up a passing rush, in which Hunter. Mynott. Sheehan and Ward participated, the latter being smothered. Suiter broke away, but Mynnti opened the game out beautifully and -ent a long pass to Cam-

tavrmr. ana rrom a snum v-n'man

sent a clean pass to Mynotr, who cut ill and transferred 10 Hunter. and the ;a''er to Dive, who, after a good run

down tlw line, centred at the critical m-iment. Ward jumping and securing the ball and scoring between the posts. ilardgteaves converted. Taranaki X Wanganui 9 Plav opened fast, Hunter cutting off a W anganui rush and sending out to Dive, whom McDonald collared. o'Sullivan headed a forward rush..

but Craig cleared. Hardgreaves essayed a pot, which just feil short. Keeping up the attack, Mynott transferred to Ward, to Dive, who grounded the ball on the line. From the subsequent scramble, O'Sullivan scored. The kick failed. Taranaki 11 Wanganui 9

Sheehan charged the kick out, and picking up sent the leather to C {'• man. Ward secured and wriggled through, sending a long pass to Dive, on the wing. The latter repeated his former tactics, centring right on the line to Ward, who fielded splendidly and dropped across. The kick again failed.

Taranaki 14 Wanganui cj The visiting vanguard now seemed to go to pieces, and were unable to shift play from their 25. From a loose scramble, Colman sent a pass out to Cameron, who dashed over at the corner. Mynott failed with the kick.

Taranaki 17 Wanganui 0 McDonald made a brilliant save and passed to Beckett, but the latter showed bad judgment in centring. Ward set off with a fast dribble, and a race for the ball resulted in his favcur. Another abortive kick.

Taranaki 20 Wanganui 9 Mynott secured from the kick out and sent the ball to Ward, the latter passing to Dive, but McDonald staved off the attack. Hunter picked up and tried the other side, sending a fast pass to Cameron, who was thrown out at the corner. From the throw-in, Crowley fell across. Colman missed the kick. Taranaki 23 Wanganui 9 Dive again centred, but O'Sullivan just failed to reach the ball, and Wanganui forced. A free kick to the yellows on the call of time did not increase the score, and the gamf ended as above.

STAB 11. v. TUKaPA 11. The above teams met at tho Racecourse on Thursday atternoon, and after a hard fought game Stars won b) 0 points to 3 The winners had, ii anything, the better of the game. For Stars, McCoy : scored two tries and Avery one and B. Hooker scored for Tukapa. Mr T. Clow controlled tht match.