FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81848, 17 September 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO DEFEAT WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. Wellington, September 15. The Otagii-Wellington match was played on Athletic Park this after noon in the presence of about 4000 spectators, and resulted in a win for the visitors by six points to three. The weather was favourable, but the ground conditions were all against scientific Rugby, and militated against accurate manipulation of the ball by the back divisions. The iswas confined to the vanguards, Otago outc'assing their opponents in all phases of forward play, their livey and vigorous work in tlv* open, and superb concerted footwork, fast following 'up, and sound and certain tackling being in pronounced promt nence throughout. The home forwards gave ; , disappointing exhibition and the baik-, with two exceptions. Mitchin'on and Green, shirked the forward rushes of tlv Southern eis. In the first spell Wellington was on the defensive practically the

whole time, ill' bail being always on its side of tin- ha'f-way flag- Otago also held the upper hand in the succeeding half, though the home combination came with a big burst in the 'ast five minutes, and just missed making a draw if not securing a vie ton-. Otago's first try in the first spell was the outcome of passing between Echold and Abbott only, 'lie last-named going over the chalk-mark close to the posts. The kick at goal was resultless. Midway through the second spell, Abbott followed up a comrade's kick smartly, and fumb ling by the local backs resulted in his getting possession and scoring behind the posts. No success followed the attempt at goak A few minutes to time Gm-n, Mitchcnson and Rvan participated in a passing rush, Rvan touching down at the corner for Wellington, but Spencer failed at goal.

SYDNEY v. OTAGO UNIVERSITY. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, September 15. The return football match, Sydney University v. Otago University, was played to day on the Caledonian Ground. Rain fell in the morning and the ground was heavy and greasy, as also was the ball. A stiff south-west breeze was blowing, with at times a driving mist. Playing against the wind in the first spell, the Sydney players more than held the'r own, the forwards playing a great game, paralysing the efforts of the local backs.'who failed to score. It was evident if the Sydney men played as well in the second spell the game was theirs, but they faded away to nothing some time after the -ccond spelt was going, and after persistent attacks Gdray scored a clever try for Otago. Sydney rallied, and a penalty kick nearly equal ised the scores, the ball striking the crossbar, and failing underneath. Otago won by 3 to nil. The Sydney players to-day could scarcelv be re. ogni-ed as the team which "Otago ran ov; la-t Satuulay. If the barks had been Mmnger in al'ark they mu-< have won.

HAWKK'S HAY v. MAXAVYATI'. I'fr I're-s Association. Xapier. September 15. The „.,„ ntative football match, Manawatu v. Hawk.'s liav, was p'ay-, .■d on the K.-i ..., on Ground on Sat tirdav aft.Tre.or,. The ".r;,.her ii;i< fin<- but a rath' r stiong wind was '.'owing. There was .1 larue attend -inn'. In the fir-t -pel! Ilawkes liav attai k'- ( | strongly, and by goi d passing rushes repeatedly beat the opposing side, four trie., being scored, none of which were < onver'ed. In the second -pel'. Manawatu livened up. and a- the result of a good pass | ; ng bout, in which SkeHv, Ongley. and So-.lk'r wn pronvnent. th'-v c-aimd a try. The llawke'- Hay at,<k. however, was almost a s string a- in the first -pt\! and towards the end of the s.cond hail" they had Ma nawa'u on the th fenslve a'most continu.us'y. The local forwards were inn. ii fas-er and ('• verer than the vi-ttors. while the back divisions of both -ides were safe and clever. Smith. Bai'ev. Monro, and Glasgow -<• r.d f.r il.e lrr.il fam. and Skc!!y for th" vi-ii.irs. The Manawatu team were the guests of the local l'nion at dinner and were taken for a yachting cruise to-day.