FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 23 August 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

! TARA.VAKI v. AUCKLAND. WIN FOK THE ORANGE AND BLUE.

For the twentieth time, the Kugby representatives of the Auckland aud Taranaki provinces tried conclusions yesterday at Western Park. Despite the forbidding aspect of the weather, crowds poured into town by train, and by three o'clock, the time fixed for the kick-off, the terraces at the new Western Park grounds were tilled with spectators. Considerably over £l3O was taken at the gates, an amount that must be considered satisfactory in view of the threatening rain, which held off, however, unttil the second spell of the game was uii- , der war.

The ground was in very fair order, except that the unfinished portion behind the southern goal was somewhat sloppy. The game was an interesting and hard-fought one from start to finish, and, while occasional brilliant Hashes Of play were witnessed—mostly, however, single-handed efforts—the standard of play was not of a very high order. The game soon resolved "itself into a struggle for supremacy between the Auckland vanguard and the local backs, and that Taranaki did not have a win registered against them was due in a pre-eminent degree to the splendid defence of the Orange and Blue backs. The Auckland forwards were undoubtedly a superior combination to the locals who contrived, however, to hold their own during the greater part of the game, and occasionally to open up an attack. On the line out, the Aueklandcrs generally got the ball, but the tackling oT the local forwards was very effective. in the scrum work, however, the visitors seemed able to get the ball and to "screw" at will. The consequence was that the Taranaki backs had to make their own openings. The outstanding feature of the game was the magnificent line kicking of Hardgraves, the local full-back, who time after time gained half the length of the field, invariably finding the line. These tactics eventually told their tale, the dashing Auckland vanguard being run practically oil their legs. The two tries scored during the game were the result of very fine efforts, Cameron's feat of racing away from the Auckland hacks being very mcritcrioua. In the second spell, the visitors played nine forwards (two wings) and only one five-eighths, and played to their forwards throughout the speli. Their solid rushes on several occasions had the Taranaki goal line in serious danger. Had the defence been less desperate, scores must have resulted. On the other hand, the Taranaki backß OB at least two occasions missed scoring by the narrowest of margins, and honors on the whole may be said to have been even. The Auckland backs were fairly safe, but there was no sting in their attack, and their display, in comparison with that of the local backs, who time and again turned deep defence into sudden attack, was not re-assuring. Although on their play little fault could be found with the general play of any \ of the local backs, it is more than likely that, with an attacking three-quar ters, like Dive on the wing to put in a final dash, a score would have resulted from one at least of the Taranaki backs' rushes. On the day's play, it was quite evident that the local forward division

will have to be strengthened, whether | by weight or additional dash it was not quite clear. The game waa played in admirable spirit, and although some nasty knocks were received, there vas no roughness

THE TEAMS. *

TARANAKI. Hardgraves. Bourke, Cameron Sheehan. Hunter, Mynott, Colman, Sheehan, Thomas, Rothery, Smith, Crowley, Prouse, Whittington. Kivell. AUCKLAND. McGuire (City), Heron, McGuire (Grafton), Kinder, Francis. Hyward, Williams, McDonald, Farrant, Magee, nail, Diliamore. Twinamc, Murray, Miller.

TUE PLAY. Auckland won the toss, and played ' with the wind at their backs. Taranaki kicked off, and the ball was returned to centre, where it went out after a fine run by T. Sheehan. ISourke's play put Auckland on the defensive In the first few minutes. The ball bumped along the ground to Hunter, who failed to pick up, and the Blue and White pack swooped down on it, but Bourko saved, Tunning out at half way. Jlynott made a. lot of ground with a couple of line, kicke, the second giving touch in goal. Resuming, Sheehan was tackled when jrernrning to kick-off, and the Blue for-

wards came with a tremendous dash Hardgreaves was not wanting, however and he kicked out. A free-kick wa awarded to Taranaki for offside play and Hardgreaves made a fine line kid well up the field. Colman missed tli ball at the heel of a scrum, and Franci chased down, but the full back save. again. Scrums became plentiful, th Auckland "hookers" getting the ball i: almost every instance, but their kickin was too strenuous, and the ball genei ally reached the Taranaki full back, wh never failed to make the best use of hi opportunities. Murray missed his ba several times, and on one occasion tli Yellow forwards got in amongst the de fending backs. Things were merry fo a time, but the Auckland forwards go out of the difficulty by sheer force. Hut ter, Mynotfand Cameron set out on passing run, but made very little grount At this stage Cohuan and MeGulr (City) were hurt, and the latter had t ' leave the field, McCormick taking hi place. Line kicking gave the home me: an advantage, Hardgraves giving great exhibition, one of his kicks goin| out at the corner flag. T. Sheeh.in an Crowley were prominent in attempts U. score, but the defence was solid, l'rou-e ! sent out a foot pass to Hunter, who lined. Then came a lot of close forward work just near the Auckland goal line, ( neither side gaining an inch until Twi- . name secured from the side of scrum, , ■ad sent out the ball to Dillaniore, who l I punted to Hardgraves. Auckland worked to half-way. Dillamore spoiled an opening by kicking when there was an open field for passing, but Hurray se- j cured the return, and made a smart run ■ to the Taranaki end, where Bourke j grassed him. Then followed an inter-' change of long kicks amongst the backs, ; Francis marking and making a futile attempt at goal. From a line out Crow- ! ley went away on lus own, and a scram- ; hie ensued, Auckland entering the home ' team's -25, and compelling a force-down, j . From the kick-oil the Yellow forwards i got in amougsT the opposing backs, Mur- j ray just managing to get his kick in j time. Taking advantage of a fumble by Hall. Shcchan, and Rothery got iu eome good work, but left an opening for the Auckland bJcks, Hunter saving by a rlever run and kick out of touch. For a brief spell the home forwards more than held their own, but with the return of the scrums they were again badlv lieaten. and Mynott' had to find the line. Hunter got in a twisty run, but was collared, "citing in his kick as he fell—a clever piece of work. Sheehan tried to open up the game by a long throwin, but the liall was knocked on, and the advantage went to Auckland. Rothery kicked across to Bourke, but the ball liouncpd over his head. Here was Cameron's opportunity. He cut in and snapped up the ball. He had two men to pass en the Taranaki side of the centre Reating them, he outpaced the rest, and -cored n-ar the posts amidst gTeat ex 'i'ement. Hardgraves made no mistake with the kick.

Taranaki .. ~„ .. ~ 5 Auckland .. .. .. >. . .0 Resuming, Whittlngton put the ball wt of touch. From the line-out the ■■all was sent back to Miller; Crowley tackled him, biit he got in his kick, and Hall -el out on a rush, ably backed up '■v M'inire. Hnywnrtl. Francis and Mfl)om!d. the situation lieing saved bv ' Mvc.ei. rtepeatc-d attempts to find the I •"''■'»:'■ by the bar-ks cave „ rare exhi-l.itio-i ..f " kick-in:.'. Miller eventnnllv ! ■-.ii.iie.- a i;.r by a well-directed punt. Tirana!;! persisted i TI ||„- attack, ), n t Tle.mns f, mi i,l..,i and Kicked the ball twi<o towards hi- ..wn fcial. Cameron lent In nimbly, andlorccd. -2ut play was

recalled for an infringement. Operations were transferi-eft To niidtieid, wiiure Hall ami Twiname started a passing rush. Hunter intercepted and dodged through Die pack, but slipped, and the Yellows were placed on the defensive. Jlynott manoeuvred an opening, and again getting the ball at his toe, dribbled down to the Auckland full-back, who was penalised for uifsidc play, the result of a knock-on. The kick to the line in the Auckland 25 brought half-time with the score unaltered.

In the second spell the visitors played two wings, Hall moving up. The kickoil' was twice re-called, as Francis found the line with his lirst two attempts. Auckland immediately set up an attack, and Hall found the line with a "speculator." Scrums on the home goal-line ensued, and a lot of line play, T. Sheehan eventually booting well up iield and into touch from the side of a scrum. A mark by ilynott in a handy position was not allowed, and the momentary stoppage again placed Die home forwards at the mercy of the Aucklanders, but Hardgreaves secured aud sent cut of touch. From the line-out Cameron and Hunter made a dodgy run, and carried play up to their opponent*' line. From a mark Hardgreaves had a long shot at goal, but the ball fell short. The Auckland full back was nearly beaten for the ball by Itolhery, who followed hard, but without result Play

remained in the visitor*' 2.5 -for a time, and then the Blue forwards got the ball at the toe changed the s.ene. Cameron

stopped Die rush, and the ball was kickled to Hall, who was grassed. Then the unexpected happened. Murray intercepted a pass, and galloped, passing to MeConnick, who feinted and bluffed the.

Tarnnaki backs splendidly, and eventually crossed flie line at" the corner. Magec fuilod with the kick. Tarnnaki 5 Auckland 3 On me ball going iulo play again lurauuki attached strenuously, Crowley and blieehau doing some iiue work iu the pack. Aiyuott cut uirough, but wa, well tackled, and tlie bull eaiue down

Liic held, propelled U y .ucCornuck and UcDumud, SJieekuu saving by a linn tick. Auckland sub pressed, but Uourke Marked. Column kk-Ked too hard, and lucktaud loreed. i'roui the kick-out iNiuvtingiuu marked. Iho live kfck wu* uencctive, and immediately luraiuki Vus penalised fur off-aide. Hull mauc i line run, but Bourke threw Jam out Uviuawe sent the ball in amongst the taranaki backs, who made a sum's 01 enuus fumbles, Cameron opportunely uuhig in and saving the situation, dagec and Warrant, working well to.etucr, wade some, line openings, and aranaki was exceedingly fortunate in eepmg the Biues out. Several times it eemed that a score had been made, but Uo scrums at five yards showed that he ball had only been grounded on the Jie. f'wmame, Warrant, Dillamore, inu ilajjee were now thriving tiic bail auou uore freely, and the home team was aakiflg a poor display. A free kick was ;iven to llardgraves, and he made more han halt the length of the- field. Ivivth ud Wuittingtoo improved the position i little, and Cameron-got in a trick un, but he passed badly, and Hall bootd to llardgraves, who just managed his jiek vken he was collared by Twiname. The home goal was again in danger as fie result of a inias by Hunter and fardgraves, and Cameron saved again day going to centre, where Bourke made i spirited but unsupported dash. A ree kick for an Aucklauder's obstrucion was closely followed up, and only n awkward rebound prevented a score or Taranaki. Once again the Yellows' leiensive powers were very severely ested, and again Cameron had to run ack to save after some lad handling by he five-eighths, though Hardgraves was eady Iroin a serum the Auckland >ack heaved and rushed over the line Ae home team forcing. Colnian was inlured a few minutes later. Taranaki forward collared an opponent, and the tatter described a semi-somersault, s rikmg Colman as he fell. Column was able to resume after a little attention. Mynott kicked down to Miller, „To waited for the bounce. Crowley was the only one to follow. A faster man could J™ tatai the UIL As it was Miller got in his kick, and Cameron gathered in passmg after a good run to Mynott the latter being collared just in fron of the posts. Bonrke was not able to get Mynott's pass, an d a simple score was lost, Dillamore forcing. When „lav ecTl"'' l l a l d « raves »»*> a magUv v h ! ~t o P ° a e° il! fro '» h»lfway, ball striking and fallin, under he cross-bar. Awkhni !m "_ wards broke away ag ai „, lo u ow j„ g „,„ Wek out but Hardgraves relumed In "'Hire, where play was when the whistle sounded no-side.

lor the winners, the l.cst Lack was undoubtedly Ilardgravos. whoso si.lomli.l line-finding exhibition w„s perhaps 11, ( . Incst feature „f the game. u ln ., v y be said, t.,0, Hint Tarannki's liiuncking mils splendid right through. ; anu'ron iibut than justified his incluloii, saving his side" time ami again '"•lug to l„s pace" and safe picking,,,,, •Inlst he was brilliant in attack. Ml ho three-quarters were safe in defence he PaCea men, Uo„ r ke ami Shechan, mte justified their selection, but there i-cro times when a man of Dive's cal'bro ii attack would have been invaluable, ■tynott played a most useful game polling the rushes well, but Hunter has >eon seen to far better advantage on ho local grounds. At times he was ante at sea in picking tip the ball. CnlMn played a very solid game. His op'ortunities were not numerous, for his onyards were beaten in the scrums, and >i the second spell he had to contend jramst the visitors' two wing forwards he lorwards were a beaten pack, l'roaincnt amongst them in the looFe work rere Whittington, Crowley, Prouse and .othery. T. Shcehan played a fine •ame right tlirough as wing-forward. J eight was all in favor of the visitors, 'or Auckland Miller was safe in the econd spell, but not altogether so in he first half. The backs were not a inlliant set, though thev played well ogclher. .Murray, on the right wing, i-as weak, particularly in taking the tall from long kicks. Twlname was peraps (he most resoureeful.though luVcc Hone nt times. McDonald, the wingorward, was very dashing in all his .•ork, and showed up prominently from tart to finish. Of the forwards' Franis, Hayward, and MeGuire (drafton) rere the pick of a fine pack, which will Rke n good lot of neatlmj.

PREVIOUS MATCHES.

01 the 20 mulches played between the P wo provinces Auckland have Von 11, ' igamst their opponents' (i, the remaining ' ;!iree frames having been drawn. The "' Auckland team has scored a total of I i-i.) points, agsinst 73 scored by Tara ' uaki. The two districts first met in ' ISS7, and, with the exception of the following year, contests have taken place annually. The first match was won by Tarannki by one point to nil Imt after that Auckland remained undeteatotl milll 18! H, the 'SO match bcin" "'"" ">' *>'< tn nil, the 18(10 l,v cHit to ml, the n,.st being a draw (three point-, each), ami the next two won by live points to four and four to two 'resnecUvely. ,„ ]Boi Taranaki turned'the tables, winning by 14 to nil. and next year, at Xew Plymouth, another draw was played, no score being recorded on either side. In 1806 Auckland was defeated on its own ground by 1(1 tn nil. ~" t '"'•'J 1 year won by 23 points to 3'. "he third draw (no score) was played in isns, and Auckland won the four succeeding matches by IS to 3. 1!) (~ 3. 3 to nil, and 21 to 3. In 11)03 Taranaki won by six to three, and again in HIO-I they won by three to nil. The match played at Taranaki in \<M)r, was won by Auckland by six to three, and jla.-t year at Auckland the northerners won by is points to 5.

THE PROFESSIONAL TOrit. PROGRAMME OK- UEPItESEN'T iTIVE -MATCHES. Per United Press Association.—By Telegraph— Copyright

Received 22nd, 10.29 p.m.

Sydney, August 22. The New Zealand professional team has been ndv'sccl IV cable that their headquarters has been fixed for the Grand Central Hotel, Leeds. The following are the fixtures for representative matches: December IS. v Yorkshire; January L v. Wales; January 8. v. Cumberland: January 11. v. , England; January IS, v. Lancashire, l.lanuary 2S, v. Northern T T nion. Tlic following team will represent Xcw Zealand in Saturday's match: Hack", Tnrtill: fhrce-ipiarlcrs. Smith Howe, Lavery: five-eights, Wrhrley, an: IWynyard: halves. Kelly and Tyler: for wards. Watkins, Maek'roll, Cross, John slon, Wright, Trevarthen, Byrne,

N.Z. RUGBY UNION. Per Press Association. Wellington, August 22. At a meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union a letter was considered from the secretary' of the Council of the New Zealand Athletic Association, pointing out the evils of professionalism in Bport, and suggesting that a conference bo held at rhristehureh with the object of promoling legislation during the current session of Parliament. A sympathetic resolution was passed, and the Union is prepared tu l>e represented at such conference, and suggests it be held in Wellington, ru Iliat members of Parliament may attend.

The committee decided to expel eight footballers who had lieen suspended by the Wellington Union for professionalism, also to ask tiic various unions to supply lull names of persons from their districts who have joined the professional team.

Mr Edgar Wylie, in his report on tin. recent lour in Australia, said the enthusiasm of I he people for the Rugby game is wry warm, and there is a marked iiiiprovvtnent in the plav, particularly in New South Wales. Mr Wylie said .he rulings of Australian referees varied ■nnsidcrnlily from those of New Zealand

r-five:'s. It was hoped tile recent conference would bring about a more uniform 'interprcialion of the laws of the game in Australasia.

J. Crowley, of the Tukapa Club, ascompanies the Taranaki team on tour, in place of Storey, who is unable to go. The following will represent Government Buildings on Saturday. Dinniss, Harding, Callander, Honey field, Pronkueli, Thompson, Seldon, Sturmey, Waters, Mcfsaae, Clapham, Ainsworth, Copestake, Gilbert, McNatty. Emergencies: Simpson, Mcjvor, Eckhold.