FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 2 September 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. TARANAKI v. WELLINGTON. GAME ABANDONED. Tor Press Association. Wellington. Saturday Night.

Wellington was to liavc played Taraniki to-day, and the match was regarded with keen interest, ns the two teams are considered the strongest in the field this year. liain, however, had covered the ground with water, and was still falling in sheets this afternoon.

Nevertheless, nearly 2000 people filled the stand, and an attempt was made to play.The men struggled on for one spell of half an hour, their clothes and boots being filled with water, and perished by icy wind and rain, but after this experience it was decided to abandon the game, and call the match off. .Tusl at the close of play Wellington had scored a try with wind behind them, but this"was no criterion of actual superiority. '

Great disappointment was evinced at the result, but it is a wonder the players had the pluck to play at all, seeing that thoV could scarcely move. They were ankle deep in mud and water, and the ball might as well have been covered with grease.

j RECORD OF PREVIOUS MATCHES. Following is a summary of flic matches played to date:— 1804.—At llawera, Taranaki won, G to 0. 1895.—Wellington. Draw, no score. 1898.—New I'lymouth. Taranaki won, G to 0. 1807.—Wellington. Wellington jvoii, 3 to 0. " w " ; IS9B.—llawera. Taranaki won, G to 0. IS'.)'.).—Wellington. AYellington won, 0 to 5. 1000.—llawera. Wellington won, 8 to «. 1901.—Wellington. Wellington won, 20 to 3. 1902.—New Plymouth. Taranaki won, 0 to 3. 1903—Wellington. Taranaki won, 5 to 3 ', ' ! ■rM'SM 101)4.—New Plymouth. Taranaki won. 11 to 0. 1005.—Wellington. Wellington won, 0 to 0. * 1900.—New Plymouth. Wellington won, 14 to G. AUCKLAND v. OTAGO. A DRAWN GAME.

Fer Press Association.

Dunedin, Saturday Night. The inter-provincial football match Auckland v. Olago, was played to-day the game resulting in a draw, each team! scoring 0 points. The weather was fine, and the attendance numbered about 9000.

The game was an evenly contested and fairly interesting one. In the first spell Murray and SmiTh scored for the visitors, neither try being -converted, whilo Eckhold kicked a penalty goal for Otago. In the sec-ond spell, MacPherson scored for Otago, no goal resulting. Otago secured the ball from most of the scrums, but the backs' passing wis erratic, and chances were lost in consequence.

The visitors were frequently penalised for off-side play, and the referee cautioned two or three of them for unnecessary tackling, eventually ordering McCormick off the field for collaring Eckhold after the latter had kicked. j WAIRARAPA GAMES. Per Press Association. Mastcrton, faunday Night. The Wairarapa seniors defeated Bush Union on Saturday at football at Mangatainoka by 14 points to nil. Wairarapa juniors defeated Wellington juniors at Greytown on Saturday | by 21 points to 3.

- THE ASSOCIATION GAME. iSE'CKLAND WINS THE BROWN SHIELD. Per Press Association.

| Auckland, Saturday Night. I The final of the Brown Shield tourna.nicnt, played un<ler the New Zealand i Football Association rules, was played . h?re to-day in wet weather between Auckland and Wellington before an attenCftice of over 2000. A splendid game resulted in a win for Auckland by three 1 goals to one. The winners, undoubtedly Hie best team, will hold the shield till ! 1908.