FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 16 August 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON BEATS TARANAKI. INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH. UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ■ Wellington, Saturday Night. The nialch between the representatives of Wellington and Taranaki wnj played on the Atheltic Park this afternoon before an attendance of bctwvan five and six thousand. The weather, which had been showery during the morning, broke line about noon, and al though the ground was heavy there were no slippery places on the Held, in.l a good exhibition of the Rugby game resulted from the meeting of these oldtime opponents. A strong northerly breeze was blowing, which assisted Taranaki in the first hwlf and Wellington in the second. There were many interesting episodes during the game a'ad although the pace slowed down considerably in the later stages the whole game must be written down as worthy of the traditions of the players taking part in it. Taking the play right through, the difference in the' scons, Wellington 15 (throe tries, a penally goal and a goal from a mark), Taranaki 0 (two tries), fairly represents thr 1 dative strength of the fifteens'. The teams were as follows: WELLINGTON. Full-back i J. Ryan Three-quarters: E. Ryan Mitchinson EveiiEon Five-eighths: Wolshe and McKenzie Half: Green Wing: Gardner (captain) Forwards: Ready, Houlihan, Wilson, Rangi Wilson, McKellar, Bruce, Tannahill. j TARANAKI. Full-back: Dixon Three-quarters: Stohr C. Sheahan Cameron Five-eighths: Beamish and Mynott (captain) Half: Thurston Wing: T. Sheahan Forwards: Crowley, O'Sullivan, Taniu, Smith, [ Young, Cain, Osborne.

After the opening exchanges, Wellington, despite the wind, attacked, Gardner, Mitthinosii and Ryan, and McKenzie, Mitchinson and Evenson being associated in passing runs. Although repulsed for a wliile, they still kept up the pressure and from a "loose rush Green pounced on the ball over the* line, scoring first blood. Eveuson's kick went wide. Wellington 3 Taranaki 0

Mynotl, Sheahan and Cameron made things interesting, but a big forward put too much boot behind, and the bail went dead. They were not to be denied. Thurston started the backs f, ing again, and Cameron from a pass of Mynott's scored a pretty try at the corner, Stohr's kick went astray. Taranaki 3 Wellington 3

Directly afterwards, Wellington had ft bit of luck, Cameron failing to field a low pass from Mynott when dangerous'. Incidents crowded on one another at this stage, Taranaki, assisted by the wind, penning Wellington up u.ar he line. The defence was sound for a considerable time, but a serum was formed right on the line. T. Slieahan dived for the ball as it came clear, and another three points went to Taranaki's credit. Cameron tried to add the two extra points, but failed.

Taranaki Wellington

The passing of the Taranaki team just here was brilliant in the field, the forwards and backs practically all handling the ball, but there seemed a lack of ability to put the finishing touches ui good work, eTther from filieir faulty handling or the good tackling of the opposing backs. Tamu and Smith Vd the Tnrannki forwards towards the Wellington goal, Mitchinson and Cameron doing well for their respective sides. The final stage of the first spell saw ihe latter forced into touch just On the line. The second spell opened with Taranaki attacking in the face of the gale, ,-nd for a time they kept Wellington busy repelling them. A free kick for ofi''iide was taken by Stohr, but the Taranaki place-kicker had a day off. Crowlev anil Mynott kept things busy, the latter throwing a long pass to Cameron, which 'ivent astray. A good kick oy McKenzic from a pass by Walshe sent the visitors back, and from thence onwards there was really only one team in the hunt, (lai'dne.,- kicked a goal from a free kick given against T;imu for offside, and the scores were level. Wellington .. .. ..6. Taranaki 0

Bruce headed a good rush to the line, and when the ball was there Rangi Wilson fell on it.

Wellington Tavnnaki

Wellington tried some passing, with very little success for a while, and then Bruce, Mitchinson, Green and McKcnzic were associated, the latter beating Tarnnnki's full-back very easily. Ryan's kick nt goal went wide. Wellington 12 Tnranaki 0

With the total at 12 to 0. in Wellington's favor Taranaki's last hope had .gone. Still keeping up the attack, Ryan broke right away with only Dixon in front, but the latter was equal to the occasion and brought him down in goo-1 style. While kicking hard to clear the lines, tile Taranaki forwards gave Gardner a chance of making a line mark, from M'hich Mitchinson kicked a goal, bringing Wellington's total to 15, where it stopped. Wellington .. ... .. 15 ' Tnranaki 6

Amongst the visitors, Cameron was a host in himself, getting through some brilliant work during the game. Mynott was right up to the form credited him in the past, and Thurston gave a good exhibition at half-back, making his pas'ses clean and quick, and taking many good marks. TSie Taranaki forwards were very heavy, averaging a shade over 14 stone, O'SulUrran, Tajniii and Crowley being probably the best of a very good set. Mitcliinson. Green and McKcnzie we'd the :;c-'t liieiil backs, the latter making a good showing' for his initial game as a representative. IVruce was the best forward on the side, though Tannahill and Rangi Wilson ran him very close.

Mr. .1. Peak, of Christehureh, was re.fence, and gave liis decisions very promptly and with satisfaction to both sides. This is the seventeenth match played between Wellington and Taranaki. the record being: Wellington 7 wins, Taranaki 8, (wo drawn. IXTKII-COLLEGIATE MATCH. Wellington, Saturday Night The annual match between Wellington and St. Patrick's Colleges, played as a curtain-raiser to the rep. match, ended in a win for the former by 23 points to nil.