FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 26 August 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND. WIN FOR THE SOUTHERNERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The UOOO spectators who in lint' weather watched the North Island meet the South Island to-day had a ratting good game for their money. All through it was fast and open, marked by many pieces of stirring 3 tirst-cla&s play, and the scoring was livciy. The Southerners played with a combination that was entirely missing in their opponents' play till the second half of the game, and piled up 11 to 3 in the first spell, though playing against the wind, in the second half the Northerners showed a better front, but they could never make up the leeway, anil all through South always had a little more in hand. Eaeli side added eight pointy, and the jinal score was: South 10, Nortu 11, which is not more of a margin tiian the victors deserved. South had the advantage of having live backs from the same district in their rear division. They played like clockwork together, and it was quite refreshing to watch their sharp clean passing, and the fine turn of foot possessed by some of thein. A ; feature of the game was the splendid i place kicking by l'atton of Otago, Weston of C'hristcimrch. and O'Learv of j Auckland, who succeeded in kicking: goals from most awkward angles, both I with and against the wind. I

I TO-DAY'S MATCH. | Provided the weather holds fine there should be a large attendance at Wangauui-Taranaki representative Rugby match on the Recreation Grounds today. There was practically nothing to choose between the teams when they met a few weeks ago. Taranaki's win being brought abou 4 , nh:o*' wholly .J. Stohr's place-kicking. Both teams li;p " i' ' I'gone some alterations, with 1 lie w-.-.iilt that two very fast combinations will take the field to-day. The Wanganui team arrived by ia*t :i;ght\s mail train and were met i>y the local members of the Rugby Unicii. They are staying at the Criterion Hotel. Some of the Taranaki players arrived last night, and the rest of them will arrive this morning. The game will start punctually at 3 o'clock, and local players are notified to assemble at the Imperial Hotel at 2.40, when a brake will call for them. 'Mr. Spurdle, of Inglewood, has been appointed referee. The •following are the teams:— 1

WANGANUI. Full-back: Jago. Three-quarters: Abbott (oe Signal Five-eighths: Campion, McLcod. Half: Dow. Wing forward: Takarangi. Forwards: Aitken, Bishop, Murray, Marchar.t. Aitken, Bishop, Murray. Marchant, Leahy, Muller, Gill. TARANAIU. Full-back: Potior. Three-quarters: C. Shealnm J. {Stolir Dive. Five-eighths: • Roberts, Mvnott. Half: Thurston. Wing forward: T. Sheahan. Forwards: Kivell, Cain, Crowley, Smith, Young, l'ini, Swainson.

THE NORTHERN UNION GAME. MAORIS DEFEAT NEW SOUTH WALES. By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright Received August 2.5, 7 p.m. Sydney, August 2.1 The Maoris defeated New South Wales by 12 points to 8. The attendance was 3000. With a strong wind against them, the Maoris had a still" task in the first half, but bv stubborn, clever play managed to establish a lead of (i points to 5, lvopana and Pukere each having an unconverted try. the outcome of line passing rushes, to llis credit. In the second spell the visitors kept New South Wales on the defensive for the greater part of tiie time. Kopana and Wharepapa secured tries, the wind spoiling the shot at goal. The home team got a s'econd try just on tlie call of time.