FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 27 August 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

WANGANUI DEFEATS TARANAKI Hie Wanganui and Tnranaki Rugby representatives met in the return home-and-home match yesterday afternoon on tlx; Recreation Sports Ground in the presence of two or three thousand spectators. The weather was threatening ami the sky overcast, a drizzling rain falling during portion of the first spell and a fairly smart shower sending home isome hundreds of the spectators ju<t before Mr. Spurdle's whistle announced "no side," with victory i-estitfg with the visitors. In the previous match, played at Wanganui a couple of weeks i, Taranaki won by the very comfortable margin of 14 points to three. At the time a good deal of credit for this was giveu to .lack Stohr's capital goal-kick-i ing, his goals accounting for eleven j points in the score. Yesterday this lac-tor in Taranaki's success was aliasing, Stohr not being entrusted with any of the kicks, owing to his leg having been injured on tour. Two or three of the kicks would have 'been easy as guesswork to him, and Taranaki would doubtless have won again, but Potier was not his equal in this respect, and not one kick crossed the bar. Bath teams had suffered depletion hi their ranks at the hands of the selectors of i/be North Island team. Wanganui playing without Meuli and Milne, and Taranaki losing the services of Tamu and Cameron. O'Snllivan also being an absentee. Wanganui also suffered by two •>f the selected fifteen being unable to iiike the trip. The field avus in fair onler, but inclined to be slippery in evidently disconcerting the visitors and making the ball very difficult to handle. There was little advantage in wind or weather.

As a7l exposition of football the game fell far short of the interprovincial standard, much of the work being of a wretchedly ragged nature, and opportunities being thrown away time after time by careless handling and an apparent inability to follow up an advantage. Taranaki was the worst offender in this respect. The forwards gave perhaps the worst exhibition seen in the amber-and-black jerseys on thin ground for a number of years past, not excepting the "tom-fool" game thit they put up a season or two back against one of the smaller unions. Tliey were beaten in the scrum, beaten generally in the line-out. absolutely outclassed in collaring, frequently eclipivd in their own department of loose rushes, and inferior in the matter of (umlition! The wnn-icr is that they escaped with a defeat !,i only three points', for ther« was a far greater disparity than that between the teams, the visi'tors'playiag better football against an undue measure of hard luck. On yesterday's form neither of the teams would appear to have much chance of "stretching" tao Auckland reps, next week, but it is not always safe to predict football form. There was a very .noticeable lack of combination, particularly amongst the home team, the visitors improving as the game went oil and putting in some better work in the second spell. It is fairlv safe to say that with Mvnott away—and Mynott has often been seen to greater advantage—the Wanganui men would have had a far bigger win. The teams lined out as follows: WANGANUI. Full-back: Jago. Three-quarters: Abbott Coe Signal Five-eighths: Campion, HcLeod. Half: Dow. Wing forward: Takarangi. Forwards: Bishop, "Murray, Marchant. Aitken, Leahy, Muller, Gill

TARANAKI. Full-back: Potier. Three-quarters: C. Sheahan J. Stolir Dive. Five-eighths: Roberts, Jfvnott. Half:' Thurston. Wing forward: T. Sheahan. Forwards: Kivell, Cain, Crowley, Smith, Young, Pini, Swainson,

THE PLAY. Taranaki kicked oil' towards th« i rthcni end. the ball going out near i.i.- comer. A long line-out was taken, iin.. the tlirow-in brought about a , liven at this stage, when tlw game could scarce be said to have begun, il Has sees that the men in blue were far more nimble nun the great forwards of Taranaki, who were slow ill getting down to the smim. The ball hung, and was booted in the ruck, until at last it was sent over the line with a hot kick, and Wangaiiui forced. Resuming, the visitors came alo;ig vigorously, Signal beating Potier wTth a long kick in front of the home goal. Stolir was on hand just in time, and put the ball promptly into safe tciritury outside the Hags, and very close to the corner. From a scrum Alynatt speculated, and, Sheahan following, the Blues were forced back a bit. Oll'-sidc play gave them a shot at goal from about the 20-yards line, bnt Signal's otherwise excellent kick went wide of the posts, and Taranaki forced. Just after resumption of play Signal aud .Uci.ccd put in a nice piece of passing. Jago followed tlieni and gathered up the ball, putting it out of touch and Taranaki on the defence once more. Once or twice the Yellows broke out of the corner into which they were being forced, but they 'were not able to keep McLeod and Co. quiet. From scrum play one of the Taranaki backs pas<ed the ball out. Campion intercepted, and, transferring at the right moment to Leahy, enabled the latter to score first blood for the visitors. Leahy kicked a poster.

Wanganui 3 Taranaki 0 The Yellow forwards livened up now, »<i<l smothering the return kick, kept plav at centre for a time. C. Sliealian's laulty line-finding let the Blues back again, however, and Taranaki was in difficulties; Stohr saving an awkward situation by a screw punt to the 'ine. Soon afterwards Abbott streaked for the line, but missed his kick, and Mwainsou kicked into touch. Mynott initiated a line rush, kicking high and taking the iiall himself, but almut half of the forwards seemed to doubt the advisability of attacking in this way, and remained behind, so it was not long before th* home team were ousted from the Wanganui end. Potipr made a fine shot it goal from nearly half-way, the ball go. ■!ig wide, and the Blues forcing. At ibis stage Dive was taking a very effective part in attack, a mark and the re sultant long kick giving a. temporary advantage. Potier was found wanting on several occasions, failing to take fln* ball on the full, and making extra work for the other backs who had to support him. A splendid driboling rush by I'ini and T. Sheahan almost culminated in a score, Jago forcing. From loose P'av ill midfield JFyuott gathered in and transferred to Dive, who made a slashing sprint up the line, being eventual'v thrown out in Wangiinui's 25. In the line-out Crowley got the ball and pawed to Stohr, who set sail and scored in the corner, the finest try of the match. Potier made a poor shot at goal, scores were even. Taranaki 3 Wanganui .' 3 Tom Sheahan and Swainson were responsible for the next Incident. Tliev streaked up the field with the ball a't toe. and compelled McLeod to curry the ball over. The referee awarded a forcedown. and the hooting, which had been slightly in evidence once or twice, br"J<e out strongly against the referee's decision. Murray made the next score. Play hud been hanging in Tavanaki's 2S 1 for a time, and the Yellows seemed to uet out of position somehow. At inv late, when Murray ran along the 'hie Slieahnn and Pini 'made scarcely any attempt to stop him. and he got over. Jago mad'! a poor slmt at goal. Halftime sounded just afterwards, with the score— Wanganui .. .. ' .. 0 Taranaki 3 When the teams lined out for the second'spell it was seen that Mynott. had re-arranged hi 6 backs, Stohr going

to fivc-eiffhthß in place of Roberts, who had ibeen found wanting, Dive taking centre and Roberts the wing. Taranaki opened with a rattle and a dash, and tliey made things wa.rm for Wanganui, the forwards coming down in some of those great rushes for which the province used to be noted. Stohr, Dive and Shenhan handled in a pretty passin" movement that was spoiled by off-side work just afterwards. Getting the nail from a throw-in Mynott tipped it to Dive, lint Abbott intercepted, and what looked like the start of a scoring rush was nipped short. Swainson, CnX and Mynott were concerned in a null

that made things look .serious for tlu'i visitors, but Dow got in a irooil kick; that bustled Potier. Stohr was on hand m time, and lined, Wanganui forcing) from a tlnow-in. The home pack came again solidly, Abbott saving with a timely mark. Another rush, in which the iwhole team seemed to have a hand, culminated in Mynott snapping a short return from an opponent and scoring in a nice position, but Potier was again unalile to register the major points. Taranaki .. .. ■.. o I Wanganui 0 ; •Passing among the Taranaki bucks I was not attended with any direct re 1 suits, the ball travelling from side to side without much headway being made, but Mynott's generalship soon put Wanganui on the defensive again. Mynoit passed out to Kivcll, Swainson ami Dive, who put in a clever run, but .Tago got the ball and lined near mid-lieid. Then for a bit the lilucs were penned 'll, but again they slipped through their opponents' lingers, Mcl.rad being largely responsible for this. This plaver "vas injured again at this stage, aiid the'e was breathing space. It did the Blues good, for almost immediately on resuming .Mcleod got possession", passed to Coe, who side-stepped clear of some hi"'h tackling by Potier and Roberts au-.l gave the ball to Abbott, who scored. Again the kick at goal was a failure. Wanganui 9 Taranaki 0 Tile crowd demanded that Taranaki should wake up. The score was not 10

their liking, and it was unexpected. !;..t Wanganui continued "to attack, giaug the ball f.rom almost every scrum and tackling effectively every Taranaki man who set out on a run. Stohr managed to gain a few yards before McLeod grassed him. and the ball was kicked tu Jago. He waited for the bounce—catching was not his forte—and Abbott had all he could do to gain possession in time. With about ten minutes to go Taranaki put up a big spurt, and managed to keep the Blues close in to their goal. Stohr, Mynott and Thurston were concerned in s:pmo nippy passing that gave Jlynott possession." He had a safe try, it seemed, but was called back for a forward pass from Stohr. Time was sounded shovt.lv nfh.,-ivnr»u

For the winners Jago played a fair game at full, coolness getting him out of several difficulties. Signal was the best of the three-quarters, his kicking being very effective. McLeod at half was the best back on the ground, despite his several injuries. Millar, Bishop •and Leahy were the bust of the re*t. i or J aranaki, Potior was not suceess f ul at full. Dive played a fine game at three-quarter, as did Stohr. Sheahan has been better, particu .irly in his kiting. Mynott was the best back by far on hie -side, and saved them time aft.«r time. Roberts was weak, but Thurston played a fair game at half. Pini, Crow'ey and C'ain were the best of {the forwards'. Mr. F. Spurdle was referee. NORTH OTAGO v. OTAGO.

By Telegraj hPread Association. Oanmru, Last Night. Tn the football mutch between North Otago anil n first-grade Otago team, North Otago won by 8 points to nil, after a very interesting game. SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT. Napier, Last Night. Tin* annua] Kugby football tournament for the high schools of New Plymouth, Palmerston North, and Napier, was inaugurated to-day. There is. a shield as trophy for tho winning school, to be held until won by another school. In the match to-day Napier beat Pahnerston North by 15 points' to nil, after a good game. The tournament will be continued on Saturdav and Monday,

AUCKLAND TOURING TEAM. Auckland, Last Night, (r. Bator and W. Cunningham being unable to make the trip south to join the Auckland football representatives, it has been decided lo send B. Winder', of the Thames, to take Bater's place. In company with Sellars, Winder left by the train to-night.

MARLBOROUGH BEATS AUCKLAND. Blenheim, Last Night. The Auckland footballers played the opening match of their tour to-day, in fine weather and in the presence of a large crowd. The Marlborough representatives won by eight points to three. The score of the winners was made up, of a penalty goal, and a try by Nolan, Church kicking both goals. Seeling scored an unconverted try for the lovers. The game was of a fairly even nature, with the advantage, if anything, on the side of the Marlborough men, who did creditable work in nil divisions. Auckland lacked the combination that will, no doubt, be exhibited later on in the tour. The success of the lo'-nl team in defeating the champion team of New Zealand, after ag.iM retaining the Seddon Shield, has created great enthusiasm. INTER-COLLEGE TOURNEY. Wanganui, Last Night. The inter-college football tourney commenced this afternoon, when Wanganui College defeated Christ College by 32 to G in a very fast game, in which brilliant football was displayed.