FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 35, 4 August 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL

NORTH ISLAND COUNTRY REPS. AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

TARANAKI (1;1) v. NORTH ISLAND (6)

The match between thn Korth Island ttouring country tiiun and the Taranaki representatives, played at the Recreation Sports Ground yesterday afternoon, was a fast and exciting struggle from start to finish, and the issue was ever in doubt. Aliout fifteen hundred people witnessed the match. The weather was bright and sunny, and the ground was in capital order for the most part, the only part which remained slippery as the result of the heavy showers of the previous day or two being the cricket pittfh in the middle of the field. The visitors, who comprised representatives from no less than seven Rngby unions in different parts of the Sox.th Island, have already secured remarkably good combination, and there ore amongst its members several players of undoubted cleverness. Tlicy were in splendid training, and the hard-fought game was played with the greatest zee,t right up to the closing moment. Some of the forwards were inclined to do a little more kicking than was absolutely necessary in the tight places, and there was a tendency amongst some of them to deliberately obstruct opponents. One piece of obstruction was responsible for three points being registered against them. The Taranaki team, which wag very largely the same team as represented Taranaki against Wanganui the other day, played Hiest in (he second spell. The backs worked well together., but the team suffered by the weakness of Kvan and Roberts, so much so that the selector will probably have to look elsewhere to fill these places in the travelling team. The forwards played grandly in t3ae second spell. It is a habit of tfce Taranaki rep. pack to "get going" late in the game. Taranaki was not five points a better team than" {he' visitors, who had less defensive work to do than the locals, but they were the more dangerous team when within scoring distance. The impression left on the mind at the conclusion of the game was that the visitors had the better combination, and that they must be a very faird nut to crack by the time they have finished their tour; whilst the Taranaki team also showed that a few good gamea will make it (with some necessary alterations) a very tough combination. Mr. F. , Spurdle, of fnglewood, was the retire*. The t&ms were ar follows: i'ORTH ISLAND REPS. ~ . ! : "'tCof6'rs;'|slack.) lull MuKenzie (Wairarapa); . three-quarters,,, O'Connor ,(Manawatu)> N. , .Wioiaitt (Horowhenua), Darby (South Auckland); five-eighths, Lennard (South Auckland.), Morgan (SoOth.Auck'and);, half, Mexted (Bush District); wing forward, Carroll, captain (Manawat,u); 'forwards. Winter (Poverty Baiiry (Wairarapa), Downing (Haul's Bay). Bailey. (Jlawke's Bay), W. Wiriia,ta (florowhenuSi), 1 ' Desmsni (Wairarapa), Smith (Bush District). TARANAKT. (Colors, Amber and Black-.)' Full back, D. Ryan; three-quarters, Roberts,. .Stohr, Cameron; fivp-eigEths, Mynott, McLeod; half, C. Brown; wing upward,' Tifvlor;,-forwards, Whittington and C. Sh'ealia'n, (back row), .Tamil and Dewar (sides), \oung (locks), M.. Cain iiud Osborne row). THE PLAY. : • The visitors kicked oil, playing with the sun at their backs, and Taranaki thus defending the northern goal. The Blacks started with tremendous vigor, but. true to tradition, the Taranaki men were slow to get into their stride. A couple, of line-outs, followed bv nippy rushes by the' 1 visiting forwards, sfiw the \el lows penned up in the eornpr, a weak kick' by McLi'od into touch" scrying AH a' t^iiijVdrjir'y respite. Youu£, wa S caught Qff*s'rdV>, And within a. lew tyiinutes of ith^"start it looked'as ..Jf MqKenzie was to score first blood,'hut his kick at go'n,l 'failed. A long line-out. gave WhittingtOM"rtn opportunity, but Smithstopped life' dribbling run, and kicked to Ryan, to find the, line, but McKenzie mit'de no mistake with the return. .Straight across the field the baljrj travelled; among the Black*, and Was' sent ilq\v»_ to l?van. work brought the .laranaki barrackers' hearts into their mouths. The home team forpe'<J'.just in-tjme. ~ ~/' Then flic Yellow, forwards set up an attack, bat Carroll. Lennard and Mexted set up a strong defence, keeping their own twenty-fives depr. From a line-out Cain away 011 his own, but Tamil was penalised for off-side, and Taranaki] had to retire to, their own end agiufii,' A nice-passing rush amongst Tlia' visit-' ing backs \ya's settled when Roberts upended Wjiiriata, but Roberts was again too slowj to secure an advantage i* * fairly 1 clear-field. A scrum heeled well to Brown, who kicked hard up field, the Black forwards bringing the ball back' but Cameron marked off their very toes! and Stohr put in a fine line-kick. The advantage was but temporary, ■ Young getting off-jside and McKenzie placing a grand kick out of touch well up into the home- twenty-five. Tight work, a mark by Lennnrd. and McKenzie landed the next over the line ten yards from the j crtni'ci''*(la'g. The Yellows put out every ounce, but some of the biggest -forwards seemeVl riot- to have" "struck "it,"'and McLeod was fortunate in lining. Mexted passed to Lennard, and the ball went to Winiata and Morgan in turn, Stohr being in time to spoil the chance. The visitors, however, kept up a hot attack, Carroll proving a thorn in the side of the defence, till from a mark by Mynott Stohr lined in neutral territory. Winiata marked, and Roberts was bustled. McLeod cut in just in time, and changed defence into attack, but the whis+lo went for deliberate obstruction of Mynott by Lennard. The penalising in this instance was of doubtful advantage to Taranaki. who seemed to be just waking up. Carroll. Smith and Desmond headed a grand rush, and Roberts carried over the line. From the scrum the Black backs got possession, but lost it, and Mynott short-kicked through the ruck. Shealian, who was helping him. got in a kick, but stopped suddenly, a thing that was inexplicable to the spectators. The Yellow forwards were becoming aggressive now, Osborne, Tamil and Whittington showiiiL' out, nrominc'itlv. hut, Tnmn rlin7l

'"■;"' "'"' v ""' sliowcd lack of training. O'Connor kept them out by a splendid loft-footed kick. An easy pasj to iStohr hi a good position was missed, and the Country forwards rushed over the half-way line again. A long.kickwont to Came'-on, who heat one man and sido-sH m ,rd an.dhor, getting quickly into his strike, and cutting out a fast fifty yards. Morgan got him by a good ground tackle when he was easing up to beat UlcKcnzip. but play went on and Young grounded the ball over the line, just too late, for a Black man was there first. The visitors' full-back made another magnificent line kick, but Whittinglon and Young came right through together, and then Cain and Osborne carried plnv down to Morgan, on the wing, and ho spoiled. . Cameron had ji S<>od chance to take a pass, but Mexted deliberately obstructed him, and a free kick was given against Blacks. Stohr landed a fine goal, the first score. Taranaki 3 North Island C.T 0

The n-coi:;ii.(.i;cfcUU-ut of operations was agiiin marked by a vigorous attack by the Mack forwards, who were easily superior at this stage to the Yellows, but Mynott snapped up the ball and ( cut in, drawing (lie opposition, and then] passing to Mcleod, wlio sent on to Stohr, but another easy pass was missed. This looked a certain score. Whittington followed up a long kick by Brown, and had McKerizie in trouble. The home forwards were improving gradually, but a miskick somewhere allowed Carroll, Downing and Bailey to swarm down on the backs. Ryan was found wanting, and Roberts was lucky in kicking to the dead ball line. Whittington and Dewar, by nice footwork, soon brought play out of the Taranaki end, but Cain was penalised for lifting his foot too soon in the scrum. The free kick came to Cameron, who put in a fine straight run before he lined. The local forwards heeled out cleanly to Brown, and he passed to Mynott. but the captain missed it, and the Black forwards rattled down on the ball. Brown stopped the rush, but a short kick was marked by Mexted within easy reach of the goal, and McKenzie goaled. Taranaki 3 North Island C.T 3

'Tamu kicked off. and an exchange of 'kicks ended in O'Connor lining up in the Taranaki territory. Here the Blacks pnt in a nice passing run, the ball passing from Carroll to Lennard, to Winiata, to and hack'to Winiata again, hut the last pass was thrown forward when the line was near, and the scrum saved 'Taranaki for the time being. A glairing piece of off-side play by W. Wini • ata was not noticed by the referee, and Carroll, Downing and Smith again invaded the Yellows' end. Mexted sent a quick pass to Lennurd, but Stohr intercepted and gallopUd) pttssing to Cameron. The StratfrinHlfcrvwlio was playing his only sound, gamc,ntlie oritics snid, of this season, lost m'o time, and, fot lowed by Stohr, streaked for the line. But Darby came across from the other side, and J»e' was the fastest of the trio. He grabbed thoinnck of Cameron's jersey, and haiiledhinv back; causing the hall to be propelled forward, and, instead of Stohr's touch-down giving the side three points a scrum was formed. Excitement reigned i A scrum, a line-out, another scrum for a faulty throw-in, and Mynott-Wh* penalised for being off-side. 'dießenzk'ti kick went to Stohr, and be sent a long one in return. McKcnzie «liad to go lit top from control to get it, and he ran right out. Had it ] been Taranaki f s full back there Whit-! tington's splendid following run must' have endedin a-sedfe.'''Tiff-bell sounded] half-time as Me'Ktfrzift'carried the ball out, encb side'ha'Ving'it penalty goal to its credit. ''' ,tl: -.""' ! li; "■""••

" The second spell opened, strenuously. The Blacks' the''sun, but "a .slight bj-eeze matters.. Early iii Stbhr had a splendid shot' 1 at) I fr'Airi'jiea'r 'halfway, the ball'plissin'g.'iin'der' tlie bar.' .and North JTaranuki forwards we're ''workuig now like' giants refreshed, and quality ■ Mytaotft W», jOTpntly, up amongst the leaders initiated many jjusjies w.hwh proved so trying \p fjhe |XJ,sit|'orp' de.f mice. The "old man. seemed-1(0-be/at .the top of his form, and I( ,th(>,crn\v,d applauded him to the,"echo. ; as ) .-he. kept his men hammering awajv „The pressure could not be \vithsfoo,ft m l>u,t l .,!v"fqwe brought the visitors relief. ...Quwlins-a flash came Carroll: from the next line-joy*; and Ryan had to stir himself r ß»fne.whHtrto line, his kick making anyi#chi' It was a gruelling gamp ~foivt.hc Jioifle t'team, but it could not.be }tejpes. hewnse rthie Black backs had tfyjuite.-.jneniftintf'nnrt' tried to keep him busy./It rfchreto-'-axtra'-work on the three-quarter's, who'Mlwe 'generally handy to support WW. f-Afc this stage Brown, the;'TaraiMkl-.-lmlfj. received a nasty blow in the face in a collision, and play was suspended fyf sfoitfriinutes. Hie Taranaki ■meij,.wpjta gdttikigf'thW'bcrtt of .the, line .play,; now.!,n(i!obwts "took a mark, and , Jlynott... fetal IncroSS field, but Cai-roll;.T»-iitir»!i)Qrtgsfert - he backs when the ball landed, ■.ifm-Hspailed.' Roberts, Mynott andr;Me%>d. r frei<d associated in a 3mart.passingfi>(ini--but'l[ofieorf , -aro|>ped ■■the ball. .Fftliomling.-.-idn; hfc" marked a short.speeula.Coj- the JJlapk rearguard, Stohii] tasking", aif almost successful attejpptrlfccgotobfrom'five yards !■ inside the 'Downing and Desmond c<4ide<H\hflfitrcr(MWg iXfr Rttin,' and it was tlioughtfctihM they-: were seriously hurt,, ten/ tli«Sd'fa&rfil- 'fot" to' business agaiiiy,: A'.splemlid iVUAek'was initiated by a fine cutting-in-run, but h'is pass was intercepted and. markcai'-.iMeKbiuie'' kicked | from near .the goslj'mnHirdwn returned | too hotly, the' balf'goitfg l/ellind the line, and North Islaitt forced." Roberts misjudged the kick-oir, amf-tile 1 "ball went out. Mexted,-MorgW Kbd Carroll put in a passing ran, btvi'mifnc little .Vround Stohr speculated in midfield, aiuf Darby l took the ball-nicelyl [ He ra'n ;for about a dozen yards, and centred finely to Winiata, and Melted infl-'Cf'Coimor between them managed 'to-heal; ' the defending backs, O'Connor .scoring''the first try of the match. ''MtfKen!«ie's kick at goal from n diflieirft'angle' 1 failed. Xort.li .Island''. >':'.' '.':. B Taranaki V,. }?!-. . ''.' :'■ ' -j Things looked •'awiiwknt'for Taranaki when Stohr-slipped irVtrying to stop a forward rush, biif McLeod speculated I to the line. A fun 'by Mexted'," Winiata .an.J. Darby, and thep an exchange of kicks gave Stohr an -a'dVaiUage," the 'ball going out. Cain came through the thick of tilings- with the hall, picked it up, and hesitated. Why he,.didn't kick and carry 011 he can probably explain. Tamu came up and got the ball at toe. dribbling well up to the Blacks' end/but a combined forward 'rush put Taranaki on the defence, Stohr kicking back to halfway. The visitors were getting all over the Taranaki pack now for a. while, and had them penned down against their own line, Stohr relieving by marking a. centring kick near the posts and lining out at the twenty-five (lag. O'Connor headed oil Osborne and Cain, but then Tamu kicked to Brown, and the ball sped quickly to Mynott, who made a great opening for Cameron.' Tie made the best use of it, and crossed the line near the corner. He took big risks, though, in endeavoring to improve his position for the actual score. Stohr's goal had lots to spare. Taranaki 8 North Tsland C.T.......,...[ J; It was Taranaki's game now. Stohr speculated and beat Mex,ted for the ball, and the forwards thundered along after Ins kick, only a knock-on robbing Cameron of a try, he gathering the ball in under him by diving over the line. U looked very bard luck. Off-side work gave Blacks a breathing space and a tree kick, which Brown returned far too hard, and they forced. Some splendid forward rushes were made by many of the Taranaki team now. and in one instance there was a decided disinclination on the part of : someone to tackle Cain. Brown, Cam- ■ eron and Mynott were keeping busy, and backed up the forwards splendidly. Whittington and Tamu smashed through i everything until Mexted snapped the s bull from their very feet and lined. \ l huig high kick bv McKenzie was badlV l misjudged by Roberts, mid Darbv threw > him out with the ball. Young played • a foolish piece of off-side in a risky place, but Tamil's hands spoiled the penalty kick at goal, and Roberts stopped the Blacks' succeeding rush by

neatly grassing Darby. Anothtr 1*« centring kick by Darby seemed, likely to cause trouble, but McLeod got it near the goal and lined. It was Dewar who enabled Taranaki to clear, and Taylor worked with him, Uvan coming up in time to surprise O'Connor before he could get into his stride—a fine tackl*. Roberts created a nasty position for his side in taking too many risks when unsupported, but the luck was with Taranaki. Brown, in going down to a rush, was injured again, but only for a minute or so. Some hard forward play followed in Taranaki end, and Ryan was worse than weak in defence. A free kick was given against the North Islanders for "hands" in a scrummage, and Stohr landed a beautiful goal from near halfway, the ball having plenty to spare. Taranaki <i 11 North Island {J Soon after resuming, Morgan, Mexted and Darby were associated in a passing run, Brown ending it by throwing Darby otit. The Blacks pressed hard on the line, and after a scrum five yards from the Taranaki line Darby secured a mark. McKenzie kicked across to the front of the goal, and his men swarmed down, but the TaTanaki men came with a tremendous rush, the backs heading them. Cameron, Stohr, Brown, McLeod, Young and Shcehan all did their little bit towards pulling the chestnuts .out of the fire, beating down the opposition, and then Brown sent a long, high kick to' Darby, who found the touchline. Then the whistle sounded "No-side," the game ending in favor of the home team, with the scores:— Taranaki 11 North Island fi

Of the winning team the outstanding feature, next to Stohr's kicking, was Cameron, who played magnificently. Club matches this season have failed to bring him out of his shell, but yesterday the calibre of the opposition and the personnel of his colleagues brought out his best, \\lynott. was responsible for a great deal of the hard work, and played as he did in his more youthful days, rapid thinking and accurate kicking being his great points, Brpwn has seldom been seen to gie.itu advantage at half Stohr played well, and his goal kicking was wonddfhllj- good Perhaps Whit- 1 tington, Tamu, Cam and Dou.u wen the most piommei't forwards but .ill did their outmost. The pace found Tamu and Young wanting in the first spell. Ryan, at full back, was an utter failure, painfully slow and poor in his line-kick-ing. Of collaring he had little to do. Roberts, too, was weak, hesitating too long, and frequently failing to hold the ball from long kicks. In the touring team it is hard to select a weak man. Lennard should curb his fondness for obstruction. McKcnzie, the full-back, was safe as a church, and his line-kicking reminded the crowd of "Shaver's." O'Connor and Darby were also good in this department, and both played smart games, Darby being perhaps the fastest man on the field, Attack is his strong point. Mexted played well behind the pack, the most prominent forwards being Carroll (wing), Downing, Bailey, Desmond and .Smith,

The North Island team leaves this morning for Wanganui, and plays the Wanganui reps, to-morrow.

The teams were entertained- at dinner last night by Mr. Walter Little, licensee of the Imperial Hotel.

There were twenty scrums—not a great number—in the match yesterday. Of these, four were in favor ol''Taranaki, seven in favor of the visitors, and nine practically indecisive.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS. The Okaiawa-Clifton match for the senior championship is to be played at Stratford on August 17, and the second grade play-off is fixed for Stratford on the 24th.

TO-MORROW'S MATCH. The Stnr-Cliflon match in aid of the Way Benefit Fund to-morrow should prove interesting. Clifton will bring in at least fourteen of .the men who beat Star at Waitara la.st week, and perhaps the full fifteen. A good "gate" should reeult,. for the teams are capable of putting tip iin exciting performance. Stars are anxious to show what they can do on their own ground, and they must have benefited by the hard match at Waitara. Clifton will be "all out," of course, to maintain their record, and they are anxious to get in a solid practice, fori the final in the championship scries.