FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 59, 31 August 1911, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. TARANAKI (12) v. SOUTHLAND (11). A LUCKY WIN. Invcrcargill, Last Night. The Taranaki-Southknd football match was played to-day in fine but windy weather, in the presence of about 2500 spectators. The game was fast and exciting throughout, and ended in a lucky win for Taranaki by 12 pointß (a goal from a try, an unconverted try, and a potted goal) to 11 (a goal from a try and two unconverted tries). The Southland forwards were superior all round, but the Taranaki backs were far ahead of the local backs, and their splendid line-kicking against a. strong wind, in the second spell, saved the »amc. Mynott showed the poorest form of the visiting tacks', whose play all round was' admirable, and who seized every available opening. They are a fine collection of backs, and when, under way invariably look dangerous. The play of th« Southland forwards confirms the opinions of experts that it is the finest pack which has represented the province for many years. The first notable incident was a Southland forward rush into the visitors' twenty-five, Mynott relieving by finding the line at half-way. Fast play ensued, tie ball travelling up and down the field at a great rate, and Taranaki making use of the favorable strong wind. The Red forwards gradually worked the ball to the visitors' line, and after a fierce rally Forde made a dash, but lost the ball. Ridland, however, was handy, and snapped it up and scored. Martin failed to goal. Southland 5 Taranaki o Within five minutes after resuming, Kissick secured at half-way, and, running strongly, beat several opponents and passed to Hawkins, who scored. Stohr goaled beautifully. Taranaki 5 Southland 3 ' Taranaki, making good use of the wiud, 1 for a time kept Southland busy, but ; eventually the local forwards cleared ' with a fine rush, McNeece further improving matters with a good run. Ivemey made a dash for the line, but lost the ball. McNeece, who was backing him up, secured 'the ball and scored. Martin converted with a brilliant kick from a 1 difficult angle against a strong wind. ' Southland 8 Taranaki 6 Play was fairly even for a while, un- ' til Stohr secured and made a dashing run, passed to Cameron, who scored handily. No goal.

Southland 8 Taranaki 8 The remainder of the spell was hard fought, but neither side could claim much advantage, and no further addition was made to the score. With the wind in their favor in the second spell it wa» expected that Southland would more than hold their own without trouble, and although they did not do as well as anticipated from a scoring point of view they had decidedly the better of the game. Prom the commencement they pressed the visitors hard, the splendid line-kicking minifying their efforts. They were not to be denied, however, and persistently attacked, and from a loose rush Biggar scored, no goal resulting:— Southland 11 Taranaki 8 Play hovered in neutral territory for a time, but Taranaki then took a hand and pressed. Martin relieved by a high kick, which Hill secured, and, from outside the twenty-five, potted a lovely goal. Taranaki 12 Southland 11 The local men now strove to regain the lead, !but the deadly line-kicking of the visitors proved their undoing. Several times, too, Taranaki were dangerous, Taylor, Osborne, Kisaiek and Cain, of the forwards, playing finely, and Roberts, Stohr, Prince and Cameron, in 'the backs, kicking well and making fine i dashes. Cameron on one occasion was unfortunate in not scoring. On the whole, however, Southland had the best of the spell, and only the failure of the backs to take advantages prevented a considerable addition to the Beore. The game ended: Taranaki 12 Southland 11 Of the local men, Forde (half), Smith (wing), and Martin (full) were the best backs, the latter playing a particularly fine game. All the forwards played well, Biggar and Ridland securing the ball in the scrums, and Ivemey, Mitchell and Aairons being very prominent in the lineout and in the loose. All played a most dashing game. Although Taranaki forwards were beaten to-day, still they are a fine hard-working pack, and only tho fact that Southland this year is abnormally strong caused them to take second place. The general opinion ia that Taranaki will hold their own with the other South Island teanrs. THE GAME The Nelson v. T;' anaki match takes place to-day at Elthara. The Nelson team has been strengthened by the inclusion of some new players who have come up for this match. The Taranaki i team for to-day is composed mostly of new men, who have been playing all the season, and are in rare buckle. The match is sure to be very open and fast, and should draw a good crowd. The Taranaki team leaves for Auckland by the Rarawa to-night. Sullivan, Taranaki'a five-eighth, is a brother of Con. Suuldivan, who has gone homo with the Australasian team. The Taranaki team should give Auckland a good go for the Northern Union Cup. To-day's match will be refereed bv Mr. A. Lile.'thc pro. All Black. E. Stockman, the full-back, is in good kicking form, and will probably put a few goals over in Auckland if the chances turn up.