Brilliant Football

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 68, 11 September 1911, Page 8

Brilliant Football

TAKAXAK-I DOWN- CAXTIiKBUKY j 13 Y 24 POINTS TO 3. \ TAIUXAKI SCORE SEVEN TRIES. AX EXI-MLARATIXfi DISPLAY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehurch, Saturday Night. The sixtli match between - the representative fifteens of Cantebury and, Taranaki. which was played at Lancaster ; Park this afternoon, drew a large at- I tendance of the public, the takings at the gate and stand amounting to • £245 ss. The weather was fine, though a I fresh north-easterly breeze was blowing across the ground. Some attempt had been made at watering the ground,, but at present the supply of water at the Park is quite inadequate, and very little impression could be made on the playing field, which was decidedly hard. The visitors' performances in the early matches of their tour bad proved that they had a brilliant set of backs, while one of the number, J. Stohr, had done some phenomenal place-kicking, and consesquently the public looked forward to an attractive display of football. Nor were they disappointed in that respect, though the attractiveness was all on one side, and that side was not Canterbury. During the first spell, playing against the wind, the home team performed fairly well, and at half-lime, with the score at only 3 to nil against them, it was thought that they might put up a fair game, in the second, half. It had, howj ever, been made clear early in the game that 'the Taranaki players played a better combination game than the home team. The forwards had an advantage in weight.and were deeidedly»more'dashing, and their backs were much more * resourceful and were nrennrnH tn tlivr.iv

resourepiui aim were prepared to throw the ball about and take chances that in ' the majority of eases cam* oft". In the second spell they gave ample proof of their quality, and both backs and forwards had Canterbury badly beaten, inilieting on them the most decisive defeat that the home team has vet sustained

mm, mi-, iiwim: iamuii mis yen susui'ineu : in an interprovineial match at Lancaster Park, dt was unquestionably a brilliant display that the visitors gave in the early part of the second spell, the fast following up of the northern team's forwards proving very disconcerting to the Canterbury barks, while the allround cleverness and dash displayed by the Taranaki 'rearguard made Canterbury players look decidedly second-rate. The Canterbury defence was for a time absolutely demoralised, and the tackling was painfully weak. Stohr's debut as a place-kicker in Christclmrch was looked forward to with much interest, hut it was not his day out, and his onlv success was gained' from a kick at goal from a mark, his other attempts, though good, being a trille wide of the mark. The referee was Mr. J. X. Millar, of Dunedin. Taranaki won the toss, and Bain kicked oil' for Canterbury from the south end. An exchange of kicks was followed by a. penalty to Taranaki. and Stobr found the line well down the field. Fast ' following up by the Red forwards quick-' ly gained lost ground, and play settled at centre, The first scrum gave Taranaki possession, but faulty passing lost the chance. Almost immediately after pretty passing between Cameron and Mynot't let the last-named over the line, but before he could touch down Murray pushed him into touch in goal. The'kick-out was followed by a free kick to Taranaki, and Stobr was given his first shot at goal. He made a fine attempt from near the touch line. The wind carried the bull just outside the posts. The bick-out enabled the Reds to clear their lines, and the forwards backed up with some dashing footwork, in which Bain was especially prominent. The. Taranaki backs had some defensive work to do. A free kick checked the Canterbury effort, Stohr getting in a great line kick. With play in the Reds' 2,5, the Taranaki hacks attempted to open up the game, but Cray saved in good stvle. Fast following up by the Taranaki' forwards had Doell in trouble, and long passing bv the Yellow backs sent play over to the right wing, which was left open, and -McLeod got across the line. Stohr's kick was unsuccessful. Taranaki 3 Canterbury ....; 0 Canterbury at once livened up, and a good passing rush ended in Jacobson being pushed out at the Taranaki 23. Play become very fast, the ball being kept in play, and dashing work bv the Red forwards threatened trouble for the visitors Hasell dribbled the ball over the line, bht had not sullicient pace to reach it' and Hill kicked over the dead-ball line! I he lock 0111 was at once followed up by an attack by Taranaki. who were endeavoring to open up the play on every occasion, (iood tackling kept them at bay, but a strong run bv Stobr found 1 "• ''''fence wanting, and he got right to the hue. where he lost the ball, and Canterbury saved bv forcing. A free kick gave the Reds'some relief, and a useful line kick which followed took place at the Taranaki 25. It did not remain there long. Hill finding the line well down the field, and from the lineout that followed a forward rush compelled Canterbury to force again. Tnra»»M kept up the pressure, and only wild passing prevented them from scoring. A free kick once more got the beds out of difficulties, but their'opponents were at this stage playing a much more dashing game, and play was quickly back 111 the Canterbury 25, A loose rush took it back to the centre, where sonic tricky touch-line play between ( ameron and Column went wren", owing to the latter getting oll'-side. The liuekickmg bv the Red backs ended in a serum on the Taranaki line, where their forwards easily secured the ball and « force down resulted. The play immediately after the kick-out slowed down slightly, until Gray broke awav but was tackled in trying to beat Cainci'on. Half-time was called with plivv m the Taranaki 25. ' Immediately after the opening of the second spell Brown marked in a good 1' isition, and Stobr kicked a nice goal. Taranaki n Canterbury d Canterbury were kept busy defending for some time after the resumption 0? play until dacobson got in a good line kick. The relief was but momentary, as the Taranaki backs were throwing the ImII about very freely. A misunderstanding -between Doell and Jacobson very nearly had the Reds in trouble, but Bain saved his side. Mynott made an opening for his backs, in which he was assisted by poor tackling by the Reds, and as a result Prince got across at the corner. Stohr made a good but unsuccessful shot at goal. I Taranaki u I Canterbury n, 1 I Taranaki kept np the'attack very briskly, Canterbury being able to make very little headway, except by line kicks, which as a rule were soon returned. At this stage Bain had to retire hurt, and Shadholt took his place. Play hung in te Canterbury 25 until Outline managed to find the line near half-way. From a line-out at the centre Dewar broke away, with Mynott in attendance, and passed to the latter in the Reds' 25. When tackled, the Taranaki skipper gave the ball back to Dewar, from whom it went to Prince, the latter scor-

ing again at the corner. Stohr's kickwas just outside the posts.. Taranaki 12 Canterbury 0 Taranaki were quickly attacking again, the Canterbury defence collapsing, and from a scramble on. the line Mynott . dodged across. Cameron failed with the kick at goal. Taranaki lo Canterbury 0 An unsuccessful shot at goal from a mark by Stohr was followed immediately by a dash down the touch-line by Cameron, who scored at the corner." Coleman's- kick at goal went wide.. I Taranaki ... \ 18' Canterbury 0 With play just past the centre, Taranaki were penalised, and Doell had an unsuccessful shot at goal. The Yellows did not remain on the defence long, and a moment later were in a. strong attacking position. A. pot at goal by Stohr sent the ball over the dead-ball line, but the Taranaki centre made amends immediately after by a. dashing run right through the Canterbury team, scoring near the posts. Cameron missed an easy kick. Taranaki 21 Canterbury 0 When play was resumed, the Canterbury backs, for the first time in the spell, showed a glimpse of attacking form, but Burns dropped his pass, and the opening was lost. They made another attempt just after, but a kick by Gray was charged by McLcod, and Taranaki were on the aggressive again. Prince marked almost straight in front of the goal, and Mynott took the kick, but his kick was charged. A good kick by Gray was well followed up by Crawshaw, Stadbolt and Carroll, and Hill was tackled right on the line, and be lost the ball, and Carroll picked up and scored. Craw--1 shaw's kick was unsuccessful. '_ Taranaki 21 , Canterbury 3 Canterbury could not hold their on-

v coum noi iioiu men opponents long, and from a scrum in the Reds' 25 Drown secured possession, ami dashed over almost unopposed. Stohr again failed to kick a goal. Taranaki 24 Canterbury 3 T1... Jni.i. f„.„ ~,;„,,too „! I 1,,, .™mn

J he closing few minutes oi the game found Canterbury defending strenuously, ' and had Taranaki taken the game quite * as seriously as they did earlier they would probably have added to their al- '* ready large total. Time was called with the score—Taranaki 25 (a goal from a ' mark and seven tries); Canterbury ;i (one try). s CANTERBURY PARALYSED. ' STOHR'S HARD LUCK. ' THE VICTORS' SPORTSMANLIKE \ PLAY. J OREATLY APPRECIATED BY THE SPECTATORS. ' (By Telegraph.—Special to "News"). Christchurch, Saturday Xight. 1 What proved to be the finest match • ) witnessed in Christchurch for many a '. 1 day ensued to-day, when the victorious ) men from the butter province adminis(tered to Canterbury one of the soundest of drubbings. On their play to-day the Taranaki team is one of the most bril- ■ > liant provincial combinations that has 1 ' [ ever stepped on to a football field in 1 ■ New Zealand. Both back and forward ' ] they paralysed Canterbury—by no means 1 ' a bad team—and after witnessing the ; I match between Auckland and Canterbury ■ j last week I feel convinced that if the ; Amber and Blacks travel up to the 1 northern city this season they will deI part with the coveted Ranfurly Shield ' in their possession. There was not a department of the game to-day in which 1 they did not have the advantage, kickI I ing, passing, scrum and tight work, in 1 ' the, loose, and especially on the line-out. • More than once one would see a brawny • Taranaki forward break away from a • scrum, and thqn would ensue a bout of i nippy passing and clever work on the • part of the backs, and almost invariably - a score would result. After the re--1 ports of Stohr's wonderful goal kicking ' in other parts the large crowd assembled '. were eager to see this giant of the foot--1 ball field give them a taste of his quality, i but his luck was out to-day. lie only managed to put the oval over the bar once. All his shots, front very awkward posij tions, however, went perilously close. , \ On one occasion, from a magnificent kick . . of his, the ball travelled for the left- , J hand post, and then sailed gently round. , .• A goal seemed inevitable, but a gust of . wind carried it on, and it sailed right over the right-hand post. Cameron had some easy shots, one or two right in front of the posts, but he made a mess ' of them; but two attempts to pot on ,' his part nearly resulted in scores. Right from the jump the Taranaki , men made the game fast and open, and l the ball was travelling all over the field j in exhilarating fashion, but though over- , weighted and out-pointed, the hard-work-I ing Canterbury forwards slogged away , and kept their brilliant opponents out, 1 the northerners only putting on three points. But in the second spell the " strain was too great, and they collapsed, [ and the match was a fiasco, Taranaki '_ being able to practically do as they liked. In this spell some brilliant individual and combined work on the part of .Mynott, , Stohr and Cameron, who ran through the Reds time and again, was indulged in. , What contributed greatly to the success '_ of the Amber and Blacks was their success in the scrums. Hardly had the ball been placed in than it was shot out to , the Taranaki half in a Hash, and being l capably handled' by the clever rearguard. Canterbury secured the ball no more r than half-a-dozen times throughout the ' game, and when they did the Taranaki forwards broke up so quickly as to . smother the Canterbury half before he , could get the ball away. Of tlie Taranaki team, Hill was rather ■ weak at full-back, and it was through bis failure to take the ball that Canterbury . secured their one and only try. Stohr , and Cameron, in the three-quarter line, are players of the highest class, and the 1 , way they cut in and out of the Canter- ■ bury team, going with the speed of ; racehorses, moved the spectators to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. If they - keep up their present form next year ■ they must be certainties for the Xew , [ Zealand team. Mynott is as clever as ', : ever he was. 1 have had the privilege 1 ' of seeing him piny on several occasions. , , and his play to-day was as brilliant as | • any be has previously shown. Prince . on the wing, and McLeod at live-eighth, | worked harmoniously with the other ] hacks, and were responsible for some , clever play at times, and the same re- • marks apply to Brown, behind the serum. Column, the wing forward, ptyyed a 1 clever, pretty game, dividing his time ibetween forward rushes and passing bouts behind the backs, but he met bis ' , superior as a wing in .Murray, the. Can- | J terbury man. ' | ' Brilliant as the rearguard was the ' forwards also made a name for themselves. They absolutely smashed up the Canterbury van. a,nd more than once one would see one of the giants from the | ( north bursting right through the ranks ] of the Reds. A feature of their play ! was their excellent foot work. It was 1 dribbling extraordinary, and back after I p back would go down to it. In the van. ! s the most prominent of the superior pack i v were Osborne and Tamil, whose play j < was a revelation of what fast, active, f burly forwards can do. , ■ ' ' i

A feature of the game was the contrast in the kicking of the respective, rearguards. Canterbury almost invariably failed to find the line. Almost invariabily Taranaki did. Some of Stohr's kicks scored over fifty yards during the game. Bain, Canterbury's best forward, was injured, and had to leave the field. Taranaki played a very sportsmanlike game, a fact which whs quickly recognised by the crowd, who cheered enthusiastically every bit of clever Taranaki play. It was a marked contrast to the reception the Auckland team got last week. Altogether, to-day's game was the most brilliant and exhilarating witnessed here for many a day, and though Canterbury were 'made very foolish the crowd forgave the visitors, as they had given them such a thrilling two hours of pleasurable excitement. AUCKLAND DE-FLATS WELLINGTON. IIOJIE BACKS OUTPLAYED. By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, Last Night.

About eight thousand people, favored I with glorious weather, .witnessed the j Auckland-Wellington Rugby. fixture, j Lord and Lady Islington, Major-Gcnerai Godley and Sir Joseph Ward were present. The playing-field was illint-like, and limping players after the match were

numerous. Wellington outplayed, the j visitors in the iirst half. Way in the' second spell was more even, hut there was certainly not Hi points difference. Indifferent play on the part of Evenson ,(full-back) was responsible for two tries(afterwards converted) which Auckland scored. The teams were: Wellington.—Even-son, Kinvig, Mitchinson, Grace. P. Rvan, J. Ryan, F.I Roberts, A. Wilson, Heady, Elliott, Per-j ry, Sullivan, King, Roll. Dent. | 'Auckland.—O'Rrieii, Stewart, Murray,! McGregor, O'Leary, Geddes, OttersAn, Hall, Barrett, Hay-ward, Bruce, Cunningham, Wilson, Herring, Sellars. I Auckland won the tos*. playing against, a slight wind, but with the sun behind them. Ranji Wilson intercepted an at-' tempt to transfer the ball from the kick-off, and got down to within fifteen y;\rills of the fine, and passed to Dent,' .who scored after one minute's play. Ryan failed to convert. I Wellington 3 j Auckland 0 i Wellington forwards rushed play down the -field from the kick-out, Ranji Wilson again being prominent. Dent inaugurated a passing rush from a line-out, lint the transfers were of the cheap variety, and' nothing eventuated. The game at tins' stage was particularly fast. Roberts made an opening from a scrum, but Mitchinson's faulty taking nullified any possibility of a score. O'Brien punted high for the line, but missed, Wellington forcing. Otterson missed the kick-out,' «»d short passing rushes on the part of. Wellington, in which Bell, Dent and Wil-1 son were prominent, took play to the | other end of the field. When within striking distance Wilson lost the ball, and Auckland forced. Grace returned by a long kick to Auckland's twenty-five, but the visiting forwards took play back to half-way. Otterson started a passing rush in his own twejity-five, but the Aucklanders ran straight across the field, gaining little. More fumbling by Mitchinson 'spoilt' what looked like another possible score. McGregor intercepted a pass in his own i territory, and got clean away, lie beat! Kvenwon, and a try looked certain, but Grace, with a flying tackle, brought liim down, and saved the situation. King bended a counter attack at halfway, and took play well up to the Auckland lLie. Wellington was awarded a, free kic-K- in a good position for lifting in the sennn. Even-nn's shot missing. Roberts -cleverly centred (he drop-out. and gave Grace a chance, but the ball went over the line* Auckland farcins. An interchange of kicks between Evenson and McGregor si,w the ball o'it at half-way. From the throw-in Elliott found tin' line well down the field'. 'Bell threw in -outcklv to Dent, who- dived over the line, Mitchinson failing with the kick. Wellington fi 'Auckland 0 Wellington raced down the line again, i and another score seemed imminent. Perry being held up on the luie. A scrum followed, the local backs getting away again, but Miitchinson again let them down, McGregor siving. Wellington wa.s awarded a penalty in- a handy position, and Roberts landed a nice goal. Wellington 0 Auckland 0 Geddes wa.s prominent in ait Auckland attack, but lost what advantage he might have gained through hard kicking. Half-time sounded with play at centre. The visiting forwards commenced a strong attack as soon as play resumed, Murray, H'ayward and Barratt breaking away, the latter being just prevented from scoring, and Bell relieving with a , long kick up field. Wellington forwards rushed play down the field, smothering the opposing backs, who were not showing brilliancy collectively. O'Leary, by fast following, overtook Evenson and brought, him down at the critical moment, the ball going into touch. From a scrum in midfield, Wellington secured, 'but Bruce intercepted, and sent to -Murray, to .McGregor, the latter passing in-field. Wilson intercepted, and sent the ball out at. half-way. .T. Rvan secured possession at midfield. kicked to the wing, Gran- -VeiiM brought down just as he secured. He persevered, but O'Brien kicked over the line. From the resultant swum Auckland- carried play down to half-way. and the latter got to Wellington's liii". where Otterson took a good mark, O'Leary goal-ing. Wellington "; ft Auckland 3 Murray intercepted mid set off far the line, ami passed infield to .Hall, who was tackled. Sellers tnok up the runninsr with the ball at his toe, scoring a brilliant try under the post, O'Leary converting. Wellington !) Auckland 8 ' iSellars injured himself in falling on , the ball, and retired, Maguire replacing, him. Wellington now put in a claim,'. but it, wa« short-lived, more indifferent play on the part of Mitchinson being re- ! sponsible for nothing eventuating. HalJ secured the ball at half-way, ami 'kicked ■ well down field. Evenson. who was out of bis place, missed, and Bruce raced for the ball, beating Grace, and touching iown, O'Leary improved the score.

Auckland 13 Wellington 0 The visiting forwards had now warmed up to their work, and .the backs were playing a more sure game.. From a scrum in the Auckland twenty--live Wellington got the bail, au.i wliaft. looked like a possible chance was sjioiled by Kinvig, who failed to take it. From, the line-out, Auckland forwards swept, down the geld in a body. Kvenson was! smothered, and Gedd'os fell over amidst, tremendous applause, O'Leary failing • with the kick. 8 Auckland ]fl Wellington 0 The Wellington forwards made a spirited attack from the kick-out, and carried play to the Auckland end of the field, but the visiting backs cleared. Evenson was now moved from full-back to the three-quarter line, Kinvig going back, but the change availed Wellington little. Roberts and Ryan were overwhelmed time and again, and could not set their backs in motion. After being forced twice in succession, Auckland again attacked, and had matters pretty well their own way until the >beh sounded.

| Of the Aucklanders, Kayward, Herring i Sellers, Hall, Bruce (an ex-Wellington man), McGregor, Otterson and 07,e«ry ,' outshone their confreres. "Ranji" easily ; played 'the best game on the ground in, l nil departments of the game. The other ~ forwards doing good work were Kinir linll IW+ .....1 iVll- i. -r ~ . . V>

Hell, Dent «nd Elliot. In the back di-' ! vision Kinvig, Grace and Ryan wero outstanding. # WAIRIAEAIPA v. HOROWHENUAi Maisterton, Last Night. The footbail! match, Wairarapa r ITorowhenua, played here yesterday, re" ! suited in n win for the former by 27 Ito M. In the first spell the visitors had slightly the best of the game, although ! the score at half-time was 8 to I) in Wairarapa's favor. W. Wihiata and Rawiri scored for the visitors, and- Brough and ! McKenzie for the home team. McKeiwie ; converted Brough's try. Wairarapa did 1 all the attacking in the second half, an* their success was mainly due to the mistakes of the opposing' backs. Brou<»li scored four tries in succession, one of i which MoKenzie converted.- Bond also <£° rC . (1 , ? , try ' wWoh ' was converted: Shortly before call of time Rawiri madt» a beautiful run, and sce-rcd a trv for tlt» | visitors. Rawiri also converted. Tlia game ended without any further score. NORTHERN UNION GAME; The Taramiki representatives meet th» Xorth Island native team at Stratford on Thursday, 21-st inst. The native, team is composed mostly of the Maori team that visited Australia, besides Tfc Ante and Hawke's Bay players. Thegame should prove a good one, ns Taranalci Ls a greatly improved team, an.E fully extended Auckland in the challenge* cup match. Special attention is drawn;, | to the price of admission, and tile public* I wtrr get a good shilling's worth.