FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 298, 13 June 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL

WELLINGTON DEFEATS TARANAKI. A BRILLIANT GAME. There wis an attendance of over two thousands at the much-anticipated match between Taranaki and Wellington, which was played at the show grounds at Hawera yesterday afternoon. It is safe to say .that all the spectators went away delighted with the exposition of the Rugby game that they had witnessed. Had Taranaki won the match, no doubt the general delight would have been keener, but the spectators will ungrudging admit that, on the day's play, the better team won. The match was particularly attractive, teeming with incident throughout, and with consistent flashes of brilliant play, whilst the issue was in doubt right up to the final whistle. The game had barely progressed a quarter of an hour when Dewar drew first blood for Taranaki, after a line opening by Roberts, and Stohr converted the try with one of his magnificent kicks. Before the spell was through, Wellington, whose backs were passing in brilliant style, and whose forwards tvere nippier than the Taranaki pack, and got among the local backs in good style, scored two tries, Lambert getting across after a fine passing tout, and Elliott as the tcsult of a combined forward rush. Neither try was converted. The next score came in the second spell, Taranaki again opening the account, Stohr, who broke up a Wellington attacking movement, scoring after a dashing run, and also converting his try. The visitors, however, were not to be denied, and playing the game in exhilarating fashion scored two more tries, both being notched by Kinvig as the outcome of brilliant passing bouts. Wellington undoubtedly were the better team on the day of the match. Their forwards were brighter and quicker than the Taranaki pack, whilst their backs were brilliant, and under the able generalship of Roberts executed their movements with machine-like precision. A feature of the game was the successful cutting in by McKenzie, who is undoubtedly a great five-eighths. Had he been better marked, a lot of Wellington's passing would have been prevented. The collaring of the local team was weak, many of the players hurling themselves , at their opponents' shoulders instead of taking thein low. The Taranaki forwards put up a vigorous fight, never for a .moment giving up the fray; but they lacked the finish of their opponents, and were too slow in breaking away from the scrum. Brown, at half, and McLeod, at Jive-eighths, had too great a tendency to hang on to the ball, and thus did not give.their backs many openings. It was, however, a great display of football, and with a few such exhibitions Rugby need have no fear of any rivals ousting it from its pre-eminent position. The teams were as under:— , WELLINGTON (black).

i Cupper. Lainbert Murray Kinvig • Ramsden McKenzie , , ■ ,F. Roberts (Captain). 'Skinyier, 1 . , j Paton Sullivan . Moflitt Gillespie Wilson , • Elliott Hill '' "TARANAKI (amber and black). ■■■ ' Prince. ■ Loveridge ■ S. Cameron Stohr 1; ■ 'Robert's McLeod (Captain) ' ' " ■' Brown, iff All urn 1 ■' ' Dewar Pini ,! 1 Tattitf. Young Hawkins ' 1 1 . ' Cain | Whittington

; THE GAME. The ground was in good order and there was a very slight wind blowing. Taranaki, winning the toss, defended the •northern goal. Wilson set the ball in "motion for the Blacks, and Kinvig puntbd" McLeod's return to the boundary heki 1 the Yellows 25. From the line-out Pa{on headed a forward rush, which PrinCe gamely stemmed. A scrum ensued, and, the visitors obtaining the ball, jßobdfts' a foretaste of his intention to' make the game an open one by 'passing'out'to his backs. McKenzie, however, dropped, the ball, and though foim'sden picked up he was well taken by Roberts set his backs in mo'■tittil' ajgilih', and Kinvig cutting.in looked 'dangerous until grassed by Prince. The Wellington forwards then took a hand, foit over-ran the ball, enabling Stohr to break away, and fast following up. aided by a powerful kick by McAllum, saw Wellington on the defence. Capper, however, saved neatly. Next Hill broke away and passed to Skinner, thence to Paton, but offside play by the latter 'enabled Tamu to find the line at half'way. Brown secured from the scrum and transferred to McLeod, who cut in, but was well taken by Rainsden. The Amber vanguard now took a hand, and Hawkins ( gathering up passed to Roberts, 'who handed on to Stohr, but the latter Was well collared. Scrambling play ensued right under Wellington's goal, but over-eagerness spoilt a chance, and Skinner by a lone-handed rush cleared the ditaclel. Stohr, however, with a long kick,' lined at tlie 25. From the line°out Dewar and Whittington led their forwards onward. Elliott and Wilson retaliating. Prince failed to check them, but McLeod came to the rescue, and Loveridge following up strongly got up in time to kick out near the Wellington line. Here Roberts made a fine opening, beat several men. then shot, the ball over to Dewar, who put on the finishing touches. Stohr's kick, a magnificent one, was successful.

Taranaki 5 Wellington 0 On resuming. Wellington were awarder! a free kick, Kinvig finding touch. A little later a fine kick by Brown was nullified by offside play on the part of Pini, and from tlie scrum Roberts passed to Kinvig, who was stopped by McLeod. Wellington were still aggressive, and Prince was called on to save. Kinvig, with a fine kick to the corner, had Taranaki defending, but lirown broke away, and with a long kick removed the pressure. After an interchange of kicks StohT secured and sailed for the line, but failing to pass was upended and a chance went begging, while Lambert, with a long kick, placed the Ambers on the defensive. Offside play hv Prince gave Lambert a futile shot, and his return kick was charged down by Stohr, j the ball goinir out at the centre. McKenzic next cut in and made a nice opening, the ball travelling to Roberts, then to "Ramsden. and on to TVtmbert. who was thrown out at the T s . Immediately, from the nick. f!n' Blacks moved again, McKenzie, l?mn=den. Murray and Kinvig handling th" hall, the latter winding up the effort hv scoring a beautiful try. Capper's kick failed. Taranaki 5 Wellington 3 On kicking off "Roberts once more had his backs going, the ball firing from one to the other in del ightf.il style, but Prince managed to clear. Wilson and Elliott then headed an irresistible forward ru*h. from which the letter added the second try. Capper made a good but unsuccessful shot at goal. Wellington- fi Taranaki 5 Tlie kick-off was marked, and Wilson, following up fast, appeared to deliberately charge Brown, who was temporarily disabled. The next incident saw

the Ambers on the attack, but Roberts picked up at their feet and passed to Ramsden, who found the line. Brown was next responsible for a nice piece of work, and McLeod a little later beat a couple of men, but hung on too long, and play hovered about half-way. An infringement gave the Ambers a free kick, which was well taken by Kinvig. Loveridge next made a dash, but was thrown out by Murray. Offside play gave each side a free kick, one being rather lucky for Prince, who failed to take the ball. Stohr and McLeod with line kicks checked the Black vanguard. Roberts, Ramsden, and Lambert executed a passing movement, but the i ground they gained was neutralised by a magnificent line kick by Stohr. Offside play relieved Wellington when the Ambers were in an attacking position, but Ramsden kicked weakly, and the Ambers pressed solidly for a few moments, until Murray was able to clear with a long kick, which, however, Prince returned to the line in the Blacks 25. Attack and counter-attack saw AVellington compelled to force. The kick-off was returned to touch bv Cameron at tlx: 20. From a scrum Brown secured, but cutting in was taken by Paton. Wellington backs next got moving, Roberts. Ramsden, Murray and Lambert taking part. A nice movement on the Blacks' part, in which about five men took part, was spoiled by Lambert failing to take a pass, which Loveridge secured, but ran into touch. Roberts again got his men moving, and the ball passing to McKenzie, Ramsden, Ivinvig, and Lambert saw the latter thrown into touch by Prince when the jroal line was in dangerous proximity. The whistle then sounded half-time.

Wellington fi Taranaki •> The Ambers attacked from the jump, tout Sullivan and Skinner cleared their lines and gained much ground. A long kick by Prince drove them back to their own 25, where, from the line-out, Brown marked beautifully. Stohr's kick was a magnificent effort, but failed to find tlip uprights. Cain charged down the kickoff, but had 110 pace, and Wellington were able to break away. McKenzie, however, missed an easy pass, allowing Cameron to get possession, but he was soon up-ended. Willing plav on both sides saw Taranaki gradually assert themselves, but offside play on the line spoilt much hard work. Skinner and Elliott headed a forward rush and got through to Prince, but the Taranaki full-back was equal to the occasion. Tamu and Co. were now playing with great dash, and aided by tricky ulay on the part of Loveridge and Stohr kept Wellington busy, but McLeod spoilt. a nice chance by hanging on too long. Then followed a piece of plav that was good to see. Roberts got his backs in motion, passing to McKenzie, and the latter passed to Ramsden, but Stohr intercepted, and picking up beautifully sailed for the line, beating two or three men and, shaking off the full-back Canper, he scored a pretty try, which he also converted, and the score stood ten minutes after the interval Taranaki 10 Wellington <i

Wellington at once i lvaded, but a knock-on checked tliem. Tliey came again, and a passing rush saw Kinvig lose the ball just when within striking distance, and Prince was able to save by running out at the corner. Tamu, Whittington, Pini, and Dewar headed a rush, but Roberts went down gamely. Paton, Elliott and Wilson also found Brown all Ihere when they set up a counter attack. McAllum and Dewar rushed down Kinvig's kick, but offside play lay Hawkins gave the Blacks a free kick, which, however, Tamu marked. His kick was well followed up and Wellington were in difficulties, but Capper cleared. The game now continued very fast, the spectators being roused to heights of enthusiasm, especially as the Ambers were having the advantage both back and forward, though the Wellington backs were handling the ball well. A pass forward when in a nice position robbed the Ambers of a try, and from the scrum Roberts broke away with the ball at his feet. Loveridge, however, picked it up at his toes and found safety in touch well down the field. Wilson, Paton and Sullivan carried play back, and a free kick near half-way saw Roberts try a shot, which failed. On resuming McKenzie again cut in and beat several men, only to be upended by Roberts. Stohr was next in trouble, a kick of his being charged down near the line, but Prince came to his rescue. Almost immediately a Wellington player got over, but was called back for a knock-on. Wellington were now doing everything but scoring, their backs throwing the ball about and play travelling with lightning rapidity across the field. Ultimately, however, they were rewarded, as their clever half passed to McKenzie, who cut in, passed to Ramsden, thence to Murray, and to Kinvig, who scored his second try. McKenzie failed to convert. Taranaki 10 Wellington 0 Both sides were now using their utmost endeavors to score, and for a while it looked as though the locals would increase their total, as from a line-out in the visitors' territory Dewar, Hawkins and Young broke away, but the Blacks met attack by counter attack and came so strongly that Prince had to beat three men to clear his lines. Roberts made use of his backs and kept the ball flying about so rapidly that it was almost impossible to follow its kaleidoscopic flight. First he handed it to McKenzie. who cut in, passed to Ramsden, received the ball again, and shot it out to Kinvig, who threw it across to Murray, and this brilliant evolution must have ended in a try but that Lambert failed to take Murray's pass. The next attack was more successful, and after the ball had passed through the hands of almost all the Wellington backs, Kinvig scored Ills third try, which Lambert failed to goal. Wellington 12 Taranaki 10 With three or four minutes to go the pace became willing, but no further score resulted, and the visitors left the field victors in a meritorious contest. Mr. F. Spurdle held the whistle, and Messrs. Mvnott and Bourke were lineumpires. In the evening the teams were entertained to dinner by (he Taranaki Rugby Union.