Big Football

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 30, 25 June 1914, Page 7

Big Football

TARANAKI v. WELLINGTON. AN I.NTji'RESTING MATCII. TARANAKI WIN BY 14 TO 10,

A football match between the representatives of Taranaki and Wellington ia always worlli seeing, and yesterday's was no exception. Played at Ilawcra under favorable conditions as regards weatlier and ground, and before a large attendance, the game was full of interest from kick-oir till finish. It was not a brilliant exposition of scientific football >—it was more oi a ding-dong struggle between a fast and energetie set of forwards, weakly supported by a back divi'sion devoid of cohesion-and direction, and a poorer lot .of forwards and superior backs. Taranaki, in other words, had tiie forwards and Wellington the backs, but from the outset Taranaki adopted "smashing" and aggressive tactics, giving the nippier and faster southern backs no rest and very few chances to display their mettle. Wellington were a beaten team long before the game concluded, and the surprise is that Taranaki's score was not double what it was. There were plenty of opportunities to score which the yellow backs ■were quite unable te embrace. Taranaki registered four tries (one converted) and Wellington two tries, both being converted.

Taranaki played with two wing-for-wards, Taylor and Celman. Theirs was a fine performance. They were in the J van throughout, and were constant thorns in the sides of the opposing backs, who in consequence seldom got away, was as well for Taranaki that they did not, for on the few occasions when they got into stride they showed that they were no light-weights, and had their | opponents thinking very hard.' Taranaki secured the ball in the scrum more I frequently than Wellington, but it came out very raggedly, and the half was far from being at home when it did come f out. The passing of the five-eighth also ' left much to be desired. Indeed, the 1 same remark applies to all the yellow J backs. It is really extraordinary that, experienced as they are, so many Taranaki rep. backs have not yet mastered the elementary art of clean, fast and .accurate passing. Roberts endeavored ■to play the whole back game himself. I He made some really <alever openings, but almost invariably he held tenacious- • ly to the leather when a smart pass I might have added points to his side's I score.

The first part of the game was entirely in favor of the visitors, hut when Taranaki really warmed up to their work they made things lively. The pace was sultry, and the scores mounted up in rare style. Taranaki had no place-kickers, or the, whole four tries, all scored in handy positions, would liave been converted. For the greater part of the second spell they completely ran over their opponents, hut lacked the necessary ability to cap their work with scores. Towards the end of the game, in the semi-darkness, Wellington, who | to all appearances were hopelessly routed, seemed to gain a new lease of life, and carried the war into the enemy's | camp, scoring a try and kicking a goal. | Thereafter, however, the home men had it their own way again. I The team played as chosen, save that Stohr was unable to play for the locals, necessitating the backs being rearranged; S. George going in as fullback and Roberts centre three-quarter. Only one five-eighth was played, Colman being played on the other wing forward'. Carey's place in the forwards was taken by Whittington.

THE PLAY. - Wellington kicked off, having the sun in their faces. Almost at the start McTaggavt had a pot, which went low and wide. Patterson made an opening, and set the local backs moving, and an infringement by tne blacks also assisted Taranaki, but a man in front nullified the advantage,. Wellington gained the ascendancy from this scrum and attacked hotly, but Roberts cleverly marked and lined down field. A forward j rush headed by Taylor was cliecked h y I'.Tilyard. Wellington kept up the pressure, but Roberts again drove them 'back with a line kick past mid-field, and from a scramble Brown cleverly marked at his opponents' toes. Roberts had a shot at goal from half-way, just missing. A force resulted. A nice line kick by Patterson kept the blacks defending. Roberts failed to gather up •Brown's pass and let Tilyard through. With Beard, he removed play to the yellows,' twenty-five. Back came Cain, the New Zealand rep. smothering Nunn. Taranaki looked dangerous until McTaggart marked and lined at mid-field. Here Nunn broke away, but Colman beat Jiim and lined. Play hovered about midfield, a knock-on by Tilyard spoiling a !nice black opening. Brown put in a great dash, beat two or three men, and kicked. The bounce beat both him and iLevfiridge, and Twomey was able to save. A hefty forward rush saw the 1 ball carried to Wellington's twenty-five, ' where Young put in a great piece of work, as the result of which Capper was compelled to find the dcad-liall line. Al/most immediately Taylor's good footwork culminated in another force. Interchange of kicks, and Robinson lined well down field, but Brown extricated. Tilyard failed to take a pass when Wellington were attacking, and, like a flash, Taylor and Colman broke away, ball at foot. They got right to Wellington's twenty-five, where Brown Hecured and shot right across to \oung, who was well taken by Twomey at i-e corner. An infringement gave Wellington relief. ' Colman broke away, but ~he was unsupported when collared, ami a chance went. Interchanges gave Wellington a considerable advantage, but /Cain soon led a yellow rush that had them busily defending, he being thrown out at the corner. Wellington were here ' awarded a free kick, but a rebound spoilt the effort. McFarlanc, Cotter and •Paton, however, cleared, but a too powerful kick let George secure and line. Brown set his backs moving, Cameron and Roberts handling well, but the la:•ter hung oil too long', tuul tlu: < hn.n ( was lost. Tilyard a moment later was nearly caught napping, out managed to line at the corner. Taranaki were having' all the better of the game n»w, and attacked strongly, hut the defewe could not be penetrated. From a scrum near the line Brown made a dive, imt was held up, and with a free kick McFarlanc found touch near nnd-lield. J aranaki was soon again attacking per i.vadium of a centre kick by Lover..Ua. Capper was collared with the ball, t Tworaey carac to liia rescue, llonewfl had another rcsultlexs shot from ftiua.k by Young (Stratford). Kyne, Doiva. and Parker set up a ™ sl y' t , the last-named was eanght oil-side. lu> erts lined near Wellingtons tweti.cfive A fmc kick ror lifting m t scrum, and McFarlane changed I venue to Taranak.V, territory, who* Donne marked, McTar ane having a which fell short. Roberts put m a great run, making hacks of his opponents. He then passed to Camion, to Young, but Wellington weic

I collaring -well.- The Stratford flier was I thrown cut. Til} urd saved another [dangerous'corner, but Taranaki would not h 9 denied. l f rom an opening by a forward, Taylor secured and dived ■a#ross. Brown's kick was a failure.

Taranaki 3 Wellington 0 From the kick-oil' omiUi opened out to his backs, but Twomey intercepted and beat all but tlic mil-back, and kicked, but a free kick gave Taranaki relief. Only temporary, however, it proved, for from a fine opening by Nunn, Tilyard and Beard handled perfectly, and the last-named shot out to MeTaggart, who streaked for touch. He was all but collared at the corner by George, going within inches of the touch-line, but he Swerved in and scored a well-deserved try behind the goal, and McFarlane added the major points. Wellington 5 Taranaki a This reverse roused Taranaki. Brown found touch near nis twenty-five. Following up the kick-off, Cain smothered Capper and Colman dived for the line, •but went out at the corner. From the throw-in Brown secured and hurled himself towards the line. Before being •collared he passed to Smith, who scored. Colman's shot went under the bar. Taranaki 6 Wellington 5

Roberts made a spectacular run on resuming, but gained very little ground. Beard had a shot from a free kick, which Roberts marked and returned. Beard secured and passed to Twomey, who cut down the line and was thrown out near the corner, a touch in goal resulting. Cain was prominent in following the kick-off, and smothered Nunn. Cameron failid to take a pass from Lovaridge and' let the blacks through, but Roberts lined. Roberts startled the onlookers with a brilliant lone-handed dash that proved resultless, and half-time sounded almost immediately with no further score.

THE SECOND SPELL. Taranaki opened the second half with the glare of the sun in their eyes. Young was collared by Gilchrist with the ball in his possession, but Brown was handy and relieved the position. Wellington forwards, playing with great dash, kept the backs busy until S. Cameron smartly marked. McFarlane, Dent and Parker were putting in some strenuous work, but Loveridge and Brown lined well and drove tliem back. Cain, Taylor and Smith broke away, but Nunn snapped the ball up at their feet, and had Wellington attacking. George failed dismally to stem the rush, and only over-eagerness saved a score and allowed the locals to line. Wellington kept up the pressure, and from a free kick Beard had a shot, which went wide. Force. From a scrum at mid-field Brown secured and passed to Cameron, who shot across to Roberts, but the latter failed to take it, and McFarlane broke through and lined, ixiveridge and Cameron fooled tlvir opponents on the line,out by back passing and centering, whore Lam'bert failed to take cleanly. A scrum ensued near Wellington's twenty-five, but Taranaki lifted their feet, and from the free kick Wellington gained valuable ground. Taranaki were immediately back again, and Smith made a great dive for the line, but was held up. j Long line kicks by McFarlane and Beard j changed the situation. * In Taranaki's territory Young picked up smartly, and lined down field, being hurt in the effort. Kyne came through at the head of a powerful forward movement, but Loveridge checked beautifully. Here Wellington essayed a passing rush, but Loveridge shot in and intercepted and sailed for the line. lie was beautifully j collared ten yards from his goal by i Tilyard, but Taylor was handy, and dribbling like a soccer player over tlie line dropped on the ball. George goalcd. i

Taranaki 11 Wellington ; 5 Taranaki moved somewhat from the kick-off, but Beard drove them back with long line kicks, and play hovered about midlield. Good play by Colman and Cain kept the blacks busy until McTaggart secured and dashed rniuugh, but was up ended. From a long kick by Beard, Taranaki were forced. Robinson stemmed the tide in the face of a vigorous Taranaki rush, and a moment later Beard was caught off-side in front of his own goal, having taken the ball on the rebound from Capper. Taranaki, however, did not accept the free kick. Capper was compelled to carry the bill behind his line to save, and from the ensuing scrum Roberts .dived for the ' line at the end of a passing movement, but was thrown out at the corner by Twomey, as was also I,overidge almost immediately afterwards. Taranaki continued to press, but Wellington gained welcome relief by a force. A little later, Brown, Cameron, Roberts and Dewar participated in an aggressive movement, but the latter was again collared and shot out at tlie corner by Twomey. Roberts punted too hard and a force followed. From the kick-off Cameron made a great opening, beating several men. He then shot the ball across to Young, who streaked out, but lost the ball near the line. Taylor dived between bis opponents' legs and scored his third try. George made a good but fruitless attempt to convert.

Taranaki 14 Wellington ■' 5 Beard put in a great run for Wellington, but Roberts secured, and by a tricky run had Taranaki again attacking. Tilyard relieved. Failure by Cameron to pass let Wellington through, and Lovoridge had to kick to his own corner to save. Nunn here essayed a pot, but the ball went wide. Wellington pliived with great dash and attacked hotlv, Nunn streaking for the line, ■Whittington being hurt in stemming the tide, and the ball going out to touch. "From the line-out Tilyard secured and cut in, but passed forward. Taranaki securing from the scrum, Cameron ivas able to break away and remove the danger. Another dash by Cameron and •Lovcridge had the locals attacking, but a smart mark by McFarlane was well returned by Lov'eridge and play hung about midlield. McFarlane, who was plavinii well on the line-out, made a "relit opening, and his forwards backing him up. George had to hurriedly kick to save. Board took the ball on the full, and dashing straight on, scored a splendid 'try. which McFarlane goaled within three minutes of time. Taranaki Wellington ltJ Taranaki attacked on resuming, and from a serum in Wellington's twentyfive Brown passed to Cameron, to l-over-i(Vrc who centred over the line, but WeUin"ton were able to force, and time was called with no further score. Mr. Xeilsen re tei'eed satisfactorily. lIAWERA 14 v. WAVERLEY 0. Ai; H curtain-raiser, TTawera met and defeated Waverley by 14 points (lour tries, one. converted) to nil.

The following team has been cliosen | to play for Tukapa first juniors against Clifton first, juniors at Western Park to-dav, at 3 p.m.:—H. Patterson, Stohr, Grant, Graham, W-est, L. Whitaker, N,

f Loveridge, E. Loveridge, Smitli, O'Crady, j Amaru, Leary, W, Patterson, Roebuck aiiu Julian; emergencies, Opai and Fuller.