FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH, WELLINGTON (17) y. TARANAKI (0). SUPERIORITY OF VISITORS. Splendid weather prevailed on Saturday for the first inter-provincial match played in New Plymouth t this season, when Wellington beat Taranaki by 17 points .to ail. There was a large attendance, estimated at 5000, at Pukekura Park. The first spell proved fairly even. Wellington scored a'try almost on the opening, but thereafter Taranaki, if anything, had the advantage and were within an ace of scoring on several occasions. In the second spell, however, Wellington proved much too good, and both in the. forwards and backs showed their superiority, notching four more tries, while Taranaki seldom looked like scoring. Wellington were considerablyaided by the failure of .some of the Taranaki backs to take the ball againstthe sun, whilst in the first spell, when playing with the sun in their eyes, Wellington backs showed to advantage. .■D*® game, though not a first-class exhibition, was -fast and interesting, arid was hard fought to the end. Wellington losvfc no opportunity of opening out the game, and were not afraid of taking risks, with the result that there was plenty of incident throughout the game, whilst their forwards also produced some fine loose rushes. Taranaki backs at times got moving, but their work did not have the snap or decisiveness of the visitors. The local forwards also played well, but were not the equal of their opponents on the day. The collaring of the local team was not as , deadly as usual. The game was contested in a vary friendly spirit, and though there were occasional stoppages owing to players being injured, two men having to leave the ground, these were not due to the rough nature of the play, which, though hard, was devoid of roughness.

teams played as published. Hutchison captained the visitors, and Roberts led Taranaki.

THE FIRST SPELL.

Taranaki won the toss and elected to play with tho advantage of the strong sun. King set the ball rolling for Wellington, but Malone took beautifully and lined. Then from the line-out Brown sent the leather to Wilkinson, who did not get far before being coilaced. Mathleson secured from the scrum and opened up the game at once, but the passing broke down. However, King carried the ball over the line with a forward rush, but Dunford forced. Ryan returned the kick to the corner, and then Mathleson again secured and passed to Hutchison, who cut in and passed to Riddells. The last-named lost possession, but Markham nicked up and passed again to Siddeils. who handed on to Jackson, the latter dashing over and grounding as he was collared by Hickey. King failed to goal, and within four Minutes of the opening the score read:— Wellington 3 Taranaki o King, 'icott L.;d Shearer were prominent in Wellington ruSl.cS, but Robertson, and then Coutts, drove them back by lining. Campbell, Hunt and Whittington roused Taranaki's hopes with a great rush, but Aigar snapped up and lined. Fryday was also prominent, until Mathieson opened out, but Hutchison was well collared by Robertson. Here Parker was penalised and Roberts kicked high, but Siddeils took smartly in the face of the charging pack and lined, doing likewise a moment later. Bruce and Parker beaded a rush that was not stopped till It readied Dunford, whilst Robertson intercepted a dangerous passing bout. Wilkinson. Hickey, and then Robertson were responsible for putting Taranaki in a good position, where Coutts marked and had a shot, the ball being forced. Play continued in Wellington territory, Taranaki pressing hard, until a forward kicking too hard, Brooks forced again. Scott then injured Iris leg and was replaced by C. King. Taranaki kept up the pressure, kicking high, but the Wellington backs, particularly Siddeils and Brooks, took well despite the suu, and lined nicely. From a penalty Roberts had a shot, but a force was the result. Roberts next cut in nicely, but was smothered. Then Hunt gained ground for the locals, but off-side play spoilt the move. However, Wellington's kick was nullified by a man in front. Again Roberts tried to cut in> but was smothered.

Then with a great burst McAllum came through and was nearly over, getting to within. a foot of the line. From a scrum Jackson kicked, and Dunford, waiting for the bounce, let Wellington to half-way. Taranaki now opened out, Brown passing to Coutts ; to Roberts. who gave •* weak pass. A moment later Taranaki backs got moving nicely, and the' ball travelled via Brown, Robertson and Roberts to Hickey, Who cut in, but was forced' into touch in goal. Wellington worked play, past half-way, but then Robertson secured I and cut in, but he kicked too hard, the ball, being forced. Roberts centred nicely, but no' one was handy, and Jackson was able to clear. Hickey, with a nice kick to the corner, had Taranaki again attacking, but Bruce, Shearer, King and Parker drove them back to halfway with forward rushes. Then a movement by King and Jackson carried play to Tara-; naki’s twenty-five, where Shearer headed a rush that compelled Dunford to forte. Sid- : dells, with a beautitful kick, had Wellington again attacking, and Parker and company compelled Wilkinson to line hurriedly. Wellington were now throwing the ball about dangerously close to Taranaki's line, until Hickey was able to secure and luck down field. 'Siddeils then secured, and with a corkscrew run worked his way to the centre of the field, where he attempted to pot, the. ball being forced. Taranaki backs now took a hand, and short passing rushes and line kicks ended in Hickey being thrown out near the comer by Brooks. Mathieson stemmed a dangerous local rush. Then Jackson broke through, and hard tackling let him gain considerable ground. Fast play then ensued in Wellington territory, and finally the ball came to Wilkinson, who was taken by Aigar, but regained possession and passed to Robertson. Then Brown passed too high to Coutts, and Siddeils was able to clear. The local forwards took a hand, and from a penalty in a good position Coutts had another shot, which was forced. Wellington backs now started nippy passing that looked dangerous, until Jackson sllpjied, being temporarily disabled, and Malone checked by lining down field. Taranaki forwards here pressed the visitors, who, however, got going again, Markham and Siddeils placing them in a good position. From a penalty King had a shot from near half-way, which just went wide and was forced. A pretty bout of passing between Mathieson, Hutchison. Markham and Siddeils ended in the latter knocking on, and then ensued a bout of kicking, which ended in Dunford lining at half-way. Taranaki attacked, and Brooks being caught in possession, threw the leather to touch, and from the resultant free kick Roberts had another shot, which was forced, A passing bout saw Hickey lose the ball, and then ‘Wellington backs attacked, but Coutts cut in nicely and saved. Dunford, waiting for tiro bounce, again had Taranaki in trouble, and King essayed to pot, the ball being forced. Taranaki took another turn at attack. Allen, McAllum and Klvell headed a rush that passed all the backs but Brooks, who (’overly lined. Taranaki kept up the pressure, but Malone just failed to find the lino at the corner and the ball was forced. The spell ended:— | Wellington 3

THE SECOND SPELL. Tlio second spell opened with several interchanges of kicks, and then, from a lineout at half-way Allen passejl to Coutts, and ike ball travelled via Robertson to Ronerts, to ■Wilkinson, who was crowded on me line, Aigar speculating t o toilch. Then G. King broke away with a lone-handed rush that beat all the backs, but Klvell was able to get round and force. Then the ball passed through all the Wellington backs to Aigar, who was taken by Wilkinson, and Robertson Hued. A high kick by Brooks was fumbled by Malone and Dunford, with the result that tho ball went out at the corner, and from the line-out Parker dived over, scoring an easy try. King’s kick went wide.

Wellington 6 Taranaki 0

Hickey was then beaten by the sun, but recovered. Then King headed a rush that beat all the backs until ho was collared by Dunford. He lost tho hall, but Shearer and Bruce were handy and went on, ball at toe, bumping Roberts out of the way, and Bruce, scared Wellington’s third try. King made no mistake with the goal.

Wellington 11 Taranaki 0

Wilkinson then cut in and passed, but Siddells secured, and beating several men, ran strongly to the centre of the field, where he got his backs going, but Brown was able to stop the attack. Taranaki forwards now got going, but Brooks marked and lined at tne twenty-five. Wellington backs opened out, but Robertson cut in and lined past half-way. Allen then headed a forward rush, and picking up, passed in-fleld, where from an infringe-, inent Robertson had a shot, which was charged down. Failure by Dunford had Wellington again attacking, but Campbell, Kivell and Ma-! lone beaded a rush past half-way. Now Brown, opened out, the ball travelling via Coutts, ; Robertson, Roberts, to Wilkinson and back to Robertson, whose pass was intercepted by .Markham near the corner, fhen Hickey made a dash, but was brought down by Jackson. Taranaki kept Wellington defending for a while, Coutts and Matono lining with well- 1 judged kicks, while from a mark Brown es- j sayed to drop a goal, the ball being marked by Hutchison. Brown then transferred to I ’ Coutts, whoso pass Aid not reach Wilkinson, | but the latter took it on the bounce and zigzagged to the corner, where he was smoth- I c-red, no one being in support. King intercepted a Taranaki pass and cut down field, | Dunford weakly lining. The Wellington backs I now attacked, but Siddeils was well taken by Kobertson. Brooks tried a pot, which Dunford marked Again Dunford failed to take a high kick by Siddeils, and Wellington swarmed! down, but Roberts forced. Then Bruce mark-1 ed and dropped at goal, but the shot fell i short. Wellington again kept up tho p?es-! sure, and a move by Siddeils and Jackson ‘ saw the latter knock on. Taranaki were doing! better now, and Dunford, lining nicely, kept ‘ play In Wellington territory, whilst the local j backs opened out, the ball travelling righty through tte backs to Wilkinson, who was cel- • lared by Brooks. Wellington retaliated, Siddelis doing some good work. Another nice Taranaki move initiated by Campbell, between Robertson and Wilkinson, saw tho latter centre nicely to Hickey, who was checked by Jiu.xson and Brooks, the former being hurt. Ho was replaced by Tunnington. After Dunford had checked a Wellington forwa?<» move by lining, Robertson shot the ball across to Wilkinson, who streaked, out was collared by Siddeils. Rousing rushes by Wellington | were spoilt by forward passes, but finally Dunford had to force. Taranaki now got the ball from the scrum, and Brown, working the blind, gained considerable ground. An. infringement gave Malone another unsuccessful allot at goal, and a moment later Hickey tried to pot, the ball falling short. Then De Clifton, Bruce, Shearer and G. King carried I play past half-way, where Hickey checked by j lining. Again Dunford intercepted a pass to ■ Tunnington at a dangerous moment, but Wei-; lingtou were not to be denied, and Mathie-; son passed across to Siddeils, who cut in ’ strongly and handed on to Aigar, who, 1 though tackled high by Dunford ewer the line, t scored. E. King failed to goal. Wellington 14 Taranaki 0 Allen and Fryday were prominent for Taranaki on resuming, Robertson also gaining ground. Brown and Hickey carried the ball past Lalf-way, but De Clifton, Bruce and Shearer ’ headed a rush close to the line, where in a scramble Parker scored. King again failed to goal. The game ended:— Wellington 17 Taranaki 0 Mr. A. F. Neilson refereed. >

THE VISITORS’ ENTERTAINED. After the match the visiting team, with some of the players and officials of the Taranaki Rugby Union, dined at the Criterion Hotel. Yesterday afternoon they were the guests of the Rugby Union at a trip to the Mountain House. Though tho weather was not altogether favorable, they thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The team leaves this morning by the mail train for Auckland, where they play the northerners on Saturday.

Speaking to a representative of the Daily News, Air. E. Perry ((manager of the Wellington team), stated that the members of the team were delighted with the treatment they had received on all hands during their stay here. They had had a delightful time. Particularly was he struck with the impartial way in which the spectators at the match on Saturday applauded good play, this impartiality being very pleasing to the visitors.

MOASCAR CUP MATCH. N.P. HIGH SCHOOL v. AUCKLAND GRAMMAR. Tto New Plymouth High School, who defeated Wanganui Technical College three weeks ago, will be called upon to play their second Moascar Cup match on Wednesday, when they will meet Auckland Grammar School, at Pukekura Park. The northerners, who will arrive by boat to-radtrow, are said to be a strong combination, and a great game is expected, , A SCHOOL MATCH. At Okaiawa on Friday a match was played between Normanby School and Kapuni Schoo] for the McLeod Shield, and resulted in a. win for Normanby by 6 points to 3. Mr. J. Johnson refereed. THE LEAGUE GAME. AUCKLAND BEAT CANTERBURY, Christchurch, August 27. In a League representative match, Auckland beat Canterbury by 39 points to 14. There was a large attendance. Canterbury were ahead at half-time, but towards the end of the game went to pieces, and the Aucklanders scored when they felt like it. Tho first half provided a really flue exhibition of football, the game being exceedingly fast and pleasing from the spectators* point of view. It was a very bright match throughout. SaUnders, Watts, Healy and Green scored tries for Canterbury, and W’itherell, Yarndley. Hawkes (2), Davidson (2), Stormont, McGregor and James for Auckland, HAWKE’S BAY v. AUCKLAND. Napier, August 27. A representative League match between Aukland and Hawke’s Bay to-day was won by Hawke’s Bay by 18 points to 15 after an even contest, in which play was open and

bright. The score at half-time was 12 to 8 in Hawke's Bay favor. For Hawke's Bay tries were scored by Gibson (2), McCarthy and Douglas. Exeter converted one try and kicked a penalty, and McCarthy also kicked a lienalty. For tl:e losers Gallagher (2), and Delaney scored tries. Dufty converted one and kicked two penalties.

NFW SOUTH WALES’ TOUfL

BRIGHT MATCH AGAINST BULLER. .VTOTORY FOB THE VISITORS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, August 27. Tho Buller-New South Wales match was played to-day In beautiful weather and before 1 a record gathering, and ended in a draw for the visitors by 25 points to IL In the first spell tho Buller forwards played a strenuous game and spoilt the passing moves of the visitors, who, however, on accaslons ttrew the ball about brilliantly. The first score came to Buller, Schadick goallng from a free kick. Later, from fine open work, Grogan got over, Schadick gosling. Then, from a pretty piece of passing, Pym scored an unconverted try for New South Wales. At halftime the score was• Buller 8 New South Wales ...» 3 - In th© second spell Walker got well away and scored, Mingay gosling. Buller next put in a determined attack, and In a scramble oyer the line O'Neill scored an unconverted try. Buller then led 11 to 8. After fast play, in which tho visitors’ made some good, dashing runs, Pym potted a goal, and Now South Wales led 12 to 11. Walker, gathering the ball, got well away again and scored, but Nothllng failed to convert. Tbe visitors wero now throwing the ball about in fine style, but attempts to score were frustrated by Buller’s good tackling, until Pym, from a good opening, raced past the opposition and scored bei tween the posts. Walker goaling. Near tno closing stages a pretty passing bout let away Thorn, who scored. Walker coaling, making the final scores:— New South Wales 25 Buller 11 The game was a fast and open one, in which the visitors had command of the ball iin the scrums. The visitors were fortunate I In two tries, one being gained after a very pronounced pass forward, and tte other after ! the player with the ball had gone out on the ! side-line. Buller also appeared to obtain a I ; sure try, the ball rolling forward as a Bulicr ! player fell, another Buller man pouncing on ’ it, but a scrum was given. On the other hand the visitors made some fine runs that just fell short of scores. OTAGO BEAT SOUTH CANTERBURY. Tirnaru, August 27. Otago met South Canterbury to-day before a fair number of spectators, the ground being dry and play fast. Otago won by 14 pointe to 8. In the first spell It. Stewart scored for South Canterbury and Scott converted. Scott also placed a penalty goal from near halfway. Davidson and Tumball scored tries for Otago, neither being converted. In th*' second spell Stewart scored two splendid tries for Otago and ono was converted by Wanton. The final score Was: Otago 14, South Canterbury 8.

HAWKE'S BAY BEAT POVERTY BAY.

Napier, August 27. Hawke's Bay defeated Poverty Bay to-day by-12 points to .3.

In the first spell the teams were fairly well balanced, the losers quite holding their own. The score at. half-time was 3 all, the home team having registered a try by McNab, and ♦he visitors having secured a goal from a penalty kicked by Tureia. Hawke’s Bay were aggressive most of the tfeuc in the second spell. Brownlie kicked a goal from a penalty and CrensWo scored two unconverted tries as a. result of well-organised assaults by the back division. Towards the close Poverty Bay invaded tbc local territory several times in an endeavor to score, but sound defence and careless handling nullified the attempts.

WELLINGTON 8 DEFEATS MARLBOROUGH.

Wellington, August 27. The Wellington B team defeated Marlborough by 20 to 13. For Wellington Ryan kicked two penalty goals, Fair, Muir and Hamilton scored tries, Ryan converting one. For Marlborough J. O’Brien, and McHugh scored tries, R. O’Brien and J. O'Brien converting. R. O’Brien also kicked a penalty goal. SPRINGBOKS V. EAST COAST. Napier, Last Night. The combined Hawke’s Bay anil Poverty Bay team to play the Springboks on Saturday next is- Full-back, Langlands (Poverty Bay) ; three-quarters, Kirwan (Hawke's Bay), Blake (Hawke’s Bay), Grensido (Hawke’s Bay); five-eighths, Kivell (Hawke's Bay), TUreia (Poverty Bay); half-back, Mills (Poverty Bay); wing-forward, Batchelor (Hawke’s Bay) ; forwards, Kirkpatrick (Hawke’s Bay), Torrey (Poverty Bay), M. Brownlie (Hawke’s Bay), Heeney (Poverty Bay), McNab (Hawke’s Bay), Tewhaota (Poverty Bay), Gemmell (Hawke’s Bay). Reserves: Backs; Barclay (Hawke's Bay), Hundleby (Poverty Bay). Forwards, Higgs (Poverty Bay), Swain (Hawke's Bay).

, THE SEASON IN ENGLAND. RECORD CROWDS AT MATCHES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 28, 5.5 p.m.' London, August 27. Record crowds were present at the opening of the football season. Forty thousand attended the Manchester and Burnley (matches, fifty-five thousand at Cardiff, and thirty thousand at Blackburn. The Marylebone Club's protest against the encroachment of football into thh cricket season will be considered by the Football Association on Monday.