FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8244, 24 September 1906, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

NORTH v, SOUTH ISLAND. By Telegraph—Frees Association. WELLINGTON, September 22. The weather oonditiuna were almost perfeot for the annual inter-island match,which took plaoe at Athletio Park this afternoon, in the presence of about eight thousand spectators, including Lord Plunket and party, the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward), members of the Ministry, and representatives of both branches of the Legislature. The play was decidedly interesting and fast on the whole, and suoh pace was imparted into the proceedings midway through the second spell that the forwards on both sides were practically played to a standstill. A high standard of Rugby was maintained individually by the contestants, but combination was laoking. There was little to ohooso between the respectivo scrummaging divisions, the blacks (South island) showing to better advantage in loose rushes, while the northerners held the upper hand in solid work and on the line-out, their greater ■weight and height being an important factor in these respeots. The norttcrn front-rankers beat the southern hookers for possession of the ball, in consequence of which "the white rearguard were given ■plenty of opportunities for bringing passing rushes into requisition. The deadly tackling of the black forwards, however, was auooessful in wording off danger. The game was evenly contested, except in the latter stages, when the northerners appeared to outstay their opponents. A feature of the game was the utter failure of Dufty at pince-kioking, not one of the tries registered by his side being improved upon. All were

scored in olose proximity lothe goalpoeta. O'Sullivan and Seeling touched down for the northern team in the flrat spell, and Mitohinson also registered a clever try in the succeeding half. Fryer touched down for the southerners in the first spell, his soore being the outcome of fine play of McGregor and fleetnesH of foot by the try-getter. The north won by 9 points to 5. If anything, the northern team had the best of the luck. i The following are the results of the North and South Island matches to date:— 1897—At Wellington, North Island won by 16 to 3. 1902—At Wellington, South Island won by 20 to 14., 1903—At Auckland, South Island won by 12 to 5. 1904—At Dunedin, drawn, 3 points each. ' 3905—At Wellington, North Island won by 26 to 0. 190(5—At Wellington, North Island won by 9 to 5.