FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8535, 16 September 1907, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

MASTERTON v. ATHLETIC. On Saturday last a team from the Masterton Club visited Wellington and played a match against the Athletic Club. The teams were as follow: — ... Masterton Fullback, Darvill; threequarters, Baird, O'Leary, and Collerton; five-eighth, Minett; half, Adams; wings, Gray and Daniell; forwards, Barry, Mackellar, Brenchley, Hounslow, Lyall, A. Ross and Lett- „ TT , Athletic Fullback —E. Hales; threequarters, Gordon, A. Cunninghame and James; five-eighth, O'Meara; half,- Atkinson; wings, Kivell and W. Hales; forwards, McCall, King, Rapson, Chapman, Stagpoole, J. Cunninghame and Patterson. The ground was in a very slippery condition, and the game resolved itself into a struggle between the forwards, the teams being very evenly matched in this department. Masterton secured the ball on nearly every occasion from the scrums, but. owing to the greasy state of the ball it was very difficult for the backs to show anything like their usual form in the passing rushes, the only flashes of brilliancy being a couple of combined attacks made'by Adams, Minett, O'Leary and Baird. Gray and Daniell put in some good foot "work in the loose, and. on one occasion the former almost scored after a splendid run with the ball at his feet. The Athletic forwards made some very determined onslaughts on Masterton line in the second spell, but good defensive work by O'Leary and "Darvill saved the situation on several occasions. Rapson, Chapman and McCall got in some fine play on the line out, and broke away several times, only to be stopped by O'Leary, whose line kicking was very good. The only Athletic backs who handled the ball with any success were Atkinson and Cunninghame. Hales at fullback did some good kicking, and his defensive work all round was splendid. As the Masterton team had to leave by the afternoon train", thirty minutes spells were played. No score was registered by either side, and the game ended in a draw. Mr E. Wylie was referee. The members of the Masterton team speak in terms of praise of the hospitable manner in which they were treated by the Athletic Club.-

OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, September 14. The return football match between Otago and Southland was played today, resulting in a win for the former by 11 points to nil. The weather was unsettled, two heavy showers falling during the progress of the game. The ground was slippery, and the ball difficult to handle in consequence. Otago had the best of the game almost -throughout, and the visitors seldom looked . like scoring. The Otago forwards played a fine game, their fast following up giving their opponents no end of trouble. The Southland backs evidently did not appreciate the wet ground and the greasy ball, and their fielding was very erratic. For Otago Dvvyer scored two tries and one, the last one being converted by Low. CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, September 15. The football match between Canterbury and Wellington was played at Lancaster Park, yesterday afternoon, and resulted in a win for the home team by 9 points to 6. For the winners tries were scored by Deans, Fryer, and liovvison, and for Wellington Ryan scored a try and Wallace kicked a goal from a mark. By Telegraph —Press Association. LONDON, September 13. The Welsh Rugby Union has suspended the officials of several clubs

for selling matches and offences against the rules respecting professionalism. —

AUCKLAND v. WANGANUI. j By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 14. The interprovmcial football match Auckland v. Wanganui, was played here this afternoon in fine weather. The game was fast and interesting throughout, but Auckland retains the Ranfurly Shield by winning by 6 points (2 tries) to 5 points (a converted try). Auckland had rather the best of the game, and did most of the attacking. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. RED STAR v. RUAHINE. The Red Star Juniors and Ruahine met on the Masterton Showgrounds, on Saturday afternoon, when a very interesting" and at times exciting game was witnessed.- The grcur.d was heavy and the ball greasy. The teams were very evenly matched. In the first spell N. Skeet made a brilliant run from his own 25, beat four or five opponents, and scored a well-earned try. The try was not converted. From a mark by Wing, Williams placed a goal_ for Red Stars. There was no score in the second half, although towards the close ot the game Stars made some determined attacks, and were several times within an ace of crossing the line. Mr L. Williams was an impartial referee. Considerable interest was taken in the match as it practically decided whether Martinborough or Kuahine ! should ga s n the premiership. On the result of the game these two teams are level and will probably play oft' for the Championship. Opaki defeated Kopuaranga, at Kopuaranga, on Saturday, by 11 , points to 3. Although the ground was heavy, the game was a fast one, and was evenly contested. H. Hunt and R. Hunt scored t-ies for Opaki, one of which was converted byJ3. Hunt, who also kicked a goal from a penplty. C. Clarke scored a try for Kopuaranga. Mr R. Spackman acted as referee.