FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4217, 13 September 1892, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

GanMuiy ut. Wellington. • (By Telegraph.- Press Association.) Wellington, Monday. In ibe football match, Canterbury v, Wellington, the first spell resulted in Wellington scoring seven points (a goal and try) to nil. Pringle and Stuart scored. Monday, Later. The final result was that Wellington won by twelve points to throe. #e Wellington Team Mo\-

MS. Tho matoh between the representatives of Canterbury and Wellington, took place at Newtown Park yesterday afternoon, the Wellington team gaining the viotory by 12 points to 8, The weather was all that could bo desired. The rain which fell on Sunday , Jkhl made tho ground very sloppy, but tho Bun and wind yesterday had a good effect, and it had cotioidernbly improved by the timo play started, but it was still very Blushy in parts, a quantity of tan was also sprinkled over the worst places. Considering thatthe half-holiday was only partially observed, there was a very large attendance, between 5000 and 6000 spectators being present. Tho game was an exciting one throughout and at no time can it he said that tho play was slow and uninteresting, although in the early part of the game there were too many interruptions, owing to infringement of the rules. Both teams wero equally to blame for this, The interest of tho spectators was aroused from tho beginning, when Baumbcr made the first dash of the match, and it was nover allowed to flag. The match was expected to be an interesting one, and so it proved, but very few people were prepared lo see the Wellington men play so brilliantly. They played with 'fflftit dish and combination, and 'ffeir passing was quite a revelation, Never before has a Wellington representative team been seen to such advantage in this department of tho game, Formerly Wellington used to rely almost entirely on its forwards to secure their victories. The backs were hardly ever allowed to get a show—if they did they generally made it for themselves, and such a thing as " heeling out" aiad feeding the bacits was almost unknown, Certainly the game they played yesterday is a much prettier and more effective style of play than the old. The Wellington representatives have proved unmistakably this season that they can play tho passing game, and play it well, tor their excellence in this department of thegame has gained them three decided victories, of which they may well feel proud, and it is therefore to be hoped that this style of play will be encouraged in the future, The Wellington skipper won the toss and decided to play from the Eontb end, thus having the advantage oKfliying downhill. The wind—a light breeze from the south—was also in favour ; of tho Wellington men, When half-timo was called the score stood, Wellington 7 points, Cantor- : bury nil, From the outset yesterday, it was apparent that the Canterbury men would be beaten, Tho local forwards wero far too Btrong and quick for them, and tho backs were manifestly superior, The Canterbury team were outplayed at all points. They played with little dash, and their passing of which so much had been heard was > extremely disappointing. On one or two occasions the forwards passed i very prettily, but on the wholo it must be said that the team did not play np to its northern reputation, The state of the ground had a great deal to do with it, bub still, it is difficult to believe that the result would have been different had the ground been eyer so dry. No doubt had ' the ground been in better condition the. match would have been, a splendid oiSft and the Canterbury men would hive pjayeimuch better, So, too, would the Wellington men, for it is only fair to aßSumo that a team that could pass bo successfully on a heavy ground, with a greasy ball, would have done much better had the ball and ground been dry. The Canterbury ' team was beaten forward, and therein . lay the real cause of their defeat. The ! Wellington forwards were able to get ' the ball almost every time, and heel- ! ingitout,it was soon flying about \ amongst the backs, and that probably I is the secret of the whole thing, 1 In the second spall, aftor some all- < ronnd good play, things gotpartiou- J larly lively towards the finish, and ' some beautiful passing between Gage [ and Ellison ooco more took the ball t into the Canterbury territory, where F. Hobbs saved a certain score by grassing the Wellington skipper. Just before time was called "Wellington was allowed a free kick right in front of the Canterbury e,oal, but Lee, who todiMhe kiok, just missed the posts. 1 Ncrside' was then called, tho scores concluding''with:-Wellington, 12 points; Canterbury, 3 points. The Wellington team played so well all round that it is very difficult, remarks the N. Z, Times, to say who is deserving of special praise. Of the baoks, Baumber played a magnificent game, bis running, kicking, and passing being excellent, His smartness was the theme of general admiration. Next to him, for brilliant vdil round play, came Gage and Baker, both of whom kicked and ran in splendid style, and Gage also passed well. Ellison made several good dashes, but he was too well watched. Wynard played a good all round game at half, bis quick and sure passing proving ot great service, The forwards to a man did their work splendidly. Stuart played a dashing garao, The two wings, Lee and Oliphant, did a lot of serviceable work, the former being prominent several times in starting the passing rushes Cocknft was quite brilliunt at times ancrete performance came as a great surprise after tho indifferent form he basshowD lately, Of the others White, Pringle and McLean were the best. For the losers A, Hobbs and Batch were the best of the three-quarters, and Forbes did tho best work among the halves. F. Hobbs at lull back, played splendidly, his kicking being very good, and he also stopped rushes and collared well. Amongst tile", forwards, A, Ebert and Evans did good honest work in the pack,, while McKendry, Johnstone, and Garrard, were the beat in the loose. The latter also shone on the line out, Mr J. P. Firth acted as referee, and Messrs G. Faohe(Wellington) and

Lee (Canterbury) were the touob judges. Seven matches bavo now been played, Wellington having won four and Canterbury three.