FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5131, 16 September 1895, Page 2

FOOTBALL

WAIRARAPA BEATS WEL, LINGTON. [BY DAMOCLES.] The result of the ropresentativo football match on Saturday last wbb a surprise to nearly everyone, and especially to the vanquished A\, who were certainly led to believoroat the Wairarapa team was, this year, much weaker than in past seasons, and thoy went on to the ground fairly confident of an easy victory. The uncertainty of the game was again manifest, and the result was only a reverse of the surprißO and consternation created among the Wairarapa people at the conclusion of last season, when "our boys" woro fancied among tho champions of the Colony, and had their fino record spoilt by Wellington. The victory on Saturday against such a team as Wellington/lonly proves what I have said many times and oft, that Wairarapa has the material for a team second to nono in the Colony, but tho many disadvantages they are under, as regards practicing together, is a Bevere handicap, when they are pitted against city men whoarecontinually together for gymnasnimworkand combination practices, Considering that many of our men had not seen each other—01' even a football -since their lttrn from tho South, and thon toWmo out and defeat a combined and experienced team, is certainly a feather iu the cap, of the victors, and the question may bo asked, how would Wellington have fared had the teams met on raoro even conditions.

The game throughout was a splendid one to witness, the play being exceedingly fast and the brilliant passing of the Wellington backs was a treat to see. In the first spell, Wairarapa had tho advantago of a breeze blowing down the ground, and also played with the sun at their hacks. Play travelled from one end of the fiold to tho other in rapid succession, Wellington Bhowing somo clever scientific work at times in getting tho ball away from tho scrums to tboir backs. Baumbor once obtained a clear shot at goal, but missed his mark by a foot or so. The passing between Pudney, Kelly and tho three-quarters was excellent, and tho play would oft-times be transferred from one end to the ofcr in this way, only to be stopped wi a scoro seemed imminent, by tbowilliant collaring of tbo Wairarapa backs—the full-back in particular. Some sovere scrum work was witnessed on tho Wairarapa line in this spoil, but the borne boys always seemed equal to the occasion, tho line forwards coming to the rescue at a critical momeut. Tho Wellington line was also the scono of tough scrambles, and from their 25's, Bmmett made some fine shots at goal from marks and free kicks, the ball genorally going close, but not close enough. Campbell also had two places for Wellington, but kicking against the wind, both efforts wore Btoppod by the long forwards of the Wairarapa. Ross made an attempt to gain the line at the latter end, evading a number of the backs, but was safely stopped by Burko, Tho spell ended with no scoro to either side, with advantages evon,

With the wind and sun in their favor in the second spoil, the \Veli lington team were oxpected tojfeko I raattors in hand from i fairly romp over their opponents—at least this was the expressed opinion of the City supporters on the line—and rather stiff wagering wai indulged in by the excited ones. Tho play commenced fast and furious, Wellington making desperate efforts to gain tho lino. Baumber, ! Roberts and Roache ran and passod with fine judgment, but the collaring of tho Wairarapa forwards was sure and effective, and all tho combination of the backs was time after time frustrated. The Wairarapa men were now playingbettertogetber' than ever, and obtained tho ball: from tbo scrum rofiuestylo,Maguire 5 sending McGovern and Owen away . with pretty dashes. The following i up of tho local men was also sevoro on the Wellington backs, and thej several times stifled the return. Burke, the Wellington full back, had ' mora than his usual slmro of work to do, and played safely, placing his team out of extreme danger, in capital style. Roache sailed away on one occasion,eluding all the backs ; till the stumbling block of tho jftjij rarapaites was reached, and j brought his man down in tho nick | of time. Tho local men now gained t more confidence in thomselvos, and i the ball flitted among tho backs, , until Owen became possossor. The , Te Nui "rep.," with full speed ahead, set sail for the lino from tho I half way flag, and with three backs on his trai I, cleverly beat Burko, who ! failed to tackle quick enough, and , a try was scored amid great excite- , inent amongthespectators. Bmmett was entrusted with tho kick, but tho' angle was a dilßcult one, and an i excellent attempt did not increaso the score, Wairarapa 3 points, Wellington nil. Tho local men still kept up the attack after resuming, and Wellington seemed to lack spirit for a considerable time. A fino dribble by McKenzie, Campbell, Hardcastlc, aud Young transferred tho play to the Wairarapa 26 V whore Campbell was entrusted with a fairly easy place for goal, gained by Baumber clevely marking. The wind carried the ball wide.and Wairarapa supporters breathed freoly again, Desperate play continualou the local team's line, and Mrfj£ie came through the men with'atremendous rush.andcontinued towards tho coveted line, until Wrigloy measured the wing forward's length on the ground, Pudney passed out cleverly from the scrums, and the dashing play of H, Kelly was much admired, Roberts put iu soma clinking runs, and both he and Baumber came through their opponents on different occasions, and wero within an ace of scoring, when they were up-ended by the ever-safa Wrigley. The Wairarapa forwards, thinking it was full time this invi' sion should bo ended, took mattors in hand, and by a splendid loose rush, took the play the whole length of the field, and some mulling by Wellington backs, onabled the line to be reached, with T. Wrigley, D. Udy, and Cochrane chasing the ball, the former player gainingpossesßion after a desperate chase, scoring the second try for Wairarapa, Bmmett placed a pretty goal, and theApre stood at—Wairarapa 8 points.Ww. Only ten minutes now remained,and all the combined efforts of the Wellington men proved fruitless, the collaring of Wairarapa being more effective than over, and all playing with a dash and ability soldoni witnessed on local grounds. Play continued evenly contested, one minute at one end and the. next at, another, until the referee'swhißtle announced the call of time, and hearty cheers, ended the game, . ; l,:

Mr A, E, D'Arcy acted as reforeo and performed bis duties inavorj itnpartialmanner. The Wellington men eomplainedthat the whistle did notgo of ton enough, but this fact made tho game a great deal faster and mora interesting than it otherwise would have beon. Tho visitors had been used to strict interpretation of tho k rules, and Mr D'Arcy took no notice * of several minorinfringemonts, which are rapidly spoiling tlie old Rugby game, and will ultimately have the offect of placing country teams at euch a serious disadvantage as to dobar tliem from competing against city teams altogether. The spectators wero extremely enthusiastic throughout, and npplauded the good play of tho visitors quite as much as that of the district team. When tho scores were regis- < tered, they naturally became excited, and cheered to their heart's content. Tho winners must certainly bo k complimented upon their play as a * whole, and the win was certainly justified, and cannot be classed as n chanco ono. Thoir forwards showed suporior all-round play to thoir opponents, and thoir backs, although not nearly so brilliant or scientific, played well, without an oxcoplion. H. Wrigley at full was ut porfeol marvel in himself, saving his side times out of number. His collaring and kicking was entirely faultless j from beginning to end. The threeI qnartcrs.Owen, McGovem, and Ross, nil played well, although they were not called upon to do much passing and running. What little they did was well managed and effective. Their principal duty was to stifle tho passing of the opposing hacks and this they did to perfection. Owen's try, was from the run' of the day, and the sturdy three-quarter was fit for far more aggressive work had lie been again called upon. Thompson as five-eight proved too light for the position, his opposing man being far too heavy and cunning to let the speedy Star slip through his fingers. In the second spell he passed out exceedingly well, and also collared in good style. Mnguire played scientifically at half, several times boating bis opponents at their own game, and coming round the scrum on the " blind " side, gaininga lot of ground by his cunning tactics. Watson, without a doubt, played tho best forward game on the ground, watching McKonzie with an eagle oyo throughout, and putting in useful at all points of the game. p3ray camo not far behind, and I hayo never seen him appear to bettor advantage. T. Wrigley played a fino wing game, and his try was richly deserved, his following up and play generally being above the average. Eramett and Cochrane also outshone themselves, playing the gnme from start to finish with a brilliancy that did them credit, The two Udys, Percy, and Cadwallader did a lot of real honest work in the scrums, and it was due a great deal to their efforts in this department that the reputed brilliant play of the Wellington vanguard was frustrated. The combination quality of tho Wellington team quite sustained the roputation. Tho forwards and backs played into one another's hands like clockwork, and what seemed inevitable Bcores were several times only stopped by the Wairarapa full, and to the ability of this player they

certainly owe their defeat. Bourke, c tho city full-back, played with a cool « throughout, kicking {, ■with fine judgment, and collaring in * the main effectively. The three-quar- j, ters wore strong, and nil played tho a game from all points of view without ~ a fault. Baumber, Roberts and » Roache are indeed a splendid trio, B but they had a good defensivo team r to deal against, and suffered in con- 0 sequence. Undoubtably the best c back on the ground was H. Kelly, f who displayed wonderful fonding " powers, and gave his opponents all j tbey wanted in the collaring line. fi Pudney also showed great ability t and cunning behind the scrum, and ( sent the ball away to tho backs with < great rapidity, rarely missing his a intended man. The wings, McKonzio , and J; Kelly, wore handicapped by t meeting their match in the Wairar- ] apa boys, and did not show the ( form that was expected from them. ] McKonzie on the lino out, however, , was greatly in evidence, and showed t marvellous reaching powers, The | best of a fine pack of forwards were j Campbell, Young, Hardcastlo, and . Johnston, although Calnan, Mc- f Annuity, and Gallaghor shone vory , alike in scrum work ( find on the loose. I Wellington afctributo thoir dofeat | to tho absence of Swindley, Pauling ( and Poland from their forward divi- < sion, and their inability to get , the ball from the scrum when in | Wairarapa territory. , SCHOOL roOTHMt. ' i The match Wairarapa Schools v. \ Masterton Old Boys, was played on | tho Park Oval at 3 p.m. on Satin- \ day, victory resting with tho former | by 14 points to mi Resido, Rooks, Carpenter and Armstrong obtained tries, and Rutherfurd convertod one of them. The school boys showed excellent combination and thoir backs wero very safe. Mr P. McGovem gave every satisfaction as referto. Hawke's Ray defeated Poverty Bay by 13 points to 3 on Saturday, Canterbury beat South Canterbury by 12 points to three, Orchard wrenched his ankle very badly during tho game,