FIRST SOCCER TEST

NEW ZEALAND, 3; AUSTRALfA, 1}

FAST TIME ON A GREASY GROUND. (BI TBLEORAPH.-PRBgS ASSOCIATION) DUNEDIN, 17th June. The first Test match between the Australian and the New Zealand representative Soccer teams was played, in a' drizzling rain and oh a greasy field, at Ctritsbrook Ground to-day, and' attracted a. large crowd of about 10,000. Five previous Test matches had boen played between New Zealand and New' South Wales—two in 1904 in New Zealand, three in 1905 in Australia. Two wera drawn, two won by New South Wales, and one by New Zealand. THE TEAMS.. . Both teams were at full strength, tho personnel being'as follows:— Australia.—Goal, Gartwright; backs, D. Cumberford, Fisher j halves, Doyle, Shenton, Gibbs; forwards, Thompson, Ward, Maunder, J. Cumberford,' Dane. New Zealand—Goal, Claxton; backs, Braithwaite, M'Cauley; halves, Brownlee, Corbett, Jones; forwards, Brundell, Knott, Cook, Campbell, Ballard.^ " Mr. M. Thornley was referee. \ ■ NEW ZEALAND OPENS THE ATTACK. ■.-■ .. . : , /'. New Zealand won the toss, and Australia kicked off. New Zealand immediately set up a hot attack. Campbell sent nicely to Ballard, who sent across three fine centres. Cook missed a chance from one, Fisher cleared another, and Knott fielded, and rapped in a nice shot, .which-.-. Cartwright (in goal) handled safely. .A pass out to the right/gave Brundell a shot, which struck the outside of the net. A corner kick by Ballard looked dangerous' before the visitors gained relief and advanced. Fifteen minutes'y play elapsed before the Australians crossed the local twentyrfive. Then Shenton got through and shot outside. New Zealand were robbing the . visitors of the ball, and again they, pressed through the medium of -Brundell and Knott. Clever work by Ballard was finished with neat shots saved by Fisher and Cumberford, but Ballard tiicked tho defence agaiu/.and struck in a beautiful shot, which Cartwright just deflected over the bar. ■-''■'. I A collision between D. Cumberford and ■ Cook temporarily disabled the latter. : Australia broke away and Thompson got. ' well down, to be called back by the ' linesman's flag. Jones dropped in a nice | high-shot, which the visitors' goalI keeper cleared capably. A spectacular solo run by Shenton closed witk' a pass to Maunder, who was stopped1 by MAuley, who set New Zealand again, attacking. • ' ,- /'. . . EVEN PEGGING. - From a lime-out Camp Ceil sent;to Cook, who manoeuvred for position, and * drove in a hot, low shot, which found the net in the corner, amidst applause. Cartwright just managed to touch the ball as it passed. ' '■ ,-. New Zealand ..,- <....... 1 Australia 0 Australia were finding the slippery ground difficult, but Dane and Ward led a likely attack ior the visitors. The opposition, However, was too sound; anil the New Zealand goal-keeper was not seriously tested^,Cook, Knott, and Campbell brought the ball down the field again, but Caitwright^brilliantly;, turned ovec the bar another "fine -shot., by Cook. Gibbs opened play for the visitors with a well-judged pass to Thompson, who sped down the line, but shot wide. A freekick against .Brundell was ..cleared -/by Claxton. Australia's attack improved, and Thompson, cutting in, sent across to Dane, but again New Zealand crumpled the attack, and a moment • later Cai'twrighfonce more had to deflect over tha bar a clinking shot by Campbell. From ' midfield the bail was sent to Thompson, who centred. MAuley missed, and' Maundei slipped through, and scored. with a fast shot irom close in.- Halftime was called immediately. .. • Australia 1 NevV Zealand 1.-.-- --. BLACKS GAIN THE LEAD. From the kick-off, Campbell and Cook raced through, and Cook shot, Cartwright deflecting outside the upright. From further pressure Australia's goal was threatened by a good centre by Brimdell. Thompson (Australia) twice centred dangerously, and fiom one Cumberford sent to Maunder, whose header was deftly turn-, \ ed over the bar bj" Claxton. New Zea-. 'and rallied, and Ballard, eluding: the half-back, made a sensational vun goalwards. Knott headed smartly, but Cartwright saved brilliantly »t close quarters. The visitors returned, and forced several corner-kicks, which wew unsuccessful. Again New Zealand attacked, shots by Ballard a-nd -Cook missing- tho mark. Play was temporary suspended owing to an injury to Thompson. From a throwin Ballard received, tricked the opposition back, and drove in a beautiful long shot, which Knott deftly turned into tha net. Ne^fcZealand 2 Auatralir ... 1 Dane and Ward led the visitors to the home goo,l, hut MAuley and Braithwaite cleared. From play on the left Cook snapped at goal with a long shot, which found the net high in the corner. New Zealand ;.' 3 Australia 1 AUSTRALIA'S BIG EFFORT. The visitors retaliated -"with a spirited attack, Dane aii'd Thompson, on opposite wings, making useful advances, but, with the exception of 4- shot from Cumberford, the New Zealand goalkeeper was not seriously taxed. The visitors' finishing efforts were disappointing. A tricky run by Thompson required a timely . header by Braithwaite to clear. Dane brought in again, and the New Zealand goal was in great danger when the goal-keepqr , was drawn well out of goal. A resultless corner gay* ■ relief, but a v moment lated Maunder narrowly missed heading through. Cumb'erford and Cartwright in turn "saved Jikely shots. The visitors were attacking when the final whistl« sounded, with the score :— NEW ZEALAND 3 AUSTRALIA 1 Interviewed after the match, the Australian manager said : "We can only congratulate New Zealand or their win, which t-hej deserved on the day's play."-