MAORIS Y. BLACKHEATH. A GLORIOUS VICTORY.

After rather more than fifteen weeks' absence in the provinces, the New Zealand team returned to London on Saturday and took up its old quarters at the Greyhound at Richmond in comfortable contiguity tfo the local club's practising ground. Needless to cay, Mr Scott does not now pay 10s per head per man to the Greyhound -proprietary. On Wednesday the ' Maoris met the formidable Blackheath fifteen, and despite the. fact that Ellison, Gage, Madigan, Smiler, and Joe Warbrick were disabled and obliged to stand down, managed to win a glorious" victory. The afternoon was fine, but rather cold for onlookers, and being Wednesday (not Saturday) afternoon there were no special ti-ains run from the city. Still the stands were crowded, and the railings lined four deep with Blackheathians, who applauded their men to the" echo throughout the afternoon,, seldom vouchsafing their op- • ponents a hand. There was not as much self-confidence displayed " beforehand as when Kent so gfvyry undertook to "kerush"" the- presumptious Antipodean pretenders; 1 bub the Blackheath men meant to win easily, if ■ only to. depreciate the Maoris' fceriC3 of Wqsfc Country v'iabories. '

Tho Maoris have, even an inoxporb liko myself can see, improved prodigiously in their play since they debuted afc Richmond. At their full strength and in their best form they must be very, near the top of tho tree indeed, and I look forward wilh the in tensest interest do the great match with " All England " to-morrow week.

DETAILED ACCOUNT. The " Sportsman " thus doscribes the match v. Blackheafch. It says : — Great iir tercbL ceutred in the match, as was manifest by the large number of spectators present on the Rectory Field, but, contrary to expectation, the visitors indicted _ a crushing defeat of two goals and three tries to one goal. That the colonists have impioved thero can be no question, as they were in overy respect .superior to their opponents, pla\ ins," with rare dash and spirit, and passing well 5 whilst, on the other hand, Blackhcath seemed to lack their usual combination, tins being partly due to the poor form of the half-backs. Stoddart and Clauss playe'i a rattling gamo, and tho forwards to a man worked hard. It muse not bo forgotten, however, that tho home tide could not muster anything like its full stiength, though useful assistance was received from OxJjcnd. Anippg- the , .absentees may be noted G, C. and A. O. Hnbbard, LeFleming, Wilbe, and Inglis;-all on the &ick list, in addition to Walpolo, Jedei'y, Wynne, and Robinson. Starting at 5.30, Carpmael kicked off from the Charlton end, but, the return by tho Maori back Was feeble, as the ball diopped into couch close to the " twentv-hve." From, the line out Allport got hold, but was well collared, and a " scrum " being immediately formed the visitors' forwards came thtough brilliantly and took the ball up to the Blackhcath quarters. A splendid dribble by N. S purling brought play back to the centre, wheie some tight scrummages took place, Stoddai t being loudly cheered for, a good run. Budworth punted, and. before W.'e .Warbrick could retuiiiliowas well co'lared by Clauss. Exciting play then took place, Stewart by a grand dribble right up the, field crossing the line. McCausland successfully essayed the placo. Resuming, the game was again very fast, good passing between the visitors' three quarters taking the leather ! clobe to the home "twenty-five," but one ot the latter making a mistake, Stoddart got hold, and clearing his opponents in line fashion, scored a well-deserved try, which he converted. Hot scrummages again occuned in the home territory, and after a "scrum" near the uprights the ball was pasbcd to "W. Wynyard, who measuring the distance, diopped a magnificent goal. The Maoris again assumed the aggiesbivo, the forwards being very conspicuous by some grand dribbling, and Lee pick ing up cleverly, scored. McCausland however, failed in his attempt at goal. Half time soon arrived, with the -visitors leading by two goals and a try to a goal. On crossing over a minute had not elapsed ere Keogh, by a dodgy run, added to the score, but McCausland failed to improve. The home team for a short peiiod kept the leather in the visitors' territory, but the latters' forwards, by excellent diibbling, Gradually woiked their way back to the Blackhcath '"twenty-five." Stoddait, however, relieved by a good punt into touch close to the centie-line. Play still continued fast and exciting, but nothing rebulted until, from a " scrum " in the mid-field, the ball was .smartly passed to VY. Wynyaid, who dodged a host of opponents and gained a well deserved try. McCausland attempt justwenfcwide of the mark. Thevisitors were not to be denied, and a " scrum "took pbee within a yard of the home goal. One of the colonial forwards dribbled over the line, and seemed to be on the point of scoiing when Stoddart came to the re&cuo, and with a smart kick sent the ball out of play. Again the visitors looked dangerous, but Stoddart relieved. Chiifetopherson and Clauso in quick succession punted over the line, compelling the visitors' back to touch down. Clauss twice attempted to chop goals, but although excellent kicks they went wide of the mark, and "time "was called w ibh the, New Zealanders victors of a grand game by two goals and thiee tiics to one goal. Teams :—: — New Zealanders : W. Warbrick (Matata) (back), E. McCausland (Gordon^ Auckland), W. Wynyard. (" Takapuna"), and F. Warbrick (T.auranga) . (three-quarter backs), Keogh (Dunedin), H. Wynyard (North Shore), and W. Elliott (Graf ton, Auckland) (half-backs), G. Wynyard (North Shore), K. Taiaroa (Dunedin), 11. Lee (Rivei'ton), Y. Anderson (Thames), G, Williams (Poneke), D. Stewait (Thames), T. fteriue (Nelson), and Arthur Warbrick (Matata) (forwards). Blackhcath : G. M. .Harper (back), A. E, Stoddart, P. Christophcrson, and P. R. Clauss (three-quarter backs), R. F. De . Winton and E. W. Senior (half backs), J. ' Hammond, N. Spurling, A. Spurlmg, W. P. Carpmael, E. }Y. Bishop, R. D, Budworth, A. Allport,E. H. G. North, and A. A. Surtees (forwaids). Umpires : Messrs. J. Warbrick and A. Budd. Refeiee: Mr L. Stokes.

SOME NOTES ON BLACKHEATH MATCH, ETC. "Tabby" Wynyard on tho Maori sido, and Stoddarfc tor Blackheath, were tho heroes of the ' game. Tho former's "diopped" goal' was a veritable tour da force, and Stoddart's long run in and " try " elicited furious cheering, though but for Will Warbrick slipping as he collared Him,' it would never have come oil. Keogh, too, played very well. Major Pitt, of N,el&on, watched the game from the pavihon. To-morrow the Now Zealand ei\s (whom it s the fashion now to call " Blacks "—"" — " Go it, Blacks !" " Come, on Blacks !"' ',' Bravo, Blacks !" etc.) play Portsmouth. Then comes Oxford, and then "All England." Mr Scott says thabii ever he repeated the experiment of bringing a Now Zealand team home ho should, arrange his own matches, and nob let the Rugby Union, do it, • TJie latter are. apt to' ignore s,uch considerations as .the g&t© and travelling expenses.