IN CALIFORNIA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14854, 20 December 1913, Page 4

IN CALIFORNIA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.

(frosi otrn SPECIAL co__xsroN*D__*r.) SAN FBANCISCO, December 17. We arrived in San Francisco from Los Angeles on the night of the 10th November, and returned to our old quarters at the Manx Hotel. Our stay waa a very brief one, however, as we were due at Santa Clara for our second match against that University on Wednesday, 12th mst AT SANTA CLARA. On arrival at Santa Clara we wero driven to the University, and the players quickly dressed for the game. The ground was in a much better condition than we expected, and the sun was shining brightly. Before the second spell started rain fell, however, and continued tor the remainder of tho afternoon and all night. Tlio match was a very pleasant one, and the homo team showed that they had pro_i*e.l greatly, by tho coaching which our fellow- had given them Their combination was a great improvement on that shown in the first game, and it was very evident that they had worked m the interval to,improve the standard of their play. At the end ot tho first spell tho score was 17 to nil in our favour, comprising tries by Sellars, Taylor, Stohr, and Mitchinson and a fine goal from a penalty by Stohr, who also converted Mitchinson's try. lithe second half the ball was greasy, and the ground heavy, but in spite of these drawbacks tne visitors succeeded in notching 16 points, Loveridge (2), Stohr, and Sellars scoring tries while Dick Roberts converted the last two making tho total points for the match 33 to nil. THE "ALL STARS." After attending a social we took train for San Francisco to prepare for our final and most important game in California, viz., that against the combined Californian team or the "All Stars," as the team was styled. The New Zealand team was chosen on the Friday, the final selection being:—Full-back, Cuthill; three-quar-ters, McGregor, R-. Roberts and Lynch; five-eighths, Mitchinson and Gray; half, Taylor; forwards, Murray (wing), Sellars, Cain, Graham, Downing, Wylie, McDonald, and Dewar. From the kick-off the play was full of incident, both teams playing clean and open Rugby. For the first quarter the forwards were fairly evenly matched, the loose rushes of the Blacks being met with plucky and determined stopping. A few minutes after starting, Taylor started a passing rush, in which Gray. McKenzie, aud-Roberts participated, the last-named scoring. At the end of the spell the score was 27 points to 3, in our favour, tries being scored by McDonald (2), McKenzie (2), and Murray, while Dick Roberts also scored again and Graham converted three of the tries. Just before the end of the spell, Mitchell and Carroll put in a fine run which threatened the Blacks' goal, the latter being stopped in the New Zealand twenty-five, where the defenders were penalised for offside play. Peart took the kick, and placed a une goal amidst great enthusiasm. The spectators rose from their seats and cheered, hats were thrown up and a general tumult raged until the ball was kicked off again. During the, second half the Blacks' scoro was increased by 24 points, and we thus won by 51 points to 3. OFF TO SEATTLE. Immediately on the conclusion of tho play our fellows were rushed off to dr. *-'• and get back to tho city to catch the s.s. Congress for Seattle, en route for Victoria, B.C. This boat had been delayed for us, and the agent, who was present at the match, did not let up on us for a minute. Bustled and driven, we had no opportunity to say good-bye to our friends, many of whom promised to be on the wharf to see us off. But on reaching the pier we wero given no time for leave-taking, and were no sooner over tho gangway than the lines were let go. and tho Congress moved off, followed by hearty cheers from the crowd assembled to give us a send off.' MISSED HIS BOAT. Our manager, who had lingered at Berkeley to see everyone safely away, did not reach tho wharf until the steamer was a hundred yards away, but Mayor Rolph at once took him in charge and drove him at full speed to the Crowley "wharf, where they seized a launch and chased the Congress down the bay. As the launch approached, the steamer slowed down, and, on getting alongside, the manager climbed on board by a rope ladder, which had been hung over the side for him. amid cheers and plaudits from our fellows and the crowd of passengers who had assembled at the ship's side to see the fun.