THE THIRD TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 177, 25 July 1908, Page 6

THE THIRD TEST.

BRITAIN V. NEW ZEALAND. BEFORE THE MATCH. Auckland to-day had scarce but one subject for conversation, and that was unfailing. In street, tram, or train, over shop counter, or across office desk, one topic engaged the attention of the populace, and was passed from mouth to mouth until the very air seemed charged with—football. The "fascination appealed to all. but the bleak day prevented many who would otherwise have done so from journeying to Alexandra. PaTk, to witness the third and llnal test match between the Anglo-Welsh representatives and the guardians of the silver fern. At 10 a.m. the gates opened, but save for a few stray units the Manukau-road presented much its usual appearance. These filed in with little hurry, but a little later the crowd began to assume respecetable proportions, and by 1 p.m. had swelled to about 5,000. From this hour on the procession into the Park swelled more than ever, but never at any time was the rush at all equal to that of last Saturday. The camp stool, the soap box, and even the modest kerosene tins which were then availed of found no patrons to-day, and ample accommodation could be found in the ground and the auxiliary stand right up to the start As the success of such an occasion so largely depended on the efficiency of the tramway service, it should be said thai the latter was admirably adapted to the requirements of the day. Although large numbers availed only of natnte's provision for man's terrestrial locomotion, it is doubtful whether the walking to Potter's was undertaken from necessity in any instance. Many again preferred to train to Eemuera and Green-lane stations and proceed thence on foot, this course being largely adopted by the country visitors who journeyed in on excursion trains at holiday rates. In addition, innumerable vehicles of all descriptions from the humble wagonette to the more luxurious landau, and the stylish motor, plied for hire, good patronage being reported all round. Inside the ground the interest of the spectators was closely held by a couple of curtain-raisers, both of which were contested on No. 1 ground.' The intervals were largely occupied with various desultory amusements, in which some luckless person generally assumed a role by no means of his own choosing. It was a good-natured crowd and humorous sometimes almost to the verge of basoonry, in its wait through the odd hours prior to the great game.

Three facts contributed to render the" attendance less remarkable than on the previous Saturday —the unpropitious state of the weather, the high tariff for admission, and the natural Blight slackening of public interest after the decisive defeat of the British team on Saturday last. The forecast last evening might have pointed to better conditions to-day, but the heavy showers shortly after daylight, continued through the forenoon, combined to render Bitting and standing accommodation not unattended by slight discomforts, "whilst umbrellas and greatcoats were ready everywhere in case of emergency. By noon, however, the ground was in fairly good condition, and in the absence of sun and practically all wind with the exception of a very slight southerly breeze, it could be seen that whichever side of the field were held the corresponding advantages would be inconsiderable. During the progrees of the game Auckland v. Franklin., a band of spectators, whose numbers were variously estimated at from 300 to 500, swooped up from below to the auxiliary stand, mounted the harrier, and settled down quietly to enjoy the game under more auspicious circumstances. By 3 p.m. the crowd had reached the total of about 8000. The teams were as follows:— BRITAIN. (Colours: Red, white, anl blue.) Full-back: E. J. Jackott. Three-quarters: F. McEvedy, H. H. Vassall, "Ponty" Jones, F. Chapman. Halves: W. Morgan, Tuan Jones. Forwards: A. F. Harding, E. Morgan, P. J. Down, G. R. Hind, R. Dibble, H. Archer, T. W. Smith, J. F. Williams. NEW ZEALAND. Full-back: J. Colman (Taranaki). Thrcequarters: D. Cameron (Taranaki), A. Mitehinson (Wellington), R. G. Deans (Canterbury). Five-eighths: J. Hunter (Taranaki), W. Stead (Southland!. Half: F. Roberts (Wellington). Wing forward: G. Gillett \ Auckland). Forwards: Hookers, F. Ready (Wellington), F. Glasgow (Southland); lock, W. Cunningham (Auckland); sides, A. Francis (Auckland), J. Patterson (Otago); back row, C. Seeling (Auckland). H. Hayward (Thames). Referee: Mr. A. Campbell. COMBINED SECONDARY SCHOOLS V MAORI COLLEGES. This match proved an attraction for the early visitors to Alexandra Park. In the first spell the combined colleges had all the best of the play, and scqred six points to their opponents nil. Keeny scored a try, which Heata converted. The Maoris started the Becond half well, and attacked well for a space.- Pikiaiahu scored a try, and Hautaerwa kicked a penalty goal. 'After this the Maoris never got a look in, and the combined colleges proceeded to pile up a substantial score. Walker scored two tries, Clarke one, and Gordon potted two goals from the field. The combined colleges thus won by 23 to 5. AUCKLAND V, FRANKLIN, Auckland kicked off from the western end, having the advantage of the breeze, and were on the attack from the outset. Franklin were forced twice in ten minutes, the second time from a penalty kick by Mageo, who hit the post. Auckland kept up the attack, and a promising passing run was spoilt by Bater, who WB.s collared with the ball. A penalty gave Magee another chance, and from a position in front, but almost on the half-way lino, he landed an unmistakable goal. Shortly afterwards Franklin forced from a long kick by Mo"«e. The Auckland backs handled

the ball very much, Morse especially and eventually a passing rush, started by McDonald, ended in a score, Eenwick getting over. Magee failed at goal —Auckland 6; Franklin, 0. McDonald again opened up the game for his backs and, passing to Bater, to Magee, to Wili son, the latter ran over and scored, Magee again failed—Auckland, 9; Frank lin, 0. Renwiek picked up and ran across the field, and sent on to Murray who beat a couple of men before trans! ferring to Wilson. The latter ran to Cranston, and then centred. Waddell following up fast, took the ball across and scored. Hall's kick hit the posW ■'" Auckland, 12; Franklin, 0. Play wa« confined to neutral ground for the re« mainder or tne spell. SECOND SPELL. Auckland attacked from the kick-off and Franklin, with Blake and Spruggat in ' ' the van, cleared their line, and took play • to Auckland's twenty • five. Auckland's forwards soon transferred the scene of operations, takings the leather past the half-way. Eenwick herd was compelled to retire. The Auckland forwards carried the leather on to thq visitors' line, and a force down resulted; . A long kick by Carr placed Auckland on the defensive, and their forwards took' the ball across, but were recalled for an infringement, Auckland' cleared their -; lines, and took play past centre, Franklin •being &übsequnetly freed. Frank- , i lin were now playing very \ much better together, and for some time play was at centre, and! then the visitors got -well into their oppo- : nents , 25, where, from an opening, one of the forwards got across, but was called back. Hall and Kinder led a rush to the opposing 25. From a throw-in J. Blake ' kicked to Wilson, who saved cleverly. Then Murray headed a rush over the.: visitors' line, but was beaten for the . ball, which was kicked across the dead ball line. /, Auckland were on the attack, ,an 4 looked like adding to their total, when Spragg« intercepted a pass and kicked down past Auckland's last line of de> : .~ fence. Wilson ran back, but failed to . : pick up, and the ball was sent out close to Auckland's line. In a passing run between Blake and Cranston, the lattej hesitated, and threw forward, and a. ■ good chance was lost. Auckland retali* ated with a rush to centre, and T. Blake saved by fielding smartly, and kicking ! out. Auckland was, still attacking whea. the bell sounded, the game ending Auckland — 12 1 Franklin » ~ Nil j SOUTH ISLAND RUGBY JOTTINGS., (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") '; DUNEDIN, this day. .' The footballer charged by the SoirtK land Union with using bad language in * recent third grade lnuteh, became inso ' lont at the committee meeting, and whe< ordered out gave the union a taste of hi» swearing ability. He got three years? suspension.' It is stated that a number of Kaiapof footballers are ready to break out into Northern Unionism, and from other communications there is every likelihood oi the game starting in most of the centres, including Dunedin. PEOPOSED ALTERATION OF RULES; A conference between Mr. Geo. Burnett, manager of the Anglo-Welsh team, and Messrs. G. DixOn and N. Galbraith, of the New Zealand P-ugby Union, was held at the Central Hotel yesterday after* noon for the purpose of discussing the proposed alterations to the rules of the, •;■■' game brought forward by the N.Z.R.U. The conierence was not open to the Press, and the result will not be published until it has been presented to the | N.Z.R.U., but it is understood that >Ir< Harnett expressed approval of the suggestions with one or twe exceptions. Mr. Harnett said he would do his best ta push the suggestions with the English; Union, and he had no doubt that anything coining from such a body as the N.Z.R.U. would carry great weight with the Home officials. If the alterations were agreed to by the English body they would also have to l>e submitted to the International Board for approval.THE JUNIOR REPS. The selector (Mr H. Jones) has cboseat the following team to represent the Auckland juniors in a match against the Wai' uku seniors at Waraku next Saturday* Fullback, O'Brien (Marist Bros.); three, quarters, Sergeant (Shore), Smith (Par* \ nell), Reid (Newton); five-eighths, Wyn* yard (Shore), O'Brien (Marist); wing, forward, W. Dernan (Me.net Bros.); fol* wards, Bater (Shore), Hooper (Newton)/ McKinnon (Ponsonby), Calligan (Newton), Gundy (Ponsonby), Shaw (Shore)j Hayward (Newton); emergencies: < Cross (Ponsonby); forward, Frickel (Ponsonby). The team will train at th« City shed on Tuesday and Thursday evenings next. Owing to the British matches, it was considered impractical ble to hold a prior match before the Bβ lection, CORNISH RE-UNIOH. A complimentary reception was tendered last evening to Messrs. E. J. Jacket* and F. Davey, Cornish, members of the visiting British football team, in the Federal Rooms, by the Cornishmen resi-« dent in Auckland. Dr. Bedford preside ed, and proposed in felicitous terms the> toasts of "The Guests," and in so doing presented each of the visitors with a pair of quartz and greenstone sleeve links, handsomely finished, as a slight memento of their sojourn in Auckland, together with specially bound copies of the book of the "All Black" team's tour of Britain. Messrs. Jackctt and Davey suitably responded. A capital musical programme of vocal, instrumental arid recitative items was contributed to by the Unique Quartet (Messrs. Abel Rowe, A. G. Fogerty, G. Pellham and J. Lonergan), Messrs. A. Ford, J. W. Atkinson, J. Rowe, N. A. Pearce, R. Eagleton, Wynne Grey, F. Rowe, .and L. Logan. Messrs. A. Bartley and G. Shaw acted as accompanists, and Mr. A. Rowe officiated aa director of the programme. The Aucklanders at the re-union decided to form a Cornish Society in Auck» land. The arrangements have been placed, in the hands of a committee, of which Mr. F. G. Andrews is secretary.