THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12378, 18 December 1905, Page 7

THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS.

I MATCH AGAINST WALES.

THE FIRST DEFEAT. A GREAT STRUGGLE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 16. After a lcng and victorious tour, in tho course of which they have successively proved themselves Miperior to the Scottish, Irish and English international teams, the Now Zealanders to-day received their first check, sustaining a defeat by Wales by 3 points to nil. The j game was fineiy contested from start to finish, the result being greeted -with tremendous enthusiasm by the '10,000 spec•ators assembled to witness the match. Tho weather was fine and tho ground in good condition. Wales played a strong side, including such well-known players as Gwyn NicholLs, t Gabe, Llewellyn, Hodges and Seven, forwards were played., with Pritchard as roving three-quarter. Excepting that Mynott replaced Stead, the New Zealand team was the .«am« as tfliat which met England in tho Crystal Palace match, consisting of Gillett, Wallace, Deans, McGregor, Hunter, Mynott, Roberts, Casey, Tyler, CSullivan, Newton, Glasgow, Seeling, McDonald and Gallagher. Tho first quarter of an hour's play was greatly in favour of Wales, it being mostly forward work. Onoe tho forwards succeeded in crossing the New Zealand line, but the visitors kicked tho ball into dead ball territory. When play commenced again, the gamo became more- open. Tho Welsh outsider then made a strong attack, and Morgan scored a try, after play had been in progress for 27 minutes. Winfield tcok tho shot at but failed. Wales 3, New Zealand nil. From this out to tho end of half-time New Zealand made desperato efforts to score, but failed to break through tho splendid and stubborn defence of tho Welshmen, and the spell ended—Wales 3, New Zealand nil. For a time after tho opening of the second spell play was confined to midfield, in which tho visitors did not appear to the best advantage, several of lloberts's passes being badly missed by ♦"»reo-quarters. Wales nearly scored a Turther try, Morgan kicking the ball into tho dead ball area. When play was set going again, Roberts broke away, and passed to Wallace, who was pushed into touch a yawl from the Welsh goal line. Wales again carried the play to tho centre, but from there t!ho New Zealand three-quarters, by brilliant passing, carried the ball right back again under tho goal, where Busli relieved with a long kick into touch. Tho concluding stages of tho game produced exciting play, both sides striving their utmost to score. Bush Nearly succeeded in dropping a goal from the Held. The ill-luck of tho New ZoaJanders pursued them to tho end, Deans spoiling a fine clianco to score by passing forward. The whistle sounded '" no side " amid a, soano or tremendous excitement, the score still standing—Wales 3, New Zealand nil. RESULTS OF MATCHES. Sept. 16—v. JUevon— Won by 65 to 4. Sept 20 —v. Cornwall —Won by 41 to 0. Seirt. 23—v. Bristol—Won by 41 to 0. Sept. 33 —t. Northampton—Won by 32 U 0. b»pt 3D—v. Lcicetter—Won by Sβ to 0. Oct. 4—v. iliddleeex—Won by 31 to 0. Oct. 7—v. Iharham—Won by 16 to 8. Oct. Jl—v. Hartiepool—Won by 63 to 0. Oct. 14—v. Northumberland—Won by 31 to 0. Oct. 19 —v. Gloucester City—Won by 4i to 0. Oct. 21—v. Somerset—Won by 23 to 0. Oct. 25 —v. Uevonport Albion—Won by 21 to 3. ✓ Oct. 28—v. Midland Counties—"Won by 21 to 5. Nov. I—v. Surrey—Won by 11 to 0. Nov. 4 v. Biackheath—Won by 82 to 0. Nov. 7—v. Oxiord University—Won by 47 to 0. Nov. 9—v. Cambridge University—"Won by 14 to 0. I Nov. 11—v. Eiohmond—Won by 17 to 0. Nov. 15—v. Bedford—Won by 41 to 0. Nov. 18—v. Scotland—Won by 12 to 7. Nov. 22—v. West of Scotland—Won by 22 to 0. Nov. 25 —v. Ireland—Won by 15 to 0. Nov. 28—v. Munetor—Won by 33 to 0. Dec 2—v. England—Won by 15 to 0. Dec. 6—v. Cheltenham—Won by 18 to 0. Doc. fl—v. Cheshire — Won by 34/ to 0. Dec. 13—Yorkshire—Won by 40 to 0. Dec. 16 —v. Wales—Lost by 0 to 3. Matches played, 23; won, 27; lost, 1. Points for, 801; against, 25. MATCHES TO BE PLAYED. The matches to bo. played are:— December 20 or 21—v. Glamorgan. December 23—v. Newport, at Newport. December 26—v. Cardiff, at Cardiff. December 30—v. Swansea, at Swansea, Tho Premier received the following message:—"Wales. , beat New Zealand by three points to nothing (one try). It was a very hard and fine game. There was no score in tho second halt." The "Sportsman," describing the . match between Wales and Ireland last year, said: —"Tho play was remarkable for the fact that it was not at all typi- , cal of that associated with Wake. In fact, it wns wholly forward. Apparently, the Welshmen had firmly settled in their own minds that tihe chief menace to their championship aspirations was to bo expected from the Irish , forwards, who had so unexpectedly dashed their hopes last year at Belfast. With this object in view, they determined to keep tho Irishmen scrummaging. This plan of campaign answered its purpose, and was really the secret of the WeLsh victory. If rushed a bit ; in the first few minutes, during which Ireland managed to score, the Welsh ' were not dismayed; they settled down to fixed methods, and pureued them , most effectively. For half an hour a tremendous battle raged in front, every inch of ground being obstinately disputed. The Irishmen were effective in the loose, but so also were the Welsh, and they refused to break up quickly. They preferred to scrummage, and this in tho teeth of' half a gale of wind provided the visitors with all they wanted. Then camo the turning-point. A chance cross-kick, a hurried pass to Morgan, who, Micawber like, was waiting for something to turn up, and the game woe'on tho Irish Urn's. This was the Welsh opportunity, "it was turned to account. A few minutes later, there was a rumilar happening; again it. yielded a score. Delighted with their lead, and the methods that had produced it, the Welsh kept to their tight, forward plan in. the second half. A bad blunder at this time in opening up the ' game might have proved disastrous. Wisely, they ran no risks, discretion proving the brt-ter part of valour, and so they prevailed. ,. In this match, the three-quarter line was the same as on ' Saturday. Gyim Nicholls, who was selected α-t the" last moment, is .-aid to have "thoroughly justified his inclusion, ! and if not the NichoLb of old, his defensive powers proved of the utmost value. > Indeed, he was well worth his place. ! Llewellyn and Morgan were both resourceful and eminently maintained their reputations. No three-qaartcr playing can take a pafe better than the 1 little winger, vrho ifi without an equal in liis position. ! [It is interesting to note that fincw ' 1883-4, when a complete programme for the* international championship was first drawn up, Scotland has won tho cbami •pLon/ship six times, after meeting all the I other teams, Wftjes four times, and

CABLE NEWS.

England three times. In the remaining years the contests were incomplete.] HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED IN OHRISTCHURCH. Tho first nowe of the result of the big match between the New Zealand team and Wales leaked out a few minutes before the official notice was made public at tho Post Office, and it quickly got abroad that tho match had been won by 3 points to nothing, but ac no mention was made as to whjch eide had eoored, the general impression was that tho New Zealanders had teen victorious. Previously on a Sunday, when the Government message has been posted, the public have had to Trait until about 9.30 a.m. before learning the result, but on. this occasion the telegram was placed on the notice board a few minutes after nine o'clock, when the attendance was much smaller than when tho results of the other international games had been made known. On the message being posted there was a slight cheer— evidently raieed by some of the partisans of the Old Country — and thceo not near enough to read what was on the board were reassured that our men had won. However, they were quickly disillusioned, and tho news quickly spread over the city that Wales had won by a try to nothing, a stop having been put to the New Zealanders , brilliant series of victories. As tho morning went on a steady stream of enthusiasts maae their way to the Post Office, and the result was discussed by eager knots of the public, who mado various excuse* for the defeat, but even the suggestion made by an alleged humourist, evidently having in mind the recent elections, that a "recount" might alter tho result, haa no effect beyond raising a laugh, and the people left Cathedral Square to await further details in tho morning papers. The Rotomahana, which arrived m Lyttelton yesterday from Wellington brought a largo number of passengers, including several members of the Ministry, all of whom were naturally anxious to know the result of the football match. The first news came from some men on tho moles. "Who won ?" shouted dozens of eager passengers. When the reply cam© back "Wales!" there was a feeling of utter credulity. "Go on, you re •having' us!" was shouted from the ship. "It's quite true, three points to nil, you'll set it posted up," replied one ot the men, and the passengers were for the moment nonplussed. Gradually the sad conviction of defeat sank into their souls, especially when they looked at Mr Seddonaaid saw dejection writ large on hif- usually radiant countenance. Un arriving alongside tho wharf the news was confirmed, and all the way up to town formed tho sole topic" of conversation in the train. The subdued tones betokened the gloom which had fallen on the company, but throughout there was frequently expressed conviction that, after all, "our boys" had done splendidly throughout the tour, and the colony had reason to be proud of them.