BRITISH TEAM'S TOUR.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13160, 6 July 1908, Page 8

BRITISH TEAM'S TOUR.

MATCH AGAINST POVERTY BAY. (SPECIAL TO "Tltr. TOESS.") GISBORNE, July 4. The British team met the Poverty Bay representatives at Gisborne to-day and defeated them easily by 26 points to nil. Tho weather was fine, and the attendance numbered about 3500. The toss was won by the Englishmen, who elected to play with the sun at their backs. The game was confined to neutral territory for some time, and then the local men got a rally on, the Britishers being forced. The visitors then made a rush, and looked like scoring, but Wi Wepa saved. McEvedy got away from tne centre of the field with a splendid run, passing to Davey, who outpaced his opponents and scored. Harding missed converting by a few inches. England ... ••. 3 Poverty Bay ... ... 0 Poverty Bay were awarded a freo kick for some infringement, but one of their own side spoiled a chance. The Britishers then put in some splendid work. "Tuan" Jones passed to McEvedy, and McEvedy to Chapman, who scored. Dyke took the kick, but failed to increase the score. England ... ... 6 Poverty Bay ... ... 0 On resuming, the Poverty Bay men were soon forced. Tho Englishmen brought their 6crirm tactics into play very effectively, and were getting tho ball every time. Poverty Bay got in a flash which aroused great excitement, but lost tho advantage by a throw forward. Turei just missed a shot at goal from a scrum about the centre. A series of scrums ensued, which were not of any benefit to the local players. The Englishmen were pressed for a few minutes. From loose play McKenzie got over the line for Poverty Bay, and there were deafening cheers, as it was thought a score had been made, but McKenzie had gono over the dead line, and a seemingly certain score was lost. A scrum in front of the British goal ensued, but without advantage to the local players. Rushes followed, with some incidents, and play was for a time kept well within or up to the British 25 yards' line. A freo kick was awarded to the Poverty Bay men in a good position. Tho ball was placed for Wi Wepa, but the shot was a poor ono. THE SECOND SPELL. The second spell opened with some poor play. A free-kick was given to the visitors for obstruction by Pine. Harding kicked a splendid goal. England ... ... 9 Poverty Bay ... ... 0 Passing rushes across the field ensued, the Britishers taking the ball cleverly, but not gaining much ground. Give-and-take play followed. Wi Repa proved sound as full-hack, and mado some beautiful lino kicks, which wero finely returned by Jackett. A freo-kick was given to Poverty Bay for offside play and then the game became very exciting. Tlie Britishers still kept getting the ball from the scrum every time, but the local men were tackling well, and tho play was kept much towards the centre. From loo.se play "Tuan" Jones got across the line, and Harding mado a splendid attempt at goal, the ball just going under the bar. England ... ... 12 Poverty Bay ... ... 0 Wi Reoa kicked off, and Griffiths found the Poverty Bay line with a grand kick from tho line, but Davey got over. Harding took the kick, and again failed to convert. England ... ... 15 Poverty Bay ... ... 0 A tussle took place on Poverty Bay's goal-line. They got a short relief, Rowe saving. McEvedy passed to Chapman, and the latter scored, Jackett converting in splendid style. England "... ... 20 Poverty Bay ... ... 0 Gradually the Englishmen worked the ball along until it reached the centre of the field. Poverty Bay then began to attack strongly, Malloy being prominent, but the defence proved very sound. From a rush Dyke loosely returned, and another rush was stopped by "Tuan" Jones. Once more it was sent down tho field amidst much excitement, and rallying cries of "Poverty Bay!", but Jackett promptly returned. Poverty Boy got a tree kick, but the advantage gained was soon nullified, McEvedv getting the ball away .smartly. Play was kept in the Britishers' twenty-live for a time, but another of their machine-like rushes brought tho play to the other end. Give-and-take play followed. Chapman scored next. Jackett took the kick, but did not convert. England ... ... 23 Poverty Bay ... ... 0 On resuming, passing between Davey, Jones. McEvedy, and Griffiths let the latter over. Dyko failed to convert, the game ending:— Britain ... ... 26 Poverty Bay ... ... % 0 AXGLC-WELSH TEAM'S NEW ZEALAND TOUR.