FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 43, 14 November 1907, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

"ALL BLACK" PROFESSIONALS. THE CEYLON MATCH. The Ceylon correspondent of an English spoiling paper, writing in reference to the match between Ceylon and the New Zealand professional team, says: — The Ceylon colonists are all keen sportsmen, and Rugby is the most popular game in the island, being played from May to August-, whilo hockey, Association, tennis, etc., go on almost the whole year round. The Rugby is generally of n fairly high standard, most of the players being old public schoolmen, with a moderate sprinkling of old county players and former members of firstclass teams at home. The Colombo Hockey and Football Club can place a good team.on the field, and play a keen, hard game in spite of tho adverse climatic conditions.

In tho up-country districts among tho hills, the planters play under ideal conditions, and their healthy outdoor life keeps tliem in thoi pink of condition, and their game is a capital one. They are divided into several districts, tho principal being Dimbula, Dikoyo, Kandy, and Maskeliya,. each with its team and fine club ground. This year Dimbula won the Districts Championship, only having their line crossed oiice the whole season, and beating and drawing with Colombo. But in the big match, Colombo v. Up-country, which is usually won by the planters owing to their perfectly fit condition, this year Colombo won handsomely after a great contest. The team against the New Zoalandcrs was solectod from all the districts. The teams were as follows:— Ceylon :—W. 11. Lockman (Colombo) (back), C. R. Ljindie (Colombo), W. E. M. Paterson (Colombo), D. Norman (Dimbula), and J. Tilly (Pimbuln) (throe-quarter backs), L. Williams (Dickoya) and Captain Budgen, R.A. (Colombo) (half-backs), R. M. Ash (Dimbula), A! F. West (Colombo) (capt,), B, A. Gray (Colombo), J. Hclmsle'y (Dickoya), Lieut. Skrimshire, R.A. (Colombo), F. M'Millnri (Dimbula), D. M. ITamia (Colombo), and A."H. S.' Clarke (Kandy) (forwards). ■'All Blacks":—Tnrtill (back), Wrigley, Smith, and Rowo (three-quarter backs), Messenger and R. Wynyard (five-eighths'), Kelly (half-back), Type (wing forward), Dunning, Mackrell, Cross, Wright (capt.), Byrne, Johnston, anil Trovarthen (forwards). The Colombo Rugby Club paid the visiting combination £50 for the match, and gave the whole of the "gate" to Ceylon charities. A very large crowd assembled to see the famous "All Blacks" when they turned out at 5 p.m., and loud cheers greeted them when thoy grouped and sang the Kia Ora, ICia Ora war cry. Johnston, the fine forward in Gallahor's team, started play. During the first half each side scored once. Messenger opened for the "All Blacks" five minutes from tho start, when, after a smart run, ho "hurdled" the Ceylon full back and fell over the line. For twenty minutes the game was of a dingdong order, the "All Blacks" being once compelled to save. Then Ceylon scored. At half-tinie New Zealand was leading by only two points (1 goal) to one try. After ten minutes hard playing in the second half New Zealand again scored through Messenger. Ceylon attacked hard, and presently their chance came when Norman got through. The spectators, some 12,000 in number, almost went frantic, and the New Zealand men 'watching the game doubted if they wore really going to 'win. Another ten minutes' play, rind the score was still, "All Blacks" 10 points; Ceylon, C points. During the last quarter of an hour of play a complete change ciimo over tho game, and Ceylon fell right off thoir form. The hard,,pace told on them, and thoir fight became a terribly up-liill one; thoy were always game, but their tackling lost its sting, thejr rushes were half-hearted, and the terrific attack the "All Blacks" made, when they saw Ceylon had their tail down, , carried' all before them. In a few .minutes thoy scored no less than four goals and ouo'try,'and ran -out winners with tho final score: "All .Bluets," six goals one try (33 points); Ceylon, two tries (C points). Tho scorers wore Messenger (2), Rowe, Tyne, Dunning, Cross, and Wrigley. It was. the hotter training of the "All Blacks" that gave them such a big victory at the end. The line, combined, passing among both , forwards •and backs, and thoir accuracy and- pace were features in the New Zoalanders' game. Tho heat first seemed to affect the. "All Blacks," who ivoro unaccustonied to profuse perspiration while playing, and complained that the moisturo on their hands was a handicap to good passing. The match was hard fought throughout, but there- was not the slightest suspicion of rough play on either side. Lieut. Skrimshiro, R.A., imrt his knee in the first few minutes of play, and retired, Young taking his place at the request of the "AH Black" captain, and R. Wright (Now Zealand captain) was hors lie combat for a few minutes owing to a strained knee also. The "All Blacks"-maintain the fino standard of physique of the previous team, and their play js of the same characteristic nature. They all possess speed, and the three-quarters—Wrigley, Smith, and Howeshould give trouble to the Northern Union teams. Wrigley is a burly, fair man", with tremendous pace for a player of his physique. . .Messenger is one of the best ailround men in the team; he scored two tries against Ceylon, and his place kicking' is as good as Wallace's, of tho first team. Messonger converted six out of seven tries, most of them registered far out on the wings. Tyno is a fast and very active wing forward, his dribbling marked him put as one of the few men in the "All Blacks" who use their feet to any great extent. . . Turtill. New Zealand full back, was completely out-elassed by the Ceylon man, Lockman,'who caused general admiration from the whole of the New Zealand team.