NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 72, 18 December 1907, Page 8

NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME.

TWO MATCHES REVIEWED. THE LOSSES' AT WIGAN AND' BARROW:, HALF-HEARTED PLAY. DISAPPOINTMENT OF.-'CRITICS!; Wigan (Lancashire) —Lost by 8 points to 12 —1 goal and 2 tries to 4 tries, Barrow (Lancashire)— Lost by 3 points- to 6 —1 try to 2 tries. BT TELEQRATH— PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYWOHT. Sydney, December 17. The following further comments on the play of the New Zealand footballers appear in London papers to hand by mail BREACHES OF RULES. The "Daily Telegraph" says:—''The Wigan match was noteworthy for-much good play, characterised by strenuous resolve and alertness in attacking. Wigan threw every ouncc of reserve strength into the contest,, and maintained a strong defence', combined with clever attack. Tho colonials, who have not yet- properly mastered the technicalities of the their frequent" infringements of the law proved—were not so'polished in passing or so smart or. straight in their running as in recent matches. Thoy also suffered because of their rather feeble attacking." " HOW BARROW WON. \ The "Daily Chronicle" on the '.Bairow m?tch says:—"Tho New Zealand men sustained their sc-cond defeat, though l their victors aro iiot counted among the. best.clubs in' the Northern Union. Barrow, however," had not been beaten at home this season,' and they accomplished all that was expected of thorn, by better football, finer and more effective tackling. The New Zealanders seemed quite 'half-hearted in tHeir operations, and positively courted' defeat! Nothing exciting occurred in the first half, the football was none too good, and the teams appeared woll matched.- Barrow certainly shaped better, and the visitors were hard pressed on several occasions. At length a clever effort on the part of the Home team resulted in their scoring a try, but it was not converted. SMITH SCORES A CHEAT TRY. "A few minutes afterwards the' New Zealanders attacked with vigovir. Smith showed his speedy running powers by scoring a grand try. Wrigley failed at goal. The scares at half time were even —a try each. The second half, though contested with exceptional energy, which at times almost'developed into roughness, demonstrated how evenly the turns' 'were matched... SdvdTal times the visitors appeared on the poitit : bf scoring, but failed to penetrate, the defence, while on the other hand Barrow, after having a gocd many' chalices, were able to score again, lind tho end came with defeat'for the colonials by 6 to 3." : ; UNNECESSARILY ROUGH PLAY. .The "Daily News"' says:—'"At-'.tHei start, the ground was in good condition, but-.aftcr the interval the game was spoilt by .lieaiiy rain. The Barrow to.am was very strongforward, and' the backs, tackled'.'gamely*."- 11l the first half botli sides played good'' football,arid there was little to choose between the teams, but -after the' interval. Bar'rjow showed to greater advantage. .The New Zealanders occasionally pressed ' tlio '-'Homo team, but could not beat down the defence. Barrow fully deserved victory, wliiqli was gained largely by tackling. Towards the end- of tho gafue play was unnecessarily rough. The New Zealanders had some,good points, but disappointed the spectators'?,' The "Daily Telegraph" Considers that- play generally favoured tho. Lancashire club. "The attack of the New Zealanders was again disappointing, many, opportunities''being badly bungled, while as. a defensive force ' t-lio'y were riot as formidable .is in recent contests. Tlie New Zealanders played phcltily to. the end, but defensive measures occupy, too much of their attention to allow them to become really dangerous.