THE BRITISH FOOTBALL TEAM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 200, 18 May 1908, Page 9

THE BRITISH FOOTBALL TEAM.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME,

RECEPTION AT THE TOWN HALL. It .goes without-saying that tho arrival; of .'. tho British footballers:, by tho Athenic this: morning rill bo .witnessed ■'■ by. a -large 'aM* enthusiastic gathering. At tho Queen's Wharf the team will bo informally mot and welcomed by tho. officials of the New Zealand • and Wellington .Rugby Unions, and a' largo ; number of the delegates to the. recent conforenco. ■ Tho visitors will then bo driven to. their'((iwrters at. tlvo Grand Hotel. . ) '• ' , • Several-important matters will bo discussed >•' '.by, Jlr.: Harnett- (manager of. the' team) and . the officials - of tho Now Zealand 'Rugby ~. Union ,during '.the' day., Or.o of 'theso will .. Tela to.to tho - appointment of. referees, .and •, :another, .to 1 , tho.number;of, matches' to,, bo ...played '-in Australia. Gablo advico was received on Saturday to, tlio; 6ffeet that the ■" visitoys :;havo..agreed:'to .play .two or three. additional . games .on ' tho other side',: so it '. : would'".appear that: the: teani "intend •to re- ' ...turn" via-- Vancouver,-.and play; a series of .. matches in British Columbia. ■ No;dcfibito.'programmdvhas' been' arranged .in _connection; iYith .the: entertainment?of the - visitors. On tho .'occasion of tho visit of tho. last' English tean} a list of engagements was, -it - will.': bo ''remembered,\/.. drawn . .up beforea! courso;iends to place rc- ' *■ stricti'ohs on tho members' of the team, it, has .'been 'thought,, advisable to consult .'their 'wisKes'.- in''this respect' as much as possible.: Evo^iKciUtyVwill,^:;<rf,;ctmrse;.;be. placed -at; ■ their:disposal,..witlv. a-view of;, making trips which .they.may ;t take"thoroughly- enjoyable.,,:■ ; j ; During their-'st^yj,in tho.'visi- ; tors, will'hold tbeir/practicesbn. tho Athletic y; •Park, ; ;;iyhich,,hak 1 beeri; secured,.especially/for ■ ■ the . purpose. ..yThev 'will thus bo afforded, a , splendid' opportunity.^of• practising./.together,. '.in;'comparative, privacy.'..on;tho' best playing X area jnf,thiy ; ;districts,"lt not • Jof ■tho-.teaii,'wiil have a kick during the day. '.■ .i- 1 ! '. afternoon,, the, Britishers will. , ; -bo accorded a public reception at'•, the TpWn' Hall.;; _Tho; Premier; (Sir. Joseph. -Ward) ..will. . welcome, then' on' bpjialf.'of .the pcoD.le of tho :■ Dominion, tho Mayor (Mr: T. W. Hislop) 011 ..-behalf. of the residents. of Wellington, and .',; Mr:; G; :F.-'^'' J : of itho . N.Z.R.U.) on behalf of the football authorities 1 v ' ~ In connection with tho visit, a neat pocket- ; souvenir, _ containing :' a; number ;of maps of , places of interest m tho Dominion, tho itinorary of tho' visitors and other, information) is .being issued by tho N.Z.R.U-- - - LOOKING BACKWARDS. ' -HISTORY OF PAST CONIESIS. gl*(iice,;i.nto;: tlieihistory .of :past .contests • between representatives of the Mother. C#im- . ~ New. Zealand will, at this -juncture;- . be-of jiiore than, passing interest. ■ Ihe-.-yeair' f.V.^^^M%^6^pra))te. l^«>no^ ; year iptStoddart's.-':!team,. .which showed, . rather... decisively, thatvllugbcians -in '•New , Zoaland,;7fcad-then. something 'to- learn.';-■ "In' ; tho saae 'the'' NatiTe; team • repaid the' •n viSiK.and.oiifc of 74; matches played carried: :;^off;;the,hpnoiirs;: : m ; 49-;pf/,t]w^^ drew 5. --iSixj- 'vearsi elapsed, . 'and . then -■- tho ;, British /-. footballers) . under D. ,P. Bedell-Sivnglit, came to . New Zea- . lanrl,, , and'> , in .:■ a : -memorable. ■ ■ eiiconn- ■ ter,.. • with-,-.-the .• •• News, Zealand - renresonta- - tivcs at . Athletic Park, Wellington, were defeated by 9 points to 3; ,Noxt,year"tho " All Blacks "i journpved to Enjland. and r made ,a.' ( wectacular':.to.nr of;tho .Old Country,' . ' 'OTniiir)g;^: : matclie3 out of ;32-. . Tiro hundred : ind firo- tnes were gamed, of which So wero .. .rbnyerte'd/fas aga.ihst. : 7-tries'(tivo' converted)i 'scored: against;..themJ i:.They scored-' 1 »oal from a mark,, 2 potted. goals, and -2. ' penalty, goals,; as against '2 potted'- goals and .;2 penalties.; by .their -opponents. .' lia-.-follow-" •V; pfithesolpast.'p'rominent' l •,;.events in .the',history .of 'New Zealand itugbv. football.—

STODDART'S TEAM—IBBB. - ' ~ln .. April, > dBBB,'. a- .ieain' ' of' English :-Eug- .-: .heiaiiß; '".urider 'the . management. ■of - Slessrs. ■ ■ Shrewsbury,. Shaw... and 'Lillywhitc,' 1 and' cap.'tamed by R..Scddon, of "Manchester,! Ijiided m.Dunedm, and inade a teur of' tho colony. : This team was popularly known as "StodV dart's '.Team:" . 'With tho exception of two' ;; v Scptchmeny'-and; bno-''player s ,from. the-Isle- of' ,;■)■• tcani; was;, ant English' one."- , Tho '. visit- of Stoddari's -te-Mn cortainly loft its. ; markV;^\New^Zfcaland:^ltugby.footb'all, for ;' . fr»»n.."that ■ dito'itho game .undcrwent.'a com? . -.^pleteßevolution. After during Ne- Zealand ■', 'he.tcim;Visited .Australia', 'ahd subsequently. , ro-visftcdi 'thij ' , country', where ■ ; two' moro': played.. ..The record of ' the. ; four '. that-.fto international (-'contest' " i took place,', the. nearest; approach 7 :to a repre- - j.••• sontativc "csmpetition/ being .' -the'. matches .played against the South Island. (2), in qaclr of -which :t ; ho -visitors 1 triumphed. v. 1 The- sad- ; of; the!- tour \vas';the '.death;', by .\ r popular iEng-.' ,■; -'~ ; lish'- slcippor,'.;who. lost' .his, ; life by. .tho oapsiz-: 'ing: of"; a- skiffi. while.'.'sculiing at .West .Maifc;land. Tlio personnel and record of;the English team was as. follows:— ■ < - .Backs.—Full-backs, J. Haslam : (York- '' shire &3;.l^We^i';:AV'Paul-'(liancashii« l and Swinton) ;H. _C.', Spoakinan (Cheshire ; and Runcorn),,:- Dr. 11. Brooks (Durham and Edinburgh University)/J. Aii- •; derton (Lancashire and Salford); A; E. Stod-' dart(Middlesex,. Hovers, and English' International); half-backs, AV. Bumby (Lancashireand Swinton), J. Nolan. (Rochdale Hornets),' ,AV. Burnett (Roxburgh County ,and Hawick). .. Forwards.--!*,. Seddon,. Captain. (Lancashire and Swinton), Ci Mathers 1 (Yorkshire ' and Brnmley), 1 S. Williams. (Lancashire 1 - and : , Salford), .T; - Banks (liancashiro -and SwinEagles (Lancashiro and Swinton),A. J:;Stewart. (Yorkshire. and•-Dewsbury),■ ■ W.:'HV- Thomas (Carabridgo "a'ncl ; AValesJ?- T.,Kent (Lancashire and . S.ilford), 'A.-P. Pinkcth (Douglas, Islo of Man'.Club), ! -P. Burn'cttt (Roxburgh County and Hawick), A. J.' Lahgi (Roxburgh' County and Hawick)," Dr. Smith'(Edinburgh;; University, Scottish InternkionalV,' and J. P. Clo-n'M 'Jl'orkshirc and Halifax). ' '■ Tho, folloTO!ig';is .tho rccord: —l9 matches played, .13. wdn; 2, lost,-4 .drawn. Agimst-'Aiicklarid—Won," 6 .points,,to':.3'; . -lost, 4 points 'to nil; won,, 3 points to nil : .. drawn[ 1 point' eaeh. -, . .;''. . : Against; Canterbury—Won, 14 points. t<i ; . 6; nilj.woni' 8 points to nil. ■ Against Bay—Won; B.points to 2. - Against-.Otago— 1 W0n,;, 8 points to 3; won, i points to 3; drawn, no score-' Against, Taraiiakl—Lost, 1 point^to" nil: won, 7 points to Against .Wellington—Drawn, b points cachj won; 4-points to. 1: .■ ',- .: - . Against iWairarapa—Won; 5 points to l. -. Against - Waiiganin—Drawn, 1". point': each. ■; '5 points fo • 8; won, o'souits to nil. . MEW ZEALAND NATIVE 1 FOOTBALLERS,

; : 1883. • . ' The immediate result of tho visit of Stodv dart's team iri':lSSß was tho dispatch'to Engr land, that'samo year, of a representative team of twenty-six New Zealand Native footballers,, under the., management of Mr;. James Scott. ; The original intention'was, to have' a team of Maori, pln'ybrs,'jbut',' owing to tho weakness ' of the "back/ division, that, idea had to :be ' abandoned; 'arid. 'a strong, irifiisitoi. of- pakeha '/Wood-was introduced. The t-eam consisted of tho following -—-Backs- W. Warbrick, J. Warbrick,.F. Warbrick, W. T. Wynyard, H. '"•J. ! .Wyjiyard, v E:;. M'Cnusland, W. Eli.iott, and C.'Madigan (Auckland), H. Leo (Southland), P. Keogh (Otago), D. 1 R." Gage(Wellington),. Ihimar.i ("The Smiler"), and.Taarb,(Hawko's Bay); forwards:. T. Jl. Ellison and- G. Wi)- : liams (Wellington), 1).-, Stewart,-. W. Anderson, A. Webster.; 'Alt. Warbrick, Arthur Warbrick, G. Wyriyard, and R. Jlaynard (Auckland)," R: Taiaroa (Otago), -I'. -Hone,'.'. Wi Karauria (Kelson), W. Nehua. (Hawke's Bay). Tho team was not altogether a representative: one,. but it was a. strong combination, and in results exceeded tho niost sau- , guine .expectations, of :its,;supporters, it ' played 74 inatches.'in all,-winning 49, losing 20," arid, drawing 5. Tha points recorded by the": ,'tbam'./'numbered'' 394, while, 183 -wer» - scored hgaiilst .it.Tho fixtures, were-closo. together,- aijd as many as three.matches wc-re '" occasionally played in one week; it must, theroforo. hn conceded that tho team ac-

.quitted itself Tho worst beating of the tour was 28 points to. G from Yprkshiro Comity. "I was not very deeply .impressed with tho play of tho Britishers," wroto ilr. T. It. Ellison, a member, of tho "Natives," "for, with all tho players thoyhad available, I san; 110 ono'to compare with Jack Taiai'oa, J. Wtrbrick, Whiteside, Kcogh, and Co.,' except Lock w'ooil, Stoddart, Valentino, Bonsor, and a very few others. Their play generally was of tho 0110 stylo and description, from start to finish—hooking, heeling, out, and passing all day. long, whether Successful at it or not. I never played against a team that inado any radical change of tactics.; during-the oourso of' a game.' Tho best tcaiii wo me-fc- in ' England was undoubtedly tho Yorkshire .Comity team, who gave us,a big beating, .and who could have .beaten our brat team in . its best form, owing to tho allround ; superiority of their backs,: though not, perhaps by such a; largo majority." On ! Decomber. 1, 1883, th'o "Natives" dofeated Ireland by 13 points to 4; on Dcccmber, 22, however,.ATales took honours' by 5. points to nil. The. "Natives"'wore also beaten by an'All-. , England' team, on February 16, 1889,, by 7 points to nil. ... . '.' ..

, ; THE "1934" BRITISH TEAM. ; Six years passed-before Jolm Bull, senior and junior, again tried conclusions. In 1904, tho following team, • captained bj" Mr. D. R. Bedell-Sivright, arrived in New Zealand, and toured tho Dominion—it was a' colony then: — . Full-Hack—C. F. Stanger-Leathes (North-ern-andiNorthumborland).; . ,Three-quarter . Backs/'— *W.- Llewellyn (Wales, .Newport 'and Kent); P. F. M'Evedy '.(Guy's-Hospital' and Kent); A. JB. O'Brien (Guy's Hospital and Kent); *R. 'J. Gabo (Svales,.Cardiff and Middlesex) ; *E. Morgan,, vice-captain .-,; (Wales,-'.-. Guy's .. Hospital ■ and Kent); J. L. Fislior (Hull and East : Riding and' Yorkshire)'V J° iv °tt (Wales and Swansea). ~ iHalf-Backs—F. G. llulmo (England, - Birk.onliead Park and Cheshire) Bush. (Cardiff !and'Glamorgan); J.- Vile (Newport, and Mon-' mouthshire). ' • Forwards—^'D. R. Bedell-Sivright, captain (Scotland, . Cambridge University and' West of .Scotland); *D. Dobson (England, Oxford University and Dovon); *R. Wj Edwards (Ireland and Malone);; C. D. Patterson (Ulster; and Malone).; . S.';. Bovan (Wales and .Swansea)'! S.- ,N. . Crow'ther; (Lennox t and •Surrey); D./H.- Traill .'(Guy's/Hospital,and Surrey)R;' J. Rogers (Bath and 1 Somerset); F. M'K.-,Saunders (Guy's Hospital and Kent);, B. I; Swarinell (Northampton and . East - Midlands) F. Harding (Wales, London Welsh, and Cardiff)'; ' B. S. ilassey (Hull,' East Biding, and ...Yorkshire) ;- • J.": Sharland (Streatham and Surrey). ' -.. * International; The team came out under the auspices ,of tho ; New South Wales Rugby, Union, and tho; - opening match '.of; their Australian tour was played on the Sydney Cricket Ground on June 18, 1004, in the presence of . 35,000 spectators. Fivo ..matches wore ' played" in New .Zealand,, and of these. 2 were won by the,'. Britishers; 2 lost,, rand . ,'l , *''drawri:.'.*;'y Points, :for,, 22: against,- 33:' Tries for, 3;' against, 8:,

v-i'-The «cord:jof the tour of NeW Zealand ; by tho British.team is as follows:— ;

Aug. , 6.'—v.;, Canterbury,': South Cantorbury .- -aiid Wcstlahd, at .Christchurch; : • won 5 points to' 3. ; .:,) 10.T-V;' .Otago aiid,S9uthlana;. at Dune!v ' ,din; won H points to 8. : .*NevA ~Zealand,;- at ' Wellington; , ' lost-9 .'psints. to ,3; [: -~, 17. —v. : ; Taranald ' and■' Manawatu, '; at •»,'■ 'y ! New 'Plymoirjih; ■ drawii, 1 no 'score.' 20.—v. Auckland,.at Auckland; lost 13 : )wints to nil. ■' . . "

;; - There . was'. also an/informal - gamoplayed /against fifteen Maoris. at. Rot-orua- on August 22, :tho ; Maoris\ winning- by. 8 points- tp;"G./ •. . The;, outstanding feature of the tour Trasj as might bb expected; the big representatives match,-Now Zealand.'v; Great Britain; played at tho "Athletic, Park on. August 13, ,;190'i. The ,two previous,, matches,, that against, : Canterbury; South' Canterbury 'Jand'. Wcet> •land,'.atChristchurcli on August-C, and',tho icontest/with Otago. and., Southland' at - Dunc- : din, had both' 'iresulfetid in' victories/for'-.tho .Britishers, arid the 'All New Zealand .team,, chosen eft-or' much care,and, anxious thought, /carried. witlv it, : ap: it. : took?,the. field. against.tho. ''Red,' White,' and Blues"-, tho hopes arid; fears of/between .twenty, and, thirty ; thousand \Thq .conditions' wore,/• from a, scoring ppint- of vicsv',. most ..favourable,. and, in, tho, contest- .which'; resulted tho -New Zea-. land:■ player's' showed a• degree. of' superiority which/ 'grpatlj^.,exceeded the, most saiiguinq expectations, and,.playing 'a-.great game, out-, classed their-' opponents} ,in tho .forward}, dfe' vision, aiid,more than iiold : their own'.in the backs, winning'with a .score of 9 points to 3.. The 'Britishers firero corop)e,tely-outclassed bythe Now Zealand serum . system and. scrum-: . mrrs. / Tho , Now Zealand team', on this occasion was. as followsßacks: Ri" M!Gregor : (Auekkri(l),' W-: ; Wallae'e,.l). : ; M'fircgor.' ' lington) i',.]s. ; ;iT; Harper. (Canterbury), .7iL. E;■Wood (Auckland), :'W. '-T. .Stead (Southland), captain, P., Harvey (Canterbury)., . forwards.: D. Gallilier, G. .Tylqiv. G, Nicholson,C.: Seeling (Auckland), P./M'Minn, (Maiwi-/ jivatu),, T.v Cress . (Wellington)'.B.Fanning (Canterbury); and W. Glenn" (Tarauaki); It is .worthy of. note that. ,tho . Britishers, who won two matches in'tho South Island,, lest .twp .iiv._tho/North, and drew one, carricd everything -before them .in Australia..' •'

TKE "ALL BLACKS" 1080. ; The year' 1905 .saw the selection' and sub- ! sequent 'departure to England, via Australia, of the famous "All' Blacks." 1 ': The' gimo was.theii at i.ts highest" point in tho history.' of ; Noiv\Zealand . liugby football. ' :At ,no. > previous'.period was' New Zealand 'stronger in players or in scientific lniowlodgc of the •points :of • the : ;game..- The New:'. Zealand ;Rugby. TJnion accepted; the. responsibility" of the. tour, which included a preliminary series of : matches in'.'New 'Zealand and Australia, on July'3o/, and on/Saturday, September 16, John' Bull, ; sen.,..received tho .iirst: of ; a • prolonged, series of. shocks .'to : his football' system; "on (that day tho All Blacks'defeated; -Devon, by .55' points to iM-The- first' of . tho strictly,. speaking ! "iritornationn.l" contests with tho : Mother. Country; was tho match ' with. Scotland . on Saturday,. November * 18,' 1 played in tho presence of 21',000 spectators. Tho ; result was; a yictpiy 'for the All Blacks" by 12 points to 7. . .. - . .' " Tlioro.. was," commented one of. tho 1 Homo, dailies,■-. "this great contrast between tho ' two . teams—that , whereas ' Scotsmen ■played for dear life' as it 'wore,' fearing to ■-risk' nothing ,ou tho hard ground—and. tho ;tiirf was frozen really dangerously hard—the New Zealanders trusted ,to tho more skilful methods which' mark 'tho .modern gamo. If bus couid uso the allegory, in the impersonal 'sense;, it 'was . a triumph of.brains 'over brawn; of mind over matter. In' other words, ■ tho New, Zealariders: captured ' tho Scotch citadel by brainy,-flank . movements; tlio Scotsmen fell in a dauntless frontdl attack." Then came the match against Ireland, when the sons of Erin were hopelessly beaten by ,15 points ;to nil,on 1 Saturday, November 25.0n' December 2, after tho All Blacks Wenty-third successive win,'tho third great international "match of tlid tour, New Zealand v.' England, was played oil the Crystal .Palaco'•.•Ground, ; London, before 45,000 spectators, aiut;England sustained a\ precisely similar defeat as did Ireland—ls. points to nil. •■London''.-'" Sportsman," ' reviewing .tho '.match,- said of the All Blackslt must bo epnfessed. that, they excolled—and excelled in a marked, degree—at almost all departments of-tho.game. Tho"exception must bo mado in favour, of the tackling, which was the redeeming feature of tho .losers' play. It.'was associated with pluck, and. grim determination, alid if at times their manoeuvres lacked method, it must bo. amply , excused by the circumstances," , . i -

On Saturday; .Dcenmbcr 18, the New Zealanders, fought ■ their, Armageddon, ' their Waterloo, ami lost by(3 points to nil. Over 40,000 people were present, and tho national excitement- over what was everywhere regardotl. A3 the most important match of. tho whole-,tour, iyas -intense. ' It was said that a mistake. lutd been made by playing , this match , at tho: fag end—the men were stale. -,Be that as it may, it was their one solitary ejefeat'. ..Said the London'-'"Morning Post"': -tt" Tho •Scotsmen, at Inverleigh, gave the N9W Zealand'ers a gruelling in the scrummage. 1 The Irishmen at Lansdoirn Road swept dtfivn -the-field'.'in irresistible rushes, but/the'"Welshmen possessed .the , douhlo nature of ' the. 'Scots' ,and Irish. ,They pounded away at tho New Zcal.inders in tho eloso scrummaging; they broke quickly, hanging' foiv over , 011 the ' ball. They used their -feefciriVshort rushes with telling effcct, always keeping tho ball under command.

and their tackling was deadly; and tlicy wero splendidly nursed bj the kicking of Winfiold, thoir full back. Winfield was invariably given the innumerable penalty kicks against tho Now Zcalanders, and with a length that was consistent to the .end he novor onco failed to find touch. Tho "Welsh side played oxcellently to a man. Its genius was demonstrated by the ease with which it adapted itself to tactics foreign to its nature —severe individualism. In short, Wales bett tho Now Zezdandcrs at their own game. WAIRARAPA v. BUSH DISTRICTS. VICTORY FOB THE FORMER (BY TELEGItAI'IT. —SPECIAL CORRKSPOXDEXT.) rri . Mastertnn, : May 16. .1.1)0 representative match between teams from Wairarapa and Bush Districts, to fiirtv 11 a ''^'', , e n agaisnt the AngleHelsh. combination hero next Saturday, was Played on the Shew Ground to-day (Satur«a7)> the presence of a' largo number of spectators. The weather was fine, and tho ground-was in good condition. Waii*arapa oventually von the match by 12 points (two penalty goals and two tries) to 3 points (one try), but, exccpt at. one "or two intervals, the. game was not remarkable for any special brilliance on either side.

. back, play of both teams was erratic m many respects. Tho Wairarapa backs wore possibly the greatest' offenders, iowing to the absurd manner in which they repcate«ly. s ?t- at -defiance the laws relating: to passing. ; .They had the idea all right, but. it was in the, execution that tlioy failed sa lamentably. The Bush Districts backs did not .have; so many opportunities, but, generally, their kicking was weak; Wairarapa played- two five-eighths, and Bush Districts two wing forwards, and in this "department Wairarapa' had all tho worst of the game. Tho visitors' scrum, forwards averaged 12st. 91b. against Wairarapa's 12slv 71b., but, except for that, tho.v were frequently victorious in pushing tactics, but they wero not superior 111 gaining possession of-.tho ball. Features of the came wero tho remarkably fine exhibition of kicking by Russell, a. Wairarapa native, at full-back, "two penalty goals by o''Ler„ry, and. a' brilliant exposition of loose forward play by Swainson. Amongst the Wairarapa team, -in addition to those mentioned, Adams played very well at half, and .GrPubo fairly well at'fivc-cigliths. Johnston, M. M'Kenaie; and Darvillo' were somewhat disappointing. 111 the forwards, M'Carthy : proved ■ his ability' as. a hooker, Brenchley seemed tho best all-round forward, and,. Henderson wa's facilo princeps in tho ldose, : while H. Mi'Kenzie was also very noticeable. Popplewell, at half, was :the most lioticoablo back in the Bush Districts team. Collins was fair, but ho, kicked rather, weakly; while Collins had little, to do, but what ho did was done. well. ,Tho forwards played very well in tho scrum, while'in tho loose play S\yainson was well.supported by Ilarvey,. .G.' Smithj Lyellj and Trengrove. .-

~ ' THE ..TEAMS. . Following wore the teams:— , • v Wairarapa.—Full-back, Russellthreequarters, ■ Darvill; N." M'Kcnzio, Thompson; fiyc-eigkths, ,J. . O'Leary '(captain); lialf, Adams; '-wing. forward, J. Workman ; forJvrCaiihy, Barry,, H. M'Kcnzie,. A. Cadwil.lader,, C. Ross,' Brouchley,. Henderson. J*■ ■■. ■ ." ■ :

Bush. Districts—Full-back, Yule; : threequarters, Connor,Collins,'(captain), Lowo-; five-eighths, Kinsotthalf,. Popplewell; -wing .forirafils-, .Lyell, Trpngrovo • forwards, '. It. Sisith, Bateman, Johnson,. Harvoy,. G. Smithy Anderson,, Swainson. '• Refcres.'—-E, M'Kenzio. V. :•

'• HRST SPELL. ./.Bush i.Districts lout I .tho. toss, ~ and kicked off; facing- tho sun with - a slight' wind . against : them.,- .Wairarapa immediately gavo fre'at promise of putting up a record score y, violently assaulting. Bush , Districts' tweaty-live. In a passing/rush, "in which Adams, Groubo, O'Leary, and N. M'Keniio were: associated, tho: ball-travelled .to Darvill, who had. only to cross tho goallino to Score, but tho opportunity was' lost by a' knock-on. Marks by Darvill, ICinzettj and 'Ross followed,with somo'loose play,- in-which Swainson • ■ was''conspicuous,; ..Then,/, froiri' a serum' in j tlio// visitors'. '.twchtyTfivc, tho Wairarapa' .baOks.essayed another passing rush, in'which' 'this. time . Groubo- fumbled. Tlio Buslr Districts backs,! at this stage, wore kicking very badly, /but Popple'welly Kinsett, and Spunson put in ,so»'o very! good work, which ; car-ried-tho play to .near the half-way/., Swainson, ivho wies.ypry prominent all through tho game, .hero; gave Lis'! sido 'another, helping hand, andyhe and /Brenchley' alternately ■ led dashes into the.; respective territorips. I,'lic Wairarapa fpnw:ards .wore, not showing much vigour, 'and through 'sluggishness ■ permitted Harvey, and Swai'nsbii -to break up itho' ficld. ,'ln'i the course, of. loose play whicli followed, 'H. 'M'Keurie' .and Henderson wcre s iri'stru- ! mental in: stemmihg ,back,tho Bush Districts' /attick, and Wajrarapa, had .another try ,at" tho passing' game.,/ The usual mix-up followed, . H., MSionzie being \the, culprit., : A' rush of Wairarana'forwards into the .visitors' tw#nty-iivp saw, i3arry, collar Yule., .Breuchley. then mado a , dash from a line-Out, .but there was a .freo kick, and Popplewell, for''Bush .'Districts, saved .tho /situation,; and ran the game to, tlio fifty flag. '• From a line-out Wai'rarapa / camo back,, tothe Bush . Districts iwonty-fivcj * where . Groubo , marked, and O'Loary kicked a. pretty goal. from' about forty yards. '. Wairarapa, 3; 'Bush Districts, liil. From the drop, out Adams led a passing .rush asain to Bush: Districts territory,, where Collins -distinguished himself by beating almost half ,a dozen Wairarapa men. Oll : -sido play on thp. part, of the visitors then resulted in O'Leary kicking .mother neat goal, tho distance, this - timo; - being about 'thirty-five' yards; Wairarapa, G; Bush Districts,'nil. There had; been an interval of four minutes' in' tho. two scores/ Wairarapa again l laid siege to Bush territory, -excellent work being' dono: byNßrenchley, H. O'Leary, and-' 'Henderson. -The , passing.: of tlio - \Viiirarapa -backs was , stiil -ill-directed, , howover, and. in .a series of counter-charges Swainson, Popplewell, and Lyell rushed tlio leather, into Wairarapa'#' t\vchty-ftve, where Swainson was temporarily laid out in ail encounter with Russell,' the Wairarapa full-back.' Bush were awarded a free kick within fairly easy distance of the godl, but G.'Smith's.effort was clurged down. Heridorson and Groube forced.back the invaders to Bush' twenty-five, whero soma more • ineifcctiial passing on' tho .part, of- Wairarapa backs was stopped by Cpllins> A few minutes later, • from , line-out, Harvey badly beat .tho Wairarapa forwards, and got a break of thirty yards'up tlio "field, attended by Lyell, ■ who carried 2>lay to tho-half-way. : This was followed by another Bush attack, led by. Johnson. Russell'saved his sido by a fifty yards' kick'into touch, and Bush wero again on •t-ho. defensive. Play was fairly: strenuous at this stage, Ross, Groubie, and O'Leary being,prominent for Wairarapa, while Swainson, Connor,. and G. Smith wore equally prominent for Bush. Darvill mulled in the next of tho.'.Wairarapa. backs' attack, but, a few minutes later, Brinchley scored a try in tho. corner from a short loose nish, in which/ ho was considerably helped by tliTeo comrades. Nl; Jl'Konnie mado a poor, attempt to. convert. ' The now stood— Wairarapa,.9 points; Bush districts, nil. Tlio. first spell terminated shortly afterwards with:melees in. Bush-twenty-five, in which the principals were Brenchley, Collins, R-. Smith, and Harvey. .: , 1

SECOND SPELL. . . In the' second N. M'Kenzio and Russell, three-quarter, and' full-back respectively ill the first half, changed places. Wairarapa again got to work, 'earryihg play'into Bush territory. O'Leary had a shot at goal from a penalty, but tho ball went wide by about six feet. Ross, Groube, and O'ljcary were prominent in attack, giving Bush's fullback a very hot time'. Some ineffective passing by Groube allowed Swainson . P-iid Yule .to clear the line to Wairarapa . territory, but froo. kicks relieved the situation. Thoro wa-3 then more', futilo pa-ssing 011 the part of tho Wairarapa backs. . Groubo had,an ineffectual pot, after which some enthusiasm was roused among the'spectators by a clever run up tho touch lino by Henderson. Bronehley joined the diminutive forward, arid the two were associated in a cross passing 'dash in-which they wero joined by C-adwallador. The ball was dropped near Bush goal line, and, from a kick by ono of the bcoiego.d, Hendcrnon marked' when ho might easily have run in. Collins clia'ns:ed the game to half-way, whe-ro Russell made another prodigious punt, and, following up, swamped Yule. An ineffective, passing bout by AYairarapa backs followed, and then Wairarapa seemed to go temporarily k to pieces. Ssvainson. the indefatigablo Lyoll v

11. Smith, and Johnson swarmed on to Wairarapa backs from a high kick, and D. Thompson only saved Wairarapa a score by tho narrowest margin. From tho kick out Bush, aided by Popple.weH and G.' Smith, again caipped in Wairarapa's twenty-five, but \H. M'Kiizie and Ross relieved by almost superhuman elfort, and the Wairarapa forwards swept up lield in a tornado-like nisli, overpowering nil opposition. When almost on tho Bush goal Tine "Workman passed to Henderson, who had 110 difficulty in scoring a try, which was. not converted—Wairarapa, 12 points: Bush districts, nil. This was Wairarapa's last score, ami for the remainder of tho game they hopelessly routed. Dusk was falling, and with Wairarapa backs mulling and Bush rearguard kicking and taking tho ball with such accuracy that they' conveyed the impression that they bad had moonlight practices, AVairarapa had a very bad timo. From a series of tlicso attacks Ivinzett oventually centredthe'ball near Wairarapa twenty-five,, and with , a fino kick tho leather was; instantly swooped upon by (1. Smith, who ran down to Wairarapa full-back attended by Bateman, to whom ho passod at the right moment, and Bateman ran in underneath the goal posts, to tho intense jubilation of Bush supporters. Bateman made a poor attempt' to convert —Wairarapa, 12 points; Bush' districts, 3 paints. The -whole of the Bush team then concentrated, itself in fierce attacks 011 tho Wairarann, goal-line, but they wero kept in check chiedvihrourh the efforts of Brenchlev, Adams, O'Lehry, Russell. Henderson, and Groube. Time was called with darkness falling, and_ Bush . and Wairarapa fighting desperately in tho home team's twenty-five. The game thus ended —Wairarapa, 12 points; Bush distrifct-s, 3 points.

TEAM TO MEET THE BRITISHERS. CAPABILITIES OF THE PLAYERS. Following is Wairarapa-Bush districts representative fifteen selected to play against the Anglo-Welsh team in Masterton on Saturday next:—r : Full-back: Russell (Wairarapa),'l2st. , Three-quarters,: Connor (Bush districts), list. oil).; Collins (Bush districts), list. 71b.; Darvill (Wairarapa), list. 101b. Five-oighths: O'Leary (Wairarapa), list. 21b.; Groubo., (Wairarapa), 12st. Half: Adams;(Wairarapa), lOst. ' /•:Wing-forward: 'iT. Workman (Wairarapa) i 13st. • '. Forwards: M'Carthy '(Wairarapa), 12st. 41b.; :R. . Smith (Bush districts), 12st. 71b.; H. M'Kenzie (Wairarapa), . IM.'j Harvey (Bush districts), 14st.; Brenchloy (Wairarapa), ;13st.; Swainson (Bush districts), list. 111b. Ross (Wairarapa), 13st._ . / ' Emergencies—Full-back: N. M'Kenzie (Wairarapa) ; three-quarter or five-eighth, Kinzett (Bush districts) ; forwards,. _G. Smith (Bush districts); Henderson (Wairarapa). . i. ; ' Tho backs averago in weight list, olb, tho scrum forwards 125t0.)131b., and just on: 13st. when, including their.'.wing man Workman.; This, team has been selected over an area of country .fully. 60; miles/'.in length, but it is hardly up to tlie form : of by-gone Wairarapa combinations which'.havd; left behind them such a good record. With thoexcep-' tion possibly of O'Leary, who is a great all-round player,> especially strong in kicking,' the backs aro not , brilliant, but they are a fairly .tough lot.:_ Russell, the Maori fullback, is a magnificent.'. kick, and ho is credited with being a deadly, tackier, full of grit. In tho three-quarter, line Connor should monopolise whatever scoring that my bo accomplished in that division. Ho is a <very.fast runner. Darvill and Collins aro fairly .suro players. . Groubo iV a. very, fin© defensive. player' of a strong type and can stand any amount,-of punishment." Adam 3 is resourceful and, nuggety; . Tho: forwards are a hard lot, who may bo cxpcctcd to last out a fast gamo at fairly high pressure.' It. is very probable that-they , will ''not meet together till tho night bfeforo tho match, but they aro triining;on'tho hills and in mountains meantime,, and: they should finish as hard as thoy commence. .Altliougli they may be expected to beat the Anglo-Wolsli-mon at obtaining' possession their .tactics fast, fcpneerfced loose dashes, with fast, following up.- . If.tho backs'can give a good exhibition, tho game' yfill. be very.,close. ]■]. ;.ENTERTAINMENT .'OF THE .VISITORS.'. ■■■- At .a meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Union last - night it . was. suggested that arrangements might be. .made so that the ■ Anglo-Welsh team could stay in tho. districtfrom the timoi they arrivo on .Friday till Monday morning, 'instead of.' returning to Wellington on Saturday afternoon as was at first, intended by . the ; New "Union. It was decided' to hold a reception for tho visiters on Saturday morning, when addresses of welcome will bo delivered by tho Mayor (Mr. .P. L. Rollings),,- Mr. AY. C. Buchanan,,, president of tho , Wairarapa Rugby "Union, and Mr.: A. W. Hogg, M.IV • Oh Saturday 'evening there will bo a big football ■■ dinner, and on' Sunday it is-in-tended, to tako.'.the . visitors to visit tho Maori meeting' house with carved palisades at Papawai,where tho Nativo.s will also contribute to tho ontertainmCnt by hnka and poi dances. The Te Oro Ore Natives propose to givo a haka' to the visitors prior to tho,match on Saturdny. ; There is great excitement in Wairarapa over tho forthcoming match. All towns have been asked; to declare a half-holiday, and tlie. attoUdanco is likely to be a record. Whilo in Masterton the Anglo-Welsh team .will.stay at Barclay's now Princo of Wales. Hotel.