FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 219, 9 June 1908, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM.

RETURNS TO-MORROW. RESULTS OF THE TOUR. Among tho passengers by tlio s.s. Warri--11100, which is duo at Wellington from Sydney to-morrow, aro tho members of tho AllBlack professional team, which has just concluded a ..fairly successful tour of England and Australia. The New Zealandors aro accompanied by a number of Australian 'players, including H, Messenger, tho crack Australian three-quarter, who was a member of tho team at Home. On Saturday next, a benefit match, in aid of Mrs. Baskivillo, mother of the late A. H. Baskiville, organiser and promoter of, the professional All Blacks (who died after a brief illness at Brisbano recently), will be held at the Athletic Park. As this ..will bo tho first exhibition of the now game in tho Dominion, it is bound to prove "a great attraction. ■ The All Blacks, who loft New Zealand in August of last year, consisted of 28 players and a manager. Following is a list of tho original members: — 1 "Roue (Auckland) and H. S. Turtill (Christchurch) (backs), *D. M'Grcgor (Christchurch), *G. W. Smith (Auckland) (vice-captain), J. A. Lavory (Christchurch), E. Wrigley' (Wairarapa), -H. 11. Messenger (New South AVales), J. ]?. Wynyard (Auckland), W. T. Wynyard (Auckland), and L. B. Todd. (Auckland) (three-quarter , backs), W. T. Tyler (Auckland), E. Tyno (Christchurcli), J. C. Gleeson (Sydney University), and"A'. F. Kelly (Wellington) (lialf-ba'cks), H. 11. Wright'(captain) (Wellington), W. ,M. Trovarthcn ' '(Auckland), *W. Johnston (Otago), T. W. Cross (Wellington), A. Lilo (Wellington), D. G. Frasor (Wellington), E. Watkjns (Wellington), D. Gilchrist (Wellington),'.A. Callum (Wellington), C. A. Byrno (Wellington), C. J. Pearco (Christchurch), *W. H. 'Mackroll (Auckland), C, Dunning Auckland),' and A. H.' Baskivillo (secretary). (Wellington) (forwards). and, H. J. Palmer (Wellington) (manager). * Members of tho All Black team, 1906.

• The team/ was, handicapped at Homo owing to tho fact' that sicknoss was more prevalent and injuries : moro numerous than had been .anticipated. '.- In consequence, great difficulty was experienced; on a number of 'occasions in: getting, together, the full complement of 13 players.' • Then again matches wero often held on grounds which wero in ■ poor order and in extremely, unfavourable weather. On tho whole, therefore, tho team, which quickly -mastered the no\v codo of rules, acquitted itself oreditably. It defeated half the counties, won two out of the throo test games, and was. only defeated by narrow margins by England and Wales. If the principal matches had-been'fixed .for earlier dates it is quite likely that tho professional All Blacks would have .added to';their laurels. In Australia tho team was without the services of several prominent players, among tho number being George W. . Smith, .of amateur All Black fame, and Duncan M'Gregor; another "star!' amateur AH Black, who remained at Home, and at tinles their opponents included Messenger, who had played so successfully with the. visitors in England and Wales. Notwithstanding tho Joss of these able exponents, tho New Zealanders were successful in a majority of the matches played on tho other side. Following is a summary'of tho tour:— ■<

SUMMARY OF MATCfHES.

; IN ENGLAND AND WALES.,; c | "3 O • « « 4J £ o o. _ • . , • P ft >3 B Test games / ... 2 .0 1 ■' 3' Other: internationals ' 0 0 2 2 County fixtures ..... 1,0 , 2 3' Club games . ... ,15 2 9 26 ,, Totals . ... ; ... 18 2 1.1 '34 1 43 ' W .5 ' ■ A . h .a ' h ; ' . m w V 14.-J .4J 'o. . 'o " ' Ph P., v.-Bromley ... ... "W. 25 6 '.v; Huddersfiold W .19 ' 8 v. AVidnes ! ',.'.1 ~~ ... W ' ' 26 8 ,y. Brighton Rangers ... W 20 14 v. Wakefield Trinity ... D 5 5 Leeds •' ... ..; W 8 ' 2 v. St. Helens .... " • ... W 24 '5 v. Merthyr . ... ... ... W , 27 9 . v. Keighley ... ... W.' ,9 7. v. Wigan ... L 8 12 v., Barrow L 3 6. r. Hull ... ... W. ■ 18 13"v. Leigh ... ... , L 9 15 v. Oldham ... .... 1 7 8 v. Runcorn ... . ... L 0 9 Dejvsbury and Batley W 187 8 v. Swinton '• ... ... W 11 2 v. Roch'dale'Hornets ... W .19 0 v. Bradford. 2 7, v. Halifax L 4 9 v.,Yorkshire ... ... AV : 23 4 v.Warrington ...;. ....'L 7 8 v. Hunset . ... »,... D 11 11 v. Salford ... W 9 2 v. Wales. ... J, 8 9' v. Hull and K'gston Rov. W 0 3 v. Cumberland ... ... L 9 21 v. England, , ....! L 16 18 v. Lancashire; ... • ... L 4 20 v. Northern Union (1) ... L 6 14 ivYork ... : ... ... L 3 5 v. Bbbw.-Valo. ... V/ 3 .2 v. Northern-Union (2) ..! W' ; 18 6 v. Northern Union (3) ...- W 8 5 Totals ... ... 393 281 IN AUSTRALIA. v. Newcastle ...> ... W 53 ' 6 ! v. Newcastle W 34 8 ' ,v. N.S.W. , - L 10 18 N.S.W. - L 10 13 v. Australia ... ... W 11 10v. Queensland .'. W 32 12 v. Queensland ...' ... W 43 10 v. Queensland ... ... D- 12 12 v. Australia. . ... ... > W 24 12 v. Australia ... ... L 9 14 /Totals ... ... . 238 115