FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 227, 18 June 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL

THE BRITISH TEAM. , MATCH AT CREYMOUTH. ' VISITORS .WIN BY .22.T0 3. (DT TBLEQBiPH—PfiiSS ASSOCIATION.) • Cteymeuth, Juno 17. • Tho weather conditions were pcrfcct for the j match) Britain v. West Coast and Buller,- and the attendance Was bctweSri 5000 and 60(j0. The play, on the whole, was ratlior disappointing, and it was only for About 20 minutes in the second half that the Visitors showed any of the brilliant play for Which they have been noted throughout tho tour. The display of the West Coast t«am rrns a 'lot below tho forril shown-in, the representative match ' last Saturday, the backs in particular being unablo to handlo cleanly, thereby losing several fine chances by mulling at the critical moment. Tfia handling of tho visitors also was not always accurate. . The forwards were very even, neither side claiming an advantage. Though' the 'Britishers 'got the ball more often in the scrum, still the home team ' had plenty of oppoHmitfes,"of opening up play, but, on nearly every occasjon, the half worked the blind side. i . ,• < » ' , THE TEAMS. Following were tho sides:— ' BRITAIN'. ■Full-back'. —Jackett. Three-quarters.—Griffiths, Panfcy Jones, . M'Evedy, Gibbs.' Half-backs.—'-Morgan, Dav'ey. - v Forwards,-—Dibble, Oldham, Jackson, Hind, W..Smith, Jlorgan, and Kyrko. ' WEST COAST AND BtJLLER.- V Full-back.—M'iKay (West Coast). Three-quarters.—ftladdison and ■ Colvin (Buller), Gomcr (West Coast). Five-eighths.—Denham (Buller), Sweet-, man.' Half.—Wade. Houston,' and Bennett (West Coast), Blyth, Corbett and Ogg (Buller), Sotheran (West Coast), and Brown (Buller). ■ r FIRST SPELL. England won the toss, and-played with a' strong wind behind them. Wade kicked 1 off for this Coast, and Morgan marked. Brown returned to Jackett, who found, the line, i woll down the field. Tho Coast got tho ball 1 . in tho first scii'im, Brown kicking to'Jackett, 1 ■ who : ag4m .got. in a good line r kjck. The ' "Coast were' now p<Malised;- : &nd 'Gibbs'had a ] shot at goal, which fell snort, Denham find- j jng the line. The English forwards came < : away from a • scrum. with, the ball at their 1 toes,' and illegal tackling by Colvin gavo 1 Gibbs a chance, which lio took advantage of, ; placing a nice goal." , r Britain ... ... ... ... , 3 J West Coast and Buiifcr ..: ... 0 . j From the kick-out, , the ball was well re- i turned by Jackett, and tho Coast were again . penalised. Sweetman later, secured, and 1 '"found .tjuch. Off side. play-, by;' Wade did'not „• gain 'much'advantage, for .'.the visitors,",and, Colvin getting possession, -beat ended ' up a fine run by being pushed into touch. The British forwards returned, and from a scrum Davey essayed the blind' side, but Brown brought him down.. After a mark 1 •by Wade, Morgan set his backs going, tho : f ball boing handed on to Davey, and then to 1 ' '-. Joties,' who was grassed beforo lie could got , his pass in. The home team, at this.stage,. ~ ; were being penalised ropcatedly, and from ono of the free kicks "Gibbs had a shot I 'at goal which missed. .Brown"saved in good ; style a forward rtish, but, almost jmmedi-. ately, another penalty against the Coast'en." abled Gibbs to land his second goal. .Britain* : ... ... ... 8 5 West Coast and Buller ... ... 0.. . A fine Coast.forward rush ended by Jones finding the line and, the visitors, breaking away, ..Were only arrested by Denham. A ■- passing bout by Britain was spoilt by Jone? knocking-On, and directly afterwards a similar rush by the Coast ended by Sweetman failing" to take/his 'pass: : The first penalty against the visitors gave Bo'nQett a shot from half-way, which fell short, and Jackett found tho lino at lialf-way. After Maddisoii had stopped a dangerous rush by the British forwards, Gibbs. had a shot at. goal from a mark,' which went wide. From; a -scrum,' Morgan broke away, only to be. grassed by Brown. More , passing by,, tho visitors was again spoilt by bad handling. M'Evedy'then , finely saved a combined Coast forward rush.,. A Britain returned to the attack, but M'Kay saved .with a olever kick to half-way/ Maddison. got down to a .'dangerous rush in splendid style, but, from the loose. play. ■ which ensued,-M'Evedy'obtained possession, and after a short run sent on ,to Kyrkei who scorod, Gibbs converting. / Britain ... -... " 11 / West Coast and Bulla ... ... 0 W. Morgan at this, stage temporarily re-. ■ tirod. From a scrum the Coast obtained possession, but Brown, hanging on too long, \ let M'Evedy find t tho lihe. - The home team's, forwards -Wiere/rib'w playing- willj -'and-iOgg,',' picking up froto .the'loose; r made a fiho run - to near the;lihei : wher6 hfl' RiS tackled' .'bj"' Gibbs. Froni'-th'o Scrilftv Whicn followed the Coast obtained the' ball,')iut like a good- chancor.lvas settled by 'Brown' being penalised for picking out, of the scnim.' : Tho frco..kickV'gave'Britain:.Welcomp'.vi-eliof.'': The crowd at this stage did not relish tho > oonstant penalising of the Coast team, aid tho referee came in for some hostile criticism. From a throw-in tho Coast rushed play into ■ thovisitors' twonty-fivo,'and, Jones being , collared beforo 'ho' ; could'get : his kick in, . ... some, hot work ensuod on. Britain's line: Davey relieved with a good line. kick. Colvin following up a kick smartly smothered Grif- , fiths, but,he managed to hnd the, lino, play being in Britain's twenty-five when the half-' time sounded. . SECOND SPELL. On resuming, the strong' wind had died to nothing, and play in tho second half was undor equal conditions. Morgan initiated a, passing rash, the ball, going to, DaVey, and on to Jones, but tho latter passed wildly, and tho Coast relieved. M'Evedy got down to an ugly Coast nish in good style, but-the homo team, kept up the attack, and Colvin, picking up cleverly, . beat most of the visiting, backs, and- got right to Jaokett, whom ho .tried also: to beat, but the Cornwall* player left nothing to chance,-and collared Colvin, who had two players olongsido him, thus losing a certain score. Britain gradually cleared thofr line, and passing between Morgan, Davcy,' and Jones saw the latter kick to M'Kay, who found tho lino well in the visitors' twenty-, ■ five. Tho Coast: backs obtained the ball from a serum, and passing between Brown, < -Sweotman, Denham, and Gom'er saw tho latter fail to'tako an easy chanco to Score by knocking-on. Britain got out. of difficulties chiofly by good lino kicking, and play sottled at half-way.From a mark, Bennett had a long shot at goal without Success. Then the scene , was changed, in an instant. 1 From some loose play near .halfway Oldham broke awav, and, 'picking up neatly, transferred "ito Gibbs, who, though tackled by Colvin, crossed the line. Gibbs missed the kick at goal. Britain ... ... ... 14 West Coast and Buller ... . ... 0 On kicking out Coast made things livoly, and only clever play by Jackett kept tho homo team back. Moro passing between Griffiths, Jones, and M'Evedy saw the latter miss tho ball, but, immediately after, tha game pldyer was responsible for a. fine.,run, Ogg upending him just in time. The Britishers wero now getting, in some passing rushes, and Coast had hard Work in keeping them from scoring. On several . 'occasions, from a high kick, Jackett scoured the ball, and made a' firie run, M'Kay oliocking hjl progress. ' The Coast wore scouring a fair share of tho ball in the scrums, but-the half seemed content to wprk tho blind side, and the other- backs consequently £ot few chances. M'Kay, at full-back .for was playing a' particularly good game. Ho drove tho visitors back time and again. After , Bennett had put in a great linekick, Gibbs

obtained possession, and with a high hick followed up silisrtly aiid smothered Maddison, M'Kay coming to the rescue. Payno headed a .Coast;'forward rushj but tho British vanguard.. soon returned, and M'Evedy frith a fine run was only collared'by M'Kay near this' line. Soveral free kicks against .the homo team caused tho spectators to again beooine demonstrative. Sweetman dxovo tho visitors back with a timely kick, and, from a itioso scramble, i Jnckott had a pot without success. A passing rush between Morgan, Davey, M'Evedy, and Gibbs saw M'Kay tacklo tho latter near , tho corner-flag, and, almost immediately after, passing between the same quartette let M'Evedy score behind the posts. Gibbs missed an easy goal. Britain ~. ... ... ... 17 West Coast and Buller ... 0 Coast rushed play to Britain's twenty-five, where, from a' scrum, tho home team secured, and passing botween Brown, Sweetman, Wade, and Colvin ended by the lattor knocking on when ho had only to run over tho lino. , Davey was chiefly responsible for shifting play with a fine run. Sweetman brought, play back to Britain's twenty-five, but only for a :t ; mo, and passing between Jones, ■ Davey, and M'Evedy ouded in the Coast twenty-five. Then from some straggling play Green picked up and hnnded on to Jackson, who forccd his way over tho line." Jackson kicked a goal. Britain , ...' ... ... 22 West Coast and Duller ... , ... . o : Corbett headed a forward rush, Jones saving by kicking well down the field. A free kick to the Coast removed operations to the . visitors' territory, wlieio Maddison secured, and, after a short dash, passed to Brown. The latter got to Jackett, who collared hinv.in.fino style, but, Swcfetman and Colvin being handy, kicked tho ball over tho lino, Colvin scoring. Wado missed tho kick at' coak Britain ... 22 West Coast and Buller ... ... 3 A passing bout by tho visitors resulted in Colvin beating Jones for tho ball, Jackett saving. : , A; mark by Gomer saw M'Evedy fcecuro and start a passing rush, which brought play to Coast's twenty-five, where it remained till time was-sounded. The decisions of the referee, Mr. Orchard, were by no means well received .by the spectators. In 'the first spell, in particular, there was a succession of penalty kicks against tho home team, only about six being recorded against the'visitors. . ' 'NOTES; ANb COMMENTS. {BY 1 - TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) t Greymouth, Juno 17. ; Britain gave glimpses of true form, and in tho SeOOnd spell delighted the spectators by thrilling and dashing runs by the backs and superb footwork by tho forwards. It was tho most; spectacular exhibition of back play seen bri-the Coast. Tho British., vanguard played desperately from tho kick-off. Only daring rush-stopping by the Coast backs, particularly Colvin, ■ saved certain scores. Jackson, the big Cornish forward, was always in tho van, being supported by Dibble, Morgan, and Kyrko. ' Tneir footwork more than compensatpd for the illbalanced.scrums'; and- ragged line-outs. Tho Coast forwards, of whoni much was expected, lackod 'dqtsh and combinfttioh. ' Tho teams were about evenly matched in tight' work, and in scrums tho Britishers, playing all in tho .pack,.!.securcd the .ball by adroit screwitig, Jjut\jigver by olean heeling. 1 ' Tho Coa&t forwards. jjlayed well iii the loose, but failed to come away togotlier. The Coast hugged the. lino-desperately in the first spell, but Britain used tlie. long line all the time. The Coast backs \vore wanting in resource and initiative in attack, but their ■ defence was of a good standard: . Tho visitors lost several excellent chances: of scoriilg through-knocks- _ Jackett played a fine game, his accurate line-finding fifty, and sixty yards -up-field delighting tho "spectators, while his' swerve running, and cortaiu tackling were also heartily applauded. ' All tho British three-quarters placed .woUVituihe second half. Griffiths is t-ecognisfed* as:a..weak man on. the British side, but he played a fino ga.me. Willie Morgan, up to the time of his injury, played well,; while.Davey was always in evidence in sterling defence and clever attack. .Of tho forwards, Jackson, Morgan, Dibble,' Smith, 'andiKyrfee %eri the best.' '~ ; On the'Coast'side, M'Kay, at full-back, fielded well and kicked splendidly. .Colvin was the"'star pf tho back division. Sweefc man was the best of tho .five-eighths. Of the forwards, Bennett, Ogg, Blythe, and Wade were always in ovidonco in open pldy. Mr. Orchard, the referee; controlled the game'woll,*.but.section or tho spectators in'misguided enthusiasm resented somo of his decisions. ■ Both teams-dined togethor in the evening, arid the British team, with the exception .of.ArchqT, Thomas, Green, Jackson, J. F./alld J. L. WilHams, who elected to go'by Steamer, left for Nelson overland to-night., . 'BRITAIN V. MANAWATU. ' > THE GROUND. ARRANGEMENTS. A special mejetinf of the Now Zealand Rugby Union was held last night to consider tho position in regard to/tho ground for the Manawatu v. Britain match. It was resolved"That, seeing that the match was allotted to Palmerston North on the condition that^'the-/ground terms were 20 per ient' r , .-arid',!'.'that tho'"Palmerston North : grdurid;,'has'.riow'-'heen offered -.on these- terms the,; committee; dccidfes. that,'the. 'ijiatph' be iplaVcd at -Mmbrstori .North ; also, " That the f 'rManatvat\i"'TJnioii bo a'slted to convey to the' hearty thanks of .this TJ.njoii' for their'generous offer." ' - WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. A meeting'of tho Management. Committed 6f tho Wellington' Ilugby Union was held last oveniitg. There wero present:—Messrs. E. o.'Hales (in tho chair), J. P. O'Sullivan, J.' 1 Sweeney, J; Bums,' J. Murray, G. Bogle, F. liU'pV WrHardham, S. S.'Brdwn, and W. G. Talbot, secretary. Mr. Geo. Willis, representing the Johnsonyille ■ spectators at the Johnsonvillc-Polhill match, waited upon tho Committee, and pointed out -that thero was no .foundation for tho report that tho behaviour of the spectators had been disgraceful as tho Union had been informed. Mr. Willis said he was ■present at tho match,. and took exception to,.what?-had beon reported as to the behaviour "of..tho spectators. Mr.' Willis also pointed out that it was impossible for JohnsonvilW players injured in local games to be ■ attended by- tho unions, Welington or Petono insurance, scheme doctors. The Committee instructed him to see if an arrangement could bo como'to with tho Johnsonville doctor, and to report • to the Committee.- - The referee in tho Melros&-01d Boys fourth ; class match,.reported haying ordered'a player from each side off the field for wilful obstruction, and-in explanation stated that there seemed to be ill-fooling on each sido as far as tlie majority of tho players were concerned. Both men ' sent off had not offended previously. . Tho play was. so rough that if ho had. not ordered'tho men off, the game would havo got beyond his control.' Had tho gaino,not been so rough, ho would liavo met tho'caso with', a caution. .Ono, of tho playors ordered off admitted that tho gamo Was rough, and that "both sides wero dealing it out, ' but donied being a party to wilful obstruo'tion. Tho player who appeared was penalised by having a "stand dottn" for one Saturday recorded against him. The other olFondcr, who did not appoar, was suspended until ho should appoar before tho Union. It was resolved to play tho inter-collcgo match on Wednesday next, in consequence of . 'tho -North ..v. . South Island match having boon postponed until that dato. Mr. Wylio was appointed to act as referee. It was pointed out that as the game .was being played as a curtain-raiser it should start.not later "tliari 1 "s.tn. A telegram was received from tho South i Canterbury'-Union stating that they would ' be meet the Wellington reprc 1 ientatiye .'.'B" team on August 12. Tho employees of tho W.F.O.A. and Mr. ■ Geo... Windor,. were granted permission to ~ play a match., at Miramar. on Wednesday ' It'wtis decided to play the Wellington-Cnn--9 terbury representative match oH'-August 20

mid tho Wollington-Otago match on September 19, the dates suggested by the Southern Unions. It was resolved to invito tho Wairarapa Union to play tho Wellington representatives on September 12; and to invito Horowhenua to play on August 22. Permission was granted to tho Victoria College Club players to tnko part in tho North v. South Island University match, to j. bo played on Friday, Juno 26. Players belonging io tho same club who may bo selec- ! ted to mnko tho tour to Australia with tho ; University representatives were granted 1 permission to travel. Dr. Hunter, of t Dmicdin, will' tonnagetho team. v , : . . WELLINGTON FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, f MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. I A meeting of tho Management Coinmitteo J of the Wellington Football Association was ' held last night, there boing present: Messrs. 1 Waters (in the chair), Davidson, Bowmnker, f White, Mackay, and Williams (secretary). ) Consideration Was given to a letter from . a correspondent (whoso name is rosorved for j the present), with reference to his offer to j finance a schemc for sending a representa- ' tivo "soccer" team to England. Particulars < of tho proposal woro published in Tire Dominion* of Thursday last. Members generally expressed themselves as being favourable to the proposal; as, however, tho matter is 'one for the New Zoaland Football Association to decide; tho committee resolved to leave their representations in the hands of their delegates) with ft recommendation that they give the scheme tlioir favourable support. • • ( The Secretary of tho Hawko's Pay Football Association wrote soliciting tho assistance of the Wellington Association in furthering tho progress of- the gamo in the Hawke's Bay district. Tho matter was referred to tho New Zealand Football Association; With referent!- to the protest of Y.M.C.A. against Diamonds' (Junior League, Third Division match), on tho ground that Overend was played by tho latter, it was decided to accept Ovorend's explanation regarding tho inattor, tho match to stand as flayed. . All teams playin gat Miramar will in future provide, "each, two corner flags for their respective grounds. • It was decided that, provided satisfactory evidence bo forthcoming regarding the withdrawal of St. Paul's team from tho junior sccond division leaguo competition, transfers to other teams be Granted to such members ■ of that team as so desired, on condition that the regulations as to registration be com- : plied with. - ; Tho Potone team is to be informed that ' its request to bo allowed to play a match in Wellington cannot bo granted. i GROUNDS AND .REFEREES. Tho following are the, grounds allotted, and . referees appointed, for Saturday's matches: — Senior League.—First Division: Swifts y. Potone, at Petone, T. B» Arlidge; Wanderers v. Thistle, No. 6, South Miramar, F. O'Connell; Rovers v. Rambler?, Newtown Park, G. W. Kane; Diamonds v. Y.M.C.A., Basin Reserve, W. Auld. • Second Division .—St. John's I v. Y.M.C.A., No. 4, South Miramar, H. L. Godber; Ramblers v. Letter Carriers; No.-3., South Mira-' mar, A. Nowson; Wanderers v. Mental Hospital, Hospital, H. Bernard; Swifts v. St. John's 11, No. 2, South Miramar, 11. Smith; Hovers v. Porirua, Porirua, 10. Windle.y; Diamonds v. Watersiders, N?>..l, North Miramar, A. P. Lovin; Toa, a bye. Junior League.—First Division: Swifts v. Diamonds, No. 5, South Miramar, W. S. Press;, Kaiwa'rra v. Y.M.C.A., No. 1, South Miramar, S.-Guy;'Petono, a byo. Second Division.—Swifts v. Y.M.C.A. (11), No. 3, North Miramar, A. Newbold; Pctoiio v. St. Paul's, Petone, W. A. Cates; Y.M.C.A. (A) v.,Y.M.C.A. (C), No. 4, North Miramar, E. A. Anderson. Third Division.—lnstitute v. St. Paul's, No. 3, South Miramar (2- p.m.), S. F. M'Lcan; Y.M.C.A. (B) v. South .Wellington, Newtown Park ,(1.45 p.m.), 'H. Waters; Rangers (A) ,v. Nowtown Congregational, No. 4, South Miramar (2 p.m.), Bi T. M'Lean; Swifts v-. Brooklyn, No. 5, South Miramar, F. Bowles; Ramblers v. Marist (B), Basin Reservo (1.-45 p.m.), Jl' Black ; j Diamonds/-v. Y.M.C.A. (A), No. G, South Miramar ?(2 p.m.), S. F. M'Lean; Y.M.C.A. (C) v. technical, Nairn Street (2-p.m.), A. -Ferguson; Marist (A) v. Kaiwarra, Nairn Street (3 p.m.), A. Ferguson; Rangers (B), a byo. ARTILLERY V. ORIENTAL. . Of tho -matches to be played yesterday, two out of threo were/postponed, and one was declared off because Nowtown Park was not in a fit condition for play, and the Tramway men could not Bparo tlio timo to-jour-ney to Miramar. /Tho two teams that did turn out with full fifteens must have been fired with a little more than the ordinary amount of enthusiasm to causo them to play for irioro than 'an hour" oh a slushy' ground -with'rain falling continuously and a biting southerly chilling all who 'were not constantly moving. .' By mutual consent tho fisture Butchers''v.' Bakers was postponed, as also was the Stars v. Tramways. Following,in tho result of tlfo other match:— : Tho Artillery-OHental match was uninteresting, sinco a greasy, ball and a muddy ground prevented ahytlnrig but the simplest of forward play. From the start tho Artillery men attacked, and repelled any attacks of their opponents by finding tho lihe. Oriental ■" .attempted .to got some passing rushes'going, but. though Gosling sent tho ball away in lively style, bad passes or selfishness with the loathersaw all efforts ond in smoke. Kelly; .the' Oriental wing-forward, appeared to bo suited by the weather, for ha put' m&r<S" energy into his play than ho usually does, and was easily the most prominent bf-.the ; ... Black-andAVhito , vanguard. He headed two or three rushes, but thoy wero all ineffectual. Then an Oriental man failed to find touch, and Taylor, rushing up, secured, tho ball and darted over the line. He failed with the' kick, and no furthor scoro ,wiis registered, before half-time. Just bcforo tho half-time whistlo sounded, Watson, of Artillery, sustained an injury to his kneo and was compelled to retire. From'the kick-off in tho , second spoil Artillery forwards again attacked, and within fivo minutes Brown scored from a forward scramble. Logie took tho kick 'and placed a lino goal. - After that, play was unevontful. For tho 'greater part of tho timo Oriental wero on tho defence, and more than once they wero compelled to touch down ill order to prevent a score. Now and again spasmodic efforts were made by tho Black and Whites to lower their opponents' lead) but they never crossed the lino, and the Artillery forwards, with Neills at their head, generally carried play back. Tho game ended with the Permanent men attacking 'and the score' standing— Artillery ... 8 ; Oriental ... ... 0 Mr. F. Crewes was the refereo. CANTERBURY RUCBY UNION. [BT TELIaEAFB!.—PEESS ASSOCIATION.] Chrlstohurflh, June 17. It has been docided by the local Rugby Union that Canterbury, shall play Wellington on August 29, Otago on September 5, and Southland on September 12. OfACO v. AUCKLAND. (by TELEGBAPH—rEESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, June 17. The Otago Rugby Union's request for a match with tho Auckland Union representatives on Soptombor 12 was agreed to at ' a meeting "of tho Management Committeo to-