FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 233, 25 June 1908, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

THE INTER-ISLAND CONTEST.

CRAND FORWARD TUSSLE. NORTH ISLAND WINS BY 12' TO 6. The'annual intor-islarid contest, which was ■»]d ;: : on the'Athletic'Park yesterday after»on,;; resulted in- a victory ..for North Island iy I' 2 points, to 5. . The" weather for sonio Jays had been very'changeable, and on tho . previous evening, when heavy showers fell, floub'ts • Vera entertained as . to whether -it Voultl be possible to got off the fixture, as had been, arranged, v As yesterday morning progressed, signs were not wanting that tho game would probably not bo spoiled by . weather conditions,' and this proved to bo the case.';'; There, was.'a heavy shower at two o'clock,'"'.but afterwards the' sun came out brigiitlyj' and* no further rain was experienced.:. Half an hour beforo tho match started tho, stand.,was nearly' full, and when the teams took-the .field the attendance must *,havo.. numbered over 4000. Among tho Bpectators woro Mr. G., F. C. 'Campbell L (President New Zealand Rugby Football ■Union), Dr. Newman Wellington Rugby .Union), tho manager, captain and members- of tho British' team, and Messrs. Cavanagh, of Duhediri;: I 'Wilson, of Christchurch; Kelly' and : Wylio, "of- Wellington (selectors' of tho' New-'Zealand team). .. Owing .to 'the heavy state of the field, a match between Wellington' College and St. ~Patrick's College, which was to have been a' curtain-raiser, was not placed. Upon'entering -the field the teams wer?,, greeted with loud applause. Hunter captained the. North Island side, which woro an All-Black costume, and- Burns . led tho South Island representatives; .who were attired in white. In tho first,half, tho South Island team had' the advantage of the light northerly breeze. As'soon as tho game had commenced it was .apparent'that, owing to tho sodden state of the ground, tho'contest; ; would resolve itself into' a tussle between, the 'forward divisions,' whichrwero _ evenly : matched' in regard to weight'. During the'' early- stages the Soiith ; . Island forwards . proved vory 'aggressive, and, hy _ means of . \looso\ . rushes, , : invaded their .-opponents' .territory -'oil' several'. ' occasions!; After . South Island' had 'secured' a try,, the North ; Island/.forwards adopted a-successful counter-moveC;Whenever' possible, they let the ball' Out to their backs, who, despite the unfavourable conditions, initiated a, number of moritbrious passing .rushes. Some .minutes later; North'"lsland ; ite-ro successful' from a scramble. ■■'VTigorousi play followed, in which ono side:• and...theniithe' other .camo .out ,on top. s. Just ■ before i:.half-timo - North trlsland gained (Mother- seared • : At ; the. beginning of. tho second spell; -thef South Island "hookers" : were quite as.''successful as theirr opponents. . The 'North Island,-backs, however, wore .too Snippy," and.'ohce 'thoy got on tho;move '.: required a lot of- attention'. Indeed;it. .'appeared, likely that they- would put up-a-big ecoro.' : /Within ten' minutes from tho kickoff they Padded'to their total. The South Island team v wero; however, in the ascendancy' during ; the' succeeding' quarter of- an . hour. - The field by this time was • cut up' to; a considerable extent, and tho efforts of tho players to koep on thoir feet afforded great amusement -to the\ spectators. So completely, were the " players besmirched with mud;that in'a ruckat'a'distance it was al-. ' most"impossible to'-, tell to which side they' belonged... As; was only;to. be expected, the men.; tired /: perceptibly towards the end of, the game, which will be memorable for tho strenuous forward tussle which it furnished.. ' North Island had the best of tho game during the . last, quarter of an .hojir, both 'for-, wardsand; backsmaking good rushes.

' : ; - / . THE TEAMS. . Thai teams compnsed the J ,, n f9ll.owing players:—'. , ' : 'r- : v" "Z'J ■ Wn - North Island., : . c Full back—O'Leary (Wairarapa).•■■*'* ' ": ,f . Three-quarters—Wallace (Wellington); Mitchinson (Wellington), and Cameron (Tara-' naki). _ . . -• . Five-eighths—Mynott (Taranaki) and Hunter (Taranaki). -;i ' 1 V. Half—Roborts '(Wellington). Wing-forward—Coleman (Taranaki). ? " Forwards—Front row: Ready (Wellington), Murray ; (Wanganui).; . lock: Cunningham; (Auckland); sides: Wilson (Wellington), " Francis"'.'..' (Auckland); - back! row: Hay ward; (Auckland), and Seeling (Auckland).■ . South Island. Full back —Doell (Canterbury). '[ Three-quarters'—Fryer; (Canterbury), Dansey (Otago), arid Fuller. (Canterbury). Five-eighths—Gray (Canterbury) and Echhold (Otago)."' ' . ; . • Half—Burns (Canterbury). Wing-forward—Hamilton. (Southland). Forwards—Front row: Fitzpatrick (Otago) and Mahonoy '(Canterbury); lock: Patou - (Otago); sides: Scott (Canterbury), Patterson (Otago); back row.: Ivimey (Otago) and Bain (South Canterbury)'. ' : FIRST SPELL; ;' From tl)o kick-off, .the North Island men, led . by- Cunningham, rushed the. -ball • intotlieir . opponents'- twenty-five. The Southerners mado, a fine effort ■;to : relieTe,- but a rebound off one of; the North Island forwards and a 'good; tackle , by Roberts spoiled their work.,- After tho '; mud'. l Gray.; .rankp of. the Northerners, and, carried the'ball to O'Leary, who'relioved,'sending; thei ball out at the twenty-fivo flag, from which poiia tiit -W. Island, backs essayed a passing rush.... Tho ball was sent' out' as far as -Wallace, : who missed ;his. pass. The, leather was carried on, long kick saw it go into "touch in-goal. Oil; resuming the • Southern forwards combined in a good rush, which carried play to tho opposite end of the'field, a free kick for off-side .play being awarded North' Island, under.the posts. The Southern men charged! again; , but Mitchinson. saved nicely, and Roberts and Hunter were associated in a passing run, taking the-ball again; but losr ing it -.when about fifteen- yards oft tho line. Play continued'. in Southern twenty-fivo, .several short dashes by the defending forwards being - checked by tho sure handling of tho- ball, and judicious line-kicking of tho North Island ;backs.. The Northern players asserted themselves) and assisted .by a good kick'by Cameron, who sent thovball out at tho corner, they attacked with vigour from the ensuing line-out,, swarming'on tho Southern, line. They were all but over,. Roberts making a dive to ground tho leather, but just missing it, a South .Island man thus securing a lucky forced-down. Following this the Southern team-put in an excellent piece of work, which led to the first score of tho match';. Eckhold got possession about midfield, and-, after putting 'in a pretty dash, passed to'Dausey .who transferred to Fuller. . Tho'wing\.threo-quarter was jammed on the lino; ;and qentre-kicked nicely, landing tho ball. iit_;thp ,feet of, s.everal forwards,, who rushed it .over the lino and enabled Mahoney to scbro. ' Hamilton took the kick and landed a capital goal the ball hitting ono of tho posts beforo going .between.

••.South Island ''•••• ••• ••• 5 North Island.' •.... 0 From tho kick-out Paton frustrated a Northern forward Tii3h, arid; set his side attacking. -'Thev-were awarded a frco kick, and from a'difficult anglo Hamilton made a good but unsuccessful attempt to convert. The South Islanders . renewed 'tho attack, but a good i run by Hunter turned tho tide. Ho passed to Wallace who appeared t-o get clear away, but was overhauled from behind, and a, liroly pieco of/ passing in which Mitchinson and Cameron took a prominont part threatened tho Southern line, but a clearance was effected without auv score being reoorded. After a spell of fafrl.v even play Colemah got away from the rack, hut hold too long, and waa tackled. The North Island backs essayed a number of passing runs in their opponents' twenty-five, but tne greasy ball, rendered passing difficult, and several promising dashes were discounted through bad. passing and faulty handling. At length from a scrum in the twenty-five tho ball was kicked.to Dausey, who mulled. The Northern men swarmed round, and after a oouple of loose dashes, from oiu> of.which Wallace almost scored, Mitchinson grounded the hall from a scramble over tho line. Robert failed with the kick. South Island ... ... ... ... 6 North Island 3

Tho North Island men camo on to the attack from tho kick-out, and Doell spoiled some good work by Francis and Mitchinson, with a flying kick. Tho pressure was kopt up, and a freo kick on tho' lino gave relief only to see tho Northerners como again. Mitchinson was almost over, being blocked on tho _ line, where ho passed, but Fuller nipped in, and, intercepting the pass, saved. After anothor attack by the North Island forwards had boon repulsed, Burns put in a smart dash for the Southern team getting past Roberts cleverly, but his pass was dropped, and a chance thrown away. Play of tho scrambling order abbut midfiold with much mud and very littlo football was sup-, ersoded by a capital rush by the North. Island pack, with Cunningham in the van. A lucky force down for tho South was tho reTho South men took a turn at attacking after this, Patterson spoiling a good dash by kicking too hard, and enabling O'Leary' to force. A sprint by Roberts brightened tho Northorn prospects, but a short pass was intercepted by Dansey who saved, and tho Southern team, after a breather, pressed in the twenty-fivo, where Cameron was smothered by tho forwards, but Hunter camo to tho rescue. Play continued slightly in favour of South Island without anything of special note happening until Burns- put in a clcver wriggle through tho centre of tho Northorn team, which was attacking in his own twenty-five. Roberts and Wilson replied by breaking away from tho onsuing _ ruck, and dribbling to within tho twenty-fivo lino, where tho rest of the forwards lent a hand. Roberts got tho boll again, and passed out to Hunter on the wide side of tho field. Tho ball wont on to Mitchinson, and then to Cameron, who scored a .well-earned try. Wallaco failed to convert, and half-time sounded with the score:— , North Island ... ' ..: ... • ... 6 South Island ... ... ' , ... 5 SECOND SPELL. Even play, in which the Southern backs made some poor attompts at passing attacks, characterised tho opening of tlie second spell. At length Wallace broke away with the ball at his foot, but unintentional off-side hy Wilson heralded a scrum; Tho Northern men continued to havo tho best of tho play, and at length .an over-hard kick by Coleman, who endeavoured to centre, allowed South Island' to force. ' South Island, led ■by Hamilton, came to the attack, and, boating Mitchinson, : carried the ball on, hut Cameron saved; A' sweeping. rush by tho' Northorn pack followed, and took the ball to tho Southorn line, where a mark; stalled off tho / attack. The Northern men splashed on through the mud again, but a pretty dribble by Patterson turned the tables, and ivas-only saved by a clever mark by Wallace,- which turned the tide in favour of the Northerners again. At last Roberts got tho ball from a scrum in tho twenty-five, and after a- strong run' passed to Mitchinson,'. who dropped'over"the line unopposed.- Wallace' took ■' the • kick, which ivas unsuccessful.

. '.North Island ... , .... ... ...' 9 : South Island ... ... ... 5 , ' The Northern men were now having a good deal the better, of tho tiisslo, and South Island got out of another. tight corner , as the result ;of a lucky force-down. • Tlio attack was renewed with : determination, and tho Southerners averted further score luckily on more than ono occasion. Mynott essayed a pot at goal from close to the posts, but tho bill failed to reach the spot., Tho Northern forwards kept plugging away for' some time, but thoy wore not rewarded, and at last Patterson and Hamilton headed a strong Southern rush over half tho length of the. Held. A flying kick by Cameron just saved, the ball going into touch at the corner. A couple: of serums ensued from tho throw-in,-and aftor a hard struggle on the line North Island cleared, but Patterson came on again,' and, spoiling O'Leary's return, enabled Paton to mark in front of the posts,, when, if he had dashed for the line; ho would have had a big chanco ■of getting in. The resultant pot at goal n'olit along.the ground. Tho Southern spasm :was not yet over, for they caime oil again, and i were '• almost'--Wei? Wallace relieving.., Still thoy returned to 'theVcliargoJ v 'jih'd 'this time Wallace . The ■pressure was"maintained forlonger; 'but' without any alteration in the' totals. Ready and Francis wero instrumental in i placing':' the• Northerners : 'on -'the attack' agaihy but off-side by-Wilson right;under tho. posts gav.o South Island a free kick, tho ball.being sent into touch in goal by O'Leary when returning, H. : Both teams had tired in : the' heavy going, and tho pace slackened a good deal, but at last a passing rush by '.tho -'Southerners', in' which'Eckhold, -parisey, and Fryer took part, brightened' things up. Patterson took the ball on when the backs came to a'standstill, and succeeded in spoil-; ing "Wallace's return, and the battle raged in North Island twenty-five,-'whence'Mynott and' Seeling, rushed it to the other end- of the field, a'scrum ensuing'under'tho'post's. Roberts got the ball, and sent it out 'to Wallace, but the pass missed the threequarter altogether'and went into 'touch at the corner.Heavy'forward work in the-comer saw Mynott almost over from a pass from Roberts. A' force-down, however, was tho only result. Another force followed as'tho' result of passing between Francis; Cunningham, and Hunter. Still another force resulted from an' attack which had its' origin' in a good.inn by Roberts'. The Northerners kept at it, and passing between Mynott and .Hunter saw tlio latter discount a fine dash' by a bad pass in the twenty-fivo. A momentary rally by the Southern men was succeeded by another onslaught by the North Island men. Hayward crossed tho line from a long throw-in, but was called back, and a scrum 'ensued. Coleman : got the 'ball from the pack, l gave .'a short' 'pass..to' Wallace) and then out round and took tlio leather again, diving over at tho corner.- Wallace failed to convert.

North lsl?.nd ... .... 12 South Island ... ... ... . 5 This was the final score, time being called a' few minutes later with the Northerij forwards in their opponents' quarters. . Mr. Georgo Howo waß roforce. ' , RECORD OF MATCHES PLAYED. - Year. Placo. Won. Score. ,1897' -Wellington N.I. 1G- to 3 . ; 1902 S.I. 20 to 14 1903 Auckland .S.I. 12 to o .1904 Dunodin drawn 3 all. -1905 Wellington ' N.I. 26 to nil. 1908 Wellington N.I. 9 to 5 1907 Christchuroh . N.I. 11 to nil. 1908 Wellington N.I. 12 to 5 . VIEWS OF THE BRITISHERS. Tho gcnoral impression among the members of tho British team, who were present in strong force, .was that, considering tlio sodden stato. of tho field,'tho. exhibition was first-class, especially .the passing among tho North Island team in tlve first half. Had tho conditions be-on favourable, tho North -Island team, whoso rear division was superior in all departments, must liavo won by a handsome margin. In the loose, tho South Island vanguard woro, they considered, tho better pack. What they admired most was the fact that tho teams refrained from playing tho man instead of tho ball. From a player's point of view tlio gamo was, in their opinion,. pleasant, and, from that, of tho spectators', sporting. Referring to tho merits of the players somo of tho visitors remarked that Hunter gavo a display equalling his "AH Black" form, and that Mynott also did exceedingly well. , Of tlio North Island forwards thoy .considered that Seeling and Francis wero tlio most prominent. Burns and Dooll were, thoy thought, tho "stars" of the South Island rear division, whilo Fitzpatrick and Paton woro head and shoulders abovo their colleagues •in th-o Southern vanguard. Wilson, in their opinion, spoiled a fair showing by off-sido play.

NOTES ON THE MATCH.

FINE ALL ROUND CAME. (BT Orr-SiDB Mac.) ] Thoro is a remark which on account of its antiquity, has almost become a proyorb, which says that football now is. not what it was. The " old timers," heroes oil many a hard-fought field, naturally hug the belief with a fervont ardour, a relic of their physical enthusiasm in tho days of yore, and it is only right, that' we should rospect such a delusion. Football now is not what it was and it never will bo; It may bo better and it may be worse, still, the game will bo never tho same. Judged on yesterday's

play, howovor, thoro is not much reason to fear that tho game has deteriorated ono iota in tho past twenty years. In fact, it may bo said that, so far; tho advantago lies with tho present generation. Yesterday was a day in which tho weathor conditions were such that no ono would really expect a good display of football. It was a cold wintry day, with a bloak wind, a sodden ground, and a ball as groasy as the'turf on which it rolled.. Ono. would have excused tho players, if thoy had repudiated all ideas of attempting to giro an attractive exhibition, and had contented themselves with a dreary routino of anything and everything' to absorb time and- a prayor for tho wliistlo for " no-side."

A Bright Gamo, In their inmost souls tho combatants may havo cherished a wish for a short game, but thoy gavo 110 evidence of this in thoir play. On every available occasion thoy attempted to play tho game as it should bo played, oven on a dry day, and the result was a fast open display, which, under tho conditions, was first-class Rugby. Tho forwards on both sides were valiant right through tho two spells, and tho backs followed the ethics of thoir division in their entirety. It was not altogether their fault, that their tactics woro not always signalised by success, because'of the greasy liaturo of the leather, but it may bo safely assumed that had the day boon fine, tho spcctaclo would havo.been a sort of fireworks, which would have gladdened tho preat heart of Rugby, which always beats in unison with tho kaleidoscopic and picturesque science of its sacred order. It may bo explained to tho ordinary reader that football in New Zealand has' become such a centro of interest that it is almost sacred in tho eyes of its worshippers. Why the North Won. Tho' North won mainly, beeauso thoir backs and forwards woro tho most resourceful. They possessed tho older heads, which, wlion tho occasion arose, gavo them a valuable 1 individuality possessed in only few instances by brains on young shoulders. In tho scrum tho advantage was slightly with the South, . especially in the second spell; still they did not accomplish so much under these conditions as did tho North. On tho attack their backs wero not so aggressive, while on tho defence their forwards had apparently no man who could "screw" tho scrum as did the patnarchml Cunningham, whose friar-like figuro is evidently still tho champion king-pin of the Rugby lock in New Zealand.

' It.may bo ■ recocmiscd that Burns, tho Southorn half, is Roberts's understudy, but there is- no doubt that'tho Now Zealand crack by himself iii his department.His dash, devil, and general diablerio when ,on tho attack mako 0110 of the brightest features of our present day football. To him 'nothing is impossible, and it was to his bold initiative that in a great measuro tho North owed their frcquont advantages. Roberts has ono failing,■ ho likes tho leather over •nvuch, but this may be excused. in so brilliant a-player, especially wlion'his manoeuvres aro so often successful. Tho-fielding of tho backs in both sections was at times magnificent, especially from lofty kicks, but the North seemed slightly the better, and except in a : few instances they all kicked very well. In the loose forward rushes, both .sections were at times very prominent, tho South especially so in ono part of tho second stoll, when they triod their best to equalise ■the scores. Led by tho long wiry Patterson thoy .frequently swept' clean over everything till iwithin a few.yards of'tho goal-lino, when tho agile feofc of Roberts and Mitchinson removed tho danger. In tackling, there was not mucludilferenco-between the two sides, and it may bo summed tip that tho North won becauso their backs showod a more general knowledge of tho game, in which they were: aidod considerably by tlio passing tactics'of'their forwards; nota.bly Francis, who fed .them on .all. available occasions.

Before the game started it wa?' a general opinion that jtho . North'"would win, and 'win Tlio South) • however,', had ,tho, advantage of, tho'wind, in the first .spell, <and. '-they':started ."off most willingly,. and when, thoy. scored;'a'most..brilliant..tyy aftor.nino raihutes' play, their stock" rose appreciably.

Mahoriey's Try.! This; try was : possibly tlio best during tlio match. Tho Sonth had somowhat the best ;of tho spoil, although tho North crossed their line twico, and when: haif-timo 1 was callcd woto a, point to the; good; .'Withitho wind in their favour in tho second half tho Northerners gradually manifested their superiority in the general knowlodgo of tho game, and oxcept for a short' period when the Southern forwards, violently assaulted' their citadel, the issue was novor in doubt, ' although tho : Northern scores wore -obtained only, after hard struggles. Merits of tho Players. . . - . Coming to the irierits of tho players, Roberts and Patterson woro tho most noticeable individuals on tho field. Tho Wellington half-back was a Trojan in almost every thing which he attempted, whether running, kicking, or rush stopping, while' tho confident manner in which ho essayed, to blimp all and sundry who came , in his path was reminiscent of a young David seeking for Goliaths. His only fault was tho fact that at times ho imparted tho idea that ho had an' hereditary mortgage on the leather.

A Fine' Forward. ; Patterson 'played a great forward game.Ho is orio of tho wiry, lengthy sort, built something liko , Francis, tho crack Aucklander, and ho was in noarly all- tho loose rushes which mado his sido so 1 dangerous. At times ho was accompanied in his excursions by many of his mates, but he was always tho outstanding figuro in his. department. O'Leary and Dooll, the two fuil-backs, botli gavo good exhibitions, but tho Southerner had tho most to do. Among tho tllreo-quarters on tlio North sido Mit-' chinson was most prominent in both attack and dofen'ce, and ho was very well supported by AVallaco and Camoron. Mynott played most scrviceably at -five-eighths," and his exhibition proved that ho is by no means a back number.' . Hunter also was dashy, bnt -he ran rather much boforo passing. Coleman played a fairly good game as wing forward. • Ho:is a vory strong tackier, but' has a weakness for holding on to his vis-a-vis. His try, when ho was placed halfback in placo of Roberts (who was injured in tho later stages of tho gamo and had to retiro to a roving position) _ was very meritorious. Tho Taranaki boy is ovidently the greatest utility player in the Dominion Tho Northern Forwards. Among tho Northern forwards, Francis gave a very clover exhibition in all the departments,. whilo Wilson and Hayward wore also prominent in tho loose. Seeling was not so noticeable as ho usually is, but on ono'occasion. ho nearly scored a try by a fine fast following-up dribblo. Cunningham did his duty as "pivot," while not much exception could bo taken to Ready and Murray as front rankers. The Southerners. 1 Fuller was about the best of tho Southern three-quarters. He did'a. lot of tackling and defensive work, and tho first try appeared to be mainly tho outcomo of his centring kick. Fryor was fairly good, whilo ; Dansoy seemed to bo rather weak. The wing threo-quartors showed a disposition to bunch too much at times, but possibly this was caused, by tho aggressivo tactics of Roborts. who times out ot number simply played havoc with tho opposing bßcks. Gray and Eckhold woro good in many respects as liveeighths, but tho manner, in which they lot Roberts through them must bo characterised as a weakness. Hamilton as a wing forward has all the attributes which go to niako a fine player. Ho is hdavy and fast, follows up well, rathor good on tlio line, and a very fino punt and placo kick. Ho has fairly oarned his plaoo in tho New Zealand team, and it will bo his own fault if ho doos not keep there. 11l addition to Patterson, tho . rhoat noticoablo scrum forwards woro Paton and Ininiey. The mud on their jorsoys made Bomo of them almost indistinguishable.

Mr. G. Howe, who acted as roforeo, fulfilled his duties impartially, but ho naturally allowed a considorabla amount of latitudo regarding knocks on in which frequently tho side infringing gained a considorablo advantage, Ilis decisions, however, were all in favour of a fast game.

THE SECOND TEST. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. Tho following team Ims been solccted by Messrs. Wylio (representing Auckland in plana of Mr. D. Gallagher),.Kelly (Wellington), Wilson (Christchurcli), and Caranagh (Dunedin), to represent New Zealand in the sccond teat match to bo played against tho British representatives at Wellington oil Saturday next: — Full-back: Coleman (Taranaki).

Three-quarters:; Wallace (Wellington); Mitchirison (Wellington); Thompson (Wellington). Firc-oighths: J: Hunter (captain, Taranaki) and Gray (Canterbury).

Half-back: I'\ Roberts (Wellington). Forwards—Front rankers: Ready (Wellington) and Murray, (Wanganui); pivot: Cunningham (Auckland); supports: "Ranji" Wilson (Wellington) and Francis (Auckland); rear-rankers: Scoling (Auckland) and Patterson (Otago). Wing.forward: Hamilton (Southland). Wellington has six, Auckland tlirco, Taranaki two, and Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Wanganui one each. Tho North Island is responsible for twelve and tho. South Island for thrco representatives. It . will bo soon that in the original team which dofeatod tho British,team in tho first test match in Dunedin, Gray replaces Stead as 0110 of the five-eighths,' Ready and Murray tako tho front rank positions previously held by Casey and Hughes, whilo Patterson drops into "tho rear rank vacated by M'Donald. Hamilton takes Gillett's placo as wing-forward. Tho team is cortainly a very strong ono. It is questionable, however, if it would not havo been further strengthened if Wallace had been placed full-back, with Cameron in tho Wollingt'onian's placo as centre threequarter'; whilo Mynott might very well havo occupied Gray's position as lire-eighths. There is little doubt that 011 yostcrday's play Mynott is tho better'man; in fact it is questionable if he is not at present' superior to Hunter. Coleman is hardly up to New Zealand form as a; full-back, although otlior-

wise lie is a very serviceable player. Wallace is no doubt worth his position as" a wing-three-quarter, but as a full-back ho would have been a great stand by for his team in timo of troublo. Ready and Murray are new' to New Zealand representative, honours. They . are regarded generally as , good "pushers" and -"hookers." Patterson, another now .man, who replaces M'Dotiald in the roar rank, practically played himself into tho team yestorday in tho North v., South Island match. Hamilton, who makes-his initial appearance as a Now Zealand wingforward, is a proper stamp of player. Ho is a fino all-round forward, and an excellent punt and place kick. PROBABLE BRITISH TEAM. ' An official list of eighteen players from which tho British team i 3 to bo selected appeared in yesterday's issue. Boforo the team is to bo considered as definitely selected another practice is to bo held to-day. Judging from tho latest bulletins on tho subject it will not at all be surprising if tho team is' found to bo as follows :— Full-back:. Jackott. Throe-quarters: M'Evody (captain), "Ponty" Jones, Vassall, and J. L. Williams. Halves: "Tuan" Jones'and Davoy. Forwards: Gibbs. (wing), E. Morgan, Dibble, Down, Jackson, Ititson, Archor. and T. Smith. ' . Ordinarily thoro is no train on Saturdays leaving Wellington from tho Manawatu Station botween 4.15 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.', but on Saturday day of tho big Test football match between Britain ana New Zealand—a train will leavo horo for ' all stations- north of Johnsonvillo at 5.40 p.m., and' anothor : will leave- for Crofton, Rhandallah 1 , and Johnsonvillo at 6.20 p.m., so as to onnblo residents, of the townships along tho lino to see tho-match and got back ,homo in roasonablo timo.

WELLINGTON FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. A.moetingofotho management committee of the Wellington Football Association was held ;in itho; YvM.G.A; jooms last evening. Thoro woro present: .Messrs. B. L. Salmon (in tho chair), H. Waters, J. Davidson, P. Bow'makcr, L. -Whito,. A,. Barnott, 11. Mackay, and: A. Williams:' .-. ■- Mr. F. O'Connoll, referco in the match Wanderers v. Thistle, first division senior, reported -two members of tho ■ Wanderers team-, for. misconduct, and- also the line umpire for making remarks on the line. Tho line umpire, who attended, stated that he made , the remarks 'on. tho spur of tho moment, and was sorry as soon as ho had committed tho offence, His apology was accepted. One of tho players admitted having pushed and punched an opponent, .and further alleged that ho had been intentionally kicked. Under the-circumstances it was decided that' this player bo cautioned. . Tho other player denied the charge. As all the evidence was conflicting, it was decided that tho player bo cautioned. , Mr. H. Bernard, reforeo. in the second division Senior match, Wanderers v. Porirua, reported. having ordered a member of , tho former team off tho field for unseemly conduct. Mr. Bernard.-attended and explained •the circumstances. Tho player also attended and denied tho charges, but admitted having made remarks on the lino. - The linesman and tho captain of the Wanderers-team gavo corroborative- evidence. It was decided that the player bo cautioned for having made tho remarks. Owing to tho two senior matches -having •been postponed last' Saturday, it was decidcd ;to play the Diamonds-Y.M.C.A. match next Saturday at tho Basin Reserve. A protest fronv the Northern Wanderers Club was hold ovor until next week owing to tho late hour. ■

HOROWHENUA V. MANAWATU. ' (BY TELEGIIAFH. —SPECIAL COIUtBSI'ONDENT).' Ralmoi'ston North, June 24. The return match between Horowhonua and Manawatu ■ was played at Lovin to-day under favourablo conditions.. The heavy rain that fell during tho preceding twelvo liours mado little difference to tho playing area. Tho'gamo, which resulted in a win for Manawatu by eight to fivo, was a very tame exhibition of football. In tho first spell things woro very oven, neither sido gaining any advantage, but immediately after turning round Napia Winiata scored for Horowhenua. Rawiri converted. Manawatu then attackcd_ vigorously, and Horowhenua being penalised, Buchanan kicked a goal. From this out Manawatu had slightly tno upper hand, and Royal, failing to find tho lino with a kick, enabled Stalker to secure, and, after a strong run along the touehlino, scored noar tho ' cornor, Arch. M'Minh adding tho major points. Horowhonua camo away with a strong forward rush, which ended by Napia Winiata being knocked into touch in goal, tho game ending shortly afterwards. Mr. J .G. Hankins, of Levin, made an impartial referee. After the match both teams wero entertained by tho Horowhenua Union. The ■names of tho selected being announced. Cheors woro given for tho selectors. Tho following liavo been selected ' by Messrs. Manning and M'Bainto reprosont Manawatu and Hbrowlienua against tho Englishmen on July 8: — , Full back. —J. Anderson (Manakau). Wing three-quarters.—Stalkor (Kia Toa), Rawiri (Otnki). ... Centre. —Martin Winiata (Lovin). Five-eighths.—O'Connor (Kia Toa), Carroll (Feilding). Half. —Hewitt (Palmcrston). Wing.—Arcliio M'Minn (Kia Toa). Front rankers. —"Paddy" M'Minn (Old Bovs), Stewart (Manakau). Lock. —Pa rata (OtakiV Sides.—Phillips (To'Horo), W. Smith (Old Bovs). Back.—Whisker (Feilding), Tannahill (Shannon). , ■ On July 4 a nrnctico match -will bo played, after which all tho country members of tho team must remain in Falmorston for trninine purposes. . Southland will play Manawatu on August 22j ■at Palmcrston.

INTEB-COLLECIATE MATCH. (BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchuroli, Juno 24. Tho annual match between Otngo University and Canterbury College was played at Lancaster Park this afternoon on a greasy ground, Otago winning by 21 to 3. [Tho team to represent the New Zealand Universities in a number of matches at Sydney will leavo Wellington ou Friday.]