NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS. THE KINGSTON MATCH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS. THE KINGSTON MATCH.

By Telegroph.— Press Askisttition.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 101 h February. English files just to hand contain comments on the Kingston match, in which the New Zealanders defeated the Bovers by a try. The result faiily roilocled the merits' of the teamis. With perhaps the exception of dribbling tli3 colonials held a slight advantage in every phase of the game. Their forwards packed better than usual, and gained possession of the ball readily, whilst tho hard, dry ground eeemed to suit their three-quarters. The latter were opposed to men who tackled keenly, and 'generally maintained a sound defence, but by straighter running thj tourists managed to break through twice. The "Al'-Blacks" commenced ;n a most promising fashion, and immediately took the ball to ! the opponents' line, and Wrigley, making a cleverly-conceived pass to Tyne, the I three-quarter went over. Messenger's kick at goal touched one of the posts and the ball went outside. The home players managed to get a better share of the play subsequently, and before the interval, from, a cross-kick, West ran in unopposed and equalised the scores. The Hovers, after tho change of ends, were uneven, and, failing once badly, Messenger, as a result of & brilliant effort, gained the winning try ' for the colonials. THE CUMBERLAND MATCH. A HEAVY~I?EVERSEi (Received February 11, 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Thin' Day. The New Zealanders suflered one of the heaviest reverses of the tour at Workington, when opposed to Cnmberland, being beaten by threo goals and five tries to three goals and one try. The Blacks practically lost tho match in the lirst half, the homo men playing J with judgment and skill, there being ! a capital understanding between the backs and forwards. Directly after the change of ends Cumberland were twice penalised, and on each occasion Messenger landed a goal. Cumberland then tackled strongly, and after repeated failures, crossed their opponents' line. 1 hough generally unable to make much headway the visitors managed to secure ft try, a forward charging down Ridley's kick and taking the ball over with him. Messenger again kicked a gdal. Cumberland were masters of the situation for the rest of the game and added another try, which was not converted.