THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS IN ENGLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 7831, 12 February 1889, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS IN ENGLAND.

DETAILS OF THEIR MATCHES AND TOUR. [From Ouk Special Correspondent.] London, December 20. Christmas has not, so far as I have been able to learn, been a particularly festive time for the New Zealand footballers. They have been playing haul throughout the holidays, not always in the best of weather, but the "gates" seem to have been uniformly good, so 1 presume Mr Scott is satisfied. On New Year's Day the team play at Bradford, and either there or at Huddcrsfield I hopo to catch them up again and gather such gossip as is going. The following are the detailed accounts of the matches as yet to hand : MAORIS V. BKOUIiHTON. The visit of the now famous Nev Zealand team to the ground of the "Cui/fins" attracted a large crowd on Saturday last, and they were rewarded by witnessing a really fine exposition of the Rugby game. As was generally expected the "boys" proved much too strong for their opponents. Broughton had got together a strong team for the occasion, Rome having come from Cardiff specially to assist them, whilst the Maoris were still minus one or two of their best men. The splendid passing of the New Zealand backs, and the powerful rushes of the forwards, told a tale in the end ; for although Broughton played up vigorously from start to finish they were over-matched, and the New Zealanders achieved a substantial victory of two goals and two tries to a solitary minor. The attendance was about 5,000. The following is the account of the match from the Manchester « Sporting Chronicle ': —Payno started, and J. Warbrick returned to centre. Smart play by the Broughtonians carried the gamo well into the Maori quarters, where Payne, with a grand piece of work, compelled his opponents to save. Even play followed, but the superior pass-' iuf tactics of the visitora began to tell its tale, and F. Warbrick, taking a pass from

Kcogh, scored a splendid try, winch M'Causland failed to improve upon. Nothing further was scored up to half time. On change of ends the Maoris at once began to press,. a'<d despite ilib plucky defence i'f Prince, Smith, and Sumner, managed to gain . a try, Williams scoring the point, but again was the kicker at fault. A thick mist now hung over the ground, and it was almost impossible to distinguish the players, and during this state of affairs Karauria gained a try, and Ellison successfully kicked the goal. Broughton now had a turn at attacking) hut they could not get over the Capital defence of tho Maoris, and M'Cau.slaild rati the ball out from behind his own lirie, whbil Prince had appeared certain to score. However, a spleudid exposition of passing among the Maori back division left W. Wynyard in possession, who in the coolest possible manner dropped a go«l Amidst great cheering. Try as they would, Broughton could not score, and were ultimately defeated. Result : —Maoriß, two goals, two tries, one minor; Broughton, one minor. .MAORIS v. WIOAN. The New Zealanders paid a visit to Wigan, and the ropes were lined by at least 8,000 spectators. Hatton started the ball for Wigan, Bullough spoiling M'Cansland's return. Anderton was immediately prominent by a splendid dodgy run, and several free kicku were allowed to tho Maoris, Anderton relieving lu's lines in grand style. Wigan now paid a flying visit to the Maoris' lines, but the pressure Was smartly relieved by Gage and M'Causland. Several tight packs then took place in neutral quarters, Wigan holding their own against their stalwart opponents. Keogh, Elliott, and M'Causland now shone in some brilliant passiug. The homo line being in danger, Jlalliwcll got the ball again to midfield, and after some fine play by the homo forwards Wigan registered the first point—a minor. Splendid play now ensued by both teams, and Elliott, getting a free kick in the homo twenty-five, made a nplcndid attempt at goal, and, keeping up tho pressure, scored a dead ball. After the drop out nome fine play ensued, Atkinson making his mark in midlield. Pilkington failed at goal, and Wigan were now pressed. Gage got a good try after a short run, no goal resulting. Half-time now arrived, the Maoris leading by one try two minors to Wigan's three minors* On restarting, Wigan pressed for a time, until Gage and Wynyard got the ball to the home lines, Wynyard getting a capital try after a good run, M'Causland kicking a good goai. Very even play followed the kick off, each end being visited in turn, Wigan having hard lines, but only a dead ball resulted. Wigan now had the best of the play, and after some good opportunities another minor was scored, Pilkington's kick being charged down. F. Warbrick and Anderton dribbled finely, the former getting the third try, which , was not converted. Slevin now got over from a good pass by Hatton, Pilkington failing at tho place. After a grand game tho Maoris won by one goal two tries and two minors to Wigan's one try five minors. MAORIS V. WALES. The contest between tho Maoris and tho Welsh Internationals came off on tho Swansea Football Ground on Saturday afternoon. The match was announced to commence at 2.45, but at Lhreo o'clock neither team had appeared on the field, and the " gate " was by no means as large as might have been expected, considering the interest which was supposed to centre around the event. The places sacred to the sixpenny patrons of football were very much better attended than the south bank, which was reserved for those who wero prepared to pay one shilling. About a minute after three o'clock the Welshmen entered the field, looking as fresh as paint in their white pants and scarlet jerseys ; and a few minutes afterwards the Now Zealanders appeared, and were accorded a very hearty reception. The Maoris wero altogether heavier than their opponents, though their black uniform did not show up so well against tho green sward as the more attractive dress of the Welshmen. As the game proceeded crowds camo trooping in, until the whole area around the field became black with spectators. It was estimated that not lesi than 7,000 were present. The following are the details of the game : Hill kicked off towards the entrance end, and Gage returned into touch at the twentyfive. Two closely fought packs ensued. The Maoris dribbled down to the centre, when Wales, for off-side play, obtained a free kick, and'a minor resulted. After tho kick-out Keogli, M'Causland. and W. Wynyard did some fine passing, but, thanks to the grand tackling of tho Welshmen, no ground was gained. Arthur got away, but when chucking to George Thomas lost the ball. Keogh threw to W. Wynyard, who ran to the centre. G. Thomas, by a punt, lost ground for Wales, but this was rapidly regained by passing between Arthurs, Georgo Thomas, .aid Briggs. A scrumm.'.go ensued in the twenty-five, where Towers, picking up, performed one of his inimitable tricks, and finishing by grounding the ball over the line, amid tremendous cheers. Webb took the place and easily converted. Williams kicked off, and Arthurs, making a feeble reply, packs took place in dangerous proximity to the Welsh goal. George Thomas, by a short run and kick, promptly relieved, and J. Warbrick was tackled by Towers before he could reply. Immediately after, George Thomas, picking up in homo territory, ran along the touch line at terrific speed, and eluding all pursuit scored a try, which Webb failed to improve upon. Williams kicked out, and Staddeft obtained a free kick at the half-way flag. Webb made a good attempt at goal, a minor resulting. M'Causland kicked out, and Ellison made a strong run into the Welsh half, Stadden passed out to Arthur, who transferred to George Thomas. The latter kicked to J. Warbrick. The Maori back failed to return well, but Lee, by a fine dribble, carried the ball down the ground. Nicholls replied with an equally fine dribble, but J. Warbrick, M'Causland, and Gage, passing beautifully, ran into the Welsh territory. Keogh obtained a couple of "frees," and play was kept for a few minutes in the Wolsh half. A. Warbrick dribbled down to within a few yards of the Welsh goal, but Stadden and Garrett relieved. M'Causland obtained a mark, and the Maoris continued to have the better of the game. Elliott made a gallant attempt to get over the line, and Ellison actually got over, but he was carried back into play. Georgo Thomas, allowing the ball to go between his legs, placed the Welsh goal in serious danger. Half-time score: Wales, One goal one try two minors ; Maoris, nil. Williams kicked off for the Maoris, and tho visitors had the best of the game. Keogh attempted to pass to M'Causland, but lWers stepped in between and dribbled the leather down to the centre. A short delay occurred, Charlie Thomas being temporarily laid up, but he soon resumed his position, Arthurs now badly missed Elliott, who made a fine run along the touch-line. Nicholls, who was in grand form, however, by a very effective dribble regained the ground thus lost. George Thomas ran back twenty yards, and again the Welsh twentyfive was the scene of operations. Arthurs, by a run, took the ball to the centre, and a grand combined rush carried the ball down to the Maori end. A magnificent dribble by Ellison and Lee was the next piece of fine play, and a try seemed inevitable for the visitors, when George Thomas, coming to the rescue, made a grand run to tho centre amid great applause. Bland, Nicholls, and Bdwen rushed the leather over the Maori line. J. Warbrick fell on the ball, but failed to make it dead. Towers, running in, kicked the ball further on, and Nicholls, promptly falling on it, obtained a try. Webb made a bad attempt at goal. F, Warbrick and W. Wynyard, by a couple of really magnificent runs, got tho ball up to the Welsh line. The visitors forced play for a few minutes, until a free kick brought Wales relief. Arthurs ran down to half-way, but Ellison and Elliott, by strong running, gained part of the lost ground. W. Wynyard, who was far and away the best of the visiting threequarters, now got away capitally, but the Welsh forwards carried the leather rapidly back. Gage was now conspicuous for some clever defensive play. Stadden, pretending to pass, deceived the Maoris, and almost got over the line beforo being brought down. The Welshmen obtained a mark, and tho ball was placed for Webb, whose kick was, however, charged down, and the Maori forwards rushed into the Welsh twenty-live. Ellison, Lee, Williams, and Karauria', using

their feet very cleverly, trundled the greasy ball over the ground at a capital pace, but Webb proved smart enough to pick up and drop well into touch. The thick, misty frJhi which now fell made it very difficult to recognise the playsrS. it rfraa evident, however, that the New Zealanders were keeping , the ball well outside their territory, Until the, referee's whistle announced that the game, which had been most stubbornly contested throughout, was now over. Final score: Wales, one goal two tries three minors; Maoris, nil. The immenoe crowd of spectators who had witnessed the encounter heartily cheered the players bit both pities no they left the field , for the Swansea baths, and isrS e.tetin' upon , their entrance and exit were the signal for loud cheering, the favorites the "AH Whites'" captain, Griffiths, of Llanelly, and W. Boweu being received with especial enthusiasm—probably because they were the only representatives ?f theis clubs. The following were tho teams : Walks.—Buck, J. Webb (Newport); throe-quartcr-" hacks, Goorgo Thomas (Newport), C. Arthurs (Cardiff), Garrett (Pcnarth), and Norman Biggs (Cardiff); halfhacks, Stnddon (Do»sbury) and Charlie Thomag(Ncwjiort); furw-trds. Towers, Bowon (Swansea), Haunon, Hardinp (Nowport), G. Griffiths (Llanelly), Hill (captain), Nicliolla, and Bland (Cardiff). Maoris. Back, J. Warbriok (captain); three-qu.irter-bacl(s, Gagu, W. Wynyard, and M'Causland ; half-backs, Elliott, Keogh, and P. Warbrick ; forwards, Ellison, Williams, Wnbster, Karauria, Lee, Stewart, A. Warbrick, anl G. Wynyard. Messrs Taiaroa (New Zealand) and 11. Lyne (Wiilus) wcro umpires, and Mr Mortimer, of Dewebury, referee.