THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS IN ENGLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 7875, 6 April 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS IN ENGLAND.

ENGLAND v. NEW ZEALAND,

[From Our Special Correspondent. |

London, February 23,

There is a strong element of luck in football as in all other games, and during their prolonged tour the Maoris have had their fair share. On Saturday last, however, the "fickle goddess" entirely deserted them. Firstly, the weather was awful, It rained hard all the morning, and by three o'elorL the rectory field at Blackheath was u qiri,; mire. The Englishmen did not mind this; they are accustomed to playing in bad weather, have all sorts of appliauces to prevent slipping, and say they fall softer on wet ground. The Maoris, on the other hand, were seriously handicapped by the condition of the ground and by the rain. They play 25 per cent, worse under such circumstances than they do on dry ground, and they know it. It was not, therefore, in the best of spirits the New Zealanders began the game, though the team one and all determined to do their utmost to win. About 12,000 persons assembled to see the match, but the town contingent, owing to the rain, was small, and the onlookers were nearly all local folk. This, no doubt, accounted for the crowd's lack of cordiality towards the Maoris. The defeat of Blackheath had been a bitter and unexpected pill for the district to swallow, and many of the onlookers feared even worse was to come. There can be no doubt the defeat of their picked team by New Zealand would have deeply mortified the Rugby Union, and they instructed the English captain not to risk a point. This came out in tho game when some of the crowd urged the Englishmen to concede the visitors the disputed point. "No, no; we can't afford to give these chaps anything," bawled Stoddart. The Maoris were so anxious to distinguish themselves that they seemed to play rather a jealous game. At any rate tbeir passing looked poor beside the splendid performances of the Englishmen. The first twenty minutes' play promised a brilliant match all through. The Maoris "bucked" up grandly, and neither side seemed to have much the best of it. Then, alas ! W. Warbrick, tho New Zealand fullback, must try to distinguish himself, but, instead of that, blundered terribly. The ball being punted over the Maori goal line, Warbrick got possession, and as the English forwards were right upon him, should have touched down in self defence. Instead, he foolishly attempted a run, and, being collared, lost possession, and gave the English team their first point. The general opinion of the Maoris and of the people in the pavilion was that Warbrick had (as he claimed) touched down successfully after being collared, but the referee decided otherwise. The decision of the latter was protested against by the Maoris, who were obviously much angered and disheartened at the point being given against them. As the game subsequently progressed the back play of the home team became more and more brilliant, and the Maoris afterwards never appeared likely to win. Behind the scrummages the home team had a great advantage; all the threequarters ran and passed splendidly, while Bonaor and Scott were prominent at half. Forward the Maoris were fast and kept well on the ball, whilst the pretty kicking of their backs at times forced even the unwilling spectators to applaud. Keogh took first honors in this respect. Early in the second half of the match an incident occurred which caused much unpleasantness, and for o. few minutes threatened to put a premature end to the game. This was caused in the following manner : —Stoddart, in running, collided with the referee. Just previously his clothes had been torn in such a manner as to necessitate his immediate withdrawal. The players formed a ring round him, and ho left the field to change. Then the Maoris claimed to have a scrummage where Stoddart had run against the referee, but while they were protesting Evershed got in and claimed a try. The Maoris protested wrathfully that the ball was dead, and when the referee again gave the point against them and the try was successfully converted their disgust knew no bounds. Williams, Taiaroa, and Rene were indeed so znuch out of temper that they sullenly walked off the ground, some of the spectators cheering and others hooting. Mr Scott, very properly, peremptorily ordered them to return, but for a few minutes without success. Then Taiaroa consented to listen to the persuasion of friends, and led the way back—Williams and Rene following. After this the Maoris buckled to with great vigor, carried tho ball right down into the Englishmen's twenty-five, and again and again were on the verge of scoring. I'ut iluck and the splendid play of the Englishmen were against New Zealand, and the game ended in a decisive victory for England.

Reviewing the whole circumstances of the chief unpleasantness of the game in cold blood, I am distinctly of opinion that Evershed's try (converted into a goal) was obtained by something very near akin to sharp practice, and ought not justly to have been allowed, Stoddart admit 3 having said/' let me go " before he passed the ball, and Ellison immediately did so. The catastrophe to the Englishman's breeches was, in fact, so serious, and laid bare such a large portion of his particularly fine figure, that for the moment both Maoris and Englishmen thought of nothing but the imperative necessity of sparing his blushes and shielding his nakedness from the public gaze. That the ball was dead everyone took for granted, and Evershed's run in and claim for a try surprised the Englishmen quite as much as the Maoris. The referee, however, held that in law, if not in equity, the ball was alive, and the try must therefore be allowed. In future, the Maoris say, (they'll see the convenances "go hang" (before they'll stop the game. They are as gallasfc as most men, but a goal is a trifle fcoo heavy a price to pay for the privilege of having aaved some of the fair sex from a shock.

The protest in Warbrbk's case was a «Kfferent matter. The man himself, and aoioe of tho spectators, thought he touched .dowu, but the referee was of a different opinion. The Maoris ought to have given on cheerfully and at once to the latter'a decision, In the pavilion after the match, I regret to say that Pat Keogh and one or two others whose tongues run along too fast when they are angry, said some pretty flt'rong things about the referee. These were either overheard by Mr Rowland Hill or (repeated to him, and on Monday Warbrick received a letter demanding an apology. Of eu*me,.it was sent. I fear the habit of grumbling at the referee and questioning hi 3 decisions during and after a match is rather common amongst the Maoris. If so, it should be discouraged as ungentlemanly and (wowfi still, perhaps) un-English. I ought, toy the way, to mention that when the game on Saturday was over, and the Maoris well beaten, they were heartily cheered by the crowd.

NOTES ON THE ALL-ENGLAND MATCH,

JMoat of the newspapers remark on the cordretemp* which spoilt the AH-Eiiglaud match. The 'Daily News' says:-" More than one prominent Unionist thought the English sfaould have given way." The ' Athletic News' imagines the Maoris who left the field are ashamed of themselves, and suggests that the least they can do is to apologise to the Union. The ' Star' considers the Englishmen were amity of a piece of sharp practice. _ The ' Evening Post' says the Maoris were defeated, but not disgraced. _ The * Pall Mall Gazette' says the Maoris marred the gooi impression made by their play by continually disputing with the umpires and referee. The Manchester 'Sporting Chronicle' condemns the ill-temper showri by the Maoris as very regrettable in a match of this Whitehead, who has been «<ni»ded on the subject, cannot see his way •to revive or in any way notice (officially) the New Zealand footballers. An influential deputation asked him to entertain the American base-ball players recently, and he refused, so that even if he wished to invite -ihe New Zealandersnow, he could hardly do pliment would have been appreciated, both iy the players and the cplooy. Had the weather been a lithe finer last Satnrday, Lard (Onslow would have made an effort— notwithstanding his many engage-

ments—to be present at the great match between England and New Zealand, at Blackheath.

Mr Scott, the manager of the New Zealand team, was laid up ill the greater part of last week, and appeared at Blackheath on Saturday against doctor's orders, and looking very unwell. He felt, naturally, much upset at the contretemps, which, to same extent, marred an otherwise brilliant game. After the Blackheath match the ' Pall Mali Gazette,' the ' Hawk,' and one or two other papers, taking the local man's broken collar-bone as their text, preached the Maoris a sermon i'.ti rough play. As a m .ttrr of fact, this was the sole accident (bar a fractured jaw at, Maryport) for whi.ih the New Zealauders have been reyponuibio (hiring their lengthy tour. On the other hand, there is scarcely a member of their team who has not at one time or another been pretty seriously bent or broken ; in fact, when in Lancashire, Scott could not rai'ie a sound fifteen. There can, however, be no doubt that these unjust accusations of rough play have done harm, and partially accounted for the coolness with which the Maoris were received when they met England. AN EXPERT'S ACCOUNT. The ' Sporting Life' says :—" The colonial captain, having won the toss, elected to defend the goal nearest the entrance, Bonsor kicking off for the Englishmen. Madigan returned the ball into the English half, where Scott, getting possession, passed to Lcckwood. The latter, making a dash to get away, was pulled clown by M'Causland and Wynyard soon after crossing the centre line, and the ball went into touch. Sutclifle secured it from the throw-out, but was unable to get away, a scrummage being formed just within the visitors' line. The ball being heeled out, some loose play followed, and an exchange of points gave the colonials a free kick for a fair catch. This was well followed up. Boyle getting the ball, made a smart run ere he attempted a kick, with the result that the ball was charged down ; play for the next few minutes being in the home half. The forwards (headed by Evershed and Anderton) rushed tho ball into the visitors' territory, and a pack was formed. Scott getting hold, passed to Sutclifle, who failed to secure it. A rush of the colonial forwards again got it near the centre of the ground, and Keogh, obtaining a free kick, sent it amidst much cheering right over the English goal-line. Doyle picked up quickly and returned it into touch near the twenty-five flag. From the throw-in a scrummage ensued, out of which Keogh got the ball, and after dropping it picked up again and passed to \V. Wynyard, who looked like getting through, but was well collared by Scott and Stoddart, the last-named player, making an excellent run directly afterwards, gained ground for his side ere he was pulled down. Excitement now ran high, each side being vociferously cheered by their partisans for every little- advantage gained, though nothing definite had been scored. Stoddart again made another determined attempt to break through tho colonists' lines, but without avail, but passing to Lockwood, the Dewsbury player took the ball well into their opponents' twenty-five before he was pushed into touch. The home team now pressed their opponents, who, however, played in grand form. Some good passing by the English three-quarter-backs gave Sutclifle an opportunity of dropping a goal, which he failed to take advantage of, and Bedford getting the ball by a sharp, dodgy run, evaded his opponents, crossed the line, and, after twenty-five minutes' play, placed the first point to the credit of Old England. Sutclifle was entrusted with the kick, but the ball went wide of the mark. On restarting, the colonials, playing with great vigor to retrieve their loss, rushed tho ball into the English half; but the home division, encouraged by their success, also played in a very determined manner, and from a scrummage near the middle of the field their forwards, amongst whom Robinson and Cave were very conspicuous, took the ball near the Maoris' goal line, where it was sent into touch. Keogh, M'Causland, and Madigan each in tarn getting the ball, tried to break away from the colonists, but were unable to succeed, and Bedford again getting possession, crossed the line before he was pulled down by Madigan and Warbrick, and it was not till after a desperate long maul in goal, during which the Englishman hurt his shoulder, that he was awarded a try, which the visitors took objection to. Sutclifle again took the place, but failed to raise the score. During the next few minutes the play was exceedingly fast, tli3 colonists dribbling the ball well into the English quarters before it wa? picked out by Lockwood, who, by a grand kick, sent it into touch, and Robinson getting it from the throw-in gained further ground for England, each side being awarded free kicks for informalities before half-time, when the teams crossed over, with two tries to nil in favor of England. Ellison restarted the ball for the visitors, who, nothing daunted by their ill-luck, followed well up into the English quarters, where Scott picked up and looked liked getting away, until collared by Keogh. A good dribhle by Robinson was called back for an infringement of the rules, and a scrummage formed. Scott again obtained it, and after a short run sent it to Robinson, the last named in turn passing to Bedford, but the latter had scarcely got hold when he was well tackled, and Sutclifle securing the leather out of some loose play, made a long pass to Stoddart, who rushed through the ranks of his opponents, and amidst deafening cheers, secured another try for England, the popular three-quarter-back coming in for quite an ovation. The cheering been renewed when, taking the kick himself, he just failed to score, the ball passing within a few feet of tho post. On resuming the game the play was again very fast, and Bonsor picking up, passed to Lockwood, who made two ineffectual attempts to break away, M'Causland and Wynyard stopping him on each occasion. The ball, however, was gradually worked into the colonial twenty-five, and Evershed, securing it, took it behind. It was evident that some of the visitors imagined it would be called back, and a strong protest resulted. The try was, however, allowed, and no attempt was made to charge down the kick, which was undertaken by Sutclifle, who obtained a goal, with the result that the visitors prepared to leave the field. Three of them— Taiaroa, Wynyard, and Williams —actually did so, but so soon as the game was recommenced they, at the wish of their manager, returned, and now playing in a very determined manner, the ball was taken into the English quarters. Here, however, it was not destined to remain long, and being worked back, Sutcliffe, from a pass by Bonsor, got possession, and, after a short run, again got in for England, Stoddart essayed the kick, but was unsuccessful, the ball striking the upright. With the exception that Doyle had to touch-down for England, nothing of note occurred before the call of 'No sile !' tho English team thus winning by one gcal and four tries to nil. For the winners, Stoddart, Scott, Lockwood, Evershed, Cave, Robin3on, and Bedford were the most noticeable, the last-named keeping on to the finish in the most plucky manner despite his accident. Umpires, Mr A. Budd (president of the Rugby Football Union) and Mr J. Warbrick ; referee, Mr G. Rowland Hill." NOTES ON THE TOUR. The United Service Fifteen, at Portsmouth, received a rare dishing up from the Maoris on Saturday week, to the tune of three goals and a try to nil. The match with Oxford University, fixed for the 12th of February, was, owing to the fearful weather, postponed till Thursday last.

Barlow Madigan, who was recently ordered, or rather advised, not to play football any more, has now come back to something like his old form, and played a grand game at Portsmouth, collaring and running in splendid fashion. The reason Barlow has not distinguished himself greatly up to tho present time is owing to two things : Firstly, ho has been very unfortunate in getting injured several times; and secondly, the other backs, though they know well enough he is very speedy, and hard to stop when under weigh, have never troubled to feed him properly. When the New Zealanders first came to England cr,!laring was their forte, and very seldom did they fail to bring their opponents to a full stop. Lately, howover, jihey appear to collar very high—in fact,

round the shoulders—and the result is if the opponent is a strong man he sends them flying, and if a little light man, wriggles out of their grasp. Again very few of the forwards ever attempt to fend a man off with their hands, but try to dodge him. This used to be very successful, but now tho English teams arc up to most of their little feints.

All the New Zealanders, save those playing at Oxford yesterday and against Manningham to-day, returned to Manchester on Tuesday.

The New Zealand tram imagined they had a " soft tiling '' on with the London Welsh, but they had to. <•■■>•>- hard to xoeure thrir narrow nuijority of noiius. When the v.-hiatle blew for half-time the score stood one try each. On resumption the Maoris pressed, hut could not pierce the Welsh (iefeneo til! after some tough scrummages. Elliott picked up and passed to Keogh, who transferred to William Warbrick, the latter getting in. Mac, however, again failed to negotiate the place-kick. After this reverse the Welshmen played up in grand form, and rushed the sphere into the New Zealand twenty-five, Jordan almost getting in. Play was then transferred to the centre, where Morgan, the Welsh half-back, picked up smartly, and eluding the Maori backs, had only Mac to pass, but tripping, came down a burster, losing an almost certain try. Play was very even after this, and nothing more being scored, the Maoris were left victors of a grandly contested game by 2 points to 1.

The Maoris could not make much of a stand against either University. Oxford has an unbeaten record this season, and Cambridge is little inferior. The New might, however, have clone better against tho dark blues had they been less stale. They play Manningham in Yorkshire to-day.