FOOTBALL.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 353, 26 August 1907, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND v. NEW SOUTH WALES. ANOTHER VICTORY FOR THE "ALL GOLDS." [By Elboxbio Tkligraph— Copyright] [pbb press association.] Sydney, August 24. The third and last football match between the professional footballers of New South Wales and the Dominion of New Zealand was played here this afternoon, and resulted, as did the former games, in a victory for the Maorilanders, though in this instance it was only by the narrow margin of a converted try to a penalty goal. The weather was fine but the attendance fell far below that of the previous Saturday, being estimated at not more than 8000. Messenger, who played such a fine game against the "All Blacks" during their visit, and who recently joined the ranks of the professionals, captained the local men, and fortune favoured him in the spin of the coin. Shortly after the New Zealand "All Golds" had kicked off, the Welshmen shifted the scene of play to their opponents' territory, and there they penned them for a quarter of an hour, the strain *bein released by Wrigley, who kicked into the local's 25's, and following up smartly was down on his man before he had time to gather up the ball. Messenger, however, was near at hand, and saved the score against his side by kicking out into dead country. On resuming play was once more inNew Zealand's ground, where for off-side play in their 25's, the visitors were penalised by having a free kick given against them, and Messenger successfully piloted the ball over the bar, thus drawing first blood for the Welshmen. q New South Wales •• a New Zealand ••• . . -. " . As the ball was sent into play the Blacks swooped down into their opponents' 25, and the Blues had all their work cut out to prevent them scoring. Johnston made a desperate effort to get over, and looked like scoring, but Hedley, the local fullback, who was putting in j some excellent defensive work, collared him right on the line. faedtey. gamed possession, and sent the ball into tho centre of the field, where play hovered for a time. Then Smith made an effort to get through the opposing ranks, but was unsuccessful, and the Blues, who were if anything more than holding their own, gradually Sushed the New Zealanders back, and [elly, being very slow in securing the ball from the scrum, the Blues smothered the New Zealanders before the backs got to work. Both sets of forwards were playing a hard game, but the visitors, with a dribbling rush after a long interval of play in a neutral zone, broke through and got into the Welshmen's 25> where the superb defence of Hedley once more saved the position. The local men were making use of the line to greater advantage than their opponents, but Turtill, the visiting goalkeeper, prevented any one from invading his ground, and then half-time sounded, with the score still— \ New South Wales ... 3 New Zealand ... ••• ,° The "AH Golds" started the second spell by at once placing New South Wales on the defensive, and there they kept them for some time, but the ,visitmg backs were unable to get going though time and again they charged desperately. Often when the New Zeafanders had what appeared to be a chance to score it was spoiled by erratic passing. Ims gave the Blues a chance to move forward and charging down they kept the visitors hard pressed and battling to save a further score being registered against them. From a free kick, Wrigley kicked down the field. Messenger failed to take it, which gave Johnston, who had followed up Wrigley's kick, the opportunity to snap up the leather and cross the line. Turtill was entrusted with the kick, and placed the ball orer tho bar, making the scores read — New Zealand ... •<• j> New South Wales ... d Open play, mostly in the centre oi the field followed, until Turtill kicked back to Granville, who worked the game into the visitors' quarters, and securing a mark Messenger had a futile shot at goal. A few minutes later the game ended with the New Zealanders masters of the situation by the small difference between 5 points and 3.