FOOTBALL.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 592, 24 March 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME. THE LAST TEST MATCH. (BY ELECTBIO TELEQBAPH — COPXBMHT.j IF£K PBBB3 ASSOCIATION.] Sydney, March 23. The last test match, at Cheltenham, was witnessed by 3000 persons. The Northerners kicked off, and the English halves got the ball away, Batten running into New Zealand's 25. Then Taylor and Wrigley got their line clear, the Unionists being forced down near midfield. The New Zealandorg here became offensive, and, with a fine kick, White goaled. The Union again attacked in great style, with the result that Jolley went over with a clever try, but it was too difficult, however, to convert. So far the Northerners had all the best of the game, and more than held their own to half-time, when the score waa five to nil. The New Zealanders, on resuming, broke away, and Trevarthen, getting a pass from Smith, crossed the line, but was held up. White also made a fine run, while Taylor was forced to touch down by Wynyard. Keeping up the pressure, New Zealand obtained a free kick, and Messenger attempted a shot at goal. The All Blacks were making tremendous attempts to score, Wynyard, Tyler, and Wngley doing fine work. Towards the close, says the Daily Telegraph, the game became extremely, rough, and the men almost got out of hand. Cross was ordered off the field for striking an opponent, and there were several other incidents which created considerable unpleasantness to everybody concerned. Eventually Messenger scored from a pass by Tyter. . After Wngley had obtained the extra points, some more fighting took place, Dunning using his fists pretty freely. Johnston scored again from a fine rush, but Wrigley failed at goal. For the rest of the game the New Zealanders pressed hard, but there was no more scoring. MORE PRESS OPINIONS. (Received March 24, 8.6 a.m.) Sydney, March 24. The Daily Express says that the idea of instructing Westerners in the delights of Northern football was a failure. Many left the ground heartily disgusted at the foul, brutal tactics employed towardß the close when the game developed into a scrapping match. The views of the unbiassed Chronicle on this aspect of the game are worth quoting in full: "Their tackling developed from fierceness into brutality and ruffianism. First, Cross was ordered off the ground for deliberately kicking his opponent; then Thomas, or Oldham, was guilty of the same foul tactics. The sufferer in this case was Gilchrist, who was not disposed to take it lying down, so he arose, and administered such fistic chastisement to the Oldham player as will not soon be forgotten. Everyone anticipated that both men would receive their marching orders, but the referee was evidently of opinion that justice had already been meted out. , - „ • The Daily Mail and ,the Morning Leader, confirmed the roughness while the Daily Graphic says that the cause of professional Rugby has not been advanced much by the third contest.