FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

et Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOMfc.

THE OPENING MATCH.

THE NEW ORDER OF PLAY.

(Reed. 14th, 9-9 P-ra-) SY.DINJBY, Nov 34. . The opening game played again«t Bramley Club, by no means the strongest in the Northern Union, was not so wildly one-sided as had been predicted, but the result was ceasive enough to satisfy those wao believed the New Zealand ers as "ood a contingent as their predecessors. At present the visitors are itiuggimg with the subtleties of the Northern Union rules, which in some vital instances arc different from the cidinary Rugby Union regulations. The aibsence of the line out c.-ippled the New Zealanders' idea of actack, and the half back rule, which makes it imperative for every man not a scrummager to stand behind *• c pack 1 revented the winger from doing any^ thing under pain of penalty, at A the method of punting into touch as a method of attack also f rowned ui.cn the Colonials. However, tLt«y ,^had good tuition and cleverly assimilated their instructions, and gave a vtry good, but not perfect, exhibition of the new game, and demonstrated individual brilliance, and when they are sure of their .ground and combination grows in cleverness Ihey will be a grand contingent. The large attendance gave the previous members of the All Blacks' team a hearty welcome, while Messenger and Wngley were particularly well watcned. The New Zealanders tried to work their pack with five forwards against six of their opponents with a 3-2 formation, but Tyler 3 who was \ving forward, soon got in the way of the referee, and his five colleagues were obliged to have his assistance n sttmming the rushes of the Bramley scrummagers. The Yorkshire Club never played so well or so pluck ily. The game was only two minutes old when a kick gave Messenger the opportunity and a goal was placed. Later Rowe ran over the line and Messenger improved the points, and Smith gained a try, half time arriving with the score in favor of New Zealand by 10 points to six. The second half saw the v : sitors push their attack to better advantage with two tries scored by Tvter. and one by Wrigley, Messenger placing goals "from Tyler's, and nmsmg Wrigley's, and kicking a goal fr<m a penaKy. A r fter a piece of bad piay by Hogg (the Bramley captain), the New Zealanders, especially Messenger, kicked splendidly, aiid : >assing brightly but not always accurate,, several good chances wierc missed A fine piece of work by Messenger qnd ; Wrigley was just robbed of a try by an infringement on the touch line. Tht visitors are not- - quite equal to their task, and" have not yet "n aster cd.; the science of the reduced -number, and their idea of trying to screw the scrum and if possible dribble itie ball through their opponents did not always result in a success. The game ended— New Zealand 20 ;>omt3 Bramley ••• 6 points