FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14427, 18 July 1907, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. SECOND MATCH AGAINST NEW SOUTH WALES. NEW 7 ZEALANDERS BADLY DEFEATED. United Press Association—i3y Electric Telegraph— Copyright. (Received July 17, 8.8 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 17. The weather was fine to-day, but a keen (southerly wind was blowing. About 25,000 persons, including Lord Northoote, were present at the match. M’Ware replaced Waddell in the local team. Several changes were made in the New Zealand team, owing to slight injuries to some of the members and toother causes. Booth (three-quarter), Eckhold (five-eighth), dolman (wing), Patou and Spencer (forwards), replaced Mitchinson, Mynott, Gillett, Seeling and O’Sullivan respectively. On Saturday tho New South Welshmen mad© many -mistakes which prevented a closer finish than was accomplished, but to-day they profited by their mistakes, and gave an exposition of Rugby that it would bo difficult to find fault with. Their passing was clean and good, and their scrums excelled those of New Zealand every time. The ball was got out in a workmanlike manner and splendidly handled by the backs, while the visitors rarely got possession, so that their backs had seldom an opportunity to show their mettle. On tho few occasions the ball cam© their way apparently they did not know what to do with it. in the second spell the New South , Wales territory was virtually a desert, for tho number of times the New Zealanders could be seen there could be counted on the fingers of on© hand. It is a record, too, for New Zealand not to score at all. They have been beaten before, but never by a love game. The Blacks won the toss, and took advantage of the strong wind from the southern end. Tlx© Blues made an early start by a good dribbling rush which Wallace only succeeded in stopping in the nick of time. Play was removed to the centre, but the Bines were soon again at their opponents, when Roberto, by a good kick, got the ball into the enemy’s quarters. A Black rush was stopped by Messenger, and the game removed to the neutral zone for a time, and then Coleman headed another rush at the local side’s, goal-line. When within the twentyfive yards mark there appeared a prospect of his getting in, but bo lost his foothold, and a tough tussle, ensued in the- local territory, which was only relieved by the Blues being awarded a free kick, and a long return by Spencer compelled the New South Welshmen to force. Tlx© Blacks continued to force thcpace, but the brilliant kicking of Dix kept the attackers at bay. A free kick to New Zealand gave Wallace a shot at goal, but the ball was cleverly intercepted and a dangerous Blue rush was set in motion. It appeared as if a score was imminent, but a faulty pass spoilt the home team’s manoeuvre for a time. As tho result of a desperate struggle on the visitors’ line M’Cuejust battled across and drew first blood for the home team. The shot at goal was from a difficult angle, and the additional points were not secured. ... New South Wales, 3; Now Zealand 0i

Almost immediately the game was resumed the Blues placed the Blacks again on the defensive, hut the tension for a time was relieved by a free kick to the visitors. The All Blacks were playing a hard game, but it lacked * * devil,” and tbo Blues continued' to press them hard, the visitors being forced twice in quick succession. Down again charged the home team, and the Blacks were once more in difficulties. Try as they would the New South Wales men swarmed all over them, and Russell, getting possession, slipped over the line. Messenger was entrusted with the shot at goal, which was unsuccessful.

New South Wales, 6 ; New Zealand, 0. New Zealand could not carry warfare cut of their own ground, and were kept busily defending their line until the whistle sounded half-time, without further addition to the score. The local fifteen had a great ovation for the success they had so far achieved. The second spell was begun by Francis kicking well down the field, and immediately the Blues began the attack by a rush from the centre of the field, which ended in a scrum in front of the New Zealand posts, the ball coming out to Russell, who whipped it on to Messenger. It was an exciting moment as both Spencer and Hunter closed on Messenger, hut ho dived low between them and secured the third try for his side. He took the kick himself and sent the ball between the posts.

New South Wales, 11; New Zealand, 0. The local men were now playing like a machine, no opportunities being given and no chances thrown away. The New Zealand attacking was defective. They were demoralised. Certainly they made the game willing enough, hut there were no tactics. It was a disorganised defence. Tire forwards tried desperately to relieve the position, but their opponents had them well in hand, and a fine run by Bussell was only stopped by Spencer when a certain score appeared imminent. New Zealand forced the play still persistently, but were kept in their own territory, and they were only able to keep the Blues from scoring. The All Blacks had struck a hornets’ nest. It was the hottest thing ever put up by the local team. The enthusiasm of the onlookers was roused to an intense pitch, and the applause was deafening when Messenger placed a beautiful goal from a mark. New South Wales, 14; Now Zealand, 0. The concluding few minutes witnessed the too rare spectacle of the Now Zealanders invading Now South Wales territory. They tried hard to force a passage, hut the defence of the home team was just as excellent as the attack had been. Roberts secured a mark in a likely place, hut Wallace placed the ball on. the outside of the post. It was' the Blacks’ only chance in the

game to get a score, and it was denied them.

The whistle sounded without further score. It was a brilliant victory for a brilliant team.

DULLER v. WANGANUI. (Rer ITuiss Association.] WANGANUI, July 17. The football match Duller v. Wanganui took place to-day, when the visitors were outclassed in all parts of the game, and Wanganui won by 41 points to 6.

A meeting of the Ashburton County Rugby Union was held on Monday evening. A letter was received from the Ellesmere Rugby Union stating that it approved of July 25 as the date for a match between teams from the two Unions at Leoston, and would guarantee £3 towards the expenses of the Ashburton team. The South Canterbury Rugby Union wrote suggesting August 8 as. a suitable, date for the representative fixtures with that Union and •it was decided to accept the date and to send a senior and a junior team to Timarn.

Tlie Waiau Football Club played the Knikonra Football. Club at Waiau on Saturday and defeated them by 13 points to nil. Tries were obtained by 0 Brien (3) and L. Coaklev, and O’Brien converted one and Goodfellow another. For the winners Poison, Kennedy. Smaile, Stott, D. Coaklev and O’Brien played well, and for the losers F. Smith, Burton, Renner and Ponder. Mr C. F. Bui] was referee. The trophy valued at £2 2s, presented to the Leoston Football Club by Mr Walter Spring, of Christchurch, tor the most improved player of the season, has been awarded to E Stapleton.