N.Z FOOTBALLERS.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1598, 1 February 1906, Page 3

N.Z FOOTBALLERS.

THE WELSH MATCHES. Sydney, January 30. The 'Daily Mail' says tlic attendance at the Cardiff match was fifty thousand. The fortunes of the game ebbed and flowed from Jirst to last, and there was not a moment when either side was not on the tenterhooks of anxiety. It was a better game to watch than the international, and was played in a better spirit. The crowd, satisfied probably with the victory of December Hi, moderated their transports considerably. .Micro was little to choose between the sides. Territorially both missed chances, the New Zcalanders most, but the visitois defence was superb, especially the dviel between "Wallace and Winlield, which was worth going a long way to see. Winiield's kicking was very safe and accurate. Wallace extricated his side time and again lrom very tight. coiners. His lucking was as good as, or better than W infield's, and saved ime certain try in the middle of the second half, when the- Cardiff pack broke nwav with only Wallace to stop tlvm, which he did by throwing himself on the ball at the cost of a penalty kick. Meanwhile O'SulUvan retired with a broken collarbone, Gallagher entering the scrummage and Stead plaving as wing. Halfway through the second half the ball was kicked over the A\elsh line by Winfield. Bush and Handy, apparently, had an easy force, but ihc New Zea--1 landers followed rapidly - \\ infield, turning tV> try and field the ball, slipped, and Bush, evidently thinking il hazardous to throw himself on the ball, tried to kick dead, anil missed. Nicholson. Seeling and McDonald arrived, Nicholson scoring before Bush could recover, and Wallace placed a magnificent goal. Cardifi made a great effort to remove the margin, particularly Nicholls, whose speed, and skill were equal to his best days. He made opening after opening, but the tackling was excellent, notably that of Wallace, Booth and Deans. i'iually Thomas obtained a try at the corner after a line ~*t of passing. Winiield made a goo-'{attempt at .goal at a difficult angle so close that a large portion of the crowd departed thinking the game drawn. Many tele- j grams to that effect were despatched before the error was discovered. The excitement in the last stages was intense. • Tiie 'Daily Chronicle' says the Newport match was fast, and keen throughout. The New Zealanders had no territorial advantages, and did no more, if as much, attacking as their opponents, while the forward rushes did not seem so dillieult to stop as Newport's. Where the visitors excelled was in speed and determination of the back play. The New Zealanders' passing did not come up to the Welsh standard. The Newport backs passed ijiiite as well, and, had their wings had similar qualities, they would have won the gaiue. In the Cardiff match the retirement of O'Sullivan after twenty minutes must have affected the play of the New Zealanders. At the same time Cardiff more than held their own before tfSnllivan retired. V'ntil ten minutes before the end it looked like a win for Cardiff or a draw. Then, from U break away by New Zealand, the ball was kicked over the Cardiff line. Bush had plenty of time to touch down, but tried u> kick dead. The result was that New Zealand was presented with a try. As Wallace kicked a goal it seemed all over, -lust on time, Thomas go I a try, but Winiield failed at goal, and New Zealand scrambled home by two points. St was u lucky win, even when allowance is made, for the loss of O'Sullivan. The general opinion was it would not ha\e be.-n achieved but for Bush's mistake and a general error in tactics.