FOOTBALL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 283, 27 November 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL NEWS.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM AT

HOME

GREAT BATTLE AGAINST

IRELAND

[press association.] (Received Nov. 26, 4.17 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2-5. The weather was dull and the ground rather soft for the football match at Dublin.

Over 1200 were present. Ireland put a fine team mto the field, all except one being old International players. C. E. Allan was captain, and Basil McLean, Parker, Robb and Caddell Robinson the four three-quarters, with Wallace as "winger." New Zealand had the same team as that which played Scotland last Saturday, except Mynott (Taranaki), who replaced Gallagher (Auckland), who is suffering fiom an injury sustained in the previous match. Gillett (Canterbury) took Gallagher's place on the wing. A hot contest was anticipated, and in the first spell there was every evidence given of Ireland's desire to secure a victory. After the ball had been sent rolling Ireland pressed the visitors, and the game became tremendously fast, being chiefly confined within the twenty-five of the Maorilanders. The Irish kept- up the attack, and for an infringement of the rules the colonials were penalised, arid with the kick thej Irishmen forced them down. On re-} sinning, after a good deal of give-and-take play some fine combination was shown on the part of the New Zealanders, in which Smith (Auckland), Roberts (Wellington), Hunter (Tarar.aki), and Deans (Canterbury) were prominent. This resulted in Deans being afforded an opportunity to score, of which he quickly availed him self, and the New Zealanders drew ! first blood after a hot contest of 32 minutes/ Wallace was entrusted with the kick, and justified the reliance placed in him, the ball going nicely between the posts. New Zealand 5 Ireland 0 On resuming the ball went up and down the field with buf; little advantage to either side, and at half-time the score was as mentioned above.

The second spell opened with a dingdong battle, and eventually the same quartette as were responsible for the New Zealanders' first score had the Irishmen well on the defensive. The onslaught was not to be denied, and Deans whipped over. Wallace again kicked a goal, and New Zealand were 10 points to Ireland's nil. This dual score aroused the Irishmen,who put in a big bid for a score. Wallace, their "winger," carried the ball at his toe the whole length of the field, and he dribbled through all the opposing backs until within five yards of the line, when what appeared like a score was prevented by Mynott, but only in tho nick of time. Nothing daunted by the non-success of Wallace's efforts, the Irishmen rushed again to the attack, and the New Zealanders had a lively time on the defensive. The danger which had threatened with Wallace was by no means over, and Thrift, gaining possession, darted straight for the line, being collared almost under the goal posts. Gradually the colonials shifted the scene of play out of their twenty-five, and the forwards, with a fierce rush, gave the Irishmen the task of acting on the defensive. Here Smith whipped round the scrum, and evading most of the backs crossed the line, but was thrown into the dead-ball area. Continuing the attack the New Zealanders had the gratification a minute later of seeing McDonald (Otago) gaining the ball from a loose rush and crossing the line. Wallace for the third time was successful with his place-kick, and the second test resulted— New Zealand ... ... 15 Ireland ... ... ... 0