FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 280, 4 December 1907, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE PRO-BLACK MATCHES,

Press Association—Copyright.

Sydney, December 3. The Daily Chronicle (London) writing on the match against St. Helens, says that the "All Blacks" made no mistalco iu selecting the team to meet St. Helens.

Having been made welcome by the Mayor and corporation they went to the football field with a side which included all their star players and won handsomely by 24 points to 5, after an exposition, particularly in the second half, that was positively exciting.

The Colonials did not start too well and for twenty minutes the game was of an even character, the home side, like every other home side met yet, rising to the occasion and giving the visitors a warm time.

Then Wright opened the scoring and Messenger enhanced the value of a try. This was succeeded by the home team smartly beating the defence through a" cross kick and cleverness on the part of C. Creeney, who registered a try and placed a goal.

Pretty combined play by the visiting backs ended in another try and goal.

At half time the New Zealanders led by ten to five. The second half opened with a sensational dodging run by Messenger, who eluded several opponents and put a try to his credit as well as resulting in a goal.

The home team continued to resent a bold front but coula not penetrate the defence, and the Colonials, playing an exceedingly fine game, overcame all opposition and tries were scored by Smith, W. Wynyard and Wright, none of the place kicks succeeding. The final results were New Zealand three goals and three tries; St. Helens one goal. The Daily Telegraph says the New Zealanders gave a fine display of running and passing. During the first half the Lancastrians maintained an excellent defence and occasionally turned the attack upon the Colonials, but the latter were apparently mncli smarter, especially behind the scrummage. The way the colonials had forced the pace had its effect on the home team after the interval, their defence being much weaker than previously.