THE VICTORY AT SALFORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13672, 13 February 1908, Page 8

THE VICTORY AT SALFORD.

Manchester, January 1. ! The second match of the New Zealanders in Manchester drew a fine crowd at Salford. In spito of the wintry weather, and an icy-cold wind, 12,000 spectators attended, the "gate" being nearly £500. As Saturday camo midway between Christmas and the New Year holidays, the match was regarded in the light of a midweek one, because most people had to work, and under these circumstances the attendance was very satisfactory. ■-''.'; ; ..' Since the arrival of the New Zealandera in Manchester—three weeks —they have been training on tho Salford ground, so the match was like a " home " one to them. ;The -frosty weather lately had dried the ground well, and a covering of straw had prevented it from freezing. The surface was in splendid playing condition. A strong breeze' blew across the ground, and made plaee-kielcing very difficult. ■') .'New* Zealand. won the toss, and Salford kicked off. As the cable will have told you, the match resulted in a win for us by nine points to : two. ;-.-'' : The game was "not such; a "pretty" or brilliant.ono as that played■■at Broughton, Manchester, 'near the beginning of our tour. Tho play was very keen and strenuous, so much the latter, in fact, that the referee had to call tho players around him once, and give them a. lecture on socialism, or brotherly love. Both sides offended in this respect, so everybody was satisfied. The best player on the ground was undoubtedly Turtill. He fielded in a veering wind, and kicked with excellent Judgment. Our thrcequarter lino—Messenger, Rowe, and Kellywere very . solid on defence, and steady in other, departments. Our five-eighths—-Todd and Wrigleydid well; in fact, the latter played his best game of the tour. Todd had to leave the field in the second spell through an injury, which, it is feared, will prevent him from playing in the international match with Wales. B. Wynyard at halfback was as tricky and ias clever as ever he was. The forwards- ! Byrne, Pearce, Mackrell, Wright, Cross, and Johnston—controlled the • ball in the scrum, and wero also superior in the open play. Some of their sweeping dribbling rushes" were magnificent. They carried everything before them when they got going/V.' : ' "' ■."' ' * On Monday 20 players left for Aberdare, South Wales, to prepare for tho Welsh International, the other nine remaining in Manchester. They met with a fine reception down Souths a great crowd turning out to cheor them on arrival.