THE FLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13767, 4 June 1908, Page 6

THE FLAY

As the teams took the field they were greeted with hearty cheers. The Britishers won the foss, and played with the wind, Southland kicking off, and the kick was returned to inside the British halfway flag. From the line-out Britain broke away, Jackson being in the van. The British halfback passed out to "Ponty" Jones, whose kick was'charged down. Jackett, however, come to, the rescue with a powerful kick to halfway, on the line, but the British forwards, headed by Archer, took' the play to Southland's 25. \6. Stead was prominent here, the ball travel ling along to Broad, who mads a fine run to the ijritish 25, where he was solidly tackled. The forwards of both sides were playing like demons, the two vanguards using their feet to the utmost, advantage. The first sensation of the day occurred, when » brilliant rush by tho Southland backs ended in W. Stead 'being well :tackled near the British touch line. Stead "misled a pass and an excellent opportunity was lost. Southland returned to the charge, driving the Britishers back on their defence. Tackling on both sides was deadly, and no man got. a chance to go far. Southland were now strongly tackling the Britishers, but Hill, the wing threequaiter, got the ball and made a brilliant run to the British line, where he passed to B. Stead, who failed to take the ball, and lost an almost certain score. A. free kick by Britain right, on the line brought ivlief. Play wa« again taken well down the British line, but W. Stead, who was at this stage tumbling badly, again failed to take- a. pass. Both sides were evidently out to win, play becoming fast and furious. Southland repeatedly tried to break through the British defence. For a foot up in the scrum Southland was awarded a free kick at Britain's 25 flag. ' Hamilton took the kick and placed the goal at a "difficult angle. .Southland 3 Britain ... ... 0 After the drop-out McEvedy cross-punted to Southland's 25, and a fine rush by Southland into Britain's 25 saw a free kick to Britain, Jaekett's return finding . the 2-5 flag. Free, passing between the British backs let " Ponty" Jones away, but he was well tackled by Broad. Morgan then secured a mark in Southland's 25. The "nail was given to Jackett, who made a splendid shot i'ij goal. A brilliant rush by the* Southland forwards, headed by Hamilton, took play from tliat end of the field to the other end, where Clark -evaded the British back and secured a try. Hamilton converting. Southland 8 Britain ... 0 After the kick-off Jaekest was prominent, in a splendid kick pas; Southland's halfway Hag. Southland again attacked, but J. L. . Williams came to the rescue with <* splendid kick to the touch-line. For the first, time Morgan set the British backs in motion in the most brilliant piece of passing of the day. A. splendid kick by ''Than" .Jones found the line a yard or two off Southland's goal, where'a hot attack was set up by Britain. An exchange of kicks by the rival backs followed,' Broad firding the touch on the Britishers' side about halfway. "Ponty" Jones made a, brilliant rush, and, doubling back on the field, passed to McEvedy, who scored a brilliant try, Jackson converting. Southland ... 3 Britain ... ' 5 After the resumption of play Jackson met. with an injury to his shoulder, and play was temporarily suspended, Jaekett receiving the ball and passing brilliantly to J. L. Williams, who made another fine dash. The half-time score was: — Southland 8 Britain 5

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The reverse roused Southland, who invaded British territory. Fine line-kicking by. file British backs saw " Johnnie*' Williams find the line. Another hot attack on Southland's goal took place at this stage, and another free kick was awarded the British. Jackett potted at goal, but the ball fell short, and was returned by Southland to McEvedy, who cross punted, and Stead made in front of his own goal. Hamilton broke away, and drove Britain back in defence, where a free kick was awarded Southland for Jackett lying on the ball.* Britain took a fresh lease of life, and the Southland backs were thrown backon the defence. There was some-< brilliant passing by the British backs, who were doing superb work. Southland could do nothing with their attack, and Britain frequently burst right through the line. Within a few minutes of time an excellent dribble by the British forwards, leaded by Thomas, saw Southland agair hat on the defence. The game ended: Britain 13 Southland 8

NOTES ON THE GAME. A BRILLIANT CONTEST. WONDERFUL BRITISH BACKS. L 'UY TIO.EGKAI'U.— COItKESPOXUKXT.J Ixvibcahgill. Wednesday. The snatch, Britain v. Southland, played here to-day, was one of those swift and brilliant expositions of spectacular Rugby which the public find so delightfully re-, freshing. Thrilling runs and swift, short passes, which make for the best and most attractive side of the game, were in evidence throughout the struggle, and mi' thing better than the passing, running, and "swift ;ynd accurate handling; of the British backs has been seen in Southland 1,-,,- a decade. Southland swept into the attack from the rr;~ei. and thorp were staunch supporters of the Southern province round the ring-side in thousands who were not without hone that the Southlanders would win. They reckoned without the jiving British rear division, however.

Southland were the first to catch the eye, and were much in evidence throughout the first spall, of which they had the better. Their fine, free footwork in the loose, and the dashing following-up, for a time quite demoralised the British defence. There wore times when, in desperate, attacks on the British line, the chosen, of Southland a.li hut penetrated the final line of defence, faulty handling at psychological moments alone preventing a certain score. Southland did not let Britain get very far on attacking movement s* the tackling being certain and deadly.

The Britishers, profiting by the lessons already taught them on tour, had got into something like that condition which will prove to be a. prime factor in winning other matches on the New Zealand tour. The pace Southland set" was a " cracker," every man going at top speed, and doing his best for his side. Britain, too, exhibited better form in the vanguaid than they have yet previously shown, and it was at once apparent that the mistakes made at Wellington a.nd Dunedin were not. to be repeated against Southland. Southland's display in the first half was indeed creditable to the Southern province, but it was generally believed by the experts round the ringside, that although trained to the hour they could not sustain such pace throughout a, desperate game. This proved a sound forecast of what- was to happen, for in the second half, when the Britishers were going great - guns,'' and sweeping aside the chosen of Southland, Province, Southland was ''letting down" badly, and the Britishers pierced the defence right through its final line. To those who had expected brilliant runs by the British backs, the quick swerve and the "nippy" cut-in, the game war. indeed at once refreshing atid delightful, and must have even satisfied those who had placed all their confidence in Southland.

The Southland forwards—tall, raking fellows on the line, and experts with their f-?et in the loose—were important factors in to-day's struggle, but the British backs were clearly the stars of what proved to be a brilliant game. There was no greasy ball or aggressive cross wind to hamper the flying backs of the British side. Their passing was straight and true. The Southland hacks, on the other hand, could never get going in passing movements, and the rearguard was frequently demolished by a quick swoop of the British five-eighths and threequarter line. "In the first spell Southland, securing the ball from a scrum, had many splendid opportunities' of attack, but wild and erratic passing and consequent fumbling lost many chances, which in more resourceful divisions than Southland would have resulted in at least three tries being scored to the credit of the Southern province. The line tackling, as a contrast to that in the match against Ota-go. was of a high standard, and the Britishers came out on top in this and showed marked superiority, as they did in most other departments of an historical game. Southland's line-finding was painful! v inaccurate. Frequently- the ball sailed high over the heads of the rival forwards to the British fullback, Jaekett, ihe ihigiisk international, whose return was a beautiful line kick, marked by great power, beautiful in its length, and certain in direction. Thcv arc a fine lot of individuals, these British.backs, when they get an opportunity, but they want a dry ball and field fast as a cinder track for their brilliant sprinters in the threequarter line. When. Williams, of Wales or Polity Jones, the Welsh reserve, secures the ball' it is time to took to your defence and your flying u-ar-snard with lighting despatch right _ across their line of attack. The fraction of a secmid too late is fatal, lot Williams has the speed of a, deer, and once give:; an cpeniug is losl to the opposition, until lie finally " grounds'" the ball safely over the enemy's line. '"Ponty" .tones is only a trifle less. swift in attack than his colleague of Wales. Therefore, I say, look out for Williams, "Polity" .Jones. Vassal, and Gibbs, for they are swift and certain. Jackett. the English international fullback, .has recovered from the injuries received in the sensational game in Wellington, and he played fullback— what an ideal last 'Lne of defence he- is! He was the idol of to-day's crowd, as he will be throughout, and was daring in every movement of his actual defence. Jackett attacks from his | own 25. running round the opposition, and taking part in passing rushes, which we in New Zealand fondly imagine the duties of the threequarterback. Jackett kicks superbly, his longrange touch-finding being one of the most attractive features of his play, and nothing finer has been seen on the local ground. His potted" goal was a tine effort. In the. first spell Britain was not too successful in securing the ball, but in the second half, packing the three-two-three formation, the ball came-out on the British side from almost every scrum. When it was Britain's throw-out they used a long line with great advantage. The forwards all played so well that, it would be hard to particularise, but Jackson (who met with an injury to his shoulder), Dibble, Kyrke, Archer, and Thomas were most frequently in the public vision. ,

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superbly, ami it was only through lack of condition to la.vt the hot" pace set throughout which caused them to drop hack -weakened and demoralised. Much faith _ had. been placed in the two Southland frontrankers, but they did not play tip to their high reputation, and particularly in the second half were beaten badly for the ball. Of a line lot of forwards on Southland side Hamilton stood out head and shoulders above his fellows, and was probably the best forward on the ground. What are the chance* now of Britishers defeating' combined New Zealand in the first test match? On today's game the Britishers' prospects have gone up to the top. To-day game of the British backs and scarcely less so of the forwards, warrants the opinion that they will go reasonably dose to defeating the* flower of New Zealand on Saturday. On the authority of the captain of tin- British team, I have it that" to-day's side was the lightest and weakest vet" placed on the field, and if this is so* we may take it. that it is going to be a mighty" strong side which will do battle for Britain in the first test match when the stars of the British back division will include the- English international fallback Jacko.tt, who played superbly to-day. Gibbs and Williams of Wales, Vassal of England, and "Ponty"' Jonas, the Welsh reserve.

The first test is, indeed, going to be a struggle for Rugby supremacy, and mi to-day's showing, given a dry ball and a fast ground, I like "Britain's chances.

THE MANAWATU MATCH. [by tkleurafu. —I'ftcss association.] Palm HUSTON North, Wednesday. The Palmcrston North Football Club have invited tin British team to a ball en July 8. The union has decided to charge •1 general admission of Is: to the members" stand 2s. and to the people's stand Is, for the match with the British team. TEST MATCH CHARGES. [BY TELEGRAPH. — FBESS ASSOCIATION.] sG.\Nr;j, Wednesday. At a meeting of the Wanganui Rugby Union to-day, the following motion was passed:—''That the Management Committee of the Wanganui Rugby Union entirely endorses the action of the New Zealand Union in lemaining firm on the arranged gate entrance for the first test match, to be played in Otago, the entrance fee being considered reasonable for such an important match."

THE AUCKLAND VISIT. The local Rugby Union has completed arrangements for the visit of the British team to Rolorua, the programme being as follows: -Play Auckland provincial representatives, July 18; leave Auckland Monday. Ju'v 20, 10 a.m., arrive same evening at' Rotoiua : play Maori team. Tuesday, July 21 : visit to Hamaruna and Tikiterc, Wednesday; round trip, via Wairoa, Lukes Tarawera and Rotouiabana, and Waimangu. Thursday: leave for Auckland Friday morning ; ' arrive Auckland Friday evening: plnv third test and final match in New Zealand 1 , Saturday, July 25. During tho visit of the team to Roiorua thflv will stay at the Geyser Hotel, Whakarewarewa.

INTKRPROVINCI MATCH. \V ELLINGTON DEFEATS WANGANUI. ' AN INTERESTING GAME. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. The. Wellington football representatives defeated Wangauui at Newtown Park to-day by 13 points to 3. Play had not long commenced before MeKeltar got the ball from the throw-in and passed to Ryan, who got in a good position and sent it- on to Hitching?, who -.dodged over and touched down behind the posts. M. Ryan converted: Wellington, 5; Wanganui, 0. Immediately after starting the. Wanganr.i forwards forced the home team, and play hung in neutral territory for a time. Wellington then worked down the field, but Bell intercepted a pass and relieved. Magee started an attack on the visitors' quarter, bat it was frustrated by Southcombe intercepting and kicking out. The Wanganui forwards then put in some good footwork, and invaded the home team's territory, but were soon driven back. , Wanganui' lost a capital chance of scoring soon after through faulty passing. Wellington got the bail, and Green started a passing rush but the attack was frustrated in good style by Wanganui, who speedily took the ball down to halfway, and the Wanganui forwards were making for the line with the ball at toe when J. Ryan stopped the rush. A free kick for offside play relieved the blacks, and they got down to the visitors' quarter. J. Ryan-then started a passing rush, in which Hitching* and Evenson participated, the lastnamed getting right down to the line, where he was collared and was unable to get rid of the ball advantageously, otherwise a try seemed certain. Wellingion sustained the attack for some minutes, after which Wanganui reversed the procedure, tin"! backs being relieved with a free kick, which took play to halfway. From a throw-in near mid-field Green started a rush. but the b.tii went uncertainly across the field, bains; then kicked bv Green to the fullback, who got in hi* kick before be w.i". sharper'. VVsn.gaimi hemmed Welling- !<■:> down icr a time. bn. eventually the black forwards broke away, with Hardham in the van. From i. serum a-, halfway Green got the 'ball and passed to J, Ryan, who started to nit) past tie.- .-.•■• inn. bur, slipped and went down on one knee. He was speedily up again, however, glided past, a couple of opponents, arid dashed down the field. He transferred to Magee, who was backed up by Hi tellings and Evenson. . The lastnamed. got the ball a few yards from the line and dashed over. M. Kyau converted with a splendid kick: Wellington ... 10 Wanganui 0 Until time was called, a few minutes later, Wellington were attacking. On resuming Wellington continued to attack. Green passed low to Evenson, who missed the ball, which was kicked back. i')ansey then got away with the leather, taking it past halfway. Ryan sent it back, and Wellington again had the visitors defending, McKellar and Wilson being prominent. From a scrum near the line Wellington got the ball. Green shot it out to Matheson in good style on the blind side, and the three-quarter got over without trouble. M. Rvan failed to convert: Wellington, 13; Wanganui, 0. The ball next travelled up and down the field, Green eventually kicking it to the Wanganui fullback. He punted and Rush took a mark. M. Ryan attempted to kick a. goal, the ball just going outside the post. At this stage Dustin retired and Paton took Ids place. Wanganui then began to give trouble, a dash by Abbott taking the ball near the home line. Twice the black-and-blue backs got on passing rashes, and got over the line, but twice they were penalised for minor breaches. From a scrum Wellington broke away and seemed to be clearing their line, when a short kick by Rush was marked in front of the goal by Southcombe. He took the kick himself, but failed, Wellington being forced. The visitors returned undaunted to the attack, and gave Wellington a lively time. The ball changed hands with great rapidity, and eventually a fine piece of work was ended by Metili, Southcombe, and L. Abbott, the latter two getting over. Southcombe failed to convert: Wellington 15 Wanganui ". 5 The visitors were at this stage having the better of the- game, but Wellington rallied and invaded . the blue-arid-black territory, j The forwards came away, but Hitchings went, down and covered the ball, and was temporarily disabled by a kick. He recovered after a time and was able to resume play. Wanganui continued to attack, but* there was no further score, the game ending in semi-darkness.