FOOTBALL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1695, 24 August 1904, Page 30

FOOTBALL

THE BRITISH TEAM. DEFEATED BY THE MAORIS. AUCKLAND, August 22. The British football team was taken yesterday to view tbe famous Hamurana Springs. The members of the team also visited Tikitere in the afternoon. At Whakarewarewa, they witnessed a poi dance and a liaka by the Maoris. This morning the team played a Maori fifteen at Pukeroa. Great interest was taken in the match by all the residents of tbe district. The scenes before the match were a reproduction on a smaller scale, of the enthusiasm which was witnessed before the great game on Saturday, in Auckland. Business was completely suspended in Rotorua, and quite 2000 persons were present. Playing much below their ordinary form, the British team surprised the spectators by being defeated by the Maori team. In the first epell they led by six points to nil. On changing ends, the Maoris scored eight pomes. Ibe game was played in two thirty minute spells. Heavy rain fell during the hrst spell, when the British team scored two tries, neither being converted. In the second spell Rotorua obtained two tries, trom one of which a goal was kicked. The British team was unable to withstand the Rotorua forwards who played an irresistible game. The visitors showed considerable staleness. The final score was:— Rotorua 8 Britain 6 The result caused great enthusiasm among the Maori residents. Many valuable Maori mementos have been presemed to the visitors by the natives. The visitors returned from Rotorua tonight, and left by tne Mararoa for Sydney. The total amount of money taken at the match against Auckland, on Saturday, was £1368. > AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI. AUCKLAND, August 22. The following team will represent Auckland against Taranaki on Saturday: —Full back, Harrison; three-quarters, McKenzie, Murray, and Renwick; fiveeighths, Sandall, R. McGregor; half, Kiornan; wing forward, Gallaher; lorwards, Tyler, Mackrell, Cunningham, Nicholson, Seeling, Joyce, Hayward. As a result of the football match played at Carterton on Saturday between the Gladstone and Carterton teams, the latter become winners of the championship. The game was very stubbornly contested, and tbe sides proved equal. Ike match resulted with no score, but as the Carterton boys only required a draw it was sufficient to secure for them the coveted honours. A meeting of tlie Carterton Football Club was held on Saturday night, when it was decided to amalgamate with the Rover Club, and hold a ball on September 15th. ttt . n , A meeting of the Wairarapa nugby Football Union was l.eld at Carterton on Saturday night, when it was decided that the match Wairarapa v. Bush be played on September 3rd. The Wanganui Union ..rote asking for a match with the Wairarapa team, but owing to the lateness of the season, the offer was declined. Mr W. Bairstow was appointed manager of the junior representative team to visit Wellington. A junior representative match with Hawke's Bay will be played, the arranging of the date to bo left in the hands of the secretary.