RUGBY IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5030, 30 July 1903, Page 5

RUGBY IN AUSTRALIA.

RUGBY IN AUSTRALIA. THE NEW ZEALANDERS' FOURTH MATCH, {Received July 2D, 9.18 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 29. A large assemblage, including tho Governor, Sir Harry Rawson, witnessed the match New Zealand versus tho Metropolitan Union. Tho following comprised tho teams: New Zealand.—Full-back, Wallace; three-quarters, Wood, Asher, McGregor; five-eighths, Duncan, Stead; half, Humphreys; forwards,Long. Tyler, Udy, Armstrong, Fanning. McMinn, Given, Cooko. Sydney.—Fulf-back, Hawthorne; threequarteis. Barker, Ogaard, Macnamara and Oxenham; halves. Manning and Johnson; forwards, O’Donnell, Larkin, Burden, Davis, Brown, R. Harris, Judd and Carow. New Zealand lost the toss and played against a strong breeze. Play was in the local twenty-five for some time, Ogaard collaring Asher in time to prevent a certain score. The-local men started a rush right np to the Now Zealand lino, and Wallace fumbling the ball, the visitors wore compelled to force. Now Zealand's aggressive play became exciting. 'Ogaard collared Asher repeatedly. Oxen bam got th e ball, kicked well across the field to Barker, who secured possession, and, with a fine run, all attempts to catch him failing, drew first blood for the local men, amid the enthusiasm of the spectators. Sydney ... ... ... S points New Zealand ... ... Nil This success was followed by a strong attack, Hawthorne nearly potting a goal with a fine lack. New Zealand were forced twice in quick succession, but a little later from a penalty to them in front of the goal. Wallace nearly effected a score, the boll just passing tho post. This was followed by a great rush into Sydney’s quarters, in which Tidy put in a capital run. Wood passed to Cooko, then the ball wont back to Wood, and on to Asher, tho latter being thrown out of touch. The local men were now sorely pressed. New Zealand time and again looked liko scoring, but a penalty kick against them relieved the position. Tho New Zealanders, however, returned to the attack, and McGregor nearly crossed tho line. A bit of off-side play on tho part of one of the visitors was again tho means of getting tho Welshmen out of a tight corner. Later on another good opening was made, but Asher foiled to hold the ball, and half-time was called with the score rendi?ig Sydney three points, New Zealand nil. Tho second half had not long been started when the hopes of tho New South Wales supporters were rudely dashed to the ground, as the New Zealanders got going with a will, and in a few minutes Duncan, their skinper. wound np a good run by passing to Long, who scored an easv try. The kick at goal was improved by Wallace.

New Zealand 5 points Sydney S points The game was hardly resumed before Duncan was again to the; fore, and he carried the leather down to tho local twenty-fives, where he transferred it to Humphries, who in turn passed it along to McMinn, who scored. The angle was a difficult one, and Wallace failed to convert. , , New Zealand S points ’ Sydney 3 points The visitors were soon on tho aggressive again, and Stead, after a good run, passed to Asher, who dashed for tho line, but was pushed out just on the corner. From the throw-in a fine pass to Wood, then to Duncan, Stead and Asher in quick succession enabled the last-nam-ed to get over. Wallace failed to improve the score. New Zealand .... . ... H points Sydney, ... 3 points Tho local side, appeared to be demoralised and were rapidly going to pieces in the face of the fierce onslaught by the visitors. A splendid bit of passing from Long to McMinn, Duncan, Wood and McGregor and back to Long gave the latter a chance to add another try to his credit which he succeeded in accomplishing! Wallace was successful in placing a. goal. New Zealand 16 points Sydney ... 3 points The visitors dribbled down field again, but Udy lost the ball when on the point of scoring. Humphries, however, came to tho rescue, and getting possession handed the ball to Stead, who gave it to McGregor, the latter crossing the line. Wallace was once more successful in scoring the major points. New Zealand 21 points Sydney 3 po i n t s , The local men were visiblr ovcr-plavpd and hopelessly unable to withstand tho rnyno? of the visitors, who returned to attack with a fine dribbling rush, started br Giron and McMinn. and finishing with Wood scoring. Wallace’s kick at goal was successful. New Zealand 26 points Sydney 3 points Shortly after tho ball -m*as in, plar again. Humphries secured a mark right on the half-way line, from which Wallace, amidst hearty applause from tho soecUr tors, placed a magnificent goal. Now Zealand 30 points Sydney, 3 points Just on time Humphries and McGregor engaged in a passing rush, Asher crossing the line, but Wallace, from a difficult angle, failed to convert, the game ending— New Zealand •... 33 points Sydney ... 3 points Tho team left for Brisbane this evening, .