VISITING FOOTBALLERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5678, 28 August 1905, Page 5

VISITING FOOTBALLERS.

liuE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. DEFEATED BY CANTERBURY. PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRIS'!OuLKCii, august 26t Although ra«u foil last night and the morning was threatening, tho weather was fine for tho match between Canterbury and Australia, played at Lancaster Park this afternoon. The gatetakings amounted to £137. After a well-contested gam©, Canterbury won by 8 points (a goal from a try and a try) to 3 (a try). The home team deserved tho win, as they had distinctly tiro best of tho play, and but in the early part of tho game tho passing of tho backs was very faulty they should have increased their score. The Australians played in a dashing way at times, but they were met by sound defence, and mistakes at critical moments lost them good chances. The line-lack-ing of tire Australian backs was much inferior to that of tho Canterbury players. THE TEAMS.

Australia. Pull-back, Wickham; three-quarters, M. Smith, Penman, B. Smith, McLean ; five-eighths; Anlezark; half, Doro; forwards, Burden, Lucas, Oxlade, Richards,' O’Brien, Hirschherg, Swaunel, and Murnin. Canterbury. Pull-back, Turtill; three-quarters, Poyer, Love, Gray; fiveeighths, Weston, Fraser; half, Burns; forwards, Horgan, Shannon, Murray, Chambers, Galfuey, Carlton, Pearoe, and Walters. Of the visiting backs the best were B. Smith and Penman. In the forward department O’Brien was conspicuous for his dashing work. Among the Canterbury backs Fryer played an excellent game, . THE PLAY. . " The visitors iron the toss, and played with a light breeze behind them. Tho early stages of tho game were fought out in midfield,y but the Canterbury forwards gradually worked tho ball to their opponents’ twenty-five, and as the result of too hard kicking the Australians wore able to save by forcing. After the kick-out, tho ball was soon back in the visiters’ territory. Then for some little time play hovered between tho two twenty-fives. The forwards appeared very evenly matched, but although playing against the wind, the Christchurch men frequently gained a good deal* of ground by their line-kicking. Erratic passing by the reds enabled the visitors to carry the ball past their opponents’ twenty-five, but Pearce, Gaffney, and Walter headed a forward rush to past the centre, and Fryer further improved the position by kicking out of touch well within the visitors’ twenty-five. The Australian forwards worked the ball back, but Canterbury soon returned, and Weston marked. Carlton made a poor attempt at goal. McLean lucked back, but a passing-run between Burns, Weston, Fraser, and Fryer -again placed the visitors on the defensive.' McLean once more came to his side’s rescue with a good kick. Neither side could claim any decided advantage until Penman secured the ball and transferred to B. Smith, who, after a strong run, sent it on to M. Smith, who scored near tho corner. Wickham’s shot at goal was good. Tho ball fell short. Australia, 3; Canterbury, nil. Serums in neutral territory were followed by an exchange of kicks, the Australians forcing after a long kick by Turtill. The Canterbury backs essayed 'some pass.ug, but gained little ground, until Fryer broke away, and readied Wickham, but a fumble by one of the players behind him spoilt the chance of scoring. Canterbury then set up a strong attack, but when the spell ended had failed to cross their opponents’ line. SECOND SPELL.

Proceedings opened with a brisk attack by Australia, but a mark by Burns got Canterbury out of trouble. In the scramble that followed Bums’s kick, Gaffney got possession and passed to Fryer, who, after a run down the touch-line, kicked across the field, and Gray, following up fast, scored near the comer. Fraser kicked a fine goal. Canterbury, 5: Australia, 3. The home team kept up the attack, but a lucky “speculator” by M. Smith shifted play to the centre of the field. Then the visitors set their backs to work, a passing-rush ending in Dore being pushed into touch a few yards from the lino. Seine fast work followed, but the Australian attack was met by very sound collaring. Horgan at length broke away with the ball at his feet, and Fryer backed bis work up by a good kick, which sent the ball out near the Australian line. At this stage B. Smith went full-back, and “Wickham came up to the three-quarter line. Sound work by tho Australian forwards removed play to Canterbury’s half, but their work was neutralised by Turtill, who found the line well down field. Anlezark came up to the rescue of his side, hut Fryer again put the Australians on the defensive, and from a pot at goal by Fraser tho visitors were forced. Hero another change was made in the disposition of tho Australian backs, Penman and B. Smith changing places. Canterbury were having decidedly the better of tho game, and Burns, getting tho ball from a 'scrum, began a passing-rush in which all tho backs figured, Gray scoring his second try. Fraspr’s kick at goal fell short. Canterbury, 8; Australia, 3. The Australians were then kept busy defending, but a timely mark by Dore relieved tho pressure. Richards and Burden headed a dangerous rush, but fumbling spoilt an excellent clianoe, and Fryer was responsible for tho removal of play back to the visitors’ twenty-five. Sound defensive work by Penman kept Canterbury at bay, and the Australian forwards, headed by O’Brien, made several dashes, which were nullified by good kicking by tho Canterbury’ backs. In tho closing stages of tho game Canterbury held the upper hand, hut did not increase their score, though a shot at goal from a mark by Fraser went very near. Mr F. Evans was referee.