BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6606, 24 August 1908, Page 5

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

DEFEATED AT SYDNEY BOTH SIDES USE QUESTIONABLE TACTICS. “BOOTING AND PUNCHING!” By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright (Received August 23, 4.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 22. A crowd of 20,000 witnessed tho last match of the Anglo-Wolsh team in Sydnpy against Notv South Wales. In the first half the visitors did better than the homo team, in scrums and line work, but the excellent tackling of New South Wales prevented any score. Gavin got over for Now South Wales, but Keiina failed to add the major points. New South Wales, 3; Britain, 0. During a scrum some disagreeable tactics were witnessed on both sides, “booting” and jiuncbing being glaringly visible. The “scrapping" ended in two prominent players- —one on each side—having a standup spar for a few seconds. In the second half the visitors did some fine dribbling work, carrying play in this manner on to tho homo line. l Gibbs scored a rather tamo try. Ho took tho kick himself, but failed to enhance tho score. Britain, 3; Now South Wales, 3. Off-side against Dibble in his own twenty-five gave Now South Wales tho chance of the match, and Kenna secured a goal. New South Wales, G; Britain, 3. “Ponty” Jones almost levelled matters up again with tho run of tho day. Xho homo team kept their opponents off until tho whistle sounded, there being no further score. The game was punctuated by drenching torrents of rain.

THE AUSTRALIAN GAME JUBILEE CARNIVAL MATCHES AT MELBOURNE. ' NEW ZEALAND OUTCLASSED. MELBOURNE, August 22Heavy rain prior to the Victoria v. Now Zealand match at tho Australian game jubilee carnival yesterday interfered- with tho attendance. Tho ground was wet and slippery. The Victorians showed a much better knowledge of the game than tho New Zealanders. From the outset tho visitors were outclassed. At the end of the first quarter the scores were;— Victoria, 10 goals 8 behinds to 2 hchiuds. Each separate quarter loft the vLrtors farther in the rear.

Aa in the previous match, the Now Zealanders played a better game in the second than in the first half, hut the result was a foregone conclusion after the first .few minutes. The final score read: —Victoria, 171 points; Now Zealand, 40.