WELLINGTON.

NZ Truth, Issue 474, 18 July 1914, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

England 14, Wellington 7. Great interest had been aroused among all classes of football participants at the prospect of seeing the Britishers m action, and the only thing remaining to ensure a record attendance was a fine day. In this connection the powers that be ordained otherwise. The morning broke fine and continued so well past midday, but, as the time for hostilities to commence dre\y near, rain began and continued to fall until both teams had got well under way when it came down, not m bucketfuls, but m waggon loads, and continued more or less heavily throughout the game. As a result, the oval and field were quickly rendered as slippery and sloppy as it was possible to make them. In spite of such unfavorable conditions the display of football oftentimes reached high water mark, and from go to stop dull moments were few and far between. The outstanding features of the match was the way the British backs handled the ball. Their passing rushes were good to look at. After seeing them playing under such conditions one is inclined to th"c belief that they are quite at home when the elements are unfavorable. A New Zealand team la generally credited with being able to give a flrstclass wet weather performance, * but writer doubts If a team In tin? Dominion could equal the red and whites' showing, that is, as far as their back play was concerned. The dash of the visitors right through, from full-back to front row, was remarkable, and their efforts were sustained right to the final whistle. There was no dropping of passes with them, no one hung on any longer than was necessary to beat an opponent, and thcro was always someone ready

to take a pass. Thomas, the full-back, scored perhaps the finest try of the day. Smith, the clever little British half-back, set his backs going at midfield by trans - ferring to Prosser. The latter evaded a couple of would-be tacklers and transferred to Davis, who m. turn sent the ball out to Houghton, on the wing. This player raced for the corner and when it looked any old odds that he would be forced out, he sent a pass in-field, and Thomas, happening along at the critical moment, took the pass, evaded the opposing full and touched down between the posts. It was a fitting climax to a splendid bit of play. Similar play frequently punctuated the game, but it did not always end m points being notched. Exception, however, was the case m a try gained by Hall m the second spell when he ran over after another brilliant passing bout, giving Guerin an opportunity to goal. Chilcott scored another try for the Homelanders after a scramble m the corner. Not long afterwards Houghton repeated the business after following up and gaining possession as the ball came out to the wing. Wellington's points were registered as the result of two penalty goals — one by Strickland and the other by Campbell just on half-way— both good efforts, also a try by Murdoch. In being defeated by seven points, Wellington's reps, have nothing to be ashamed of. They put up a great fight against a much heavier team and kept their opponents moving all the time. In the loose forward rushes the black vanguard had much the best of the argument, and it says much for the defence that checked the onslaughts. To those who have not followed League football closely, it must have come as somewhat of. a surprise to see such a formidable team battling for the more modern code. On their showing against the Britishers they would be good enough for any provincial Rugby, fifteen m the Dominion. Thomas, as the last line of defence for the victors, played a sound and safe game. His kicking was very powerful. The three-quarters combined well, and each player kept his place. Hall and Houghton were, perhaps, the pick of a speedy bunch. Prosser, at five- eighths, and Smith, at half, played with judgment, and did not neglect those behind them. The forwards proved a solid, sturdy body, superior- to the blacks m scrum work, but not so good m the loose. Romans, Guerin and Chilcott were noticeable throughout. , , . For the locals, W. Wilson, a younger brother of "Ranji," always 'did * something when the ball came his ; way. He was ; probably" the best ot aigoodt/lot.of bip&£f wlio'se comli3ihiti6ftT;X^o^eye>, ■ could. 1 not. to theS.qpiJosmg rearguard, though their defence ; vwris pretty solid: : . Strickland, although not usually •playing m the position of full back, ♦filled the bill creditably, and kicked to. •advantage. • -„'.' ..Bradley,, J. Parker, Whitley and Mur- : dock put m good individual play, as - did Barber,/ but collectively , 'their showing paled, beside that of ■ ib^Epglishmen. •. ; ..'■•■ ■ . -.- - : -:; 1 ;: ■/..;;. .'"'Ur" T; The pack went well thrboghQu'fc,:-and kept going from start to finish. .Th^ir long dribbling rushes freauenUy. aioius- . ed much enthusiasm. They r wer& ':-a goodj' even lot, and did not shirk ahy- ' thing that came their way. [ )&s&£ * Duncan McGregor,- the "All Brack;" whistle 1 and>please<h v --*•«; ? The gate proceeds of the England y. ' Wellington match amounted to £258 13s. Of that sum the City. Council; received £38 16s, the English.team 65 per cent, general expenses £5 14s, leaving a net balance arid profit to the Wellington League of £58 14s 6d. In all probability, a League match will be played on the Basin Reserve to-day, the object, being to give the public a better opportunity of witnessing the game. A charge for admission will be made. A representative match will be played against Canterbury, at Christchurch on July 25, and probably against Hawke's Bay, at Wellington, on August 8. / The following are the fixtures for to-day:— Senior: Newtown v. Suburbs, at Basin Reservo (Mr. Barber); Athletic v. Petone, at Petone (Mr. Kerr). Junior: Suburbs B v. Petone B. Plutt Ground No. 1 (Mr. R. Proebstll): Hutt A v. Petone A, Hutt Ground No. 2 (Mr. H. Hey).