THE TEAM AT SWANSEA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13504, 30 January 1906, Page 3

THE TEAM AT SWANSEA.

MATCH AGAINST GLAMORGAN. CARDIFF. December 22. A few of the team indulged in a practice on tlio IiURO Swansea ground called SI. Helen's Field oh Tuesday morning. 'Phis ground is one of tho best and most comprions in .Britain, and can'accommodate 59,000 or 60,000. During the afternoon eu'ryuno wont away sight-seeing, either to tho Mumbles on "tlie sea coast, to tho beach, or strolling • round the town shopping, buying cards, post-cards, ctc., for 'Frisco mail. In tho evening, by invita-; tion of tllei management., the team attended the Swansea Empire Theatre. Here tlicy again witnessed by sjiecial bia-copiu fiims tho match against Northumberland. Tho aiidiencc enthusiastically received this item. The team and parly were photographed outside tile hotel ns a favour to the looal people of the football world. Captain Perkins invited tho team to tho annual smoking conoort- of the Cyclists Company of 3rd O.V.K. on Wednesday evening, and a small party of the team attended. Tlio majority attended (he l'alaoo .Music and Concert; Hall of Varieties, and had a splendid night's entertainment. Thus every nielli, in fact, they havo been in Swansea practically all the theatres have, been thrown o!»n to them. Certainly Aey cannot complain of want of entertainment. ,

Wednesday was a dull day. A few of the team went to tlio St.'Helen's Field and had a "run" in the morning. After lunch the team (All Blacks), in response to an invitation specially extended to them by the British Manncsnuinn Tube Com. puny, visited and made a.ll extensive tour of the works. They were accompanied by Mr Bevan, a member of B'Sicvright's team, who referred with kindly tonns to his visit to New Zealand, 'l'he party were much interested in the manufacture of tlio huge steel treldless lubing ami cycle fittings. Meeting a. pair of weighing scales, various, members weighed themselves. Newton took pride of yiaco. tuniintr 16st Vlb. Cunningham came second, 15st 101b. All the' team throughout. average almost a stone heavier than thi>ir Now Zealand weights when leaviper. "You tourists seem to bo Ihrivinj? in Britain,' remarked Mr Held, the genial manager and guide of the party. These huge works are employing. 1300 liandi) 'Under 12 acres oF covored-in ' spare, with an output of 1000 tons per month. After an eniovablo and instruc--tive time the team returned by special tram car of the Swansea Tramways Company. A few Otago men visited Dr Bcgg (Water street), formerly of Dunediii, and had a pleasant tea and chat: in fact, many of the team thus journey forth by themselves _ visiting friends and relatives and attending private enpapemcjifj;. For the match against Glamorgan County great-troublo arose as-to the selection of a referee. Tlio Welsh Rugby Union appointed Mr Games, also of W.R.U., and Mr Dixon objected on the ground that the New Zealqpd team should liavo some voice in the solection. A serious deadlock occurred at tho eleventh hour, so to speak, and tho outlook threatened the match being put off. Tho W.H.U. had a special meeting and refused to alter their plans. .Consequently Mr Dixon determined to play under protest in order not to disappoint the public generally. Through Friday night it rained' somewhat heavily, and although a few showers fell on Saturday morning, the weather gradually cleared up. All the .■arrangements' for the match wero well planned, and the game started punctually at. 2.30 p.m. The usual cheering and warcry wero not exchanged, which seemed ominous. The ground was in perfect order, and quite 30,000 witnessed , the match. Every window and roof near tho ground held small knots of people. Both teams were well received on the ground. The Swansea Post Office Band played selections, and just prior to the match the band started tlio Huge crowd singing the Welsh national anthem. The Glamorgan team, in colours exaotly the same as Sievright's team, lost tho toss, and kicked off against a slight breeze. In the forwards they were a fine, fast lot. Tho majority played against New Zealand on Saturday. The play was more opon than the Wclsli match, and quite as attractive. Both sides got ■plenty of the ball and threw it abdut witln freedom. Tho game /was thus fast and exciting, and both sides about a match for each other. Tho Blacks' backs, how-'" ever, showed much improvement, and were superior to Glamorgan. Both styles of play were similar, and both attacked each' other in turn, New Zealand having some narrow escapes, Their defence, however, was solid. Abbot lost two or three chances of raising the scoro, but knocked on when in a fine position. Glamorgan also kicked somewhat too hard somewhat too hard to New Zealand backs, and threw away some excellent chances. M'Donald's try was a

brilliant one, right under tho posts/ Wallace failed. Gallaher had to . submit to some most odious comments from tho crowd, who were partial to, their own players. Both when Smith and M'Donald scored a lot. of unseemly "hooting" tool: , place. Wallace's try was tho .result, of following up -fast a light kick by' Smith. Wallaco outpaced all opposition. The forward play, as on Saturday; was of a most' vigorous nature. Tho tackling was strong on both sides, and a feature of the gam'e. Seeling was somewhat needlessly cautioned by the referee for his energetic methods.' The play, was very similar to interprovincialogamft}- in New Zealand, tho game being most closely contested. Glamorgan were expert at wheeling scrums, often breaking away thus in fine, fast dribbling rushes. Though perhaps not so heavy as their opponents,- they were well-trained and had no end of <stamina and vim. Both sides cqn bo .said to have missed many chances. Some stages of the, game were brilliant, and roused the crowd to enthusiasm; but- generally people wero disappointed with the showing. Some excellent rallying on both sides was "shown, especially tho New Zealanders' close scrum formation, all going with a. rush and loud cries of "Hoave." Without doubt tho local forwards were, a fine set, and it took all New Zealand's strength to hold 'them. Ono fair-haired Otagn bov desoribed thein as a "very solid lot of gentlemen;" They all played with- dash and vigour equal to tho All Bbcks. They played tho same style in lining out; good at breaking away, but cannot equal thei colonials in picking up smartly and pa-ssing amongst themselves. Much of the New Zealanders' passing was too soft and erratic to be effective, and had Glamorgan hau any very fast centres there woaild have been trouble.. The Glamorgan backs, although not stars, were grand l defensive men. Had tiny made tlio best use of tlie.ir forwards' wonderful attack, New Zealand- would .have been beaten. Arnold raised excitementrunning with the ball round his own goal pesfs. His exceptional speed- saved him alone. Thei gamo. though denoted by rather exceptional exhibitions of vigour and energy on botli sides, was really rough. Mr Games, the referee, in cautioning Seeling, meant the warning for both sides of forwards. Otherwiso the game was contested in the best spirit. Ono amusing incident, was Abbot and an opponent bowling a,.photographer and his apparatus clean over in the straw reserved round the ground in-case of frost. Also Stead had his trousers torn and afler bejng duly installed ill a new pair within a barrier of players the old ones were thrown' high in the air. Mr Johns, of tliej Swansea Club, has been most assiduous in attending to the team during I heir "shy. Round tho dining room in huge letters was "Welcome to the N.Z.F. Team." The men, since tlieir stay in Swansea, have had an enjoyable time, and have, in fact, not -had a dull hour in Little .Wales. The ' salt baths have been largely patronised by the swimmers of thei team. So far the cold weather lias really not -been felt by the colonials. It has been exceedingly mild in comparison with New Zealand. One featurei also remarkable is the absence of much wind at all, and especially "southerly busters" as experienced "down lundcr." CARDIFF. Leaving Swatiiea at 10.55 a.m_ the team arrived at Cardiff at 12.45 a.m., and soon walked to their " home" (one of many now), the Queen's Hotel. Some ardent, golfors— Messrs Gallaher, Glenn, Harper, and a few others, stayed l in Swansea to patronisa some links newly opened. Only "three to go now" is the pass word with many of the men. Many will bo <da<l to fee! the stout planks of a New Zealand steamer beneath tlieir feet again. "Nu Tereni (New Zealand) for ever and always" is the common expression with some. " Good old New Zealand!" is heard often. Homesickness is apparent, and perhaps a full, well-satisfied appetite of football. The team generally flro good correspondents, and upon the near departure of each 'Frisco mail devote plenty of time to writing and posting papers re matehes. They jiave heard with great feelings of regret of the destruction of 300 bagß per former mail. One wag suggested a Scotchman's revenge on their defeat at Edinburgh. One unique and unbeaten record the team have—i.e., not having broken a single window during all their long tour. This speaks volumes to those acquainted- with any numbers of athletes travelling. The Great Western Railway agent (Mr Crabtree) assures me that it is " ono of the wonders of the team." Looking the team all through after their wonderful career, it is surprising hnw well they all are. Some on landing will perhaps be unrecognisablo by their frier-ds.