PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14088, 17 December 1907, Page 5

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALAND v. WICi.VN NEWS UY MAIL.

Press Association—By. Talegraph— Copyright.

SYDNEY, December 16. (Roteived Dec. 16, at 5.25 p.m.) CcmiiiKMiting on tlie football match bei"v.!,, ii u > New Zealuwlers and VTigan, till! Daily Chronicle states: "The New /inlanders stiil'ered their first defeat " which 13 olio of tiio strongest dubbin t ho Northern Union, opposed tlio All blacks with the finest. contingent [xiv sln ' R , and gained a victory by 12 points tl > 8. The match was fought' out in the stoniest manner before 30,000 spectators, and it. jirovided oxcitiny episode. l !. The New Zealanderi were represented by their u«t team, but all their arts and skill failed before ilia determine methods adopted bv Wiga.il,

Betore the game was three minutes old the home team had foived their way over their opponents' line. Tin; homo" team then repelled several attacks, but at last tlio stubborn defence was broken down, When a pretty piece 0 f passing by Wyii>ard, Todd, and Wrigley ended in tlio last-named crossing tho iinc. Messenger [mlcd to convert. At kilf-timo Wigan led liv 6 points to 5.

"Tlio second half was contested in the fiercest _ spirit, »<spmt© efforts to score ended in Laythain (Wigan), who was undoubtedly tho hero of the game, putting another try to his side's credit after beating both Wrigley and Turt-ill. Then Jenkins, who had been mainly instrumental in giving chances to his captain, dribbled the leather right into New /Zealand's camp, and, catching it on the bounce, bad no difficulty in scoring a fourth try. With tho end of the game in sight, the New A'ahmdcivi attacked in force, and from a forward rush Lilc was a bio to ground the ball over tlio lijic, and 'l'urtill placed a goal. This completed the scoring." Ihe Daily News says that the New / calenders snflcred their first uefeat at tlie 1 lands of worthy opponents. Tliero was tremendous ontlnisiaimi when Wigan finally won, well on their merits. The dub played fine football throughout. The colonials did not underestimate their opponents, their team was alisolntfily the best fliey could put in tho field. Tlio colonial forwards were less succmful in getting the ball out of the scrummages than tho opposing front were, and their tackling at critical moments failed badly. Not until the last moment, did tho New Glanders givo up hope, and their pluck was rewarded by a Foore towards tlio dose of the game.