NOTES ON THE PLAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14243, 18 June 1908, Page 8

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

(Faou Ova Special REroBTEit.) GRKYMOU'i'H, Juno 17. Britain gave glimpses of their true, form, and in the s'jcond spell delighted the spectators by thrilling and dashing runs by the backs and sujierb foatwari: by tho forwards. The first spell was mostly a succession of badly-packed scrums ami ragged line-outs, relieved only by clever footwork in the open aad twift loose dribbling rushes by Loth packs. In this spell the British backs never got going on attack, and the public expressed their disappointment in no uncertain tonus. Analysing the game after the battle, I was struck with tho line dash and following-up of the British forwards. They played desperately from tho kick-oil', with refreshing vim and vigour, and only the daring rush-stopping by the Coast backs, particularly CoJvin, saved certain scores. The British forwards for once came away in a solid body, with Jackson in the van and always supported by Dibble, Morgan, and Kyrke. Their footwork moro than compensated for the ill-balanced scrums and- ragged line-oute. The Coast forwards, of whom much was expected, Jacked the -dash of the English pack, and, moreover, were wanting in combination. The teams were about evenly matched in the tight work. In the serums Britain, playing all the forv/ards in the pack, secured the ball by adroit screwing, but never by clean heeling, the ball hanging in the back row. This sluggish movement handicapped the British rear division, Tho Coast forwards played, well in the loose, but faiied to come away together. The homo team hugged tho line desperately in the first spell, and attempted to make the game tight. Britain used the long line at all times', and exerted their bsst efforts to make the game open. The Coast backs fielded the" ball with commendable accuracy, but they were too sluggish yi passing, and- the good iwork was mostly of an individual character. Tho local rearguard wanted resource and initiative on attack, and never on any occasion looked dangerous. Their defence was of tho highest standard, the British backs being collared in deadly fashion. The Coast played a wing forward, who was frequently penalised for off-side, Britain scoring 6 points in the first spoil from penalty kicks. Tho second half saw the British forwards and backs on top until the final whistle. The forwards gave a splendid exhibition of aggressive forward play, in which combined footwork was a featur.e. The British backs were given opportunities of showing their pace, resource, and determination. The second spell was full of life and movement. The passing rushes by the backs wore always well timed, but on occasions the pall, after passing through many hands, wa6 knocked on or passed forward, several excellent chances of Gcoring beuig lost. The Coast backs defended gamely, but tho pace of Britain was too much for them. Oolvin, at centre threequarter, was the star defensive and attacking player on the homo side. / Jackott again played a fine game, his accurate line-finding 50 and 60 yards up the field delighting tho spectators, while his swerve running and certain tackling were also heartily applauded. All the British throe-quarters played splendidly in the second half. Griffiths is recognised as a weak man on tho British side, but ho played a fine game, and only the solid and deadly tackling of Swoctmaji, Colvin, and M'Kay kept him out. On two occasions in succession Griffiths got to the corner flag, only to be upset by M'Kay. W. Morgan played well up to the time of his injury, while Davcy was always in evidence in sterling defence and clever attack. All the forwards pkyod above themselves, Jackson, Morgan, Dibble, Smith, and Kyrke showing the way. On the Coast side, M'Kay, as full back, fielded the ball well and kicked splendidly? Colvin was the pick of the Coast threequarters, and Svveetman was the best of the five-eighths. Of a good pack of forwards, Bennett, Ogg, Blythe, and Wade were always in evidence in open play. Mr Orchard controlled the game well, but a section of the spectators, in misguided enthusiasm, resented some of his decisions. Both teams dined together in the evening, and the. British team, with the exception of Archer. Thomas, Green, Jaokebn, and J. L. M'Williams, who elected to go by steamer, left for Nelson overland tonight. The attendance was estimated at 6000. BRITAIN v. MANAWATCJ. (Pep. United Phebs Association.) WELLINGTON, Juno 17. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union has decided that the match between the British team and Manawatu be played at Palmcrston North. At the same time the committee thank? the Feilding people for their generous offer of a. free- ground and £50 towards expenses. INTERPROVINCIAL FIXTURES. (Per United Press Association.) CIIRISTCIIURCH, June 17. It has been decided bv the local Rugby Union that Canterbury shall play Wellington on August 29, Qtago on September 5, and Southland, on September 12. OTAGO v. AUCKLAND. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 17. The Otago-Rugby union's request for a match with the Auckland Union representatives on September 12 was agreed to at a meeting of the Management Committee to-night. WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. ' (Per Umtkd Press Association.) _ _' WELLINGTON, Juno 17. The Wellington Rugby Union has found it unprofitable to play matches at Miramar, where grounds have )>een leased for three years at £550 per annum, and has now arranged to go back to Athletic Park for tho remainder of the season, paying the Park Company £60 and taking half tho gate money. At last Saturday's matches at Miramar only 70 persons paid for admission, whereas it is thought there would have been at least 2000 at Athletic Park. THE PROFESSIONAL GAME. MAORI TEAM VICTORIOUS. Press Association.—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, June 17. (Received June IV, at 7.35 p.m.) The Maori footballers defeated a metropolitan team to-day by 23 points to 20. SYDNEY, June 17. (Received June 17, at 9.15 p.m.) Tho attendance was 5000. The Maoris showed a deoided advancement iu playing the new game. A feature of their play was the improved attacking of the threequarters— Ashcr, Moko, Wouwhiu, and Tuki. Among the forwards Pehana was the most .prominent. The game was very won throughout. Tho local side were attacking strongly at the close. Messenger's goals included n remarkably fine ono from half way. On one l occasion Ashcr, evading a tackle, jumped clean over a player. Early in the game Roll sustained a fractured jaw. (ReceJved June 18, at 0.5 a.m.) Tries were scored by Pakcre (3), Ashcr, Powhui, Tuki, and A.rretanga. Asher also kicked a penalty goal.