THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN AUTSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 57

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN AUTSTRALIA.

WEST MAITLAND, August 11

The New Zealand footballers arrived at •Maitland this mcrning, and were officially welcomed by the Mayor and officers of the local union. The team who play against the Northern Combined district will bo tho fame as played 'agairst Queensland on Saturday, except that Long will bo given a spell, and his place among the forwards be taken by Given.

August 12,

There was fine weather and a large attendance to witne c s the match New Zealand v. Northern Districts. The match was excellent as a practice for tho visitors, but the Northern team wa* weak, aud the spectators were treated to a runaway game. Tyler got away from the- line-out and scored first blood, Wallace con\erting. Kiernan, who was particularly smart in getting the ball throughout tho game, passed to Wood, thence it went to Stead and "R. M'Gregor, the latter scoring. Wallace again converting. New Zealand, 10 "poiuts ; Northern Districts, nil. Wood, who was feeling the effects of an old injury, was iiot playing well. The local men failed to •stop tho persistent rushes of tho visitors. A fine passing rush by W r ood, M'Grogor, Stalker, and Kiernan resulted in tho lastnamed crossing the line. Wallace took the kick, but failed to increase tho poinTe — 13 'to 0. Almost immediately Nicholson got possession a.nd passed to M'Gregor, who handed the ball on to Wood, who in turn gave ib to Ashcr, who Fcorod Wallat* failed at goal — 16 to 0 Just before halftime Nicholson scored an ca-y try, and Wallace raised the \ is i tors' total to 21.

On resuming, D. M'Gregor replaced Wood, who was unable to continue, R. M'Gregor going up to five-eighths. Within a few moments Gallagher nro(--°ed the line ; then Kiernan and D. M'Gxepor got tries, but Wallaco failed witli each kick. 30 to nil. Stead and Kiernan were playing a fine

game, and a pretty piece of passing enened between Stead, R. M'Gregor, and Asher. The latter created a sensation 'by jumping clean over a back and scoring, Wallace placing a goal. 35 to 0. Gallagher, Cooke, Asher (twice), D. M'Gregor, and Kiernan obtained tries in quick succession. In every instance Wallace failed at goal. When th© v.histle sounded the Now Zealanders were victorious by 53 to nil.