THE BRITISH TEAMS TOUR,

Otago Witness, Issue 2630, 10 August 1904, Page 57

THE BRITISH TEAMS TOUR,

ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH TEAM,

CHAT WITH THE CAPTAIN.

CONDITION OF THE PLAYERS. (Feom Our Owx Cohrespoxdent.)

WELLINGTON, August 3.

The British football team arrived in Wellington from Sydney by the Warrimoo to-night. They had a rough passage, and one member of the team is still in a state of nervous prostration as a result of th^ experience. The Union Steam Ship Company had considerately delayed until 8 p.m. the departure of the Rotomahana for Lyttelton, so that the team might immediately proceed to the scene of the first game to be played in New Zealand, but on a vote of the team being taken it was decided, to remain in Wellington till to-day. A civic reception, arranged for yesterday, will be held to-day. A noticeable feature of the team is its juvenility : the bald-headed, wrinkle-cheeked fafcher-of-a-family man, conspicuous in almost every New Zealand team, has no equivalent in the Great Britain representatives. There are big and little, tall and short, but all are young. Notwithstanding the stress of travelling, there -was apparent in the members a fitness of physical condition and a brightness of eye that denote thorough training and careful living. The team has brought over frcm Sydney a professional trainer, who keeps his charges to their work. The captain (Bedell-Sivright) is a sturdy, well-set-up Englishman, of unasmming manner, who talks modestly of the doings of his men, and expresses the opinion that in New Zealand there will be some harder football propositions set the-n than were thoso so easily solved in Australia. He exhibited diffidence when asked to cay what was the principal weakness of Australian football, and replied thai want of combination was the glaring defect. " They do play wing forwards in Australia," ho said, " though they are not so open in the matter as the New Zealanders are said to be. The English shibboleth in regard to scrums is, ' First man up, first down ' ; and there is no allotment of places, as is the case in New Zealand." All -the members of the British team are naturally impressed by the success of their method in comparison with the New South Wales forward system, but they express some curiosity in x-egard to the test to be made against the more stalwart forwards of New Zealand. The back player of the team who made a good reputation for himself in Australia had evidently been primed up with some impressive details of the capabilities cf As'her, Auckland's speedy and tucky three-quarter back. " I suppose we wiil see Asher when we play in Wellington?" he queried; and when, lie was told that Asher had not been

thought fit for inclusion in the ieaiu tfi> represent New Zealand, ho observed, "■ Great Scot !" in tones thai implied that he thought tho Now Zealand back division, must bo a \ery warm lot. The- members of the team are enthusiastic in speaking of the kindness v.ith which they have been treated by the- Austr&lia-n officials and public. Sivright. who was somewhat .seriously injured whita toii'-mg in Queensland, has now thoioug'hly lec-o^tred. Huhne is 5 still not well, as a result of injuries sustained on tl<e same tour ; but the- danger ot parafy'sis, to which reference wa^ made in a recent cablegram, was an e\a?geiation. The hardness of -Australian playing grounds struck the- Britishers' noticr-. 'liie.y onlyhad ono match on soft groiuid during tho whole tour, and they hailed with satisfaction a go. on the softer ground-* of this colony, which approximate to those the visitors are used to. On the imitation of Mr Seddon half a dozen members of tho team visited Parliament House duringr tlie evening and watched the- process, el law making. THE BRITISH TEAM. RECEPTION AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE (From Our Own Cokrf.spoxdext.) WELLINGTON, Augu-i 4. The British footballers have pin, in a busy time in Wellington to-day. In tli» morning they were shown over Pai lament House by Mr Rail-Jones, who was a fellcw passenger with them from Sydney, ait :l later they were entertained in Bellamy's. The Premier, in welcoming C'apiain Bedell-Sivright and his team, assured them of every kindness and hospitality. Great Britain "was the boiuo of Rugby, 3rd rho contest would new be between f-ous ct the parent stock and those who had sprung therefrom, but whose parent? had left the Mother Country for what was in ?ome respects a much bettor place. What the vests!!; of the contest would be was not for hiia to cay, but each side would do its bt-hi to prove superiority. In any case, Iho relations between the colony and the Mother Country would be drawn closer. He was sure ie would be shown that in the field of sport New Zealanders- were true to the parent stock. The health of the visitors having been drunk in champagne. ,Mr Bedell-Sivright; remarked that he was sure the New Zealand matches would be very tough indeed. Every Australian had said the team would havo its match in New Zealand, and he knew if would. He considered that in ground and climate New Zealand was more suited to football than was Australia. Statesmen here also took a great interest in the game, and their reception by the Premier himself hacE not been equalled anywhere. The team was not all picked from natives of Groat Britain. It had borrowed two men of New Zealand birth, and worthy ones.

MAYORAL RECEPTION.

At 2.30 p.m. the Theatre Royal was, notwithstanding the very boisterous weather, packed with an enthusiastic crowd of citizens, who had assembled to bid the team welcome. The appearance of Mr Bedell* Sivright arid his men on the stage was the signal for loud and prolonged cheering-. This was responded to by three rousing cheers from the visitor?. The Mayor (Mr Aitken), in a happy speech, then extended a cordial welcome tc the British team on behalf of Wellington. Mr Sivright, on stepping forward to reply, was greeted with most enthusiastic cheering. He said the team felt greatly honoured by the cordial welcome they had received in Wellington. He mentioned that in their tour in Australia they had scored 260 points to 51 gained by their opponents. This record, however, had been beaten by the last New Zealand team that wont over to Australia ; consequently, they came over here in fear and trembling. This modest remark wag received with a merry peal o£ laughter, whereat Sivright' s own face became wreathed in smiles.' He said he thought tho team would have its work cut out to make a draw with "us. In any case, he hoped they would ha\e a hard same, a good game, and a clean game. — (Cheering.) Mr Sivright, who is a tine, manly-looking-young fellow, made a nice speech that was well received by the large audience. Mr O'Brien, the manager of the team, who is also a capable player, and, 1 believe, a Christchurch boy, also spoke, and spoke well. He said the team noted with pleasure that leading men in Australia and New Zealand took a much greater interest in sport; than did the leading men ni Great Britain.

INTERVIEW AND NOTES.

During the course of the day the captain of the British team, was interviewed by a Post reporter. After a little while, however, it was Mr Sivright \Aho was interviewing the Poet reporter. He said he hact heard that the New Zealand pack would average about 14st. " How many men did New Zealand play in the scrum-?" he asked. The reporter pointed out that there were seven scrummers, against Britain's eight, and the one winger and the two five-eighths style was adopted. "Does the wing play half?" was the English captain's next question. The reporter explained that wing and half were not one and the same, and asked Mr Bedell-Sivright's opinion of the system of allotting forwards fixed positions in the scrum. The answer was thac in Australia the method had proved slow, but he understood they played it better in New Zealand, and he could not yet express an opinion. He was quite satisfied with the way his men had shaped against Australian scrummers in the matter of securing the bail. " Was there any difficulty over there <d getting the ball ipto the scrum?" "No special difficulty." " Do you believe in strictly penalising :*oz raising the foot before_ the ball is in tho scrum?" Yes ; he thought this was absolutely necessary. The question of what sort of form the New Zealand team would be in having cropped up. Mr Bodell-Sivrighfc was oskedi if he considered it was an advantage to gather a team together some time hi advance of a match for combined practice. "Yes, if it is possible,' 7 he answered: "thac is the theory and the practice." Asked ifi he thought three or more test matches would be better than one, the English captain said he did not mind how many testa were played. He had not had tlis: arranging, and had nothing to do with it. Tho proposed match in Sydney, the British team v. Australasia, would, he thought, be a very good thing.

Mr Sivrigbt is not quits surd if he will' be able to play in the Christ^lrarcli match, but he will be all right for the big game on the 13th. All the members of the icam, but one were seasick on the voyage from Sydney, which was a very stormy one. Mi* Sivright stated that b.ig men would not ba

fully recovered for the Christchurch match, and, as he had heard their opponents were very good, they might lose the match. "But you do not anticipate a reverse?" he was asked. No, he did not " anticipate " it, but it might bo so. Questioned as to difference of interpretation of rules, Mr Bedell-Sivright said the main difference was as to a player taking a forward pas.9 {a throw-on) from on© of his own side. Australian referees ruled it offside (penalty, free kick). At Homo the penalty imposed was for a forward pass (scrum before offside). The team had some practice in one of the local gymnasiums this morning. When .told that the ground at Chriotchureh would probably be covered with snow. Bush expressed satisfaction. The Britishers appear to regard this as an. ideal football climate. There is one member of the team — Swannell —who was in Australia with Mullin&ux's team. He considers Australian Rugby was better than ifc is now. The New Zealand team will train at Day's Bay. Good lodgings have been secured there, and a gymnasium jwill probably be fitted up. There are good outdoor facilities. Duncan, the coach, will arrive on Sunday, after seeing Britain play at Christchurch, and will proceed to the Bay. Mr Fache has no information as to whether Porteous's injury is serious. If Wood is not right before the end of the week h& will be replaced. A -WIN AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, August 6. Glorious weather overhead brought a great crowd io Lancaster Park this afternoon to witness the opening game of the Englishmen's tour. The playing field had been ckared of snow, whic'i lay, however, all round the touchlines, and the field itself bud a treacherous surface, with occasional patches of water. In the circumstances , a good game was not expected, and surprise •was --subsequently expressed that the play 'proved so fast. The- game could not be called attractive, but was always interesting and comparatively open. The Englishmen gave a few brief glimpses of their dryweather form, but hardly enough to enablean idea to be formed of their methods. In -the second h.ilf of the second spell the forwards showed remarkable cleverness in getting the ball, and the scrum half backs got it away smartly; but the ball was like a mass of grease, and though the visitors' threequarter line worked always well in unison it was- impossible to handle with any certainty.- The forwards have an attractive Etyle in the open, playing with their heads as well as their feet, but it was evident at times that they wait for their opponents' mistakes instead of at once getting into the " rush. Btit the conditions were all against good football, and very frequently the teams were merely scrambling in the mud. Canterbury had the assistance of two West Coasters, both of whom thoroughly earned their places, and two Soutfi Canterbury Tnen, neither of whom ■was brilliant. The .teams were: — - British. — Full back, O'Brien; threequarters — ,Morgan, Llewellyn, G-abe, and M'Evedy; halves— Bush and Vile; forwards — Bedell-Sivright (captain), Bevan, Edwards, Crowther, Harding, Swaanell, Saunders, and 4),obson. Canteebttry. — Full back, Love ; threequarters — Jlenzies, Harper,- and Grant (South Canterbury); five-eighths — Deans and Byrne; half back, Harvey (captain) ; forwards — Horgan {South Canterbury), J. Corbett and Learmont JWestland), ii. Corbett, Newton, Fanning, Brunsden, Roddick.

Canterbury had the advantage of 61b average weight, but the English forwards were slightly heavier. Mr F. T. Evans was I<eferec.

Sivriglit won the toss, and played with the sun at iiis back. Roddick kicked off, O'Brien returning to rhe centre, and a " few scrambling passes ended in the first «eruai, which was watched keenly. Canterbury got the ball, and Vile was penalised for off-side play. An exchange of kicks led to some close play at the centre, and the English forwards broke away with a dribbling rush which Byrne stepped. Harvey got away from the resulting scrum, fcut at once it was evident running was a matter of difficulty, and the backs had to be content to take what came their way, leaving the hard work to the forwards. M'Evedy at lasi broke through, to be brought down before he could pass, and a return rush by Canterbury forwards found O'Brien cool and safe. There was close give-and-take ploy at the centre, and the ball was worked to the touchline. Llewellyn at once centred, and a scrum was formed almost- under the Canterbury poste. Har--vey relieved with a kick down the field. O'Biien ran instead of kicking, and passed to M'Evedy, wlio. however, was collared before obtaining possession. Both sides settled down to fast work, Canterbury getting- what little advantage there was in a period of close play. At leoigth Harvey ticked high to the English line, where O'Brien safely met the attack, and Saunders charged right- down the field with the ball at his toe. A penalty gave Sivright an ineffective shot- at goal. • Immediately Vile, Bush, arfd Morgan put in good work along the touohline, and a serum was formed on Site .Canterbury line. Here the ball was kicked back from the pack, and Sivright scored softly, and Bush kicked a good goal. England 5, Canterbury nil. Gabe returned the kick-off, and some poor kicking left the ball in English quarters, where Harp&r bad 8n ineffective shot from a penalty. Nice Eassing by rhe English backs, in which lewellyn was prominent, livened the game, but safe tackling and kickin.g kept the ball on the English tide, and the visitors were forced. Attempts of Bush and M'Evedy to break away were met by solid collaring, and Fanning, getting away from a screwed Serum, had M'Evedy momentarily in trouble. Then Harvey sent Deans and Harper away, but Grant failed to take a pass. Britain .responded with sharp passing, which Bash •spoiled by off-side play in Canterbury jrrotnrd, and Menzies smothered, the kick of Gab© at centre. Here Roddick broke away and reached O'Brien unsupported, asi excellent opening being neglected. Bush cleverly checked a promising rush, and as Byrne failed to take a high -kick the charging English forwards, headed by Dobson and Crowther, made the position ugly. Tho greasy ball was fumbled by- the backs, however, and Learmont was able to get hack to the centre. The- play worked back into local territory, where Bush had a shot from a penalty, forcing Canterbury. Harper headed a rush into English ground, and Lc and Learmont had M'Evedy aiid Gabe busily defending till Dobson dribbled to the centre. Half-time was then c-alled. T'ue visitors had the better of this spell, but the

backs of both sides, especially O'Brien and Love, played very safely.

The ground was by this time exceedingly slippery, and m part of the second spell the forwards kept the ball practically to themselves, the backs marking and kicking for safety. There was no serious scrummaging, the ground giving no foothold for j pushing, so that, though the Canterbury j pack was weakened by the fact of Roddick j playing on the wing, the difference was not marked. Breaches of the rules wove rather frequent. Play was chiefly at the centre, and Corbett, Learmont, Fanning and Brunsden on the Canterbury side were prominent in forward rushes, Dobson, Saunders, and Growthev heading the English rejoinders. Considering the state of the ground, the football was good, and really fast. M'Evedy marked, and opened play a little, and, after an interchange of kicks, Love fumbled, the ball going over the line. In the scramble Dobson, following fast, secured it in a pool of water, but was ruled off-side. Deans and Harvey were responsible for carrying the baU to the centre, and a good forward rush took it to the English line, where Gabe marked. Open forward play tested the powers of the full backs. At leng-ih Harvey got away from the centre, beating the English three-quarters by clever footwork, and Deans went on to the line, where Bush lacked for the dead ball line. The ball stopped in the snow, and Deans scored. Roddick failed with the kick. Score, 5—3,5 — 3, in favour of the visitors. The game at this stage and for a quarter of an hour was really exciting, the Canterbury forwards beating their opponents again and. again, only to be sent back by long kicks by the English backs. Sivright met this new development by holding the scrummages, instead of breaking the pack, and the frontranker? hooked the ball in dryweather style. Bush and "Vile fed it out to Llewellyn and Gabe, and one or two promising passing rushes were initiated. The greasy ball was against pretty play, but the echeme was effective in keeping the ball largely away from the forwards. Gabe made a smart dash to the Canterbury line, but Love saved the position brilliantly, and Deans went right on to the English twentyfive, and here the players had a few brief rests, Siyright's injured leg troubling him. The visitors got the advantage from an exchange of kicks, and opened a dangerouslooking passing rush, which Harper stopped. Grant, however, mulled close to the line, and Bush forced Canterbury with a hasty pot. The play gravitated in a series of serums to halfway. England was getting the ball, but the vnartness of Deans, Byrne, and Harper in collaring prevented the backs from getting away with the ball. Uninteresting play followed, varied by occasional marking. A nice rush by Fanning and Learmont was stopped by Gabe, and, with five minutes to go both teams were palpably tired. Neither side was again dangerous, and the ball was in touch at the centre when no-side was called, the British team •winning by a goal from a try to a try. Scores : ! British 5 points Canterbury and West Coast ... 3 points