THE TOSTRALIAN TRAM'S TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 57

THE TOSTRALIAN TRAM'S TOUR.

AUSTRALIA v. A COMBINKJD TEAM. NELSON, August 23. The weather was fine and the ground in perfect order for the matoh b&twcen Australia and Nelson. A fairly strong southwest wind was Mowing. The match was played a.t Trafalgar Park before 3000 spectators. Nelson lost tho less and kicked 1 off against the wind, being at a disadvantageduring the first spell, while in the second; the Australians were favoured by the wind lulling to a considerable extent. Wickham captained the Australians and W. Smiti (Nelson) the combined team from Nelson. Marlborough, Buller. and West Coag; Unions. In the early part of the gain* Nelson was forced down, after which plaj was carried up and down the field till Nelson was penalised, aud Wickham kicked a goaL Australians. 3 points; Nelson, 0. Thcreaftei the Nelson forwards played wirh increased dash, and Boon (Nelson), snapping up ihe ball, ran right up the to^ch-linc from halfway, and. beating two ciF the Australians, sooi'ed. O'Brien (Marlborough) failrd wiM 1 a difficult kick. Axistralians. 3 : Xclson. 3. riie game then became very open. Thj Australians had a decided advantage in obtaining tho ball from the scrum. Tho Australians pressed Nekcn towards the end of the first spell, but the defence was too good, and at half-time play was in the centre and the scores were oven. On tho commencement of the second epell Xe!son, principally by forward work, put the Australians on the d&fenee, and Nelson wa£ ■listinctly better in tho loose. Afcer a good me kick by M'Pike (Buller). from a STimt an the Australian line* Comes (Nelson! >cored, and O'Brien (Marlborough) kicked i- brilliant goal. Nels/m, 8 : Australian.-. 3. Hie Axistrahans having the advantage n scouring the ball from tho sorum. their Jacks indulged in a let of passing, bat iho jollaring of Nelson was too good to let .hem g&t away. Again Nehon pro.-sod very iard, and after the Australians had bocii breed down twice Smith (Nelson) sociu-00. l roarlc oloso to the goal, and O'Brien (Marl>orough) converted. Nckon, 12 ; Ausralians., 3. Subsequently tho Australian)layed very hard. Nolsou, howc. or, vv )eatodly gained ground from long kicks, nmi iUgagcd in capital passing, the visitors 1-eiup, Kpt coniinuallv on the dcfor.ee. and the/* rcre unable to use their c'ccidcd ;:d\ nnriy n ihe scrum. The same on.'ril mi in.» : i ieid, Nelson winning by 12 to 3-

For the ■visitors Anlezark and Wood {halves), and Wickham and M'l/ean (threequart&rs) were by far the best of the backs, and Hireobberg and Stone amongst the foriwards. For the "~ Nelson combined team O'Brien, of Marlbo rough (full back), M'Pike, t>f Buller, and Dansejr. of West Coast (threequarters), and Smjth, of Nelson (fiveteigihtbe) were the pick of the back division. The forwards all played a good game. All %he visitors were entertained at dinner this evening.