PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 63

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

WITH THE ALL BLACKS 1907-08. Bx A. H. Baskebvillx. NEW ZEALAND 8, LEEDS 2. LEEDS, October 29. Leeds, like the majority of clubs we have mot so far in England, rose to the occasion on Saturday, and put up a good fight against us. We 6aw them play at Hedingley a few days after our arrival, and noted that they died away towards the finish then. The special training indulged in lately for our match did away with that, however, for they went strong all the way, and proved a very hard nut to crack. They were quite prepared for us ; and had their beet team in the field. Leeds is by no means a weak Northern Union club, as their record co far is a good one, so it jsm £hought advisable to

put exactly the same New Zealand team in the field that did co well a week ago at Broughton. That team was: — TurtiLl, Messenger, Smith, Wrigley, W. Wynyard, Todd, R. Wynyard, Trevarthen, Wright, Gilchrist, Johnston, Cross, Byrne. Meseenger went back to his old place on. the wing, and W. Wynyard came in to second five-eighths. Thie rearrangement worked excellently. The day was a bad one for a good " gate." The atmosohere was muggy — foggy it would be called in Maoriland. Rain threatened to fall all the time, but fortunately held off. The attendance, including a large- number of club members, was nearly 13,000, and the "gate" £456. Heavy rain on Friday made the ground heavy and gTeasy, but this did not seem to retard much the pace of the game, which, by the way, was very hot. The work was aileo very " willing " at times. New Zealand . . >« . . 8 points. Leeds „ '-. «,. ... . 2 points. The " All Blacks' " play was a decided improvement on Wednesday's, when they drew with Wakefield Trinity. Strange to say, the latter team, held so cheaply in Yorkshire, drew with Halifax, last year's league champion, on Saturday. This proves they are not the weak team that we were led to understand they were. The most remarkable feature of the game was Todd' a superb tackling. , Time after time he brought bis man down and broke up attacks. He also performed very well otherwise. Messenger proved by bis play that wing three-quarter is his favourite position. His smart dashes were universally admired. The heavy ground or ball was not favourable to good goal ; kicking. Smith played -a very serviceable game. He was always on the spot when I any work was about. His defensive work | was excellent. Ttnrtill played on« of hia best games, and that h saying a great deal. Hi» huge kicks were a source of annoyance to the Home team. Wrigley brought off a few fine' pieces of defensive work, but in other directions was not quite up to hie usual standard. He ran too much for the ! touch-line and shut bis eyes to the .chances of in-passing. W. Wynyard was; a brilliant success as five-eighth. He put in several fine runs, and ably partnered Todd in the position. R. Wynyard, at half back, kept the defence very busy. He waa always dangerous'' near their line. He performed some very neat work during the day. Our forwards, with one exception a new eet to those who- played againsf Wakefield, got back their reputation. They played a very hard game. Though not as successful afc securing- and heeling out in the scrum as one could desire, nevertheless they about held their own in this, .department. In loose play they were superior to the Leeds pack. All did so well that to individualise would be practically impossible. Each man at different stages of the game made smart, dashy runs, and often passed like first-class backs. Some of their dribbling rashes were irresistable. On Tuesday the team leaves Leeds for St. Helens. Then from there they proceed on to Wales, and after the match with Merthyr come back' to Ilkley, a. Yorkshire health resort in- the beautiful Wharfedale I Valley. The month in Leeds has been a. pleasant one. What with entertainment and football, not one member of the team has had a minute drag. Yorkshire hospitality is munificent.