NEW ZEALAND v. KEIGHLEY.

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

NEW ZEALAND v. KEIGHLEY.

SYDNEY, December 12. In commenting on the match between the. New Zealanders ,and Keigbley, the Chronicle says that although the New Zealandera were still unbeaten they experienced a very anxious time against Keighley. They were in. a minority at the interval, but managed by scoring a couple of tries in the second half to- snatch a victory by 9 points to 7. The game could not be described a* high class, as there was far too much hustling and bustling, while the finer points of a scientific exposition were sadly lacking. It ia very evident when Messenger, Smith, and certain forwards are not in. the team that the game degenerates into a- scramble. Much of that is due to the style of theopponents' play, and Keighley have a reputation for disregarding the more subtle methods. The Keighley ground was rather narrow, and the surface was uneven. The conditions were against the open operations of the New Zealaoders. In the first half the home team scored two penalty goals, the result of off-side tactics, and against this the visitors could only respond .with a try, scored by Wright after a piece of meritorious work. Keighley also had chances to score, but they were wholly indifferent when it came to a question of pushing the advantage home. At the interval the home team led . by 4 points to 3 The second half was ' contested in the same vigorous, unscientific manner. The New Zealanders did shape a little better, and several fierce attacks were made. With the game near the home line Craven attempted to relieve, but his kick was charged down by Wynyard, who promptly secured possession and

scored. Wrigley failed to convert. Al the other end of the ground Drummond caught the ball from Wynyard's kick, and ran in and got a try. That also was not converted. Towards the end, after Walker had tried several times to place goals from penalties against the New Zealanders aj pretty piece of combined play by Wright^ Wynyard, and Todd led to the last* named scoring. The Daily News says the game was ver jj fast throughout, Keighley showing quite as much pace as the colonials. They had}' more of the ball than the New Zea* landers had^ bat were* slower in passing) and not so accurate. However, they were not overmatched. The Telegraph considers that the Ne^S Zealanders had considerable difficulty in maintaining their unbeaten record. Theift form was not so good as it was in pre< vious matches, though they had not been" opposed by more stubborn and resolute defenders than those of the Yorkshire club.