THE BRADFORD DEFEAT. SYDNEY, January 13.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 58

THE BRADFORD DEFEAT. SYDNEY, January 13.

- The Daily .Mail,' " commenting on the Bradford match, says: "The worst possible conditions prevailed for the match. Bain, which had for several days, continued- almost- throughout, the play., The New Zealanders were .weakly represented,, the back- division— Smith, Messenger, and Todd— being -"notable -absentees. But they, had their - best 'set of -forwards in' the field." Bradford was the better aide in. the first 'half.' ? A -clever penalty -goal .was kicked \ just 'after the start, giving them confidence. Wrigley, however, equalised this, later. Having, to facfcjthV ..wind and a- slope* /.and - Jbeing, moreover ±_ -3_ points behind, tlie^ visitors- had a heavy-. j task" before them in the- second' naif. ■ They,- "however, "had the J»etter^of matters " for half " an hour", .butoair their attacks " I were beaten off, and-'JLO minutes- before 7 time- theJ'hdme -team 'increased - their lead- . „wisi-a prettily dropped i goarfronv a scrum- ■ . mage." -'- v s- . ..--~' -.! " The Telegraph says" r " The, New Zealanders' form was - disappointing, for- ; although they, had had"- many favourable -opportunities of scoring they "failed on every .occasion, excepting when -Wrigley 'landed a goal from a. free kic& The .pass- . ing of the -backs was - faulty - and in combination left much to be J - - The Bradford' team was no better -than- the average of' the Northern Union clubs, 'but . they- were superior to • their opponents,! .and well deserved their victory." - -