NORTHERN UNION GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 66

NORTHERN UNION GAME.

NORTHERN UNION RULES.

■An attendance of 300 people witnessed a trial match, at Invercargill under Northern Union rules on Wednesday. The final scoring recorded a victory for the Colours by 51 points to the Blacks' 24-. In the first quarter M'Dermott scored and converted from a. good Colours' passing rush. D. Stewart scored shortly afterwards, and Hughes kicked a goal. The next score came from Fraser, and Clarke converted. As the outcome of more good passing, the Blacks' line was again crossed 'by Fincham, who failed with the kick. Colours, 18 points; Blacks, nil. The Blacks forced matters in jbhe second quarter, and Hanna scored, Robinson's- attempt at goal being 1 resultless. B. Keady then scored, and Hanna converted. Blacks, 8 points. After fast and open play. Hughes scored for the Colours, and IX Fraser kicked a, goal, halftime ending with — Colours, 23 points ; Blacks. 8. The third epell was opened with tries in quick succession by Hanna and Burgess, Sherboume failing in both instances to convert. Hamilton added 2 points to the -Blacks* score by a goal from a penalty, and another 5 by a score, converted by Burgess. Blacks 21 ' points. After good passing, Wingham scored for Colours, but failed in ' the. attempt at goal, the third i'spell ending — Colours, 28 points; Blacks, ' 21. Early in the fourth quarter Dr Fraser scored for Colours, P. Reid converting. More fast open work and gocd passing gave Colours, another ohance, and D. Stewart scored. M'Dermott failed to convert. •

Of the Blacks' halves Burgess wa6 noticeable for particularly good play, passing and kicking in great style. Wingham, Hanna, and Rcderique .all performed more than creditably in the three-quarter line, whilst Sfaerbourne's game was exceptionally good. In the forward division Robinson, Leyden. and Hamilton played soundly. The two tyros, Ford and. Keady. made a most successful debut^and are promising acquisitions. Reid and "Fraser were consistently good halves for the Colours' team, and M'Dermott and Fincham were the pick of the three-quarter line. Amongst the forward^ Hughes, Clark, and Burrows were prominent in an otherwise even lot. With each match (says the Southland Times) the players continue to improve in the various departments of -the game, and Wednesday's game was most satisfactory in this respect, especially aa regards the open, nature of the play" and the passing. FEILDING, August 17.

Private information was received here on Saturday that the Wanganui representative football team who were defeated by Manawatu by, 9 points to nil are about to become professionals, and will play their first match against a Wellington team.

WARNING TO PLAYERS. SYDNEY, August 11. .The Rugby League has decided not to allow its- players to participate in tfhe Maori benefit match, and threatens to disqualify any who- do play. The chosen team includes several league players, who have declared their determination to take part in the