FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9802, 23 July 1903, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT BATHURST. Eleotric Telegraph- Copyright— United Press Association. BATHURST, July 22. There was glorious weather for the match Western District v. New Zealand, and there was a good attendance of the public. Green, White and McClymont, of the local team, were replaced by Hives, McFadden and Musgrove, while on the New Zealand side Humphries played half, instead of Kiernan. Shortly after the game began the visitors started a fine run, and from an opening made by Wood, D. McGregor scored a try, which Wallace converted. New Zealand soon had the local men again m difficulties. Humphries passed out to Duncan, who handed it on to R. McGregor, only to receive it back again, and then the leather went on to Humphries, who scored. The kick was an easy one, but Wallace failed to increase the. score, the ball striking the goal post. New Zealand, 8; Bathurst, 0. In the scrums New Zealand screwed and beat the opposition every time. From a free kick awarded to Now Zealand there should have been a further score, but Wallace's effort went very wide of' the mark. In a subsequent tussle, R. McGregor was hurt, and retired from the field, his place being taken by Stalker (Otago). Another penalty kick was given the visitors, and this time Wallace increased the lead to 11 points. On resuming Wood got possession of the ball m centre field, and a fine run through the local backs ended m his scoring. Wallace converted, making the score 16 to nil. The local men then became aggressive, and a good passing rush, headed by White, who passed the ball to Sproule, ended m the latter scoring. Gardiner failed to convert. Score, 16 to 3. This success livened up the local' team, and following up the ■ advantage, they again invaded the visitors' territory, where a mark was secured right m front of the goal line. Hives put the oval over the •bar, and the score read 16 to 7. Shortly after the kick off Given got the ball and passed to Wood, thence to Stalker, who scored, Wallace kicking a fine goal — 21 to 7. The game had hardly resumed when Asher, with a, dashing run from the New Zealand twenty-five beat the local backs and scored, Wallace converting — 26 to 7. On resuming the Bathurst men again became aggressive, but only for a time, and New Zealand rallying Duncan passed to Stalker, who sent it on to Wood, who scored, but Wallace failed to augment the score — 29 to 7. The' game was next taken dangerously near the local line, but Moir splendidly saved, and removed play to the centre, where Given got the ball and handed it to Humphries, who passed it on to Wood, the latter registering his third try. Wallace converted, and the totals stood 34 to 7. A free kick to the visitors gave Wallace another goal— 37 to^ 7. A splendid run by Wallace placed ' the local line once more m danger, but McKivat and Moir got their side out of the difficulty. From a scrum Duncan snapped up the ball, and handed it to Given, who scored, Wallace converting — 42 to 7. The locals, struggling hopelessly, were beaten at all points. Long, with a, fine dodgy run, ran right up the ground and got behind the goal line. Wallace converted, and the game ended : New Zealand, 47 points (nine tries, seven of which .Wallace converted, and two penalty goals); Western District, 7 points (a goal from a mark and one try). The local team played a plucky game from start to finish, and occasionally put m some excellent passing.