FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11141, 3 December 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME. \ (Prefis Assn.— By Telegraph.— Copyright) SYDNEY, December 2. Commenting on the football match between Leeds and the New Zealand professional team, the Chronicle says that with all their stars out the visitors had a stiff task to defeat the strong side •which Leeds put m the field, and though the New Zealanders won by S points . they had-! to strive their lvardest. . There -was still something faulty about the coloj nials' play, which, the matches so far had not eliminated. They did not command the ball m the scrimmages, and their passing was far from perfect. The forwards were good m the open, but they ■were always striving to handle the ball instead of at times relying on an effective dribble. The resul^ , was that a man would fail to recover his "balance arid could not see where he was passing the leather. Forward transfers and inaccurate handling negatived several openings. Even with a clear field the combination wos indifferent, and Wrigley was a great sinner m this respect. ■ ■ . The Telegraph remarks that the New Zealanders did not hold a particularly strong advantage, tut their form was superior to that of their opponents. Towards the finish the ■■colonials returned to the attnek, but their passing was , faulty, and they were unable ..to increase the lead which they had already established. (Received December 3, 7.36 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 3. Of the Saint Helens match. the Chronicle says: The All Blacks made no mistake iii selecting- their team to meet St; Helens. Having "been made welcome by the Mayor and Corporation they went to the football field with, a side that included ail their star players, and Avon handsomely by twenty-four points to five, after an exposition, particularly iiv the second half, that was positively exciting. The colonials didv not atari too well. For twenty minutes the game was of an even character the home side, like every other home side they have met yet, rising to the occasion and giving the visitors v warm lime. Then Wright opened the scoring, and Messenger enhanced the value of the try. This was succeeded by the home team smartly beating the defence through a cress kick, and cleverness on the part of C. Creevy, who regis tered a try and placed a. goal, Pretty combined' play by the visiting backs ended m. another try and goal. At half-time the New Zealariders led by ten to five. The -second half was opened with a sen eational dodging run by Messenger, wh< eluded Beveral opponents, and put a trj to his credit as well, resulting m a goal. The home team continued to present a bold front, but could not penetrate the defence, and the colonials playing an ex ceedingly fine game, overcame all opposi tion and tries were scored by Smith. Wynyard, and. Wright, none of the pla« kicks succeeding. The final result was New Zealand three goals and three tries, St. Helens one goal. The Telegraph states : The New Zea landers *aye a fine display of running and passing. During the first half Lan cafihire maintained an excellent defence and occasionally turned the attack upor the WlWials, but the latter were np uarenlly much smarter, especially be hind the scrums. The way the colonial: had forced the pace had its effect on tin home team after the interval, their de fence being much weaker than previously