NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12152, 29 January 1908, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS.

Received Jan. 29, 0.30 a.m. Sydney, Jan. 28. After one of the keenest and most exciting matches ever seen on the Warrington ground this season, toe New Zealanders were beaten by Warrington by a point. Except that ; Smith was absent, the New Zealanders put tbeir strongest team in the field. Warrington had the best team. The ground was slippery. At the outset it looked as if the colonials would be routed, but suddenly they improved. They opened their score with a splendid goal, kicked by Messenger from near the touch line. The visitors • pressed hotly, and Kowe , taking a pass from vVynyard, got close to the line, then passed to Messenger, who dodged his opponeuts,and ran behind the po3ts. Messenger kicked a goal, giving the New Zeilanders a couple of points lead, which they held till half time In the second spell Warnngtr.n attacked continuously, but the Blacks gave a superb exhibitinu cf defensive play. Scrummage after semmmago took place on tbe line, and it seemed every moment as if tne visitors must lose their lead, but Wrigley, Tuttill and Messenger tackled iv such a wonderful style, that the Home attacks cane to nought. " At length a flaw was found lij their defence, and Lees got away, and from the scrum passed to Taylor, who amid a scene of wild onthus 1 asm crossed tbe line. Just before the finish, Messenger almost snatched the victory, he kicking a trifle short from a -penalty near mjdh'eld.