FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16455, 6 June 1919, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

ALTERATIONS IN RULES. NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ENGLISH UNION. Per Press Association. -■WELLINGTON, June 5. It is reported that a cablegram lias been received from the English Rugby Union refusing recognition of the amendments of the laws of tlio game proposed by the New Zealand Union and affirming that their introduction into Now Zealand will mean secession from the former body. A Sydney cable states that tho New Zealand League football team has arrived in good fettle, but regret is felt at their restricted training, owing to the quarantine. -They play New South AVales on Saturday. NEW ZEALAND v. SOUTH AFRICA. LONDON, April 1. In the. inter-services tournament New Zealand won its third victory—against South Africa, at Twickenham—and thus qualified to meet tho Mother Country at luvcrleith. From first to last the 10,000 spectators sajv brilliant Rugby match, and ail through South Al'rica stuck to their game. When all was lost they played hard to I “no side.” But the New Zealand side, with its pace and compactness, domin- I ated. Tlio result was a goal and three j tries to a goal—l 4 points to 5. The New Zealand team consisted of:—J.. O’Brien, J. Ford, J. Stohr, P. Storey, AV. Fea, J. Ryan, C. Brown, R. Sellars, A. Wilson, E. Hassell, E. Beilis, J. Kissick, R. Fogarty, L. Oockroft, A. Singe. The South Africans wore: F. Windell, Captain S. W. Harris, Lieutenant D. V. Scally, Captain H. A. Mills, Lieutenant W. J. Mills, Bombardier V. St. Leger, • Corporal W. Townsend, Lieutenant D. -Duncan, Corporal F. A. Bennetto, Lieutenant F. Mcllish, Captain A. O. Brownlee, Cadet Wolfe, Private J. J. Schwarz, Gunner E. Riordan, Captain W. H. Morkel.

The game was a keen forward fight in the loose, characterised by intense tackling, but the New Zealanders seemed to have the whip hand when it came to punting for the follow-up. In tho first half the South Africans had tho better of the game; their passing was neat and every man was always in the right position. Fifteen minutes from the start New Zealand took the lead, P. Storey registering a rather lucky try. . It seems that a misunderstanding between F. Windell and a threequarter as to tho taking of ai- curly punt let through the New Zealand forwards in midfield. They kicked hard and. followed up, and in a general scramble for the ball near the corner ilag Storey just got there first. Very soon, however, South Africa retaliated with the prettiest try of the match. Save for one brief period of the game until the end of the first half was in New Zealand territory, but in this period New Zealand scored through J. Ford, and at half-time led by 6 points to 3. On resumption the game took a turn in favour of the Zealanders. They had the wind behind them, and their backs knew ' how to uso it. The South African forwards, though alw»ys playing hard, were over-weighted. As surely as they dribbled free of their twenty-live so surely was the ball punted back by O’Brien or Stohr the neighbourhood of a corner flag. These clever tactics bore fruit. The South African forwards were unable to aid their backs in repelling the attacks of the New Zealand three-quarters, but they manfully defended their back lines. Though they kept out the New Zealand bucks they could not keep out the forwards.

‘ ‘Most of the Now . Zealand forwards,” remarks the Times, “are not only men of weight, but pace, and some ] of them, especially the Pacific Islander Wilson, and Singe, the wing-forward, handle the ball like backs. Their dribbling is not good, but they are very clever at picking up and breaking through in the loose. Those hurricane methods are especially useful near the line, and gave the New Zealanders two tries, one apparently by Hazell, and another by Beilis, Stohr converting the second.

NOTES ON THE GAME. Tlio Athclctic News states: ‘’’Victory in the end had gone to tlio cleverer, the more adaptable, and the better side. They had got to fight for part of the first half, but they did not allow it to affect their nerves for long. One of the best scrumniagers of tho day was Beilis. Ho is very fast on his feet, as also is the wing man, Singe; While Beilis, Hazell, and Sellars pleased mo greatly. Wilson is an astute loader and handy. Ena’s collection of tho. ball was wonderful; fast rolling balls, half-volcys, and full catches all came alike to this tine player. All

three-quarters were spry and clever. The pick of the back division was O’Brien—a full back quite out of the common, a grand fielder and fine kicker and a beautiful tackier.”

Tlio Sporting Life writes;—-“The game v. a.> a iuird-clcan fight from beginning to end, and afforded an excellent atternoon’s sport to a largo and enthusiastic crowd.”

The Morning Post; ‘‘ln the second half it did not take one long tn make out that the All Blacks were going to win. Their forwards were bettor together and were playing with that extra ‘go’ that always smacks of victory. As quick followers-up they arc unsurpassed, and in their splendid opportunism they continually looked like scorers.”

HIGH SCHOOL (20) v. TECHNICAL COLLEGE (3J.

The New Plymouth High School and Technical College teams met on tho racecourse. Though it soon became evident that tlio college roam were somewhat outmatched by their opponents, the contest was spirited throughout, both sides playing hard football, though, as was to he expected, mistakes were made. Neither side showed a marked superiority in the forwards, but the High School backs played with better combination than their opponents and handled tho ball more frequently. Tho scoring was opened by High School, a passing rush from hallway ending in Whittle (wing threequarter), who played a fine game throughout, scoring near tho corner. AVillis failed to convert. A few minutes later Rurn, one of tho College five-oigliths, secured the ball from a linc-out, kicked well downlield, and, following up smartly, again secured rim leather and touched down. Rum took the kick, but failed to convert. A nicely judged penalty goal kicked by Willis from a difficult angle increased Urn High School score to six. An unconverted try by Osborne made the position at half-time; High School 9, Technical College 3. When play resumed the School team attacked with vigour and Smart, a forward, secured a try to which Osborne added the major points, making the total 14. Osborne scored from a scramble in the College 25, and later a spirited passing bout inaugurated by R. Boon ended in Hinc crossing tho line. Neither of those tries was converted. Smart broke through between tlio posts, but no try was awarded. Time was called with tho scores standing: High School 20, Technical College 3. Among the individual players P. Atkinson (High School rover) was conspicuous, he being continually on the ball. Air. Eggloton was referee.