FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXIX, Issue 12142, 10 August 1903, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND BEAT QUEENSLAND. United Press Association—Per Electric . Telegraph—Copyright. Received 7.35 p.m., August ,Bth. .•; BRISBANE, August 8. ■j.Uhe return--match Queensland v. New Zealand was played under favourable conditions. The. weather was excellent, there was no wind, and the ground, contrary to expectations, was in good order. The attendance numbered more than 12,000 persons, including the Governor and Lady Chermside. The visitor* scored an easy win. The home combination - was never actually dangerous, and operations were confined to their territory practically for the whole game. The New Zealand forwards played magnificently, and exhibited far the best form of the tour. They repeatedly broke from the line, carrying the ball at their toes, in a solid bunch, twisting the opposing pack, while their short sharp passes gained stretches of ground. The backs showed capital all round form, their passing generally being accurate and well-timed, and kicking, catching and field- . ing were reliable. There was a tendency to cut in at times, particularly by McGregor; and this noticeable fault spoilt several- chances of scoring. The home combination's display compared unfavourably with that of the previous failure-to systematically block the passing of their opponents leading often to disaster. ; The defence was fairly solid, butthe -attack was weak.

. Queensland, winning the toss, decided to play with the sun behind their backs. Spenoer kicked off for New Zealand, and McGregor early- distinguished himself with a great run through the Queensland backs, but hanging on to the ball too long marred a possible score. Wood marked in a good position,'but Wallace failed at goal. The visiting vanguard, who were playing splendidly together, shifted the home scrummers all over the field, and penned their opponents in a tight corner. Asher made a. great run through, and though floored twice recovered himself and got within a yard ,of the goal line, Queensland ultimately relieving by a free kick. Long and Cooke headed a great rush into their opponents' territory, Evans checking their progress by a beautiful line kick. Wood placed Queensland in a dangerous position, then Kiernan. Wood and. Aeher were prominent in passing, the latter being grassed a few inches from the line. The New Zealandeis being penalised enabled Queensland to clear their line, but the relief was only temporary. The New Zealand scrumrriers coming with an irresistible dash brought play, once more near the home team's line, but Evans, Dixon and Redwood ---succeedad in staving. off the onslaught. From the centre flag Wallace returned the ball, followed up smartly, secured .it, and went over the Queensland ;iine.. The score was disallowed c-n the ground .of = a knock-on., From the succeeding scrum Kiernan whipped the leather j out to McGregor, who handed it on to Stalker, and the Otago man, running strongly, t>eat the local full back and scored near the corner flag. Wallace made | ..splendid though ineffectual attempt to convert.; New, Zealand, 3 points; Queensland nil. Give and take play followed, rand, then Kiernan from a loose rush passed to Wood, the latter giving the leather to , Stead, who cleverly beat the Queensland three-quarters and then transferred to Long. Tlie Auckland forward gathered the ball nicely while going at top, and secured a pretty try behind the posts, which Wallace converted. New/Zealand, 8 points. Redwood with a .fine kick was instrumental in New Zealand being placed on the defence, and then even play followed, until magnificent passing between the New Zea.liini back* and forwards in unison saw Queensland once more in trouble, and Stead gaining possession made a great dash for the- line, but lost the ball, the Queenslanders being forced. Wallace made a' resultless shot from a penalty kick. / Mc-. Gregor-, Spencer and Long were next instrumental in carrying the ball to the "home team's line, the latter only being grounded when within a few inches of the coveted line. The New Zealand backs now opened j up, and frequently their passing was a treat to witness, Stalker, Wood and Kiernan being the most prominent. Long, Gallagher and Spencer toed the ball to I near the local line, Redwood saving and removing play out of their quarters. This was followed by the best bits of passing in the game, all the visiting forwards and backs taking part. The result was that Spencer got over behind the posts, but Wallace failed to improve the score. New Zealand, 11 points. Shortly after the second- half was in progress McGregor finished up a slashing dodgy run by going over the Queensland •line, but. the referee disallowed the try, though it was apparently a fair one. Wood marked and Wallace took the kick, .the ball falling under the bar. Dixon returned the ball, and Wood getting possession potted a pretty goal. New Zealand, 15 points. Heavy fighting followed in Queensland territory, the New Zealand backs making desperate efforts to increase

the score. Stalker on one occasion was pulled down within a few inches of the line. Ultimately Kiernan sent the ball to Wood,"who sprinted several yards, then gave Asher the ball, and the latter dodged past the lull back, touching down behind the -pests. Wallace added the extra points. No sooner was the game resumed than Kiernan passed to Wood, the ball -ultimately going through the bands of Stead, McGregor, and Asher, and the latter darting for the line succeeded in notching his second try; Wallace failed at goal. New Zealand, 23 points. McLean then made a great run into the New Zealand quarters, but the advantage was not long sustained, for the visiting vanguard, headed by Spencer, swept the ball up the field and -over the goal line, where Spencer secured it,' and thus registered his second try. Wallace was again successful in improving the score. New. Zealand, 28 points. The Maorilanders kept up the attack on the home lines, and Wallace made three good attemptt to register goals from the jfield, and nearly potted a goal. Except for two spasmodic dashes by the Queensland backs,.-the home team were busily employed for the remainder of the game in keeping their opponents from crossing their line. When the whistle, soundedi no side the game stood—- | New Zealand 28 points. Queensland. , nil. CANTERBURY BEAT WAIRARAPA, Per Press' Association. CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. The firfet representative football match of the" season was played here to-day between Canterbury and. Wairarapa. The weather was fine, and'the ground in good order. The visitors' forwards played about equal to the local men, but their backs were hopelessly outclassed, showing very poor defence. Canterbury were attacking almost all the time, and won by 28 pointa (a goal from, a try, two goals from marks, and five tries) to nil. OTAGO V. WAIRARAPA. ' DUNEDIN-, August 9. The following have been picked to represent Otago against Wairarapa:—Pullback, Adams; three-quarters, Baxter, Bennett, and McKay; halves, Munro and Knowles; forwards, Spiers, Casey, Mitchell, Taylor, Hobson, Fenwick. and Abbott. *

The_ Albion Football Club,- who have won the senior championship of NorthCanterbury this season, will play: a match with the. Temuka Club, at Temuka Park, next Thursday. It will be interesting. to see whether the North Canterbury or South' Canterbury champions are the better team.