FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13603, 25 May 1908, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM.

PLAYS A DRAW IX BRISBANE

Press Asaowatioor-By Telegraph-Copyright Brisbane. May 25.

For the return match on the Kxbir>ttu>n Gruund this afternoon, the- weather" was tine bat doll and there was a moderate attendance. New Zealand played twelve men. Tyler and Bryne are suffering from influenza and Dunning from a severe Queensland won the toast and O'Brien kicked off. Lile fumbled and Messenger nearly scored. Scrum* ensued without advantage to either side. New Zealand.was penalised about the halfway and Messenger kicked a goal. The Blacks pressed hard, and Wrigfev converted a l*>rtalty. Shortly afterwards H. Wynyard kicked a goal from the field. At halftone the score was : _New Zealand 4. Queensland 2L In the second spell R. Wynyard and Lile scored tries of which Wrigky converted one. Messenger kicked two goals from the field and scored a try. Watson also scored one try. When time was called each side had scored IS? pointa.

BRITISH TEAMS FIRST MATCH

EASY WIN AT MASTERTON. i • Per Press Association. MASTERTON. May 23. There was a tine attendance to see-; the Englishmen play the first gam*- of thetr tour to dav. It is a generation since art English team (Stoddart's) was last -seen in the Wairarapa. and as the day was practically made a holiday all over the Valley, numbers came- from considerable distance*, and the visitors to the ground must have numbered 6QQO'. The match took place on the old show ground*, which was. in good order. The weather was warm but. threatening and the game wai» barely over before ram began to fall steadily. The wind in the morning was strong, but it lulled aEter lunch, and whatever there was _ favoured the visitors, who played with it behind tbem in the first spell. All the spectators were eager to see what sort of showing the Anglo-Welsh, team would make, and probably they were quite* satisfied with the form they saw. It was a long way too good for the team set against them, which whs Tather a scratch lot, containing ten men from the Wairarapa, and five from the Bush Unions. They were quick anil vigorous individually and at times collared well, bat of conibiin»tion,<here was. none, and meir attempts at passing would have brought a blush to a school team. The- Englishmen, on th*- other hand, were not long in tattling into their stride, and showed that already they had got into one another's style. Their kicking was brink and good; they use their feet more than New Zealand teams do; in fact, the cry of •• feet, feet," was one often heard from th*m. They played well into one another's* hands; their passing was both free and accurate, and they seldom fumbled. The- ball wu* both given and taken with precision, qnit<~ in the style of high class teams. Most of the backs seemed speedy. Gibbs. who scored two tries on the wing, particularly yo. lie is evidently a daugerou* man and when he gets going is hard to stop. The nieh are not afraid to fling the ball about : to-day they did it effectively. some of the pass-en being long and low, delivered with cool judgment. As a whole, however, they are not yet in condition for a realty hard match, and in the- second spell they perceptibly slackened off tilt just at the end. Neither were their forwards to-day xf dashing and fast at following as they will need to b«- later. Their defence is. stilt an unknown quantity because it was not called npon to-day. After the match against Wellington next, week there should hr? a better opportunity of judging. Harding .set his men a bright example, being responsible for some fine pieces of play. He seemed to have a roving commission being sometimes in the scrum and sometimes out of it. He had also the pleasure of kicking the first goal of the tour.

Bat the player who was most in evidence all through the gam*- was the fullback, Juckett, whotse conception of the duties of that position wuis so novel :i«. to entirely take the fancy of the crowd, and establish hini as- a favourite. Heis a cool, active, lithe player, who takes the bait with accuracy, kicks well and lias the faculty of extricating himself happily from difficulties. He was. a* often up among the forwards .us in his position, and now and then took charge of the game all to himu-elf, dodging, running, and passing in, » style that many avowed three-quarter backs might envy and also copy with advantage. Xo doubt he will find it necessary to be kss exuberant in most of his matches, but he was nnikniably a. bright, and amusing feature of to-day's game.

On the whole the Knglishmen showed that- they had the makings of an excellent side among them, and one that will give any team they meet plenty to do. They are certainty not the men to lie down and h-t themselves, be trodden on. THK TKAMS. Kngland (red. white, and blue) : Full back Jaekett : ttnveqtiarceris. tiibb. Mr Kvedy. I'onty .lories and .1. I*. Williams: halves. Davev and Luxori: forwards. Harding. Dihdale, Morgan. Oldham. A. F. Williams, Kyrke. Smith. liitson. Combined Wairarapa, and Hush (Jreen). Fntt-back. Knssell : threequarters, Connor. Collins, Darvill; halves. Ifrotibe and O'Leary :hve->-ighths. Adams;

forwards. Workman, McCarthy, Smith. McKenzie. Harvey. P.rendley, Satamson, RoSHS. The referee was Mr P. Macfcie, of Wellington. He handled game excellently ami with commendable abstention from unnecessary whistle, I>eing much helped thereto by the conduct of the players themselves. THE PLAY. The game began at 2.45 and was played in two spells of forty minutes each, prolonged however by two or three stoppage©. Harding, the English captain won the toss and played with th e wind which in the first spell was of some help. The game began with an exchange of kicking, hut m less than two minutes England move the ball over the Hive. After u was ont. using their feet, they dribbled it over again. Russell rather nnnecessarily took a risky kick which gave ponty Jones a mark near the goal •had he chosen to avail himself of it. He received a good pass and started off strongly but was well collared by JJarvill. The latter broke through the R'ed forwards and kicked. Jackett got confused and thinking he was on the touch lute, to the auiu»eui*n; of the spectators grounded the ball at the 25 but recovered himself and got in his kick safely. For the first few minutes play was very open and fast—much too fast, in fact, to last. Then the English backs started passing and got into their swing. Gibbs ran over to find that the ball had been passed forward at th e last moment. Jackett ran up from hi» place into the middle of the men, gave a clever pass and set them going again but the movement was stopped by another forward pass. The Reds played up strongly. Gibbs centred the ball with judgment and put his men on side and they dribbled over, Russell only saving a score by a gTeat spnrt. Want of combination then toid its tale; Wairarapa playing Individually and the Englishmen gelting better every moment. Davey and Jones each had a shot at goal without effect. From a line-out Harding swung the ball to his Lacks, they passed smartly and Ponty Jonest ran in. Gibb took tin- kick with no success. ' England 5; Wairarapa nil.

Almost without a |>ause Oavey slung the ball to Gibbs and the latter threw himself over the Iin e near the comer. Harding took this kick but without improving it. England 6; Wairarapa nil.

' Barely had the ball been kicked out than the Ret&s back brigade got going again. Nearly every man had a hand in a bout of clean swift passing. Gibbs was last, to get the ball and running at a great speed crossed the line. He took ih e kick himself and again missed. ' England 9; Wairarapa nil.

After some loose play Jacketfc kicked the ball into a charging forward, from whom it rebounded inio ailrrfing's hands, and he claimed a mark. Harding handed the ball to his full back and the active Cprnishman bounded over the Green goal line. His forwards followed smartly and a bad piece of defence by Wairarapa ended in Ritson securing another try from which Harking kicked the first coal of the tour.

England 14 : Wnirarapa nil. The scores «t-r t » obtained in ijitu-k succession and Wairarapa seemed to have fallen all to pieces. After thfc», however, tliey played much better, making up for tlwsir -want, of combination by activity in following up and collaring. McEvedy stopped a fine rush well but- at the cost of a free kick in front of hi.* goal. O'Leary took the kick and missed a good chance of scoring. Another rush smothered Jackett, and for the first time the Reds were forced down. Harding made a great kick-ont. and the Ureviw were in trouble till off-side play relieved them. Later a long loose rush was spoiled by a similar mistake on their part, and half time wast sounded with England holding a long lead. TIIK SECOND SPELL. The second spelt was not nearly so unequal. . Wairarapa had some advantage from the wind, which had weakened but still blew in spurts, and as the Englishmen palpably tired off they were* able to hold their own. At the beginning O'Leary put in .some good work by pinning McEvedy and preventing him front starting his backs off. Williams stalled off one rash by the fim-ns. bnt the latter charged down to the English goal and lost a chance of scoring by passing forward \ in front of the posts'. Once more the Reds were driven back to the centre. There Harding, upon being colbred, sent a. splendid pa«*s to Jones, who transferred to J. L. Williams. He tan down the side at u great pace tilt stopped by Darvilte. The < liven backs »r:ed some passing, almost for the tirst time, bur it w».« of a ludicrous description and cave no concern to their opponent.-. They did effect a surprise by obtaining a try. tint it. was wi.ii t-iie wrong ball. as a second hall was in reserve, and this somehow rolled on to the ground and was carried over the line in triumph while the rest of the men were engaged upon the legitimate ball a few yards away. Jackett then took charge of the game on his side for a few minutes. heist;; full-bark. three-quarter and half all rolled into one. miming and dodging in a style that seem>d ;•► argue that he was thrown away in hr.« regular petition. He tin ally rtrdgnrd itt favour of MeEve.fy. who was pulled over. Immedi.iiely aft»-r. from a vigorous pa.is by I.axon, the I'eit backs got into tine and could not be stopped. J. L. Williams on the wing finally getting over by the corner flag. The kick was difficult, and Harding did not improve the toral. England. 17: Wairarapa, nil. t'pon kicking off Jacket!, was- in evi

deuce again. but could. not prevent a force down. There was some difficulty about getting down in the scrums once or twice-, both sides being over eager for the best position, land the referee had to inlerleir. The Englishmen seamed to be feeling tin? effects of the hard fast play, which was very open all through and" rather trying on a warm day. For a time tfiey'weiv kept in their own ground, soiiie effective kicking by the Green backs b.-ing of great use to their side. Finally a fiee kick was awarded the local men. fiom which O'Leary kicked a good goal. Knglaiid, IT: Wairarapa, 3. Tins temporarily roused the visitors, who gave their "opponents a warm live minutes. When they had cleared their goal, Jacket! succeeded in wriggling clear of three men who ought to have easily stopped him. and sent the ball back. Connor then put in a really good run, and Gpoiled it by not passing. The whistle then sounded for the final, after a very good game from the spectators' poini, of view, though they would no doubt have been beteer pleised to s.e their own men show less wt.i—.. in defence and more of the offensive.

CAPTAIN AND MANAGER INTERVIEWED. HARDING CRIPPLED FOR A FORTNIGHT. MASTERTON, May 24. £550 was taken at yesterday's match, which shows ihat the attendance was much larger' than calculated, and accounts for well over 6000 people. The next best gate taken in Mastertoii was £6O when a New South Wales team played lb-rev It was an enormous attendance for a small town.

Harding, speaking after the match, expressed himself satisfied with the form of his m:-n, and reckoned they would do much better when .they knew one another well. He stated that after putting up a good score in the liist spell, lie did not think ijt. necessary to call upon his men in the. second half, but he admitted that they were not entirely in comuuon yet and felt the heat .very much.

Harnett, the manager, also felt very well pleased that the men had fallen into a systematic game so early, and pointed <>Ui that yesterday"*' team was not the best they will be able to put in the field. "iThere is one' thing that is new to us," he >aid.. " and that is. awarding a free kick for all play. In England if the off-side is clearly unintentional, the referee only gives a scrum." HanieU thought, the penalty was too severe unless the breach was wilful. It was suggested to him that this would be a point to bring forward at the suggested conference with the Referees' Association.

In a conversation on the subject of the improvement of the rules, Harnett disputed the belief generally held in New Zealand that the English Union is to blame for their conservatism in this matter. H| stated that ihe rules were thoroughly revised not 'long ago, much care being devoted to the subject, and many improvements were introduced in directions that were plainly needed, but when they came before- the International Board tl.ey were nearly all rejected at the instanc- of the Scottish Union. In other ibspfcts this Union was always difficult to deal with. "Why don'i. you tell them to fall into line then, ov politely inform them that you can do without them? Why should England and Wales with all their millions ot people be dictated to by a smaller body like Scotland? Heie in the colonies the Rugby game has not only ' Soccer' but the Australian game to contend with, and if it is to hold its own and remain the popular favourite it must march with the times, and the rules must be cleared of some of their cumbrous and obstructive features." Harnett- thought it might possibly come to this yet. England was getting veiy sick at the attitude taken up by. Scotland lately. The>r ivfu>al to joi-i in this tour, palpably on absuid grounds, and also their refusal to play the New .South Wales team that is going Home, left a bad taste in the motuli.

The Englishmen were unfortunate enough to haw two nun lain in their first match. Uibbs, in diving over the line for his second try, jolted himself so badly that he is laid np in-day. though it h hoped he will he ■lit to play on Wednesday. Harding, the captain, came off more badly still. He wa>. limping after the game, and to-day it is louini his ankle is injured severely enough to keep him out of the team lor peihaps a fortnight.

thk wkluxotox tf.am. WKLLIXUTOX, May 84. The Wellington team against the JSritssh footballers next Wednesday will be as follows:—Full back. 0. Spencer lle.t 101b: three quarters.' A. Kveniion 12st-, F. Mitehin.on ICiit 101b. H. I). Thomson lCst lllb; live-eights. W. Wallace 11m 12ib. F. liok-rts 12st 6!b. half. C. <.r.:-n 9>t 41b: wing forward. W. Hardham 12>t 61b : foiwanls'W. Headv 13.M 41b. ,J. Hamilton 12m 10H.. A. Wifboii 14..t Bib. I). Hush 12.M 91b. A. Wilson 12m 121b. 11. iVwur 12«t 41b. W. Alexaniler 13m. Km -rgeiny back. .). |{yaii II.M 101b : .-nieigeiii-y forwaid. Knight 12st. TIH-: XKW ZKALAXI) TKAM. WKLI-IXtrmX. May 24. Following is the X«w Zealand t-am to m.-«t the i'rft.islieis at Ihtnedin on June 6th: -Full back. W. Wallace (Welling ton); thieequarters. Cameron (Taranaki),

Deans (Canterbury), Thomson (Wellington) ; Jivt-eigths, Hunter, (Taranaki), Stead (Southland) ; half, Roberts (Wellington) ; wing forward, Gillett (Auckland) ; forwards, front rank, Casey (Otago), Hughes (Southland), lock, Cunningham (Auckland), supports, Francis (Auckland). •• Rangi " Wilson (Wellington), back rank. Seeling (Auckland). McDonald (Otago). Kineigeiicy back, Mynott (Taranaki) ; emergency forward, flay ward (Auckland). The New Zealand team includes thirteen players who were members of the Xew Zealand combination which visited Australia last vear among them being eleven " All RlackiV'

TO-DAY'S TOURNAMENT. The following teams are engaged in the South Canterbury Rugby Union's seven-a-side tournament on the Caledonian Grounds fo-dav : SENIORS. Pirates A. —Carlton, Fitzgerald, Rodgers, Darcy, Coles, Bradley, G. Wall. B: Maben, O'Brien, F. Wall, Davie, Kirby. Kane. Turner. Emergencies: Williams, Courtney. Fyfe. Tc-muka.—D." Scott, (!. Spillane, L. Grant.., A. Scott, W. Scott, W. Hooper,. M. Horgan. Emergencies : C. Austin, and D. Grant. Star.—A: A. Budd, B. Green, J. Roddick, W. Clark, A. Grant, V. Scott, H. Mayo. B : B. Manning, J. McCarthy, W. Hum. A. Douglas. J. Auld, R. Griffiths. W. Rodgers. Timaru.—A: Arscott, C. Cook, J. Fraser, G. Priest, B. Mollison, W. Lister, G. Niall. B: P. Brodrick, G. Taylor, E. Smith, K. Bain, J. O'Leary, L. Hardie, T. Ilertnon. JUNIORS. Taniwha.—J. Flaherty, T. Hawkins, J. Sizemore, A.. Hendry, S. Richards, A. Dyer, J. Kent. Rakaia.—Shannon, Saramon, Gardner, Purcell, Johnston, Rapley, and Street. Southern Cross.—A. E. Taylor, O. Stills, J. Stills, A. Gordon, H. Harrison, L. Childs, T. Slade. Geraldine.—Hendry, G. Worner, L. Washer, K. Waters, F. Reid, Bridge, 1.. Spurden. Emergencies : Prouting, J. Kennington. Pirates. —Kilgour, Cosgrove, Hall, Cole, Dovle, Evans, Mitchell. ' Pleasant Point.—W. Thomas, C. Gibson, J. Maroney, J. Coles, C. Booth, D. Tahen, H. Friel. Emergencies: H. Anderson, G. Winter, E. Adams, P. Cosgrove. Albury.—E. Rutherford, A. Irving, S. Shiers, W. Moore, W. Trembolt, J. Balfour, J. Trembolt. Emergencies: Irving, J. Higgs, J. Struthers. Fairlie.—T. Burnett W, Jack, S. Caskey, J. King, J. Manaton, H. Manaton, G. O'Dowd. Temuka.—L. Wood, B. Norton, J. McKellar, W. Spillane, A.. Findlay, T. Gready, R. Gillespie. .Emergencies: M. Guild, J. Heath. Star.—J. Budd, A. Douglas, R, Houston, L. Tubb, W. Ellis, J. Green, W. Roberta. ! i Timaru. G. Gracie, D. Doyle, O. Strachey, B. Withell, W. Harrison, J. Withell, J. Clarke. Celtic—J. Kirby, E. Sullivan, L. Crean, A. -Pyke, 'W. Houlihan, Walters, J. Fitzgerald. Emergencies: W. Fiztgerald, P. Cavanagh. Cricklewood —P. M. O'Connor, A. McBeath, ■I. H. Oorbett, J.. Corbett, D. O'Neill, D. O'Connor, B. Wright, junr. Emergencies : G. and A. McKay.. Zingari.—A. McWhirter, D. Hegarty, J. Reid, G. Stevenson, W.. G-. Shields, C. Maslin, E. Darroch. ' Emergency: W. McIlroy. Springburn.—T. Green, J. Sharplin, D. Fergus, J. Fergus, H. Goldsmith, W. Burgess, A. Aldridge- • .- PRESIDENTS.

Zingari.—N. Bennett, G. Broad, S. Targuse, R. Moore, H. Mcllroy, W. Bezzant, A. L. Hurdley. Emergencies: Bracefield and Worsdell.' *

Ashburton Old Boys.—Lr. Helem, B. Kingston, 6. Whitekouse, £?. -Breeze, ■• W. Clothier, J. Thomas, H- Hughes. Emergencies : Watson, Hocking, Shearer; Celtic—Mi Houlihan, -W. Shanahan, D. Houlihan, J. Wade, P. Fiezgerald, J. Sugrue, J. Clark. Emergencies: Welsh, Bergin, Spring, M. Sullivan. emuka.—T. Oldfield, J. Flynn, G. Spillane, G. McKellar, T. Horgan, A. Donnithorne, H. Flynn. Fairlie.—C. Allan, R. Wotten, J. Gilmore, G. Walton, J. WiVson, H. Jack, and another.

High School Old Boys.—R. Aitken, D. Fraser, E. Berry, W. Dalgleish, G. Dunsford, E. Zeislef, J. Dalgleish. Emergencies : Sterndale and Cowan.

Timaru High School. —Mitchell, Simmons, O'Donoghue, Valentine, Gillies, Malthus, King. Emergency. R. Cutlibert. Pirates.—Hosle, Golding, David, Miller, Burnip, McAuliffe, Head. Geraldine.—W. Beaven, G. Carver, L. Bright, R. Joe, F. Lagan, S. Harris, L. Bennington. Emergencies: J. Waters, J. Howard. FOURTH GRADE. Timaru High School.—McKibbin, Tennant, Donnithorne, Fraser, G. Cuthbert, Shaw, Hamilton. 'Temuka,—F. Williams, P. Sullivan, GMcßratney, W. Wurm, T. Driscoll, W. Oldfield, F. Annals. Timaru.—F. Harold, T. Lynch, S. Anderson, E. oCihead, W. Burns, T. Connolly, C. Bruce. Emergencies.:- W. Hilton R. Baird, S. Mason'. Celtic—U. O'Brien, J. Allan. E. Burns, W. Feeley, G. Buckley, T. Jubb. Emergencies : Cunningham,. Mulcahy, W. Fearon. _ Zingari.—R. Herdman, L. Latimer, b. Williams, A. Head, J. Clarkson, B. menter, B. Moore. Emergency: A. 01liter.

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." Sir,—ln the football notes in Saturdays "Herald" vour contributor made an incorrect stafement in reference to oiir fourth grade team by slating that in it were men above, the weight limit. Una is not «>, as the majority of the players have been officially weighed and passer by the Union's officials, while the others are newer members and comprise Uie smallest players in the loam. As <he paragraph referred to does our club an injustice, 1 hope you will find space to insert tinsdenial.—l am etc., OFFICIAL T.F.C.

At Christchurch on .Saturday Old Boys 19 beat Merivale 8; Sydenham 22 beat Linwood nil; Albion 21 beat College ml. Lhristchurch had a bye. At Dunedin on .Saturday Alhambra 3 points beat Port Chalmers nil; Southern 6 points beat University nil; Dunedin 8 points beat Kaikorai 6 points; ZingariRichmond 11 points beat Union 3 points; Taicri Rovers 5 points beat Pirates nil. At the last meeting of the Caledonian Society a letter was received from Mr Valentine, of the schools' football committee, asking for the xi.se of the grounds on the same terms as last year, viz., responsible supervision and a small rental. The request was granted. The match between the senior teams of the Mari.st and Waimataitai schools was played on the Athletic Grounds on Saturday morning. As the ball was heavy and the ground moist, the game .was conlined principally to the forwards, and in the many iine'dribblim: tushes ihnl weie indulged' in. Roper. Rergin and Darey for the Marists ami Aitken and VYoisde'l for Waimataitai did the lion'i, share. In I lie first spell tries for the Marists were scored by P.- Fitzgerald and Roper, the .v-cniid being converted by I'.. Collins. In the second half Aitken scored for Waitaitai. and .1. Collins for Maris!. The final score* weie Marist- 11. Waimalahai ?>. The junior match, after an exciting strii'Tgle. ended in a draw, no scoie being legiMelvd. Mr IhiM-all ief<-ieed both games.

PROSPECTS OF ANGLO-WELbrI - ;> TEAM. : r

Although n. very good «de can be lected from the players sent to New' Zealand the best fifteen that can be chosen will be the reverse of representative of the full joint playing strength of England .and Wales. Neither of the full-backs would be first choice for an Anglo-Welsh side, while only Gibbs of the three-quarters would stand much chance of being chosen for such a side. Winfield and Wood, for example, would be preferred to either Jackett or Dyke, while Gabe, Trew and Morgan would be selected before Williams, J. P. Jones (Poniypool) and .H. Vassall, who, with Gibbs, form, the'best available third line of the tourists.

Then, in. the absence of. Bush, Vile, Owen, and Jones, the half-backs on tour are the very reverse of representative, though Davey in his individual capacity: is i as good as any of the above four save Bush. Forward there are,-y of so many absentees of note that the side - will be even less representative in this than in other departments. I mention - the matter simply to show that the refusal of the Scottish and Irish Unions to' allow their players to take part in, the tour is not the only reason why the Mother Country will be very inadequately represented 'in the " international" matches during the tour. Many of our best players cannot spare the time to make itie trip. They have other and more permanent interests to consider. The iruth is that we can never send out our bestside to any of the Colonies, and hence both' in cricket and in football are handicapped in " tests " played in the Colonies. I doubt whether many Scottish... and Irish players could in .any case have made the trip. None of this season's; Scotch i". rnational backs could have "gone to xsew Zealand, while all the. leading Scottish ''forwards ar e either tied down by business, professional and military and naval duties. The same is true of most of the Irish players, so that even if there had been no veto by the two unions 1 doubt if many, or. indeed any, Scottish or 1 Irish players of any note could have made the trip. Though the side is far from representative, and must .be verylucky or j>lay far above themselves if any of the internationals or other big: games are to be won, they are by no,.means a bad side, and may exceed expectations. Sides of whom little is expected have a knack of doing well, partly through' determination to show that they have beeD underrated, partly because they are notburdened by a reputation or handicapped by anxiety. They play a more natural game, and hence are more likely to play a game that pays than are sides of whom much is expected. The best British back: division, on this season's "national" and' general form, would be ■ Winfield, Morgan, Gabe,' McLeod, and Martin, Owen and Jones, while an Anglo-Welsh side with any pretensions to be representative would have included Winfield, Wood, Trew, Gabe, Jones, Owen, Bush, -Vile, Travers, and some seven other Welsh forwards, .and Slocock and perhaps five ! or six English front rankers.—Hamish Stuart.