THE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7687, 23 April 1903, Page 3

THE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

Trip; THISTLE BEATS THE SHAMROOK. [From Out Correspondent.]

LONDON, March 6

Though having to play substitutes for two of their crack three-qua.rters, to wit A. N. Fell aaid A. B. Timms, the Scotchmen proved equal to winning their game against Ireland a^ Edinburgh last Saturday by a try to nothing. TJiio score uuggests that the teams were very nearly equal, bub such was not really the c&se, far had tlie substitutes in the Soots' tihird line been anywhere near the standard of the two who had to stand down the Thistle would undoubtedly have triumphed by a far laxg-er m.'iirgin. As it was the three-quarters, though srivo-n plenty of opportunities, failed to make use of them. Ireland was beaten forward suiter the first twenty minutes, and once tlie Scots had settled down they proved themselves stronger, carrying scrummage after Ecrumma.ge. The game, indeed, was practically a. battle- 'batwe.cn, the two packs, the- play laigely consistingof tight scrummages and loose rushes and. dribbles. One of the- best features of the game was the. sureties:? of the tackling. The certainty with which the man with the ball was brought down was quite refreshing. Neither side could claim any superiority in that respect. The attack of both teams was only moderate, lacking the necessary finish, but allowance must be made for the determination of the defence. The conditions were fairly favourable to good football. The, ground was a trifle soft in places, and the wind only moderate. The Irish forwards playing with the breeze, went off at a great pace, fairly rus/hing the> Scorch pack, and Ireland should have scored within tha first five minutes. The game was right in front of the Scotch g.0.a.1, the ball was passed along- the Irish three-quar-ter line and had Anderson taken his pass he must have scored, but he knocked on, and a glorious chance was lost. Ireland kept up the pressure for some time, but eventually lost their position by wild passin jr. The Scotchmen begae to settle down, and the play became more even. FitzV'rald, holding too long", spoiled another opening for Ireland, and later Corley, with a good" run, placed Scotland in a position of danger, the ball going over their line and being touched down. In turn the Scotch team took up the attack, but were penalised for off-side play. They soon were again in the Iri?h quarters, but a little later the Irish backs brought off some good passing, and twice in quick succession Anderson was only pulled down by Simson, the Scotch half, in the nick of time. . It was now evident that the Scottish forwards were gaining the tipper hand, but the attack was faulty, and half-time arrived without anything "berag scored. Scotland began the second half very well, but, being let down by their full-back Forrest, were placed on the defensive. The Irish backs by some good passing, got well down, and then, with a fine dribble, reached Forrest. A score seemed imminent, but the Scotch full-back had the good luck to secure the ball and kick into touch ab the centre. That was the last time* on which the Irishmen were really dangerous. For the rest of the game they were mainly occupied in defending their line. Once Morrison, the veteran Scots forward (he lias played in Internationals fcr twenty years) looked to be over, but the referee ruled otherwise, and then came a neat bout of passing, which was ended by (Jrabbie scoring. Afterwards Scotland were nearly in again, and Kyle Actually crossed the Irish line, only to be forced out of play. Twice the ball went into touch-in-goal, and many scrummages were fought out hear the Irish line. The defence, however, was good, and there was no further score, Scotland winning by the narrow margin of three points to nil.