FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9193, 24 March 1908, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

« NEWS BY THE MUTT,, NEW ZEALAND v.. NORTHERN UNION. United Press Association — By Electrio Telegraph— Copyright. SYDNEY, March 23. The last test match at Cheltenham was witnessed by 3000 persons. The Northerners -kicked off, and the English halves got the ball away, Batten running into the New Zealand twenty-five. Then Taylor and Wrigley' got clear, and the Union was forced down. Near 'midfield the New Zealanders became off-side, and with a fine kick White reached the goal. The Union attacked in great style, and Jolley went over with a clever try, too difficult, however, to convert So far fhe Northerners had had all the game, and they more than held their own to half-time, when the score was five to nil. The New Zealanders, on resuming, broke away, and Trevarthen, getting a pass from Smith, crossed tho line, but was held up. White made a fine run, but Taylor was forced to touch down by Wynyard. Keeping up the pres- . sure. New Zealand obtained a free-kick. Messenger attempted a shot at goal. The All Blacks were making tremendous attempts to score, Wynyard, Tyler and Wrigley doing fine work. Towards the close, says the " Daily Telegraph," the game became extremely rough, and the mefn. almost got out of hand. Cross was ordered off the field for striking an opponent, and there were several other incidents which created considerable unpleasantness for everybody concerned. Eventually Messenger scored from a paS3 by Tyler. After Wrigley had obtained extra points, some more fighting took place, Dunning using his fists pretty freely. Johnston scored again from a fine rush, but Wrigley failed ait goal. For the rest of the game the New Zealanders pressed hard, but there wane more -coring.