Football.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3844, 27 July 1908, Page 2

Football.

Secondary Schools v. Maori College. By Telegraph.—Special Reporter. Auckland, Saturday. In this match, which was played at 11.30, the schools had an easy win by 21 points to 5. Auckland v. Franklin. The weather at the start of this match was fine overhead, but the ground was very slippery. Play was very even for the first quarter of an hour, though slightly in favour of Auckland, who once crossed the line, but did not score. Auckland then attacked strongly, but Franklin successfully defended, and then secured a free kick at a difficult angle. The ball struck the bar and fell back, and from a penalty kick, Auckland secured a beautiful goal. Auckland '•> Franklin 0 Auckland continued to press, but the country forwards played a fine game, preventing the home team from getting their back machinery properly in motion. Five minutes later an opening presented itself, and Murray having only one man to beat, scored. No goal resulted. Auckland 6 Franklin 0 Following quickly on, the local backs got to work, and after ani ce passing rush, Wilson scored, but again no goal resulted. Auckland 9 Franklin 0 A minute afterwards another back followed Wilson's example, but in the kick at goal,the ball hit the post. Auckland 12 Franklin 0 Franklin then attacked for a time, but half time was called with no further score. In the second spell, the Franklin forwards attacked strongly ind got to the line several times, a score being narrowly averted. From a loose rush, they crossed the line, but a scrum was ordered, and the country players lost their opportunity. Auckland dribbled to the line, but Franklin saved. The country players who were making a much better fight, had much the best of this spell, which ended without any further score.

The Final Test Match. Decisive Victory for New Zealand. 29 Points to Nil. The final test match between Britain and New Zealand was played this afternoon. The weather was dull and threatening, and a heavy shower fell during the second spell. The attendance was about 15,000, the increased tariff keeping away many who would otherwise have attended. The ground, considering the late wet weather, was in fairly good order. The Britishers were outclassed from the start, and never at any time threatened the "All Blacks' " line. The teams were as follows: — BRITAIN. (Colours: Red, white, and blue.) Full-back: E. J. Jackett. Three-quarters: F. McEvedy, H. H. Vassall, J. P. Jones, F. Chapman. Halves: W. Morgan, "Tuan" Jones. Forwards: A. F. Harding, E. Morgan, P. J. Down, G. R. Hind, H. Archer, T. W. Smith, J. F. Williams. NEW ZEALAND. (Colours: All black). Full-back: J. Coleman (Taranaki). Three-quarters: D. Cameron (Taranaki), A. Mitchinson (Wellington), R. G. Deans (Canterbury) . Five-eighths: J. Hunter (Taranaki), W. Stead (Southland). Half: F. Roberts (Wellington). Wing forward: G. Gillett (Auckland). Forwards: Hookers, F. Ready (Wellington), F. Glasgow (Southland); lock, W. Cun ningham (Auckland); sides, A. Francis (Auckland), J. Paterson (Otago); back row, C. Seeling (Auckland), H. Hay ward (Thames). Referee: Mr A. Campbell. FIRST SPELL. New Zealand won the toss, and played from the western end, having the advantage of a slight breeze blowing down the field. Harding kicked off at 2.55 p.m., and Roberts returned to past centre. From the first line out New Zealand broke away, and Stead picking up made a dash, but a faulty pass lost the opportunity, and a mark gave Britain relief. The game was stopped for three minutes owing to an accident to Harding, who was temporarily disabled. The return from the mark was taken by Jackett, and Deans fielding his kick, made an opening, but Hunter failed to accept the pass. New Zealand secured in the first scrum, and Roberts getting possession, cross kicked, but Chapman secured, and found the line. From the throw in Cunningham secured, but Vassall intercepted, and from a scrum shortly after Britain heeled quickly, but Morgan failed to take, and the New Zealand forwards, rushing the leather to the line, Mitchinson snapped up and flew over, after just six minutes' play. Francis failed at goal. New Zealand ... 3 Britain 0 Following the kick out New Zealand rushed the ball down, and Stead whipping up beat McEvedy, but for a throw forward the ball was called back. Britain shortly after got relief in a force. Britain, headed by Smith, rushed the leather down from the kick out to the halfway line. From the line out Patterson broke away, but Jackett saved cleverly. Roberts shortly after had a pot at goal, which fell short, McEvedy relieving. Cameron whipping up shot across, but the ball was ordered back, he having gone into touch. Britain shortly after forced, which they were compelled again to do immediately after from a long kick by Deans. New Zealand were running over the visitors in the loose work, and for a time were attacking hotly, till a pass from Jones to Chapman gave relief, play going to the centre. New Zealand were soon back again, and from a mark by Roberts the same player had a shot at goal, but made a poor attempt, and J. P. Jones kicked to Stead, who returned to "Ponty" Jones,, the latter marking and finding the line at his 25. Harding here retired. Britain secured from the scrum, but Gillett stopped "Tuan" Jones' return. From a throw in Gillett threw to Ready, who got over, but was called back, and Britain shortly after forced. The kick out was rushed down by Dibble, who spoilt Francis' return, and from a scrum Roberts kicked well down to the visitors' line, and a force resulted. Stead secured from the kick out and passed to Deans, who threw forward to Hunter, and a scrum was ordered. New Zealand heeled quickly, and Roberts sent to Stead, to Mitchinson, who crossed kicked to Deans, and the last player dashed for the line, but was well stopped by Jones. Keeping up the attack, Roberts picked up and sent out to Mitchinson, who registered the second try after 20 minutes' play. Gillett failed at goal. New Zealand 6 Britain 0 Seeling marked the kick out, and Hunter, kicking high, the New Zealand forwards rushed the leather to Jackett, who saved near his own line, and the visitors immediately afterwards forced. The forwards were being over run by New Zealand, and

the backs were hard put to it to keepthem out. A forward rush by Seeling, Ready, Francis, and Patterson took the leather right to Britain's line, where off side play pulled them up. New Zealand were not to be denied, and keeping up the attack, first Stead, then Hunter, then Hayward, made a dash, but failed to get over. Eventually, however, from a free kick by Roberts, Hunter got over, but was called back, and Gillett had a shot at goal, which failed, and Britain forced. The kick out was immediately returned by Roberts, and play was once more in Britain's territory. 'Tuan" Jones gained some ground with a useful kick, but New Zealand was soon back again, and "Ponty" Jones and Jackett missing, things looked bad for the visitors, till a mark by "Tuan" Jones followed immediately after by another by "Ponty" Jones gave them a little breathing time. The respite was only temporary, as New Zealand were back on the attack again, but a faulty pas 3 to Roberts threw away a chance, Vassall intercepting and saving. Heeling quickly from the scrum, Roberta secured, and made a good opening, but a long pass to Mitchinson threw away a chance, and gave Britain relief. New Zealand kept up the attack, but Deans failed to take a pass, and a certain score was thrown away. McEvedy whipping in relieved at the halfway. Britain's forwards rallied a.little, and Dibble, Morgan, and J. F. Williams headed a rush, which was well stopped by Hunter, and after a lot of loose play the ball eventually went into touch well inside Britain's 25. Loose passing between the New Zealand backs threw away a chance, and Chapman I relieved with a line kick. New Zeai land were not to be denied, and Seeling and Hayward rushed the leather across, and Hunter following up fast scored fair between the posts. Cameron's kick was a failure. New Zealand 9 Britain 0

The kick out was fielded by Roberts, who made a dash, and threw across to Glasgow, who kicked back across the field, the ball going over Britain's line and into the dead bail ground, and another force resulted. Britain were feeling the absence of Harding, and New Zealand were running all over them. In a passing run, Hunter to Deans, to Cameron, the last player was just stopped on the line. Keeping up the pressure, "Ponty" Jones failed to field a high kick, and Francis headed a forward rush, which resulted in New Zealand's fourth try, which was secured by Glasgow alongside the posts. Roberts' kick failed, and the bell rang— New Zealand 12 Britain 0 SECOND SPELL. Cunningham set the ball rolling in the second spell at twelve minutes to four, "Ponty" Jones marking, and his kick was well returned by Deans to well inside Britain's 25. Harding returned to play, but soon after retired. New Zealand were immediately on the attack, and in a passing run Roberts to Stead, to Hunter, to Cameron, the last player lost the ball, but keeping up the attack Seeling was almost over, being stopped on the line. From the scrum formed Gillett whipped up and shut across; after three minutes' play. Francis failed at goal. New Zealand 15

Britain 0 Francis marked the kick out, but Gillett's kick only going a few yards, a mark by Down was well kicked by Jackett, who failed to find the line, and an exchange of kicks between Cameron, "Ponty" Jones, and Stead ended with play in the visitors' 25, where from a scrum Williams, Hinds, and Dibble broke away and took the leather well past halfway. New Zealand was soon back again, and Cameron, after a short dash, centred, and Hayward following up fast, dashed over by the posts. Cunningham's kick again failed. New Zealand 18 Britain 0

New Zealand was simply running over the Britishers, and the leather coming to Roberts, he sent to Stead, to Hunter, to Mitchinson. The last player outpaced J. Chapman and Vassall and scored at the corner. Coleman, with a beautiful kick, converted, this being the only goal kicked in the game. New Zealand 23 •Britain ' 0 New Zealand began throwing the ball about from the kick off, but Vassall intercepted, and kicked down the field, and from a mark shortly afterwards by the same player, Jackett took a shot at goal, which fell short, and Coleman returned to halfway, where from a line out Patterson and Hayward got away, and took the leather to Jackett, who returned down the field. New Zealand were giving their opponents no quarter, but a mark by McEvedy gave the British ers some relief, and after an exchange of kicks between Jackett and Mitchinson, play was close to New Zealands' 25. From the line out Morgan secured, and started a passing run to "Tuan" Jones, to Vassall, to "Ponty" Jones, but no ground was gained. The Britishers rallied, and a forward rush, in which Smith and Brown were prominent, took the ball over New Zealand's line, and the "All Blacks" were forced for the first time. The visitors were now playing with more dash, and "Tuan" Jones, with a beautiful swerving run, ran through to Deans, who tackled him and Hunter securing, retaliated with a tricky run, which again put the Britishers on the defensive. Loose play, in which Morgan was prominent, relieved the Birtish line, but New Zealand was soon back again, and after scrambling play, Cunningham got over, but was called back for a throw forward, and from the scrum Williams broke away and gained some ground, off side play by Ready giving them a free kick, which gave further relief. The "All Black" forwards soon had them on the defence again, and Patterson and Hayward were prominent in a short passing run, which further threatened. Shortly after Coleman had a shot at goal from a penalty, which fell short, and Archer securing took play to past the halfway, where in a passing run McEvedy to Morgan, to "Tuan" Jones, a knock forward spoiled a chance, and loose passing from the scrum by the British backs allowed New Zealand to clear their line, Roberts finding the line well past the centre. A mark by Roberts gained further ground for New Zealand, but Archer by some good work relieved. Britain, however, were soon on the defensive once more, as the result of a forward rush headed by Cunningham and Seeling, which was retaliated in kind by Williams and Archer, who took the leather to Stead, who stopped cleverly, and sent the ball well inside Britain's 25. New Zealand heeled from the scrum to Roberts, who made a good opening and passed to Hunter, to Deans, who got over. Coleman failed with the kick. New Zealand 26 Britain 0 New Zealand returned to the attack from the kick out, and some pretty passing was witnessed between Stead, Seeling, Roberts, Hunter, and Mitchinson, the latter being stopped near the line. New Zealand, however, were not yet satisfied, and Cunningham securing from the line out sent in to Francis, who dashed across and scored New Zealand's ninth try. Glasgow failed at goal. New Zealand 29 Britain 0 Off side play by Morgan shortly after the kick out spoilt a promising rush, and New Zealand retaliated, but a mark by Vassall pulled them up, and the Britishers, headed by McEvedy and Morgan, took the leather down to Deans, who stopped their progress and returned to Britain's line, where a mark by Smith was taken byj McEvedy, who kicked to Deans, the latter finding touch at the halfway. The New Zealand forwards, headed by Seeling, Patterson, Francis, and Hayward, forced play back, but off side play pulled them up. McEvedy, with a useful kick, sent play back. The visitors now

livened up, and E. Morgan and Down rushed the ball down well into New Zealand's 25, where Deans saved. Play was now very open, and Patterson following up fast, took the leather to Jackett, who fielded and kicked to Stead, who made a dash and passed to Deans. "Tuan" Jones being tackled shortly after before he could get rid of the ball, the Britishers were once more on the defence, and Stead picking up sent to Hunter, to Cameron, who got over, but was called back for a throw forward. The bell immediately rang, with the scoresNew Zealand 29 Britain ... ... ... 0 Auckland, This Day. At the dinner to the English football team, Mr Harnett, spoke glowingly of the manner in which his men had been treated. They had seen some of the finest scenery, finest football and finest people in the world. He took no exception to hard play, but thought roughness had been shown in one match. He urged the New Zealand Union not to let in professionalism, which in England had killed running, cycling and sculling, and would do the same in New Zealand. They had all the worst of the luck in their tour, but were beaten that day by a team which had nothing to fear from any Rubgy team in the world. Dr. McEvedy, the British vicecaptain, said they had no excuse to offer for tneir beating that day. He advised the New Zealand players not to let their exuberance make them indulge in pointing, and gave a number of instances. Mr Stead, the New Zealand captain, advised the English footballers to adopt the New Zealand system of play, if they wished to succeed against New Zealand teams. They had some fine players in the visiting team; but no system. The visitors leave for Sydney, where they play a series of matches, by this evening's boat.

The following is the complete list of the Britishers' tour in New Zealand: — May 23, v. Wairarapa, 17—3. 27, v. Wellington, 13—19.' 30, v. Otago, 6—9. June 3, v. Southland, 14—8. 6, v. New Zealand, 5—32. 10. v. South Canterbury, 12 —6. 13, v. Canterbury, B—l3. 17, v. West Coast, 22—3. 20, v. Nelson and Marlborough, 12—0. 27, v. New Zealand, 3—3. July 1, v. Hawke's Bay, 25—3. 4, v. Poverty Bay, 26—0. 8, v. Manawatu, 12 —3. 11, v. Warganui, 9 —6. 15, v. Taranaki, o—s. 18, v. Auckland, o—ll. 21, v. Rotorua, 24—3. 25, v. New Zealand, 0—29. Won 10, lost 7, drawn 1. PIAKO RUGBY UNION. Seniors: Morrinsville beat Matamata, nine to eight; Waihou beat Te Aroha, 17 to nil—Mr Geo. Mayes referee. Juniors: Te Aroha nil, Matamata three. These teams are now level and play off for the championship. Some good back play was shown at Alexandra Park on Saturday; but it was generally conceded that the stout youth, who played half back for the combined schools, gave the best exhibition of back play on the groundEnglishmen and New Zealanders included. He appears to be unknown; but if he goes on showing his present form his obscurity is not likely to continue for long. Considerable interest was taken in the match in Hamilton, and throughout the afternoon a large crowd assembled outisde our office, where the scores were posted within a few minutes of their being recorded, and details of the game, from our special reporter, were issued at frequent intervals. A lot of enthusiasm was shown on the receipt of New Zealand's first score, but the rapidity with which it increased took a great deal of the interest away, and the question arose not who would win, but by how many? The action of the Auckland Rubgy Union in doubling the price of admission to the auxiliary stands at Alexandra Park, on the occasion of the British-New Zealand match, came in for some condemnation right throughout the city, and complaints regarding it were loud and long. The prices for the ground and main stand were fixed by the New Zealand Union, the Auckland Union having no jurisdiction in the matter, but with the auxiliary stands it was entirely different, ' and the proceeds went directly into the coffers of the Aucklanders. The small attendance on Saturday was eloquent testimony as to the unpopularity of the move. The crowd was about half the size of that of the previous Saturday, and even when they swarmed over the fences about 2 p.m., and rushed the stands the structures were only about half full. This act was most popular with the occupants of the stands, and the stormers were encouraged by shrieks of laughter and deafening cheers from thousands of voices.

The match Auckland v. Franklin proved a most interesting fixture. The visitors were a very light lot and included in the team several boys whose age and size should only entitle them to schoolboy honours. There was, however, no doubt about their mettle, and though the handling they received was, at times, somewhat strenuous they played excellent games. Though called a B team, the Aucklanders played the whole of their crack back division, and all the forwards who were left after the New Zealand team had been chosen, so that practically Franklin met the best fifteen that could be produced. The country team put up a grand fight against their doughty opponents and after they recovered from their nervousness had Auckland on the defence throughout the whole of the second spell, narrowly missing a score on one or two occasions. No one objects to the Auckland representatives getting in a match or two to prepare them for their coming battles with Wellington, Taranaki and Otago, but why call them the "B" team? Can anyone give us a satisfactory solution of the problem?