NORTHERN UNION FOOTBALL

West Coast Times, 25 June 1912, Page 3

NORTHERN UNION FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE REVENGE.

FINE DISPLAY BY VISITORS,

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT, i

SYDNEY, Juno 24,

The return match between the New Zealand Northern Union team and New South Wales was played to-day when the visitors won by 12 points to 7.

The ground was sloppy, but the Now Zealand backs handled the greasy ball better in the first half and in th; second spell they played a spoiling (gamc\, the forwards dribbling mostly. New Zealand kicked off, and attacked immediately, and for a while they obtained the ball from the scrum rcgularljy. Following a short Ikick Kelly picked up in the twenty-five and dodging Brough, scored under ihe posts. Francis converted.

Now South Wales was frequently penalised. Then a free kick to New South Wales for ofF-sido was given, ?nd Messenger landed a goal. Play was wonderfully fast, considering the mud, and tho tackling of the Now Zealand forwards was sure. Near the oiri of the spell Kelly nearly scored again from a pass from Rukutai, who took the ball well from a kick. White replaced Hnliett, vho had l.ten injured in tho leg. The spell ended :

New Zealand 5. New South Wales 2

A free kick for off-side near tho twenty-five line allowed Francis to laud a lino goal. New Zealand continued to press and from a long tci amble on tho lino, Moir scored near the posts, and Francis again converted. New South Wales threatemd danger a few times only hut the defence of New Zealand held sound. Tho forwards following up, downed th> backs. Near tho end, Frawley following up, kicked the ball out of the full-back’s hands. He obtained possession and scored under the pnfis. Messenger converted; Russell, Gilbert and Cann were the host for New South Wales.

Curran, Kelly, Rukutai and Francis were tho best for Now Zealand. Curran’s defence was excellent. The game ended: New Zealand 12. Now South Wales 7