INTERNATIONAL MATCH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11724, 27 November 1905, Page 5

INTERNATIONAL MATCH.

NEW ZEALAND DEFEATS IRELAND.

BY 15 POINTS TO NIL.

A FINE GAME.

Press Association.— Telegraph.— Copyright.

Eeceived November 26, 4.17 p.m.

LONDON, November 25.

The weather was dull, and the ground rather soft. Over 12,000 people were present. Ireland pxit a fine team in the field, all except one being old International players. They played four three-quarters, with Wallace as "winger." New Zealand had the same team as played Scotland last Saturday, except Mynott (Taranaki), who replaced Gallagher (Auckland), who was suffering from an injury sustained fn the previous match. Gillett (Canterbury) took Gallagher's place on the wing. A hot contest was anticipated, and in the first spell there was every evidence given of Ireland's desire to secure a victory. After the ball had been set rolling, ' Ireland pressed the visitors; and the game became tremendously fast, being chiefly confined within the 25 line of the Maorilanders. The Irishmen kept up the attack, and for an infringement of the rules the Colonials were penalised, and, with the kick, the Irishmen forced them down. On resuming, after a deal of give and take play, some fine combination was shown on the part of the New Zealanders, in which Smith (Auckland), Roberts (Wellington), Hunter (Taranaki), and Deans (Canterbury) were prominent. This resulted in Deans being afforded an opportunity to score, of which he quickly availed himself, and the New Zealanders drew first blood after a 32-minutes' hot contest. Wallace was entrusted with the kick, and justified the reliance placed in him, the ball going 1 nicely between the posts. New Zealand 5 Ireland w 0. On resuming, the ball went up and down the field with but little advantage to either side, and at half-time the score was as mentioned above.

TW second spoil opened with a dingdong battle, and eventually the same quar r tette as were responsible for New Zealand's first score had the Irishmen well on the defensive. The onslaught was not to be denied, and Deans whipped over. Wallace again kicked a goal and the score etood — New Zealand 10 Ireland 0 This dual score aroused the Irishmen, who put in a big bid for a score. Wallace, their "winger," carried the ball at his toe the whole length of the field, and ho dribbled through all the opposing backs until within five yards of the line, when what appeared like a score was prevented by Mynott, but only in the nick of time. Nothing daunted by the non-success of Wallace's efforts, the Irish rushed again to the attack, and the New Zealanders had a lively time on the defensive. The danger which had been threatened by Wallace was by no means over, and Thrift, gaining possession, darted straight for the line, being collared almost under the goal posts. Gradually the Colonials shifted the seene v of play out of their, 25, and the forwards with a fierce rush, gave the Irishmen a taste of acting on the defensive. Here Smith whipped round the scrum, • and, evading most of the backs, crossed the line, but was thrown into the dead ball area. Continuing the attack the New Zealanders had the gratification a minute later of seemg 1 McDonald (Otago) gaining the ball from a loose rush and crossing the line. Wallace, for the third time, was successful with his "place," and the second test resulted : — New Zealand '15 Ireland '. 0