INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue IX, 29 August 1903, Page 592

INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL.

HAWKE S HAY DEFEAT CANTERBURY CHRISTCHURCH, August 22. The Hawke's Bay-Canterbury match today resulted somewhat unexpectedly in a win for the former by 13 points to 9. The game was played at iJincaster Park in fine weather and on a good ground. After their easy win against Wairarapa a fortnight ago. the Canterbury men went out warm favourites, but the visitors effected a great surprise not only to Canterbury, but to themselves, by winning. I SOUTHLAND DEFEAT OTAGO. DUNEDIN, August 22. The first home-and-bonie mirch cf the season between Otago and Southland was played at the Carlsbrooke groaail to day iu the presence of between 4000 aml 5000 spectators. The weather was fine int cold, and the ground In good condition. There was a strong wind,but as it blew acres, the ground at an angle play was not interfered with very much. A good game was expected, but after seeing the first spell, at the end of which Otago had a lead of 'light points, the spectators were somewhat surprised nt the result, a win for Southland by 9 points to 8 points. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. The victorious New Zealand football team arrived in Auckland by the s.s. Mararoa from Sydney on August 23rd. It was past 8 o'clock before the steamer berthed at Quay-street Jetty, but despite the lateness of the hour there were quite three thousand enthusiasts assembled to welcome home the members of the team. As the steamer approached the jetty greetings and cheers were exchanged, ami the crowd seemed greatly to appreciate tiie native war-cry, which on every occasion led the team to victory on the Australian football field, in their anxiety to get a eloser view of the members of the team the crowd carried the barricades away, and there was a general rush for the gangway. When the team filed on to the wharf there was vigorous cheering on Ihe part of the crowd. There was a further outburst of applause when the banner presented to the New Zealanders by admirers in Sydney was displayed from the captain’s bridge. The team left the wharf in conveyances. the crowd following the vehicles up Queen-street to the Royal Hotel, where the team will stay while in Auckland. Amongst those, who welcomed the team at the wharf were officials of the Auckland Rugby Union, who accompanied the players to the hotel. The sea voyage was marked by fine weather throughout. Had the team arrived, during the afternoon they must liaxe received an even greater reception, as Queen-street was lined with some thousands more people. The Garrison Band was also in waiting. RECEPTION BY THE MAYOR. The members of the New Zealan I Rugby team and the Mayor of Auckland (the Hon. E. Mitehelson) were the principal figures in an interesting little function at the Council Chamber on Monday, when the victorious players wore publicly welcomed back to the colony which they had so well represented on the football field. Besides the members of the team and the Mayor there were present Messrs F. S. Murray (one of the selectors), M. Coffey (New Zealand Rugby Union), A. C. Norris (manager of the team). Herbert A. Marriner (President of the Auckland Rugby Union), J. M. Brigham (vice-president), C. E. MacUormick (secretary), V. Langsford (treasurer), and M. Sheahan (Management Committee). There was a large attendance of the public.

A SPLENDID COMBINATION. Mr W. Coffey, a member of the New Zealand Rugby Union, who accompanied the tram on tour,-told a representative of tlie “Star” on Monday that the team was undoubtedly the finest attacking combination that had visited Australia, from New Zeeland. The forward* were the greatest set of scrummugcrs that had gone over, an<l the back* were most brilliant iu attack. The defence of the back* was- never really tested. and Mr Coffey thought that it was just as well that this was so, fur the first spell of the coiubinedAustralm match showed that the defence of the backs was weak, with two exceptions, Wallace and R. McGregor. Had the New Zealand forwards .been beaten things might have gone hard with, the visitors on mure than one occasion. Mr C-offey spoke in very high terms of the all-round play of R. McGregor, who, he said, was without ’ a stiperiot in .New Zealand. Mr C-offey also-.spoke of Asher’s brilliant attacking qualities,? andconsidered that from start to finish Long was the best forward in the team. From what he saw and was told Air Coffey considered that football in .New South Males had deteriorated, the greatest weakness being in attack. RECORD OF THE TOUR. The team played ten matches, all of which they have won, their record being as under:— July IS—Against New South Willes, at Sydney. W0n.... 12 to 0 July 22—Against Western Dis triers of N.S.W., ar. Bathurst. Won 47 to 7 July 25—Against New South Wales, at Sydney. W0n.... 3 to 0 July 29—Against Metropolitan Union, at Sydney. W0n.... 33 to 3 August. I—Against1—Against Queensland, ; at Brisbane. Won 17 to 0 August s—Against5—Against Western Districts of Queensland, at Brisbane. Won 29 to 0 August B—Against Queensland, at Brisbane. Won 28 to 0 August 12—Against Northern Districts of N.S.W., at W. . Maitland. Won... 53 to 0 August 15— Against Combined Australia Sydney. Won... 22 to 3 August 19—Against Combined Country Unions of N.S.W., st Sydney. W0n........ / . .B*2- to 0 ; Summary: Matches played. 10; won 10.lost none. Points Scored for, 276; 'points scored against, 13.