BRITISH FOOTBALL TEAM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue VI, 6 August 1904, Page 22

BRITISH FOOTBALL TEAM.

AUSTRALIA DEFEATED BY 16 POINTS TO NIL. SYDNEY, July 30. Mtlorious weather was enjoyed for the third test match between the British footballers and the Combined Australian tram, this afternoon, and despite counter al factions, including the sculling championship, it is estimated that 25,001) people Witness! d the game. O’Brien went back in place of StangerLeathos, MeEvedy taking O’Brien’s place in the three-quarter line, while Massey replaced the English skipper (Bedell-Siv->v-right), among the forward division. A strong wind was blowing right along the ground, which favoured each side in alternate spoils. During the first half the Britishers, with the wind at their backs, attacked strongly, but excellent defence offered by the Australians held them eff till within a few minutes of the eiid of the spell, when, through a mull by Redwood, who got the ball but dropped it again, Vile kicked along the ground to the whig, where Morgan secured and scored a try. The attempt at goal failed, a : nd the spell ended: Britain, 3 points; Austiada, 0. • On resuming the Australians at once became aggressive, and for the gieater part of the spell made the play very lively, Wickham, Fatter, and Finley, of tbcf back division,- and Judd and Walsh in the forwards, doing excellent wo«k. They repeatedly fought their way to the British line, but the stubborn defence prevented them getting over. Towards the end of the spell the local men tiled perceptibly, and the Britishers coming again strongly, they entireiy changed the complexion -of Hie game, the last quarter providing fast exciting play. Tries were scored for the visitors by Swannell, Morgan and Gabe, one being converted by O’Brien, and another by Bush, making the final scores; Great Britain, 16; Austialia, 0. DEPARTURE FOR WELLINGTON. THE NEWCASTLE INCIDENT., SYDNEY, July 31. The British football team are passengers by the Warrimoo, which left for ■Wellington last night. Trior to their departure Sivwrlght announced that both Hiilme and himself would be sufficiently recovered to play in New Zealand. The Council of the New South Wales Rugby Union, after an .exhaustive inquiry, exonerated Dobson fioin the charge of using indecent language during the Britisher’s match against Northern Districts at Newcastle, for which ho was ordered off the field. It was decided that further action be taken. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. WELLINGTON, July 27. The following team was chosen to-night to represent New Zealand against Great Britain at Wellington on August 13:—Fullback, Gerrard (Auckland); three-quarters, Wallace (Wellington), Harper (Christchurch), McGregor (Wellington); fiveeighths, Wood (Auckland), Stead (Southland); half, Harvey (Canterbury); wing forward, Forteous (Otago); forwards, Tyler (Auckland), Cross (Wellington), Glenn (Taranaki), Gallaher (Auckland), (’ooke (South Canterbury), Fanning (Canterbury), S<*edng (Auckland). Wo are informed, through Mr Murray, the Auckland selector, that (he New Zealand Rugby Union lias decided that some toacriflees are necessary to allow of the team that is to meet Sievwright’s fifteen in Wellington having an opportunity to work up •Tome combination. All tlie players will be in Wellington on the Tuesday preceding the Saturday for which the British-New Zealand test is fixed. To allow of (his Hie Webinglon men included in the team filter the Auckland match will not play against Taranaki, but go straight through 1o Wellington; and Otago and Southland will lose the assistance against the Engltahmrn of the players who are engaged in the New Zealand match. By this means the Neu Zealand tca.ni will have from Tuesday fill Saturday to.• practise.