FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 5, 29 July 1908, Page 13

FOOTBALL.

In the inter-State Rugby match at Sydney on July 25, New South Wales beat Queensland by 25 points to 6. Britain ▼. New Zealand. There was little room for doubt in the minds of the eight thousand or so spectators who assembled at Alexandra Park on Saturday, as to which team would win the final test. The visitors , had made a draw of the second test, but their subsequent performances against Taranaki and Auckland gave no hope of a victory in the third, and so it proved. From kick-off to bell the Britishers were over-run by a team •which showed superiority in both divisions, and in almost every point of tactics and play. But twice in the game was New Zealand forced, and it became apparent, not far through the first spell, that the only question would be the magnitude of the victory. Although undoubtedly handicapped by the retirement of Harding, who was incapacitated within a few minutes of the start, it cannot l>e urged that the loss of any single player, however capable an exponent of the game, could have materially affected the result. The takings at the gate totalled approximately £lOO5, two hundred pounds less than the “gate” last Saturday. The teams were as follows:— BRITAIN. (Colours: Red, white, anl blue.) Full-back: E. J. Jackett. Three-quarters: F. McEvedy, H. H. Vassall, “Ponty” Jones, F. Chapman. Halves: W. Morgan, Tuan Jones. Forwards: A. F. Harding, E. Morgan, P. J. Down, G. R. Hind, R. Dibble, H. Archer, T. W. Smith, J. F. Williams. NEW ZEALAND. Full-back: J. Colman (Taranaki). Threequarters: T>. 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. Cunningham (Auckland); sides, A. Francis (Auckland), J. Patterson (Otago); back row, C. Seeling (Auckland). H. Hayward (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, 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 kick from the mark was taken by Jackett, and Deans, fielding, made an opening, but Hunter failed to accept the pass. New Zealand secured in the first scrum, and Roberts, getting possession, crosskicked, 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 throwforward the ball was called back. Britain shortly after got relief in a force. Britain, headed by Smith, rushed the leather down from the kick-off to the half-way. From the line-out, Patterson broke away, but Jackett saved cleverly. Roberts shortly after had a pot at goal, which fell short, McEvedy relieving, but Cameron, whipping up, shot across, but the ball was ordered back, he having gone into touch. Britain shortly after forced, -which they were compelled 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 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 serum, but Gillett stopped “Tuan” Jones’ return. From a throw-in, Gillett threw in 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 formed Roberts kicked well down to the visitors’ line, and a force resulted. Stead secured from the kick-off, and a pass to Deans, who threw forward to Hunter, and a scrum was ordered. New Zealand heeled quickly, and Roberts sent to Stead, to Mitchinson, who cross-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-off. Hunter, kicking high, 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 Lacks were hard put to it to keep them 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, and then Hayward irtade 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 pass to Roberts threw away a chance, Vassall intercepting and saving. Heeling quickly from the serum, Roberts secured, and made a good opening, but a long pass to Mitchinson threw away a ehance 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 half. 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. Chapman relieved with a line kick. New Zealand 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 baek across the field, the ball going over Britain’s line, and into the dead ball 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 post. Roberts’ kick failed, and the bell rang. New Zealand 12 Britain 0 SECOND SPELL. Cunningham ret the ball rolling in the second spell at twelve minutes to four, “Ponty” Jones marking, his kick being well returned by Deans to well inside Britain’s 25. From the line-out New Zealand secured, and Roberts whipped out to Stead, to Hunter. Harding resumed play, but soon after retired. New Zealand were immediately on the attack, and 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 shot across after three minutes’ play. Francis failed at goal. New Zealand 15 Britain 0 Francis marked the kick-out, but Gillett’s kick only gained a few yards. A mark by Down was well kicked by Jackett, who failed to find the line, and an Kicks between Cameron, “Ponty” Jones and Stead ended with play in the visitors’ 25, where, from a scrum, Williams, Hind, and Dibble broke awe.y 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 and scored by the post. Cunningham’s kick again failed. New Zealand 18 Britain 0 New Zealand was simply running over the Britishers, and heeling quickly to Roberts, who 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. 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 the half, where, from a lineout, Patterson and Hayward got away and took the leather to Jackett, who returned down the field. New Zealand were giving their opponents no quarter. A mark by McEvedy gave the Britishers some relief, and after an exchange of kicks between Jackett and Mitchinson play was close to New Zealand's 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 visitors on the defensive. Loose play, in which Morgan was prominent, relieved the British line, but New Zealand was soon back again, and, after scrambling play, Cunningham got over, but was called baek 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 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 half-way, where, in a passing run, McEvedy to Morgan, to “Tuan” Jones, a knock forward spoiled a chance, ami 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 Aicher, by some good work, relieved. Britain, how-

ever, were soon on the defence again. 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 to well inside Britain’s 25. New Zealand headed from the scrum to Roberts, who made a good opening, and passed to Hunter, to Deans, who got over. Coleman failed with the kick. Now Zealand 2(1 Britain 0 New Zealand returned to the attack from the kick-off, 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 had dashed) across, and scored New Zealand’s ninth try. Glasgow failed at goal. New Zealand 29 Britain 0 Offside 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 Britain, 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 by McEvedy, who kicked to Deans, the latter finding touch at the half way. The New Zealand forwards, headed by Seeling, Patterson, Francis and Hayward, forced play back, but offside play pulled them up. Meewedy, with a useful kick, sent play back. The visitors livened up, and E. Morgan, Smith, W. 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 tielde.l and kicked to Stead, who made a dash and passed to Deans and “Tuan” Jones being tackled shortly after, before he could get rid of the ball, Britain were once mere on the defence, and Stead, putting up, sent to Hunter, to Cameron, who got over, but was called back for a throw forward. The bell immediately rang with the score: New Zealand 29 Britain 0 RECORD OF THE TOUR. The following is a record of the matches played by the British team in New Zealand:— May 23.-—At Masterton, v. Wairarapa and Bush Unions: Won by 17 points to 3. May 27.—At Wellington, v. Wellington: Lost by 13 points to 19. May 30. —At Dunedin, v. Otago: Lost by 6 points to 9. June 3. —At Invercargill, v. Southland: Won by 14 points to 8. June 6. —At Dunedin, v. New Zealand): Lost by 5 points to 32. June 10.—At Timarn, v. South Canterbury: Won by 12 points to 6. June 13.—At Christchurch, v. Canterbury: Lost by 8 points to 13. June 17. - — At Greymouth, v. West Coast: Won by 22 points to 3. June 20.—At Nelson, v. Nelson and Marlborough: W’on by 12 points to nil. June 27.—At Wellington, v. New Zealand: Draw, 3 points each. July I.—At Napier, v. Hawke’s Bay: Won by 25 points to 3. July 4.—At Gisborne, v. Poverty Bay: Won by 26 points to nil. July 8. —At Palmerston North, v. Manawatu: Won by 12 points to 3. July 11. —At Wanganui, v. Wanganui: Won by 9 points to 6. July 15. —At New Plymouth, v. Taranaki: I<os>t by 5 points to nil. July 18.—At Auckland, v. Auckland: Lost by 11 points to nil. July 21.—At Rotorua, v. Maoris: Won by 24 points to 8. July 25.—At Auckland, v. New Zealand: Lost by 29 points to nil. Matches played, 18; won, 10; lost, 7; drawn, 1. Points for, 208; against, 156. British v. Maoris. About fifteen hundred people were present at the match between the Maoris and the British team at Rotorua. The weather was perfect until just at the conclusion of the game, when rain started. The British team was as follows: — Full-back: Jackett. Three-quarters: Griffiths, Tuan Jobss, Chapman, McEvedy. Halves: Laxon, Williams.

Forwards: Harding, Morgan, Oldham, Green, Kyrke, Ritson, Dibble, and Dyke. Mr. Ohlson, of Auckland, refereed.

The visitors outclassed the local Leant in the passing rushes and scrum work, but the open play was about even. After the kick-off play was even for about five minutes, when Taiinar made a run towards the British territory, but Britain retaliated, and a passing run put the Maoris on the defensive. Setting up a dangerous attack Griffiths missed a pass, throwing away a certain score, and the Maoris got out of trouble. Shortly after, Harding passed to Jackett, who took the ball right to the local lino, but the attack was staved off by a kick into touch, and a free kick to the Maoris took play past the half-way. Britain got on a lot of passing runs, but hard tackling by the Natives kept them out for some time, till at last a passing run —McEvedy to Jones to Chapman to Dyke, the latter scored, no goal resulting. Britain 3 Rotorua nil Britain kept up the attack, but eventually Mitere and Tuoro took play down to the British line, when Harding kicked into touch. Rotorua now took a hand, and a passing rush started by Mirai was spoilt by a knock on, and Britain carried the play to Rotorua’s territory, but a free kick shifted play back again, and Mirai dribbled the ball Over the British line, but McEvedy picked up quickly and ran round and dropped into touch. Britain returned to the attack, and Morgan kicked across to Laxon, who scored, and the spell ended: Britain ' 6 Rotorua nil Tn the second spell Britain got on a splendid passing run, and Jackett securing, gained fully forty yards. A good run by Mirai took play back, and the Maoris set up an attack which was saved by Chapman. Another British run —McEvedy to Chapman to Dyke to T. Jones, ended in the latter scoring, no goal resulting: Britain 9 Rotorua nil The next score came from a run, Williams to Jones to Griffiths, who got over. The kick was successful: Britain 14 Rotorua nil The Maoris now livened up a bit. Jackett saved just in time, and McEvedy and Jones took play to the Maori line, when Aritaku saved. The visitors cams back again, Mc.tveily scoring from a pass from Jones. Dyke placed a goal: Britain 19 Rotorua nil Morgan and Dyke were responsible for the next try, the latter scoring, McEvedy converting: Britain 24 Rotorua nil The Maoris, by fast following-up work, took play to the British side of the halfway, and from a forward dash Kira scored. No goal resulted, and the bell rang with the scores: Britain 24 Rotorua 3 The game was a fine exhibition of passing by the British backs, and it was very fast. The Maoris tir-d badly towards the end. A tVia for the Maori Team, The Maoris on July 22 played a metropolitan team, chiefly composed of men who have not figured in representative play. The locals scored 13 points to the visitors’ nil in the first half, and maintained their advantage to half-way through the second spell. Then the Maoris completely ran over them, scoring as they pleased, and winning by 34 points to 13. Quallflctaiona of Amateurs. The Rugby Union ban decided that members who signed the Northern Rugby League form, but have not played or received any remuneration, have not thereby sacrificed their amateur status. TaranaU ▼. Manawatn. Ths Taranaki Rngby representatives defeated Manawstu in a match played at New Plymouth on July 24th, by 20 pointe to nil. Neither side was fully representative, Hunter, Cameron, and Coleman being notable absentees from TaranaU on account of the

New Zealand test match on Saturday. The local team confiued play principally to the forwards, rarely calling the backs Into service. The Manawatu forwards were lu some respects quite equal to their opponents, but their backs were lamentably weak In rush-stopping and line-kicking, and consequently ran their forwards olf their feet. The local vanguard, on the contrary, was capitally nursed by the backs, whose line-kicking was a feature of the game. During the first spell tries were scored by O’Sullivan and Crowley, the kicks at goal falling. In the second half Rothery and Mynott sevreu. O’Sullivan and Hardgrave respectively converting, and Hardgrave potted a sensational goal from the centre line. The visitors had a couple of good openings during the spell, but the backs were too slow and erratic to take advantage. South Canterbury v. Wairarapa. The representative match Wairarapa v. South Canterbury was played July 24, at Tetnuka, and resulted in a win for South Canterbury by 11 points to 6. Early in the first spell O'Leary (Wairarapa) placed a goal from a mark, being almost Immediately followed by Carlton for South Canterbury doing ditto. From a loose rush McKenzie failed to stop Carltou, who scored under the posts. Spillane easily converted. The visitors then pressed hard, Adams, Russell, and O’Leary passing well, and the latter got across. He took the kick himself and just failed to convert. The second spell was stubbornly contested, and there was no further score till just on time, when Robertson, charging down a kick by McKenzie, crossed the line near the corner. Carlton made a poor attempt at goal. The game was a particularly pleasant one. Australian Team for England. The final selection of the Rugby Union team to visit England was made on July 20, as follows:— Backs: Dix, Carmichael. Threequarters: Russell, Smith, Daly, Parkinson, Carroll, Mandible, Hickey. Halves: Woods, McKivatt, McCabe, Matthews. Forwards: Barnett, Griffen, Middleton, Mclntyre, McCue, Burge, Murnin, Row, Richards, Flanagan, Caniffe, Moran, Hughes (2), Bullock. The University quartet — Matthews. Hughes (2), and Bullock —are unlikely to go.