CANTERBURY DEFEATS THE ANGLO-WELSH TEAM.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 954, 18 June 1908, Page 11

CANTERBURY DEFEATS THE ANGLO-WELSH TEAM.

Some 15,000 spectators lined ap round the playing field at Lancaster Park on Saturday to witness the match between the Anglo-Welsh team and the elect of Canterbury. The teams were as follows: — BRITAIN. Fullback: J. C.'Dyke. : ’ Threequarters: F. Chapman, P. T. McEvedy (captain), J. “ Ponty” Jones, and J. L. Williams. Halfbacks': Wk Morgan and Than Jones. Forwards: R. Dibble, E. Morgan, T. Smith, P. Down, H. Archer, L. S. Thomas, A. S. Ritsdri, and R. A. Gibbs (wings). • ■ CANTERBURY. Fullback: A. E. Doell. Threequarters: F. C. Fryer, R. G. Deans, and W. B. Fuller. Five-eighths: G.' £>’.* 1 Gray and E. B. 1 McDonald; " Halfback: ! ’’ P. Burris. Forwards: J. Maboney.-T.Bond,W.,.Menzies,„J. Baker, B HopklriW/ C. E.' Evans, T. Bain, and D. McPhail (wings). The weather was beautifully fine, when Britain won the toss and kicked

: ofi’r--From the very outset-the game , was .very evenly the visit\ing forwards 'doing better work, than they ha'd yet shown. A good passing run by the Britishers saw Williams racing for the line, but Fryer pulled him down 'near the line'. Canterbury attacked strongly, arid Dyke, fumbling badly, thus gave an opening, Fuller scoring first blood, but his kick was a failure. Soon after resuming a pretty bit of passing- by. Tuan Jones, Morgan, McEvedy and Ponty Jones ended by--the■- latter- dashing over near the corner flag. For the rest Of the first half the visitors were mostly on the attack, although Fryer; with a fine run, came within an aceof scoring, when he slipped. ■ For some time in the second spell

play was- very even, neither side having an advantage; Gradually the ball was taken to the British line, where Gray cross kicked, and McEvedy missing the ball, McPhail got possession and darted across the line, Fuller adding the major points. Again the British line was threatened, Dyke, at fullback, being far from safe. An unsuccessful shot at goal by Fuller compelled Britain to force. Then another attack was pressed home, Bain getting over between the posts, and Fuller had an easy task in adding a goal. With only a few minutes to go and the game lost, the Britishers rallied, Chapman making a fine run, and Canterbury was called on to defend in real earnest. The visiting forwards came with a rush, and Archer getting possession, grounded the ball between the posts, Gibbs kicking an easy goal. Right on time the British vanguard rushed the ball over again, when Ritson should have scored, but, thinking he was offside, allowed Canterbury to force, the whistle sounding a moment later, Canterbury thus winning by 13 points to 8. The teams were very evenly matched, and the game proved exciting throughout, but more especially in the last few minutes. There was one unpleasant feature of the match. Mr. Laws, the referee, is reported to have stated that he was far from satisfied with the manner in which many of his decisions were accepted by the British team during tire game, and the statements made by several of the players in the dressing-room in his presence were in bad taste, and should nol have been made by the defeated side. Mr. Laws is of opinion that the ball was placed in the scrummage fairly by the British team on most occasions, and that the manner in which it is screwed by the front-rankers is totally foreign to the manner adopted by New Zealand players. It is thrown in quickly, and, bumping against the foot or leg of the Britisher in front, is shot out again, either on the side of the pack or straight behind the British team. Throughout the game they took exception to most of the rulings, especially when their side was penalised, and . Mr. Laws stated that his work was far from pleasant. He further stated that he had no occasion to take exception to any of the Canterbury players, and thought they accepted his rulings in the manner that New Zealand players always do.