BRITISH VICTORY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 206, 25 May 1908, Page 5

BRITISH VICTORY.

SPLENDID OPEN GAME. INITIAL MATCH. WAIRARAPA MEN EASILY BEATEN. The! visiting English football team, winch , las been the ono "subject of interest in the Xugby world, made its first appearance in public on Saturday, when it met tho eiect of tho Wairarapa and Bush Unions on .the Masterton showgrounds, and defeated them by the handsome margin of 17 points (five tries, ono of which was converted)' to 3 ' points (a penalty goal). The weather was • fine for the match, although heavy rainclouds hung about all the afternoon. Before the teams entered the arena a blazing sun beat down on the field, and after play was commenced a few spots of rain fell. Tho sun camo out again afterwards, but again'before the end of the game a; light sprinkling of rain came down. The match, however, ended beforo rain set in in earnest. HOPES SOON ABANDONED. ~'j-.1..;:..; Visitors from town to Masterton on Satur- . day , saw the tourists under the best of conditions, and everybody appeared to be impressed with; tho' promising showing they ■ ,• niade, V although : the , opposition ' was 1 not ■ strong. ■ 'i :'■ : : , The) Masterton : people appreciated the honour of having tho initial match of the tour played in their midst,' and. everywhere one werif in vtlie morning: the - forthcoming, struggle was tho topic of conversation. Notwithstanding that the, standard of play in the iWairarapa'is not so high now as it was 1 some years:back,;.the opinion that the visitors /would have no easy task to secure ' victory found much favour.' This view was snppofted'by the visitors had • not.' had an opportunity to play together and test their tactics. It • was thought,' therefore, that, which might accrued to thom: as a ' result of, a better acquaintance with the. finer points ,of tho game ' would .be .neutralised by; the vigorous play of the hard-trained local representatives, who in the past have never failed, to give a'good account of themselves on their own ground. - But' whatever hopes the local men were'very soon: shown to be on Tel 7 un " Btable.!.foundation. The game had not been in progress a quarter of an hour before the . visitors made ■it clear. that they could outclass the wearers of the green jerseys in every ' department of .;' the game; • and the spectators—something between. .5000 and '6000 people—wero, not slow in recognising that the. local men had fallen up against a team which was, too gdod for them,(both as. regards the forwards and the backs. It was: apparent ■ from tho start that the visi- ' tors were going to make 'the open, but, few were prepared; for the free, loose game played by : the. Englishmen. , PLAN OF THE FIELD. 1 BRITISH GOAL". ' . :. v.j v" , jj': ; w'H'-i' •' . . Jackett ' '** ■■■:■. t' . Gibbs—M'Evedy—Ponty Jones—J. L. Williams^ ■ ■ Davey ■■■■■.> ■ ■ . • . Laxon ■ . . . Ritson—Kyrke , . ._' • • faarding (wing) Dibble—Smith. ; Oldham—Morgan—Williams : _ .v; . Smith—M'Carthy . ' Bronchley—Harvey—W. M'Kenzie Workman Ross—Swainson '(wing)'. , . Adams " v • ■ " Groube—O'Leary .: ; Darville—Collins—Connor, ' >■ 1 . ■ Russell WAIRARAPA GOAL. DETAILS OF PLAY. > FIRST SPELL. The teams lined on to the field amid loud applause, 'the visitors' saluting their opponents .with three long drawn-out' cheers. The Wairarapa men replied with three- quick, •jerky cheers'. ■ The Wairarapa men, who had lost the toss, ' kicked off with the sun in their eyes, H. . M'Kenzie sending the .ball into the arms of Ponty Jones, who returned if down the field without finding-touch. O'Leary returned / to Gibbs, whoV followed up' his kick, 1 and, backed by the'forwards, carried play into ■ tho ( Wairarapa twenty-five, where a scrum was ordered for a knock on. Tho Britishers pushed vtho scrum and forged; towards, their opponents' line with determination'written in every movement, and gained ground amid cries from cxcited spectators of "good old England." At, length tho ruck broko up, ■ and J.' F. Williamsj; a big, dashing forward, went'through'tho opposition ranks with tho ball, which ho- carried over the line, where ho was. unable to touch 'down. : A force resulted/after four minutes' play. Intor-. .changes of kicks ensued from tho drop-out, Jones: and Jackett both failing to get the line: At length Jones got in a nice lmo kick, and from the throw-in the visitors' rushed towards the-line, scattering,the opposition by their vigour. The outcome was that Gibbs got. possession, and' essayed a pot at goal, but the attempt was a poor one: Tho Wairarapa men made an effort to clear, but Jones, a strong kick, sent the ball out in Wairarapa' twenty-five. The Greens made two commendable effort's and gained a little ground, and off-side play by Oldham gave them a free-kick. Subsequently, a long throwin by the Britishers saw/Jones streak away up tho field, but/ho' held. too long and was collared. Tno same .player broke away'again immediately afterwards, but M'Evedy mulled and enabled Darville to bring off a pretty save, and dash away up the touch-line. 1 '

OPENING IT UP. It was,apparent .by- this timo that' tho visitors woro going to make the gamo as opon as possible, and everything so far was in their favour. A dash by \ Workman,. from ' some loose play, ended in J. F. Williams re- ' lievihg and heading a'rush of English forwards, but.Darvillo stepped in and saved. A dangerous passing run by the Britishers followed- Laxon, Davey, Jones, M'Evedy, and Gibb's air handled the ball,, and tho latter had only; to take it in order to get over at tho cornor'. M'Evedy, however, gave Gibbs a .bad'pass, and what looked to bo the chance of a. brilliant try was'thrown away. Still another passing bout among the visitors' backs followed.' "Jackett maao the opening with "a riin from :his position at full-back, a . favourito practice of this player, and passed to M'Evedy, but Jones sent tho ball forward when 'getting rid of it: Wairarapa rallied for .a brief spell, being led;into tho visitors'quarters by Adams, but the advantage was short-lived, the English backs getting to work again. ' . FlfiST BLOOD DRAWN. Tho visitors wero playing an open,'attractive game, which tppealed to tho spectators, and they were ; row*rded with' R'-trv at leneth, after «overal rebuffs, "due mostly to tlieTr own mistakes. Harding, who was playing a fine game on the wing, picked the ball up from tho ruck and sent it out to Davy*

who handed it on to M'Evcdy. Tlio latter transferred to' Jones, who appeared to bo blocked near tho touchlino, but ho threaded his way through tho opposition, and scored ; in n fairly good position after a pretty pieco •of work. • Gibbs took tho kick at goal, but failed to convert. This was tlio result of twenty minutes' play. British ... 3 Wairarapa ... , ' ... ... ... 0 Tho Englishmen were now going their strongest, and kept up a stinging attack which demoralised tlio Wairarapa men. On one occasion Dibble was almost over from a forward rush. Another try was recorded within a couple of minutes. Laxon got tho ball from tho scrum, and sent it on to Davy, who after a short run transferred to Gibbs, who streaked for the cornor (lag and got over, to tlio delight of the drow'd. Harding took the kick, but did not succeed in converting. British ...•, ... . ... 6 Wairarapa ... ... • ... 0 On resuming Harding mulled a return, and M'Kenzie and Harvey, following up smartly, headed a loose Wairarapa rush, but tlio visitors reliovcd, only to seo J. O'Leary givo Wairarapa another Clip by a smart return. The Englishmen wero not to be denied, and their combination was too strong for the individual efforts of'the Wairarapa men. J. F. Williams, playing a slashing forward game, led the British vanguard'on, and from a scrum cvontuating in tho, Wairarapa twenty-fivo tlio baU 'came out to Laxon, and a pieco of passing, Davy,. M'Evedy, Jones, Gibbs, saw the last-mentioned player scoro again at the corner. ' Gibbs,took the kick at goal, but had no'success. British. „ „ 9 Wairarapa _ 0 ■Prom the drop-out Jackett sent a] fine kick for the' Corner flag, but the leather just went into touch-in-goal. . Harding secured mark' near halfway, Jaclcett punting high in front of the posts. Russell mulled the ball, and J. F. Williams, following up with his usual alacrity, took the ball over tho line, where Ritson grounded, it near the posts. 1 Harding's kick was successful.- , British „ ' ... 14 Wairarapa „ ... _ 0 The Englishmen came to tho attack again on resuming,- hut a.free kick was given against' them for: putting the. ball into ; the scrum unfairly., Wairarapa were undeniably outclassed in ' every department, but they made one. or two rallies beforo tho end of tlio spell; Brenchley and Swainson - headed a loose' forward rush, and, : receiving some backing, pressed into the Englishmen's quarter, whore M'Evedy, in stemming the rush, held; too long and was-penalised. J. O'Leary took tho kick at goal, but made a poor attempt to convert. Tho Britishers charged againj but a brilliant mark by. Connor saved tho situation., s GREEN FORWARDS IMPROVE. The Green forwards were now doing better than they had done at 'any stago previously, and M'Kenzie, Swainson, and Brenchley led a rush which resulted in M'Kenzio smothering Jackett..; Tho Wairarapa men rushed the ball on, but a force down was tho only- result. Tho visitors made the pace_again, and from a scrum-in tho Wairarapa 25 a passing run by Laxon| Davy, and Jones., gavo J. L. Williams, the Cardiff flyer, an opportunity of showing his quality. He took the ball nicely, and put in a pretty dash, which ended within a .few yards of the line. Another scrum in tho 25 saw the Britishers _ como through, but' J. O'Leary saved. A mistake by Jones gavo Wairarapa an opportunity,; but Jackett stepped in and saved. Fairly oven play followed', Davy, and Gibbs on'the ono aide and J. O'L'eary 011 tlio othor putting in effective work, O'Leary on one occasion saving brilliantly from the midst of the charging British vanguard. J. F. Williams, Harding, and company initiated another attack,'and tho backs took it up, Jones making a clever opening for M'Evedy, who held "t6o long. Connor intercepted a pass in the next British onslaught, and got away,up tho lino, hut'M'Evcdy;gavo.chaso and ended tho dash. A free kick to tho Britishers was mulled by J. O'Leary, who was smothered by J. F. Williams. 'The same dashing forward repeated tho performance a minute or two later. Just before half-time sounded' a hard kick over the. line by Harding compelled Wairarapa to force/Tho, spell "ended; —~/t . • British ■ 'L'' ... „. 14 Wairarapa .„ ... „ „ 0

SECOND SPELL. Tho second spell opened with rain threatening, and a few drops fell. Morgan kicked off and landed'the ball out in Wairarapa's 25. An exchange of kicks .between O'Leary and Jackett was followed' by somo lively scrumming and line-out work in Wairarapa quarters. A good tackle by O'Leary smothered M'Evedy and gave Wairarapa tho advantago. The Green forwards, led by M'Kenzie and Harvey; carried the leather on, but..'Darville and Harvey, in turn, passed forward under the .posts and allowed the visitors to clear. A centre kick by J. O'Leary was mulled by M'Evedy, and Brenchley led the Wairarapa forwards into the Britishers' 25 again. Davy and i, Harding wero instrumental .in driving the invaders _outj but Russell helped Wairarapa again'with a timely run along the toucn line, which Jones checked. , The Wairarapa forwards :were now shaping-much bettor, arid another, loose rush was headed" by Swainson, but Gibbs relieved. Good kicking on tho partof M'Evedy at length tipped-the beam in favour of the visitors. Jones got the ball, and gave J. L. Williams another chance of showing his speed, but 110 was grassed by Darville. M'Evedy followed with a dodgy run througl\ the bunched forwards, but was .blocked beforo he had' gone far. J. O'Leary 'relieved with a clever kick, and Jackett, failing to find tho line, the Wairarapa vanguard camo .to the attack again, Brenchley, M'Kenzio, Ross, and Swainson being notice-, able for good work. ■ At this stage, with Wairarapa attacking in the 25, two balls got. in among the forwards, and, both *beirig played, tho whistle went as- one of the Wairarapa forwards dashed over the lino with the extra ball. A long kick by Adams was mulled by Jackett,. but tho full-back re : covered himself, and, cut'ting across tho field, initiated a passing run between M'Evedy and Gibbs, tho latter being thrown into touch after a nice piece of concerted work. J. T. Williams, Jones, and Kyrko wero next associated in a passing run, but tho forward dived into tho ruck.

UNORTHODOX, BUT SUCCESSFUL. Following this, Jackett got possession again, and, contrary to tho stereotyped stylo of waiting for tho advancing forwards to get near him and then kicking l'or tho'line, ran round tho coming forwards, and passed to M'Evedy. The move nonplussed tho Wairarapa men, and M'Evedy put in a good run before, it was realised that the Britishers had departed . from tho old and expected prcceduro. When tho; three-quarter was grassed, the forward's'carried the ball 011, and Wairarapa' wero compelled to ~ force down. Tho Britishers maintained the upper hand, and wero rewarded at last. A good kick by Jackett placed Wairarapa on the .defence, and from a scrum in the 25 Laxon initiated a passing run, tho ball going in turn through tho liindi of Davey, M'Evedy, Jones, and J. L. Williams, leaving tho last named to fly in at tho corner unopposed. Harding failed with the kick. British ... ... _ 17 .Wairarapa.'' ... ... ... 0 On resuming oporatioris again Jackott got into trouble, as tho result of a punt by Adams. Jackett again tried to run round tho opposing forwards, but was driven across his own goal lino, and could not get a p:o----per kick in. The Green forwards sw armed 011 tho lino, but woro just beaten for a try, a force down resulting. Wairarapa were now going well, but attempts to break down tho British defence were futile. Some good collaring on both sides was noticeablo in the succeoding hard play, and then Jackett was called upon again. Ho fumbled a high-kick by O'Leary, but, recovered himself cleverly, and, beating three charging forwards, got "a beautiful kick in amid loud applause. Swainson and M'Kcnzie led another Wairarapa rush, but Davey, tho smart littlo outside half, saved prettily. A mark by M'Kcnzio staved off a strong British attack, and a fino kick by Russell sent tho ball out at tho corner. A passing run among tho Wairarapa backs gava the visitors' backs an opportunity to display their tackling powers, which wero proved to be of the best. Tho Green forI wards continued to do fairly well individu-

ally, but lacked cohesion, and all their attempts to scoro, including a penalty kick by J. 0 Loary, wero fruitless. A clever piece of passing between Jones and Gibbs was nullified by M'Evedy getting off side. WAIRARAPA SCORES. An effective lino kick by Russell put Wairarapa on tlio defensive again, tno outcomo being a free kick to the local men. J. O'Leary took the kick, the ball being placf d between tlio 25 and halfway flags. If was a difficult task, but the Wairarapa skipper sent tlio leather between tlio posts amid loud cheering. British 17 Wairarapa 3 The British wero aroused by tlio success of tlio local men, and their next few minutes' play was characterised by something like the hash shown in tlio first half. The ball was thrown about cleverly in tlio Wairarapa's 25, M'Evedy taking a prominent part in the attack. Russell relieved, and Jaclcett again appeared to be in a tight cornor, but ho

came out of it with colours flying once more. Harding, who showed marked facility in opening the play out all through the game, got the ball from the ruck, and passing between Davey, Jones, and J. L. •Williams.saw Williams robbed of a good chanco owing to a bad pass from Jones. Another vpassing rush by Laxon,. Davoj', Jones, ended in the latter, being beautifully tackled by O'Leary. A good; run by Connor and a rush jed by, Swainson saw tho Wairarapa star in tho ascendant, and Jackett was tackled near tho line by Darville and Groubo and bustled over the line. A scrum ensued, and tho Englishmen, getting posession, relieved. Time sounded with tho scoro. British ... v. _ .„.ir Wairarapa ... ... ... ... 3i Mr. Peter Mack'io, of.'" Wellington, ..gave complete! satisfaction as. referee. AN AGGRESSIVE TEAM. WAIRARAPA COULD NOT CATCH JACKETT. x '' RIP-AND-TEAR'' FORWARDS. NEW ZEALAND'S WINGING STYLE ADOPTED. ' (By " Ofpside Mac.") If Saturday's gamo may be . taken a3 a criterion' of tho>. capabilities of Harding's team, then the New Zealand public may expect this season'to view come of tho finest spectacular displays of Rugby ever. seen in

the Dominion since twenty years ago, when Stoddart's men first showed us -tlio way to throw tlio ball about. It must be remembered that tho visitors played their first gamo together with just fivo days on land from a six weeks' voyage, but they clcarly demonstrated an ability to play a fast, open gamo forward and back, and with combination and fitness, which must necossarily follow, it will probably be found that the AngloWelshmen will, make nearly all, if not all, the New Zealand fifteens play for their lives to win. England and tho Wingor. This is an opinion expressed merely on an exhibition during 0110 gamo, but in which special attention was devoted by tho writer to tho system of play adopted by tho visitors. We expected tho passing bouts among tho backs, out we were not prepared to sec such magnificent punting, and weighty fast forwards playing the Now Zealand game—tho dashing, tearing gamo right up to tho liilt—

and a British wing forward adapting himself to our system with a success which, had lie been hero, would probably have earned remorseless criticism from tho' galling pen of Hamish It is not moant from this statement that there was any fault to bo found with tho wing forward exhibition of Harding, the British skbnor, but every section of the New Zealand football public is well awaro that to Stuart tho spectacle of a winging forward was as irritating as tho proverbial red rag to a bull. It will bo further discomforting to the Scottish critic, who condemned shin-guards as a portion of tho gear of a winger, to bo informed that Harding is going into tho whole business with such thoroughness that ho intends also to adopt this added defensive armour. Effsot cn Soriim Formation. •It was only late on Friday nfeht that tho visitors dccided to play the winging forward, and they were so successful with tho novelty

that they aro likely to instal it into their gamo as a permanent feature. It may bo, however, that if they do so they will havo to recast their scrum formation. Tho system of three men in tho front rank is no doubt much more successful when there are two men and then three 'men more in support; but with two men each in the two second rows behind the three front-rankers the English scrum formation is likely to bocome disorganised. Tho visitors' scrum on Saturday .was not good. . The men seemed sometimes to pack in a circle. They were very successful in obtaining possession, but this, was largely on account of physical strength. There was 110 screwing the scruin on. their part; indeed, with three in - the front rank and then only two, it would have .bordered almost on the miraculous to accomplish this effort. It may .bo .assumed, .therefore, tliat, if tile visitors, adopt tho wing' forward style of play, they will bo compelled to also introduce the Now Zealand system of two front-rankers; that is, if they wish to operato in minor tactics with a closo serum formation. , Back and forward this team shows a pleasing aggressiveness. Tliat'they arc equally as good on tho defence remains to bo proved. It is a well-known and accepted axiom-of llugby tactics that., tho- best defence is attack, and when tho other side also demonstrates its belief'in this Napoleonic theory tho solution of tho problem becomes • apparent in a system of sound, oven extreme, defensive power. The Visitors' Dsfenco. With,Jackett's prodigious lofty punts, followed .up in racohorso stylo by J. F. Williams, Ritson, Ojiid others, who mako 110 mis-

takes about tumbling into their mon, Now Zealand backs may expect a lively timo; but the question is: Can tho British backs take tlio samo medicino? On Saturday they did not,,evinco generally a disposition to field high punts, and they frequently misjudged. This may have boon due to strangeness' to tho ball after a six weeks' sojouni on board ship. Still, it will have to bo rectified, otherwise tho omission will spell disaster sovero and sustained, and ultimate demoralisation. So far as tho tackling was concerned, 0110 could not tell how the visitors' backs will shape, but they are said to bo good 111011. Tlio forwards, however, sooiu to niako no' mis. takes in this department. They, apparently, are beliovers in tho proper theory of: when you got hold of a man put him out of action. Thoy did it 011 Saturday in 110 uncertain way, but quite in accordance with tho othics of tho gamo. Tho British backs aro prepared to sacrifico" almost anything for an open stylo of play, and naturally thoy tako rislts. Their passing is not always short; in fact, frequently from tho scrum the delivery is lengthy, quito lengthy enough to allow an interception; and,

although ho has proved himself a lino touchlino kick, Jackott, tho full-back, very ofton followed his own kick up tho field. This also is a system discountenanced, except among very scientific teams, who by general trickincss may, and often do, with success set the wholo of Rugby theories at dclianco. But frequently there is a day of reckoning. Tlia Scoring Full-Back. The greatest full-backs have scored tries; in fact, full-backs may bo said not to arrivo at perfection until they have succeeded in drawing blood ; in this manner,, which often results from skilful strategic movement. Gage and Wallace have done it in New Zealand teams, but, unless provision is made when tho full-back ' vacates his position to follow up his kick, his side is frequently reduced temporarily into a chaotic state through the opposing three-quarter obtaining tho ball, punting high, and following up into the undefended territory.' This happened onco on Saturday. Jackett, I

as usual, bad followed up his kick, which was returned by O'Leary, who also ran up. M'Evedy had to run back to get the ball, and ho was swamped by tho Wairarapa captain, and, from tho play which followed, H. M'Kenzio scored a try for Wairarapa, which, although disallowed owing to an alleged'infringement, serves as a complete illustration of tho point of view. It would not bo .fair also to condemn Jackctt because in his full-back position ho showed a decided inclination to run instead of kicking. Tho English International is perhaps five yards in ' a hundred slower only than J. L. Williams, tho Cardiff flyer, and when on Saturday, ho found that the Wairarapa forwards could not tackle. him he ran hfird and often; in fact, <he played bare and .hounds with the,Wairarapa team generally, and from the spectacular. standpoint played a, most captivating game. ~How ho will .fare if ho shows the same.tactic against fast de.terminod tackling forwards is another question, but one-would imagine that it will bo a bad .day for. the Anglo-Welshmen every ■timo the English crack is collared with tho ball. ... Jackctt andv Paul. . • Thero is no doubt, however, about Jackett'fe capabilities as a full-baal- Ho is perhaps tho greatest visiting full-back seen in tho •Dominion sinco tho days of 'Paul (Swinton), the hero seen here twonty years ago with Stoddart's team. There was one point about Jackett's following up which should bo noticed by referees, and that was that on several occasions he ran up to put his men on-sido outside tho field of play altogether. It would appear, therefore, that ho is illeg-

ally gaining an advantage. Legitimately lie cannot bo said to havo placed his men onsido. Tho British three-quarters did not show themselves a very dodgy quartette, neither did they indulge in any great cross kicking or centring. No doubt they can do ,it, and do it well. Where they wero good was in tho whole-souled idea of running to their opponents' goal lino as hard as they could go. Their attack from the scrum ,was with two halves, all strung diagonally across tho field. Tho wliolo lot moved so quickly that frequently the ball was among tho flying threequarters beforo tho Wairarapa backs were awaro of the fact, and with an eitra man tho scoie was almost a certainty. In the first spell tho Wairarapa backs woro possibly suffering from stago fright, and tho English backs were not marked man for man as they should have been. It was then that they piled up tho score of 14 points, practically in ten minutes. 1 Later on t each Wairarapa back shepherded his vis-a-vis, no matter what happened, and by good collaring often rendered the attack abortive,, There was one back, however^.

whom Wairarapa could not shepherd; that was Jackett. They might havo fixed him up. with a lassoo or a . gun, but they, had no chanco with tlicir hands. Scoring Three-Quarters. Gibbs proved himself tho most trustworthy of tho British three-quarters by appearing to advantage at tho business end of .his colleague's passing runs. Both his tries were good, if not brilliant. J. L. Williams, 011 tho other wing, appeared to bo a most attractive player. With the ball under arm,- head thrown back, ho ran as if for dear life. His try, in which 110 was associated with Laxon, Davey; and Ponty Jones, was a fino effort. Polity Jones, inside left, had the ball more often than any of his other threequarters. Ho fielded marvellously on 0110 occasion, and 110 badly .beat several' Wairarapa backs when ho scorcd the first try; but ho spoilt an otherwise good performance by hanging on too long to the leather. : M'Evedy, inside right, was not so noticeable as'the others. Davey and Laxon behind the scrum played the orthodox passing game; they were well shielded by Harding and nearly always managed to got the ball into the three-quarter lino. Harding's display as winging forward has already been partly dealt with, but in addition to his strategical duties, he captained his team well, initiated several . passing rushes among the backs, and kicked well. Early in tho game 110 sustained an injury to his ankle, but' managed notwithstanding to show up very well in the loose play. A Creat Forward. The greatest' loose player on tho . field was J. H. • Williams, who sprinted untiringly. All . through the game he «:as a, constant source of trouble to the .Wairarapa;. backs. Ho led rush after rush, and was well backed up by Oldham, Ritson, and Smith. On, the field this quartette appeared to be blocky, big men of Tom Cross- type. They play right out. 1 . . ~: , ... Kyrko was also noticeable, with, Morgan and Dibblo principally on,,the.line-out; The line-out play was possibly , the weakest portion of the 1 English forwards' display. It is worthy of note that both New Zealanders and the forwards of this'team" havo a similar way of emphasising their desire for a littlo more ginger in loose play, but their methods of expression, are. slightly different. In New Zealand tho ejaculation is as befits a young and vigorous country. It either "boot it, boot it," or "kick, kick," all with an emphasis, which adds to tho meaning of tho words. The Britishers oxpress their desire in a somewhat aesthetic sense, if one may use tho word, as coming from a nation with a thousand years of civilisation. " Feet, ,'feet,." is tho injunction of Harding's men; uttered in strained, almost apologetic, accents. Wairarapa failed partly because they did not know enough, partly from want of combination, but mostly because, the other sido was too good. They started off, fairly well, O'Leary, Darville, and Groube being noticeable. Then they seemed to get' nonplussed by the slippery- running and passing of tho English backs, and tho determined following up of J. H. Williams and Smith. They went temporarily to pieces,'l and although • thp Anglo-Welshmen did not ■ score for twenty minutes after the game started; Wairarapa were on tho defensive nearly all that time Harding and Gallaglior. Wairarapa were pushed bodily in .the scrum by their bulkier opponents, who must have averaged thirteen and a half stone; and when they got possession their.'half was swooped upon by the British- wing forward It must havo done Harding's heart good to turn tho tables when he. remembered. tho gruelling that Gallaglior gavo Vilo in -the memorable match at Wellington in 1904. . Tho Wairarapa team could not cope with tho aggressive tactics of the Anglo-Welsh-men* when the latter., started that ten minutes' scoring bout. There'was no doubt that they' had the disadvantage of wind, and' things were strange to them.: The .first spell, moreover, was '.very .fast,-,- so fast*, indeed that it appeared as if the. visitors had played- themselves out in the second half. Harfling states, however, that his men took, a ■ breather,; seeing they had the game in hand. , ,

,In the second half, the game was much better from the Wairarapa point of view. They notched three points through O'Leary's fine luck from an offside infringement by the visitors, and it may be said that the country men had hard luck in not being awarded a try when two balls were thrown into the field. Wairarapa think they should have been awarded a score, but the referee stated that;be brought the ball back for a knock-on. Later on, near the end of the game, Darville and Groube; managed to tacklo Jackett and hold-him in his own in-goal, which was some slight compensation'after the manner in which-the almost 1 invincible English crack had fooled them' during tho game. Had Wairarapa tackled Jackett as'he'should have been tackled, the loser's Ecore might possibly have been.greater. ' .. .. Home Team Individually. . ■The , Wairarapa three-quarter . backs showed up badly in attack, / Their kicking was; weak; but'.on many occasions they collared well. Collins was plucky all rouiid, which is the most that can.be,said of him.' Darville played fairly well- at times, but Con-, nor was disappointing. Russell at full-back did some very good kicking; ho was not fast, enough to tackle Gibbs and company. - O'Leary at five-eighths...played a. sound defensive game, especially in kicking. His goal was a fine shot, but before that, in the first spell, ho missed a very easy kick right in front of the Anglo-Welsh goal.' More- attention might-, have been shown to his three-quarters by; him on the few occasions Wairarapa backs had . a chance of attacking.' Adams as ' half was: as good as he could be in tho circumstances. ■ The Wairarapa forwards, played .very hard, but not hard enough; their energy was frequently 'misdirected.! They were badly beaten in tho scrum, and they aver that the ballwas as often as not put in unfairly. If it was so,- it-'.was not noticeable from tho touch-line. There was no screwing' the scrum with them, but it is to be' remembered that the team never had- a practico together. Some of • the' forwards met : together on tho morning' of tho -game; and it takes more than a few minutes to plant years of theory and practice into any head, not excepting a footballer's. ' " Bronchley and H. M'Kenzie were prominent through tho gamo. : Swainson followed' up well, and shone sometimes in tho loose. The others call for no special mention. . ' , THE VISITORS' DISPLAY. MANAGER AND CAPTAIN SATISFIED. ' Mr. Harnett (the manager) and Mr, Harding (captain), of tho Anglo-Welsh team, who wero interviewed by a Dominion reporter after tho game, were very , modest over ..the win. Naturally, they did not expect, not. by any means wish, a loss in the.initial match. 1 Their minds were made up that," if it can bo managed, New Zealand Rugby, was going 'to have a very hot time: At the same time, the visitors also expect a lot of "trouble.! 1 Mr. ■Harnett said he was very'well satisfiedwitli the play ,of his team/ . They , had, ho'considered,' played as well as oould be expected, 'and would improvo considerably with more games. Mr. Harding was also .quito satisfied. ; Tho team, ! lie said; slackened off in the second spoil, as tliero was no uso in going too strong, ■ in, view of tho expected hard match with Wellington on Wednesday next. . Speaking of tho game itself, ho declared that it was very enjoyable, and tliero. was lio unduo roughness. Ho himself had been badly kicked on tho anklo, and Gibbs had received a slight concussion of tho brain as a result of a collision. In his opinion, the team would further improve as timo wont on. JOTTINCS. Tho takings on Saturday amounted, to £3-19 Ss. 5d., which sum must be considered satisfactory. "Wo promise Wellington a good gamo,on Wednesday," romarkod Captain Harding to a Dominion reportor. ' . Tho Britishers will return to Wellington by this morning's train, arriving at 11,20 o'clock! . .-

Owing to an injury tS his ankle during tho match, Captain Harding maj* not be able to play against Wellington on Wednesday. Gibbs, who sustained slight concussion of tho brain through a collision in tho first spell in Saturday's match, is still indisposed. Yesterday afternoon tho members of the British team, with the exception of Sir. Harding, were driven to the Fapawai Maori pa, whore a number of hakas and poi dances were arranged by tho Natives for their entertainment. ' . Among the spectators on Saturday were all sorts and conditions of people—from Hugby experts who had travelled from Wellington or Hawke's Bay to keenly criticise tho visitors' play, to venerable station hands from the back blocks. who had never seen orJieard anything before about football, and wore simply there through force of publio" opinion. Tho importance of the game may be gauged by the fact that an army of pressmen _ twenty-five strong, representing tho principal dailies in New Zealand and Australia, was in attendance.

During the contest, Harding, the skipper of the visitors, had the misfortune to receive a severe knock on the ankle. After the match the injury was treated by Drs. Milsom and M'Evedy.' Mr. Harding, )vho was unable to put his. foot to the ground yesterday, was brought on to Wellington by, motor hy Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.l'., with whom he is staying. i Some of the Britishers who were not engaged ill the match on Saturday kindly placed their services at the disposal of the' ■ pressmen. The visitors watched the game from tho press tables, and spared 110 effort to give the pressmen every detail they required and facilitate their work. Wo havo to extend our hearty thanks to the •• visitor who. assisted The Dominion reporters. The general arrangements for the press were ex-' cellent, and it is to be hoped the New Zealand' TJnion will liiako as satisfactory arrangements for the Wellington''match' on.Wednes- V day. . : , )■ Saturday's game was viewed from every, 'vantage. point—inside arid outside tho ground. • Not a few climbed the adjoining ■willow trees, from, which lofty'-.perch a. good ' view of tho match was obtainable. 1