N.Z. FOOTBALL TEAM.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 952, 27 July 1903, Page 2

N.Z. FOOTBALL TEAM.

GAME CHIEFLY SCRAMBLE IN .THE MUD. NEW ZEALAND WINS BY A PENALTY GOAL. TWO men INJURED. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. Received July 25th, at 8.44 p.m. SYDNEY, July 25. Tlie return football match between New South Wales and New Zealand was played under most unfavorable circumstances as far as the weather was concerned. Heavy ran wmch began overnight continued to pour down until the match started, when it took off somewhat, but remained showery. . . ~ The elements militated against the attendance, and it is estimated that not more than nine thousand were present. The Governor of New South Wales was among those present. 'i’he condition of the ground was all against a fine display of Rugby, the centre of tlie field being a sheet of water. O'Donnell was chosen captain or the local team. Wood, m place of Duncan (injured) acted in a similar capacity for the visitors. The ground was very heavy, and anything like fass play was out of the question. MAORILANDERS KICK OFF. The New Zealanders lacked off against a light breeze, and a forward rush on the part of the New South Welshmen brought the play into New Zealand ground, hut it wan quickly eransferred to the opposite side, of the field. Wood headed a good rush right across the ground, but not much advantage was gained thereby. The local team, from a free kick sent the leather well into ■the visitors’ quarters, and smartly following up, kicked the leather over New Zealand’s line, compelling them

to force down. On resuming, the visiting forwards carried on a succession of aggressive attacks in the local men’s county, where a scrum took place, and the tension was relieved by Davies, who removed the scene of play to New ■Zealand’s twenty-five, but only to be returned to centre belt. by aid of a free kick. Asher and Porieous were prominent in a fine rusn across the ground, but very littre forward advance was obtained. Ihen tlie local men, headed by Burd n c "’ started a dangerous rush down towards New Zealand s line, but tlio Dosition was cleverly saved by a imod kick by Wallace. The progress of the game was now temporarily stopped owing to K ctnan receiving an injury to Ms knee, which necessitated his being * off the field. Humphries took ms place, aud on play being resumed the local men had a lively- tune in defending their line, a timely free kick relieving them. Wood, the New Zealand captain, was playing a fine game, and was mainly instrumental in again placing the New South Welshmen’s line in danger , but they got out of the difficulty by lor 01 Th'c game was once more stopped for a moment or two, Gallagher, of, the local team, receiving a nasty ; gash on the forehead. But afterhaving tlie wound bandaged, lie continued to play. Johnston,, of the local team, se cured -possession of the hall in New. Zealand’s territory, and had a shot at goal. The kick was a splendid one, but the hall fell a iittlo short. Half-time was then sounded, with no score on either side, and the ball in centre field. THE SECOND HALF.

After the usual spell play was resumed. The visitors at once commenced the attack, and a series of tussles culminated in a free kick being awarded to the New Zealanders in a dangerous position ; hut Wallace failed to place it. ‘ A lot of scrambling in the mud in the centre of the field followed without advantage one way or the other, -4 until McMinn, with a fine kick, sent the hall flying up the field, and Wood, following up hard, nearly crossed the New South Welshmen’s line. A scrum in goal succeeded, and a free kick being awarded to the New Zealanders, Wallace was again entrusted with the kick, and this time he sent the ball between the posts, thus registering the only score of the game. New Zealand, three points ; New South Wales, nil. This advantage produced aggressive play on the part of the local men, Johnston making another good shot at goal ; but the only result was that the New, Zealanders were forced down.

When the ball was in play again/ Wood and Asher were concerned in, a rush down on the New South Wales line, and the latter, to get out of the difficulty, forced down. After the kick out, the local men gradually worked the ball into New Zealand’s territory, and pressed them hard for a time, eventually compelling them to force downf The New Zealanders next had a turn, and play was removed within the local men’s line, when a race between a New Zealand three-quarter and a local man looked like a try for New Zealand, but the hall went into the asphalt track, and consequently was out of play. Shortly after resuming, Long secured a beautiful mark in front of the goal, but the effort to place it was a feeble one. Maund next tried to dribble tho leather up the field, but the New Zealanders rushed it back, and their opponents were once more compelled to force.

From then until no-side wat*. sounded, the play was never dangerous to either side, and the gama ended in a victory for New Zealand by three points (a penalty goal) to nil.

REMARKS. In the scrums there was little to choose between the teams, aud the slippery ground prevented the backs showing their quality, the play being chiefly a scramble in the mud. Mr Pauling was again referee. The hearing of Cooke’s case tby the Rugby Union occupied four hours. t R. McGregor’s injuries at Bathurst prevented his playing on Saturday. Both Sydney morning papers expresseu the opinion that the team on Saturday was stronger than the New Zealanders had previously defeated. Syd. Riley, who played for the Sydney team on Saturday, was formerly a member of the staff of the Gisborne Times.