NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1604, 17 November 1905, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS

BEDFORD BADLY BEATEN.

By ftfilflgnapha Press A'sa’n,, London, Nov. 16. New Zealand 46 Bedford ... 0 There were 8000 spectators at the New Zealand-Bedford match. The ground was greasy. Bedford imported several men for the occasion, including some international players. Hunter (Taranaki), secured two tries in the first 20 minutes, but neither was converted. Roberts (Wellington) and Seeling (Auckland) obtained farther tries in the first half, Gillett (Canterbury) adding the major points in one instance, the scores at the end of tho Bpell standing : New Zealand 14, Bedford nil.

In the second half Bedford were utterly nonplussed by the marvellous pace and brilliant passing of the visitors. Hunter secured four more tries, but none were converted. Deans (Canterbury), Macdonald (Otago), and MacGregor (Wellington) then obtained a try eaoh in quick succession, MacGregor converting all three. Then Seeling obtained a goal from a mark; the game ending : New Zealand 45, Bedford 0.

By telsgrapk, Presa A'sa’n c Sydney, Nov. 16.

In its football comments, the Daily Chronicle says : Durham made a good fight in the first half, but in the second the visitors were far away better, the superior stamina of the colonials telling its talc. The northerners reoeived congratulations from the New Zealanders for their really plucky and clever resistance, but it was difficult to believe that the only difference between the sides was thrioe over the line. The visitors were obviously not at their fall strength. The Hartlepool matoh, the Chronicle says, was a sensational reminder of the strength of the 001-miuls to those' who had regarded the Durham result as a eign of deterioration. Hartlepool sought to con- 1 found New Zealand methods by adoptingthe same formation, but the principle of poison counteracting poison failed to produce a medical effect. The colonials at once took charge of what was destined to become a mere exhibition. The New Zealanders’ bewildering rapidity in passing completely nonplussed the Home team. The Daily Express says that at Hartlepool the visitors from start to finish carried out their traditional policy of keeping the game warm with bewildering brillianoy. Every man seemed oapable of sprinting, and the exohanges were wonderfully clever. Smith, Wallace, .and Stead were the celebrities of the day, and conquered the hearts of the spectators as readily as they conquered the club men on the field.

Major Trevor, the Sportsman’s critic, declares there is a very simple explanation of the New Zealanders’ victories—namely, that at all points of the game they give a better exposition of Rugby football than our teams are capable of giving. He adds : “ Hazarding an opinion, or an experience for what it is worth, they are the best players I have’ever seen.” . •

The Government messago states New Zealand defeated Bedford by 45 points to nil. The soores were : Six tries, 5 goals, 1 penalty. Hunter 5, Roberts, Seeling, Deans, MacGregor, Macdonald 1 eaoh ; Gillett, a penalty goal.