FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2234, 4 July 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL

TO-DAY’S MATCH

BRITAIN V. POVERTY BAY.

To-day is a roddetter day in tho annals of footbnll in Poverty Bay, and it only now romnins for the weather to continuo favorablo in ordor to eneuro a record attondanco and a good gamo at tho Victoria Domnin this afternoon. Crowds of country visitors wore pouring into town yesterday and still continued to arrive until'well on in tho ovoning. The streots at night presented an unwontedly lively appearance and little knots of people could bo seen in all directions excitedly disclosing tho prospects and probabilities of tho big match. Indeed, the chief topic of conversation appeared to he football, and many times was tlie question asked, ‘/Well, wifiat do you think' of our follows’ chance to-morrow.” Although the replies in tho majority of eases were worded differently, the general impression seemed to bo that the visitors would have a walk-over. A nuinbor of local enthusiasts, however, would have none of this, and stoutly proclaimed their opinion that it “would not bo such ail easy victory after all.” Appoarnnces generally point to a flirly decisive win for the _ Anglo-IVelslnneu, but it is quite within the bounds of possibility that tlie Poverty Bay representatives will give a much better exhibition than is anticipated. A critique of tlie team appears ill to-day’s supplement. The arrangements for the reception ■and .entertainment of the visitors aro now complete in every detail, and a special word of congratulation is duo to Mr. E. 1.. Maude, Hon. Secretary of (lie local Rugby Union, who has been untiring in his efforts to make everything run smoothly. In this ho has been aldv assisted by tho members <,f the Union.

Mr. E. L. Maude has received the following telegram from tho Hon. Jas. Carroll, “Rest, wishes to "our boys for to-morrow. -Hope to bo able to congratulate them and Poverty Bay on their prowess in the field. Kia knha, Ida toa.” It was- also, mentioned in the telegram that," in accordance with-the Union’s . request, the Government offices would bo closed, from noon.

Sonic interesting sidelights upon tho British team and its mothods are provided ill the following extracts taken from a report of last Saturday’s match" in "Wellington: The All Hlpek front rankers attempted to hook tho ball, and the halfback t 0 get it. away, "but those attacks were only spasmodic, and the New Zealand backs, though handling the •slippery ball superbly, were never’allowed to get far on attack, being upended and buried in the mud by the fast following Britishers, who were getting on to the opposing backs with deadly certainty, and giving tho All Blacks strong doses of their own medicine. It must have been quite a new experience for New Zealand" for its forwards to be made to crack up and crumble bodily in the strength of its defence, and for its backs to bo bustled into uncertainty and chaos. The New Zealand team, however, pluckily stood up to tho sustained and hot attack well, giving thrust for thrust, only, to be driven back again and again in defence of their, own line. Although tlie .British pack wheeled tlie scrum and took the ball from -New Zealand they never lost sight of tlie game for the forwards, and kept- the ball at their toes all through tho struggle. Only on very rare occasions did tlio British backs attempt passing rushes, but played to their forwards, who were going so magnificently. Every British back as soon as he secured the ball punted high and hard to the toucli-line.

SCRUM FORMATION. Britain played the tlirec-two-threo formation, all in the pack, and. at times shoved the New Zealanders all over the field. This was again a novelty for New Zealand, and they disliked it, as they disliked the hot enemy they bumped up against, Tho secret of the British scrum and the method by ivliich they secured the ball is being closely kept by the Britishers themselves, but watching closely tlieir methods it seems to lib in the manner in which the ball is put in—quite fairly—the scrum. It is banged up against the feet of the New Zealand front rank, olf which it rebounds, and the IJiroe Britishers -in the front get qn screw and tike it with them in au anvil wheel. The whole British pack move away with it well at their toes. This method succeeded throughout tho day, and when it was Britain’s throw-in from the line the British captain always elected to tike a scrmn\ in which Britain were successful in' securing the ball quite eight or nine times out of ten. On tho line-out both teams were about evenly matched. The New Zealanders used tlio line o all occasions where possible to do s 0 in the heavy play, and in tlie loose Britain was always on top. .-In following up they were quite a match of tho All Blacks ,tvhp claim credit for good work in this important department. Truth to tell, tlio British forwards simply played the New Zealanders at their own gaipe, anti were exceedingly unlucky in nyt" "jlefc tting tlio chosen of tho Dominion. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. The following programme has been drawn up for the clay’s, proceedings: li a.m,—Officials of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union, and possibly His ■"Worship ;tlie Mayor, leave the wharf on tho Tuatea to welcome the visitors on the arrival fil the s.s; Tiluno from Napier. On coming ashore brakes wiil. be in attendance at the wharf to convey the visitors to the different" hotels, where arrangements nave been made for accommodation.

-- 10.30 a.m.—Official reception of the Anglo-Welglr team at tho Trafalgar Rotuncja, at which tho Mayor and members of tlip different local bodies .will bo present to welcome tho yisitors. The City Band will also be in attendance, and will discourse several .selections. The- • Hon. Wi Here will'welcome the visitors on behalf of tlip natives, and at the conclusion of his address a haka. will be danced. (If the weather■ should be unfavorable the reception will l;6 held in Ills Majesty’s Theatre). 1.30 p.in. —Curtain-raiser match prior .f.o the Anglo-Welsh match, between tho"local Thursday, representatives and the Mangatu Sub-Uidon team, Bpth bodies ape putting strong fifteens in the field, and an excellent gurno is anticinaded. If rain falls in the meantime this match will not take place, in order to avoid cutting up the ground for the big match. 2.1/5 p.m.—Brakes leave the Masonic Hotel .corner, convoying both the Poverty pay naff i he Anglo-Welsh teams and to the ground. On arrival at tho Domain the visitors will proceed to the now dressing rooms underneath tho grandstand, and the local men will cross tho ground to the old pavilion. 2,46 p.m,—Representative match .commences. Two spoils of forty-five minutes each will bo plsjyed,' and Mr. L, P, Pegler, of Hastings, will control the game. Mr. W. Howard Avilf act ns lino umpire for Poverty Bay. 4.30 p.m.—At the conclusion of the match the teams will leave the ground in brakes, which will be waiting to convoy them to their hotels. ,6.30 dinner to the visitors at. Dusiins’ Jfopms. Hfs Worship tho Mayor will preside, :and a short toast list, will he gone through. 8 p.m.—Both teams attend the performance of “A Beggar on Horseback” at His Majesty’s Theatre, as the guests of the local Union. The teams for tho match are:— BRITAIN. Pull-back. Dyke. Three-f)uartcrs. Clin nman, Are lived v. “Tuan” Jones ftrimths. Half-backs. Lnxoii. Davov. Rover. -y- : Jadsett. Forwards. . Harding (captain), E. Morgan, Down, Oldham, H-ind, J. F. Williams, Archer. -

POVERTY DAY. Full-buck i _,' , . AA’i ltopa. . TlirocMjuartors: Cl. Rowo (captain), Graham;' Malloy. Ftvo-oighths: Kinpai'a, AVaehorno. , ■ Half: •Brown Turei, - Forwards: Nicolas, Nowton, Hoko; .Lowo, Scott, MoKonzio, Lyons, and Pino (wing). Emorgoncios: Backs, Sharp and Alliance ; forwards, Lincoln and Da- - lanoy. •. ... . - : TO-MORROAV’S ARRANGE- • MENTS. 10 a.m. —Brakes leavo.the Masonic Hotel corner for a drive in- tlio coun- ‘ try. Luncheon will bo provided at ■ Mr. Con. Noonan's Ormond Hotel. After start will bo made, on tlio return journey • to town via Ormond Rond. Oil tho way a stop i will bo made at Mr. Henry AA’Jiite’s residence, as that' gentle man- has kindly invited tho teams t 0 partake of afternoon ten. It is expected that town will bo reached about 4.80 p.m., ami tho visitors leavo for South by tho U.B.S. Co.'s Monowai in the,,evening, Mild will lie farewelled by. tho ofliciais and members of tlio' Poverty Bay Rugby Union at tho wharf.