FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1926, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

BY TELEGRAPH rRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. NEW ZEALAND TEAM FOR ENGLAND. AUCKLAND, July 21. New arrangements are understood to have been made for the embarkation of the New Zealand League team for Britain. It is reported that advice js now to band from the English Leaguedealing with the matter. It was intended that the, team .should sail by the Tninui, leaving AA'ellingtos on August 14, but it is almost certain that the team will now sail by tlie Aorangi. which will leave Auckland on August 3. The matter will bo finally settled at a meeting of the Now Zealand Council to-morrow evening.

SECOND SYDNEY TEST MATCH SYDNEY, July 15.

As originally arranged, the second match for the All Blacks was to have been against a Metropolitan fifteen, but the local selectors were so carried away by the success of the New South Wales team in the fust match that they decided to play a second fifteen against tlie visitors. Twelve Metropolitan players were chosen and three country players, two forwards and a back, were included. While it could hardly be expected that they would defeat New Zealand, they made a surprisingly good showing and had as much of the game, territorially, as the winners, who, however, were too experienced and clever for them, both individually and collectively. A strong breeze blew diagonally across the ground, which was in very good order. There was again a very good attendance, and there can be no doubt that the visit of the, team is doing much for tbo local Rugby Union, both financially and as a means of increasing public interest in the Rugby Union game. As was the ease in the first match, the home team had almost a monopoly of the ball in the- serums, and their superiority in that respect was so marked that when they had the option they invariably chose a serum in preference to a line out. It was well for them this was so, ns when the ball came out to Mill a try was either scored or narrowly missed. The Blacks were some time in settling down to their game, due to very had fumbling by tbo backs, who seemed

unable to handle the ball cleanly. Their attempts to pick up invariably broughttrouble and for some time they were kept busy defending. Eventually, by means of -a penalty goal, the homo side scored first, but this proved their undoing. as from the resulting kick out the Blacks got into Blue territory, and

from then on the issue was never in doubt.

In the closing stages the home side put on eight points by means of a converted try and a penalty goal. Certainly the try should never have been allowed. Right in front of the Press table Morrissey knocked on several feet and going on -again did the same but secured and went on. Apparently the Blacks realised too late that play was not to bo stopped and by that lime .Morrissey was in position to send Thomson over the lino. Certainly the. defenders should have played to the whistle, but the two breaches were so

glaring that they may well he excused. Some long kicking saw play at the Blacks’ twenty-five line, where Blake played offside and the home side netted three points..

Tlio Black forwards played with much uore dasli than in the opening match, u the loose they showed a great iiniroveinent and their fast following up nd tackling worried the home backs onsiderably. Strangely enough though hey had an advantage in height, their ine-ouf work was not as good as that f the Blues.

Finlayson. as usual, was ill the thick of everything. Ail, however, played well and showed the dash which was missing in Saturday’s match. Alley, llazlett and Knight who acre playing the first game, made a good' impression and the lirst-nallied showed remarkable pace for one so bulky. Porter was at his best and showed remarkable dash. He was to be seen wherever lhe fight was hardest and was seldom pulled up by the whistle. With the exception of Stevenson, the backs, after the first twenty minutes, gave a very fine display. Though it

could not be said that ho played badly, Stevenson hardly showed the form he was selected on. When playing against the wind he failed to come close enough

:> the ruck before kicking. Of course

“safety first” may have been his idea, but by his tactics he lost a. good deal of ground though his kicking vas powerful and well-judged. Cooke was at his best, his running, dodging and tackling being a treat to sec. Blake was a good second to him, and at present is in fine form. Elvy and Robillinrd made good use of the few passes thov got and both ran very strongly. Xiclmlls was safety personified and pasesd finely. Mill suffered from hick of work, but when the hall came to lorn he made the best possible use of it.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL TOUR. LONDON, July 21. The Northern Union has issued a +i 1P \ T ew Zealand programme 101 tne - 1 eno-ue team. The tour will open on September 11th at Dewsbury ending on 30th January against England Three tests will be played, on 2nd October at Wigan, 13th November at, Hull, and 15tli January at Leeds.

NEPIA UNAVAILABLE. WELLINGTON. July 23. Nepin has notified that lie cannot go with the, Maori team to Franco, and T. Love, a Wellington ’Varsity player, has been selected instead.