Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3574, 19 September 1905, Page 2

Football.

NEW ZEALANDERS' FIRST MATCH AT HOMtV

AN EASY VICTORY

The New Zealand footballers played the first match ot their British tour against Devon County on Satur - day, and were victorious by 55 points to 4. 1 The score of the visitors was com* prised as follows: —12 tries, 8 £0315 from tries, 1 penalty goal; total 55. For Devon one goal was potted. Tries were obtained by the following G. W, Smith (Auckland) 4, W, J. Wallace (Wellington) 3, J. Hunter (Taranaki) 2, W. Nicholson (Auck* land) 1, F. Glasgow (Taranaki) 1, J. W. Stead (Southland) 1. The whole of the nine goals were kicked by Wallace. There were about six thousand per* sous present at the match. Tbe New Zealanders met with an enthusiastic reception. 1 . The »ext match will be against Cornwall fr-jporrow.

other matches. Australia beat Auckland on Saturday by 10 points to 8. Wellington defeated Taranaki by six points to nil. Manawatu suffered defeat at Greytown on Saturday by Wairarapa by 19 paints to 9. Included amongst tbe ManawaUiteam were “Snip” Allan and Norm Barker.

Buller drew with Westland at Westport, each side scoring three points.

THE AUSTRALIAN MANAGER'S OUTSPOKEN OPINION. Mr Henderson, manager of the Australian learn, interviewed at Auckland, said, there was very little difference between the standard of play here and in Australia. On dry ground the Australians held their own with New Zealand’s best. With the exception that the Australian backs are lacking in the essential cutting-in necessary to deliver a deadly attack, they are equal' to anything they met on tour. The forwards more than held their own and can safely claim to be equal to any forward team that has reached Australia for many years. The form displayed in the /Auckland match was a fair indication*©! what was expected of them on their season’s form in Australia. IE that form had been shown in earlier matches the team’s record might possibly have been an exceptional one. On the whole they were disappointed with the refereeing. Continuing, Mr Henderson said he did not insinuate that the referees were other, than most impartial, but with ft few exceptions their rulings, particularly, on wing forward play and offside in the loose, considerably affected the games. In one instance it completely spoiled the game for the players and public. Wrigley (three-quarter) and O’Bliea and Spencer (Wellington) were the best of the New Zealand back combination. As to forwards, Dodd and. “Watkins as front rankers were easily first. Frauds, of Auckland, was a player of more than average ability. Carlson, of Hawke's. Bay. impressed him as the best forward of all the New Zealanders he had seen, including those representing the colony in England. He congratulated New Zealand on the admirable selection of players in the various matches.