The Victorious Rugbyites.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3603, 28 November 1905, Page 2

The Victorious Rugbyites.

IRELAND GO tfiSJDER.

London, Nov. 35. The New Zealand footballers defeated Ireland at Dublin to-day by rj points (three tries converted! to nil. The game was witnessed by about 12,000 people. The ground was rather soft, Ireland put a fins team into the field, all except one being old international players. C. E. Allan was captain. A hot contest was anticipated, and in the fiist spell there was every evidence given of Ireland’s desire to secure a victory. After the ball hadi been set rolling, Ireland pressed tho visitors, and the game became tremendously fast, being chiefly confined within the twenty-five line of the Maorilanders. The Irishmen kept up the attack. For an infringement, the O 'plonials were penalised, and with the kick i'il§ Irishmen forced them down* On resuming, after a good deal of give and take play, pome fine combination was shown on the part of the New Zealanders, in which Smith, Roberts, Hunter, and Deans were prominent. This resulted in Deans being afforded an opportunity to score, of which he quickly availed himself, and the New Zealanders drew first blood after a 3* minutes’ hot contest, Wallace was entrusted with the kick, and sent th* ball nicely between the posts. New Zealand 5, Ireland o. On resuming, the ball went up and down Die field with but little advantage to eifimMwe, and at half-time the score w 35 a* mentioned above.

The second spell opened with * ding dong battle, and eventually the same quartette as were responsible for the New Zealanders’ first score had the Irishmen well on the defensive. The onslaught was not to be denied, and Deads whipped over the line. . Wallace again kicked a goal, and the New Zealanders were 10 points to Ireland’s nil- This dual score aroused the Irishmen, W.ho put in a big bid for a score. , Wallace, t heir “ winger, 1 ' carried the ball at his fo«* the whole length of the field, and he Qnbbled through all the opposition backs lintu , * within five yards of the line, whCIJ what appeared like a score w(is pre* vented by Mynott, but only in the nick of time.

Nothing daunted by the non-success of Wallace’s efforts, the Irishmen rushed again to the attack, and th» New Zealanders had a lively time on the defensive. The. danger which had threatened with Wallace was by no means over, and Thrift, gaining posses* f * sion, ho darted straight for the line, being collared almost under the goal* v posts. Gradually the colonials shifted ’ ! the scene of plav out of their twentyfive, and the forwards, with a fierce rash, gave the Irishmen a taste of act* ■ ing on the defensive. Here Smith s s whipped round a scrum, and, evading most ot the backs, crossed the line, but was thrown into dead-ball area. Continuing the attack, the New Zea : landers had the gratification a minute later ot seeing McDonald gain the ball from a loose rush and cross the lice. Wallace, tor the third time, was successful with his “place,” and the second test resulted —New Zealand 15, Ireland 0.