CABLE NEWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3612, 19 December 1905, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

Our Footballers.

THE FIRST REVERSE.

THE WELSHMEN THE

HEROES

A FINE GAME.

London, December 16. After a long, victorious tour, in the course of which they proved themselves superior to Scottish, Irish, and English teams, the New Zealanders to-day received their first check, being defeated by Wales by 3 points to nil. The weather was fine and the ground in good condition. The game was finely contested from start to finish, and the result was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm by the forty thousand spectators. Wales had a strong team, including such well-known players as Nicholls, Gabe, Llewellyn, Hodges, and Harding. Seven forwards were played, with Fritchard as roving three-quarter. The New Zealand team was as follows

Gillett, Wallace, Deans, McGregor, Hunter, Mynott, Roberts, Casey, Tyler, O’Sullivan, Newton, Glasgow, Seeling, McDonald, and Gallahef,

The game for the first quarter of an hour was greatly in favour of Wales, it being mostly in for* ward work. Once the forwards succeeded in crossing the New Zealanders’ line but the latter kicked the ball into dead territory. When the leather was in play again, the game became more open. The Welsh backs made a strong attack, and Morgan scored a try after play had been in progress twenty-seven minutes. Winfield took the shot at goal, but failed to convert —Wales 3, New Zealand o.

From this out to the end of half-time the New Zealand team made desperate efforts to score, but failed to break through the splendid stubborn defence of the Welshmen,

For a time after the opening of the second spell the play was con* fined to midfield, in which the visitors did not appear to the best advantage. Several of Roberts’ passes were badly missed by the three-quarters, and Wales nearly scored a further try, but Morgan ■kicked the ball into the dead area.

When the play was set going again, Roberts broke away and passed to Wallace. The latter was pushed into touch a yard from the Welsh goal-line. Rushes again carried play to the centre, and from there the New Zealand threeguarters, by brilliant passing, carried the ball to right under the goal-posts. Bush, however, relieved by a long kick into touch, The concluding stages of the game produced exciting play, both sides striving their utmost. Bush nearly succeeded in dropping a goal from the field.

The ill-luck of the New Zealanders pursued them to the end, Deaus spoiling a fine chance to score by passing forward.

The whistle sounded no-side amid a scene of tremendous excitement —Wales 3, New Zealand o.