“WILLING” LACROSSE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3770, 5 September 1907, Page 3

“WILLING” LACROSSE.

Final Test Match. A Free Fight and Wrestling. Match. Mounted Troopers Interfere. Adelaide, August 17. The final lacrosse lest match was played on the Adelaide oval yesterday afternoon. The weather was magnificent, and despite many important counter attractions there was a crowd of 6000 to 8000 present. The ground was very bard underfoot, owing to the hot sun shine, while the grass made the footing in places somewhat insecure. R. Sellars refereed. The game opened at a terrific pace, Australia attacked, hut when they lost the ball they held their opponents closely, but faulty stick work gave Canada openings, which their battery turned to splendid account by feeding Gilbert, who scored brilliantly thrice.

The first quarter ended : Canada, 5 ; Australia, 1. Just before the ball went Campliu was sent off for five minutes for rough play in body-checking. In the second term Canada, even without Camplin’s aid staved off consistent determind rushes, a>nd at half-time the scores were tin - changed. The third quarter was the most exciting period of the day’s play. The crowd indicated that, while they had.no objection to watching rough play so long as it was fair and above board, they certainly resented many of the Canadians’ tactics. The latter did not hesitate to punish their opponents heavily, even by flagrant breaches of rules. The Australians naturally retaliated now and again, but seldom stooped to measures which were more than fairly rough. In one scrimmage Camplin laidaround him on all sides, but Hum phreis was his particular victim He held the Australian skippe* tight, and when Humphries attempted to pass to Kell, Camplin smashed at both. Kell replied vigorously with his fists. The referee parted them, but immediately after Camplin winged Humphries by jabbing his stick at his ribs. Noblett rushed in and knocked Camplin over, a free fight and wrestling match ensued, until mounted troopers and fellowplayers parted them. Noblett and Camplin were then dismissed for the remainder of the play. Subsequently Canada’s tactics of wasting time behind the goal were resented by the crowd, who hooted vigorously. At the end of the third quarter the scores were: Canada 6: Australia, 3. In the final term the game took, on a tremendous pace, and Australia assumed supremacy. After repeated attacks, Bfyning again scored brilliantly, and the bell rang with the final figures six to four in favour of Canada. The game proved the most “ willing ” of the three test matches, and the crowd was naturally worked up to a great pitch of excitement. Immediately after match, the visitors caught the steamer Kyarra for West Australia.