FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 392, 2 June 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

~~— Angio-Welch Tour. The Third Match Lost. Southerners won 9 to 3. Dunkdin, Saturday. The match between AngloWelsh team and Otago was played at Carisbrook to-day in the presence of about 15,000 spectators. The weather was splendid in the morning, but about 2 p.ra. light rain set in and coninued until just before the start of play. This was followed by a strong and bitterly cold wind which blew across the ground, making matters very unpleasant for the spectators and hampering good back play considerably.

The game, which resulted in a victory for Otago, by y points (two tries air! a penalty goal) to six (try and penally goal), was rather disappointing from a spectator’s point of view,but at the same time some splendid f uward play was witnessed.

In the opining stages the British team had sjmewhat the better of the play, and Otago had to force down about live minutes after the start.

The visitors kept up the attack, Vassail, the crack tni ce-q t arter who was playing for the first lime in New Zealand, being conspicuous Jor good work. After the game had been in progress about 12 minutes, Otago was penalised for obstruction, and Dyke amid cheers from the spectators, dropkicked a fine goal from about the 25. —Anglo-Welsh 3 points.

A few minutes later the British forwards broke away, and after a good rush Archer scored in a fairly good position and the crowd once more applauded, glad of the excuse to get their hands warm. Dyke failed with the kick at goal, and, as it ultimately proved, his failure cost his side the game.— Auglo-Welsh 6 points. Two free kicks to Otago placed the British line in danger, and the visitors forced down, alter Patou had had an unsuccessful shot at goal from an acute angle. Otago then set up a strong attack and McDonald got over the line but the ball was called back for a knock on.

Otago was not to be denied, however, as immediately afterwards the Blue forwards rushed over the line and in the midst of many Blues and colours —Fitzpatrick touched down.

Once more, as too ofter happens in big and little matches, the kick at goal was a failure, but Otago had scored three points to their opponents’ six and hope rose in the Blue breasts, even though for the rest of the spell the particoloured invaders had the upper hand. On one occasion they got dangerously near to the Otago line, but a free kick to the home team relieved, and the spell ended with the visitors leading by three points. The visitors had been the favourites before the game and their position now confirmed this, it being believed that they would maintain the lead they had won. Bocal supporters, however, fancied that the Blue team which was picked some time ago and had got in excellent trim, would last better, and that the Otago forwards and the ground rendered slippery with the rain would effect the fast backs, even though the conditions were very similar to those they were used to in the Old Country.

These anticipations proved correct, especially those based on faith, so often justified, in Otago forwards. They opened the spell with some very fine work in following and backing up and kept so close on the ball that the visiting backs got practically no chance of showing to advantage. Otago followed up splendidly, and gave the visitors a busy time staving off attacks, the spectators being aroused to a great pitch of excitement.

About ten minutes after the spell opened Otago got a free kick in a favourable position, and Baton equalised the scores by sending the ball over the bar, a tremendous outburst of cheering acknowledging the delight of the crowd and the feat. —Anglo-Welsh 6, Otago 6. From this out every attack and counter attack aroused the physically cold spectators to warm demonstrations of approval. The battle raged with fluctuating fortune for a considerable time, and the issue was in doubt. At about the middle of the spell, Otago penned the colours down in their 25’s where there was much interesting and exciting play, the visitors striving vainly to get clear while the Blues were remorseless in their pressure. This was the stage at which the visitors missed the resourceful Jackett from full-back. Presently the ball was whipped out to Dyer, wing three-quarter, and that speedy Southerner flashed over the corner like a streak of blue lighting, scoring the winning try amidst thunders of applause, cheering and throwing up of hats —some of which were never recovered by their owners again. The kick at goal was a failure. — Otago q, Anglo-Welsh 6. After this further reverse the visitors held their own better, and for a few minutes it. looked as though they were going to pull the match out of the fire—or the frost. Towards the finish Otago had a busy time defending against Vasall,, Williams, Jones and Co., but their best efforts failed to penetrate the defence, and the game ended with Otago attacking and the score still standing Otago 9, Anglo-Welsh 6. For the greater part of the day the play was confined to the forwards. Both sets of backs got

very few opportunities to display their abilitias of attack. The ball surely came out to the rear division from the scrum, and in consequence the backs had to make all their own play. The visitors, who seemed to have the advantage in weight, had the best of the line play and the scrums, but in the loose they were outclassed by Otago, whose forward rushes at times were irresistible.

Passing rushes were rarely attempted, but few efforts were made in this direction and they were not very successful. A large number of free kicks were given by Dr. Crawford during the game, the British team being chiefly responsible for breaches of the rules. The visitors were entertained at a smoke concert to-night, and leave for Invercargill on Tuesday.

New Zealand v. Australia.

N.Z. 24 —Australia 12. Brisbane, May 30. The match, New Zealand v. Australia was played to-day in dull weather and before 5000 spectators. Australia won the toss and Wrigley kicked out. New Zealand pressed and had the Blues in difficulties. A free kick for lifting in the scrum relieved the pressure, and Blues play was transferred to the centre. It soon came back to the home territory, however, and a passing bout between J. Wynyard, Tyler and Rowe ended in the latter scoring. Wrigley converted. The Blacks again attacked vigorously, and though sent back returned again. J. Wynyard gathered from the ruck and scored, Wrigley failing to convert. A free kick was awarded the Blacks for off-side, and Wrigley scored a nice goal. The Australians then attacked, and for a free kick for rounding the scrum, Messenger placed a goal. The Blacks neutralised this quickly, Rowe scoring a try, and Wrigley converting. Half-time.—New Zea--Is—Australia5 —Australia 2. C. Byrne fractured the point of his elbow, aud Gilchrist played in his place. Karly in the second spell Rowe marked in the home 25, aud Wrigley kicked a goal. Give and take play followed for a pace, and play was brisk. Ultimately the Blacks pressed their opponents out of the line, where a battle royal raged until a misskick sent it over and Baird saved The Blues forced down, and then Messenger dropped a nice field goal. From the scrum at hah way, J, Wynyard gave to Johnston, who passed to Cross, and the last named scored; Wrigley converted. Rutze and Hardcastle scored tries for Australia and Messenger converted one. Just before time, Wrigley kicked a goal from the field. Final.—New Zealand 24 — Australia 12.