PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
THE OLDHAM MATCH. SYDNEY,' December 31. OMham provided the fourth reverse for the All-Blacks. The home "team is one of the finest in the Northern Union. The conditions under which the match ivas played were unfortunate, heavy rain having done much damage to the ground. The colonials were not represented .by their best side. They played Tfith more dash than they did in recent engagements, but they were never -equal to their opponents. Oldham -were stronger* 151 the scrummage, and at the same time showed" greater adaptability to the heavy going.
play on the treacherous ground whs a gooj deal better than might have been ex. pected. The contest immediately after th< start favoured the home side. There wa< a particularly good movement on the part' of the colonial backs, which was only checked in time to prevent them scoringj By dint of perseverance, the visitors re* duced fSeir opponents' lead, 3£essenge< kicking a paaslty goal. Rain fell incest santly after the interval. Oldham quickly broke "through and scored, buf from this point to* the finish the touristy them considerably and had th< better of the 'Jday, Wright scoring s( clever try and Messenger -converting it< Oldham, however, held their lead of # point to the finish.
THE BUNCORN MATCH. SYDNEY, January 1. The New Zealanders sustained thecf fifth defeat at Runcorn. 4^r determining factor was the superiority of the Runcorn forwards, the v colonials' backs being" afforded few opportunities of showings their usual combination. Rain fell heavily before the. game startedj and much of the! ground was under water. -The home team* attacked from the outset, and the issue was never in doubt. The New Zealandera for the greater part of the gam© had to bet content with defensive tactics. ExceHentt as was the manner in which they opposed the Runcorn attacks, the All Blacks were' unable to prevent their line being crossed.. They did their best to recover the lost' ground, but without success.
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Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 63
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327PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 63
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