PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
THE "ALL BLACKS/ 1907-08
By. A. H. Basessviixs. THE SALFORD MATCH. New Zealand 9 Salford 2 The second match of the New Zealander* Sn Manchester drew a fine crowd at Spllford. In spite of the wintry weather and an 4cy cold wind. 12,000 spectators attended, the "gate" being nearly £500. Ac SaturJday came midway between Christmas and ; the New Year holidays, the match was regarded in the light of a mid-week one, Because mostpeople had to work. Therefore, under the circumstances, the -sttendance was very satisfactory Since tho arrival of the "AT Blacks' in .Manchester — three * weeks ago — they ha*, c (been training on the Salford Ground 30 the -match was like a "home* one to them. .The frosty weather lately had dried fhe ground well, and a covering of straw had prevented it from freezing, so che surface was in splendid playing condition. A tftrong breeze blew across che ground and made place-kicking very difficult. New Zealand won the toss, and SalfoFd Ikicked off. The first incident worth noting flwis the failure of Messenger to kick a goal bom a mark. A few minutee later New Zealand secured from a scrum, and a series K)f fine runs and passes between R. Wynyard, Todd, and Rowe carried the ball to the fSalford line. Rowe was tackled there, but flawed infield to Messenger, who dashed over and scored a try, which he failed to convert. j Selford failed in an attempt o place a goal from a penalty kick, and then Mesflenger failed to do the same- for New Zealand. Todd by a Ion? dodscv run nearly fccored. then Salford conceded a force. From loose play near the halfway Inie ■Messenger secured the ball. He broke through beautifully before passing to Todd And R. W\nvard. and then, receiving another pas* i'lfield, scored his second try. "Wrigley attempted to convert -t but failed. Ju=t before the interval Turtili mtlp a fine run irom the full-back position He passed to Messenger, who dropped for goal. It was a near thing, though unsuccessful. Salford got offside, and Turuill had a tfor goal, but hie kick fell short. Half -time «ame with the score: New Zealand 6 points, ■fialford nil. The second spell opened in lively fashion, each side a-ttacliing. in turn. Tcdd and telly by pretty running and passing reached the home twenty-fiv*. Sy fine- combination in passing they rac*d back to our line, where Turtill saved a score by resolute •Yackling. Th« New Zealand forwards swept b&ck to Salford's line -with a stirring rueh. They ran and passed well to the " All Black" quarter again. Salford were obstructed there, and Lomas landed a penalty goal for them. Salford a few minutes later failed io repeat the performance from a penalty tick. This was their last chance of scoring. For the rest of the game the New Sealanders attacked. Rowe and Crr>^s to-
gether dribbled the bail past the home full back, and a hard kick at a- critical moment spoiled a fine chance — the ball crossing the dead-ball line. The colonials attacked continuously for 10 minutes, but the defence was too solid. R. Wynyard dropped for goal, and missed by a few feet. A f«<v minutes later he secured from a srrrm, and made a fine opening on the blind) side for Wrigley. who dashed over and srored si try near the corner flag. Messenger failed to augment the score. Simultaneously the whistle sounded the full time, with the scores standing : New Zealand, 9 , Salford, 2.
The game was not such a " pretty " or " brilliant " ono as that played at Broughton (Manchester) near the beginning of our tour. The play was very keen and strenuous, so much the latter in fact that the referee had to call the players around him once and give them a lecture on Socialism, or brotherly love. Both sides offended in this respect, so everybody wae satisfied. The best player on the ground was undoubtedly Turtill. He fielded in a veering wind, and kicked with excellent judgment. Our three-quarter line — Messenger, Rowe, and Kelly — was very solid on defence and steady in other departments. Our five-eighths (Tcdd and Wrigley) did well — in fact, the latter played his beet game of the tour. Todd had to leave the field in the second spell through an injury, which, it is feared, will prevent him playing — like Smith — in the international match with Wales. R. Wynyerd, at half back, was as tricky and as clever as over he was. The forwards — Byrno, Pearoe, Mackrell, Wright, Cross, and Johnston — controlled fhe ball in the scrum, and were also superior in the open play. Some of their sweeping dribbling rushes were magnificent. They carried averything before them \\ hen they got going.
On Monday 20 players left for Aberdare (South Wales) to prepare for the Welsh international, the other nine remaining 1 in Manchester. They met with a fine reception down south, a great crowd turning out to cheer them on arrival.
J NEW ZEALAND v. CUMBERLAND. SYDNEY, February 11. The New Zealanders suffered one of the
Heaviest reverses of their tour at Work- | ington when they were defeated by Cumberland by three goals and five tries to three goals and one try. The " All Blacks" practically lost the match in the first half, the home men playing with judgment and 6kill and there being a • capital understanding between the backs and forwards. Directly after the change ' of ends Cumberland were twice penalised, and on each occasion Messenger landed a j goal. Cumberland then tackled strongly, and, after repeated failures, crossed their J opponents' line. Though generally unable to make much headway, the visitors managed to secure a try, a player charging down Ridley's kick and taking the ball over with him. Messenger again ; kicked a goal. Cumberland were masters j of the situation for the rest of the game, 1 and added another try, which was not converted.
LAST MATCH OF THE TOUR.
WIN FOR NEW ZEALAND
LONDON, February 16.
The New Zealand footballers defeated the Northern Union by a goal and two tiies to a goal and a try. There were 3000 spectators at the match, which was played in stormy weather.
The Northern Union pressed throughout the first half, scoring 5 points to nil. The final stages vrere fiercely contested, the referee cautioning some of the play-ers. The New Zealanders scored twice just before time.
The record of the New Zealand tea n is as follows: — Matches played, 3*; won, 30 ; lost, 14 : drawn, 2 ; points for, 393 ; pom+3 against, 381. This record is not nearly a« good as that put up by the amateur tft'm which visited England in 1905-6. T l »:it team played 32 matches, winning 31, tnd losing 1. The pointß scored by the U-j.cn were 868, while those against weie only 17.
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Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 58
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1,138PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 58
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