PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 62

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

WITH THE "ALL BLACKS," 1907-08-Bt A. H. Baskerville. New Zealand 6 points. Hull Kingston Rovers . . 3 points. Though the Now Zeaknders had pkiyed in Hull previously, their second visit to play Hull Kingston Rovers aroused great interest in the east of Yorkshire. The fino game that resulted on the previous occasion no doubt went a long way to arouse enthusiasm, so that nearly 10,000 people assembled in spite of the foggy and bitterly cold weather. The gate amounted to approximately £400. The New Zealand team was not up to full strength in the back division on account of the heavy casualty list. It was: — Turtill, Tyne, Messenger, Tyler, Wrigley, R. Wjnjard, Kelly, Gilchrist, Pearce, Trevarthen, Byrne, Cross, Johnston. The "All Blacks" kicked off, and in half a minute had nearly scored. 'Ihey rushed the bail over the Home lino, the Rovers saving luckily by forcing. Again they rushed to the Rovers' line, and were nearly over. A scrum resulted. The ball passed thiough tho hands of Kelly, R. Wynyard, and Messenger to Wrigley. The latter made a fine dash for the Home line and handed on to Tyne, who capped the brilliant piece of combined play with a. try. Messenger's try at goal hit the goal post and rebounded. Two minutes had elapsed. Cross nearly succeeded in scoring again fiom a forward rush. Tyler lost ground by failing to accept a pass, and New Zealand was compelled to force. Messenger attempted to put the ball over from a free kick, but failed. The Rovers attacked, and smothered a New Zealand kick. The ball rebounded, and a Hull back, securing the ball, ran over the line unopposed. They failed to convert the try. New Zealand 3 points, Hull Kingston Rovers 3 point 6. Snow commenced to fall as ' Messenger made another unsuccessful attempt to land ' a goal from a penalty kick. A fine passing run l>v Byrne, Johnston, R. Wyns-ard, and Messenger nearly saw a score, the latter being tackled close to the Home line. Hard-fought play continued for the rest of the first spell, first one side and then tho other attacking. Turtill played magnificently, and was the means of frequently getting his side out of difficulties with his clever line-kicking. Shortly before halftime Wrigley narrowly failed to drop a goal. Hull attacked for a while with the restart of play. They also found the defence solid, and tried to pot a goal, but failed. The New Zealand forwards swept up the field to the half-way line. Cross snapped up there and made a dash before partingwith the ball. Byrne and R. Wynyara handled and ran nicely, making a good opening for Messenger, who scored near the corner flag after a fine run. Wrigley failed with the shot at goal. Strenuous play followed this event. The Home team was by no means playing a. gentle game, and had to be reminded of this fact by the referee once or twice. Messenger appeared to have a try at his mercy. He actua-lly ran over, Dut was called back for something. This was our last sarious attempt. After this, play hovered near the New Zealand line. It was the 6cene of many warm scrums, but despite the pressure our defence was too stubborn, so the #a.me ended : New Zealand 6 points, Hull Kingston Rovers 3 points. Turtill turned out to be the roundest back on the field. His defence wat> splendid. Wrigley, Messenger, and R. Wynyard combined well, and were always dangerous on attack. They were ably assisted by Tyne and Kelly, who, in addition, played fine defensive games. Johnston, Cross, Pearce, and Gilchrist were a fine quartette in the heavy work. Trevarthen and Byrne shone out well in the open. Cumberland 21 points. New Zealand 9 points. On the Monday after the match in Hull, the New Zealand team journeyed to Carlisle, and stayed there preparatory to the Cumberland match. A few of the party seized the opportunity on Tuesday — being so close — io visit Edinburgh for the day. The team travelled to Workingtcn, where the Cumberland match was to be decided on the Wednesday morning. It is a small town on the coast, and, judging by the crowd, nearly every male adult in the town must have witnessed the match. Nearly ' 4000 braved the elements and stood the wintry weather during the progress of the game. .. j Unfortunately the gale of wind prevail{mß completely spoiled the game. The New Zealan-ders were unfortunate to lo=e the toss, and had to face it at first. The North of England men made the most of this advantage, and secured three trios before half-time, Ferguson, of the Oldham j Club, converting all of them by fine kicking. . , .. .„ With a deficit of 15 points, the All Blacks " restarted, and shortly reduced the ! lead by 4 points, Messenger putting o\er two penalty goals. . The heavy strain undergone in the fjnsfc ! spell began to take effect, and the New Zealanders found themselves in difficulties again. Wrigley had a kick charged down on his own goal line, and a Cumber- | land man ran over unopposed and scored I an unconverted frrv. | \nother one resulted a few minutes later from a forward rush, also unconverted. This made their total 21 points. I New Zealand pre**ed the rest of the time, ■ but could only secure a try. Tyne, runi ning thiough the Home team and scoring & j magnificent try between the goal -post*. Messenger converted it. and the game ended— Cumberland 21 points, New Zealand ! 9 point.-. ! The Cumberland team possessed the ; finest pack of forwards we have yet met. i Not only did they excel in open play, but i they boat the New Zealanders >t securing the ball in the scrum. This spelt disaster en a day like Wednesday. They could not make a mistakp during the game. Messenger and Tvne played fine games, both making Mveial brilliant efforts. Th»

other New Zealand backs did well considering the difficulties and the unusual conditions they were playing under. The New Zealand team was : — Turtill, Messenger, Rowe, Tyne, Wrigley, W Wynyard, R. Wynyard, Gilchrist^ Mackrell, Trevarthen, Byrne, Cross, Johneton Wales ... 9 New Zealand .. ... ~« ... .. 8 On New Year's Day, foi the first time an international professional Rugby football match was played in Wales. For the reason that no other ground capable of holding a large crowd was available in South Wales, the matoh was decided at Aberdare, where hitherto no Northern Union # games had been played. Remembrance of the exciting contest at Cardiff two years ago, and no doubt a desire to compare our team with the last " All Blacks," drew'an attendance of about 12,000 people, and, a " gate" amounting to nearly £600. The crowd was delighted with the exhibition of the new game. Luckily the " play was bright and fast, with any amount of running and fine passing — just the sort of play that Welsh — and New Zealand — crowds delight to witness. Not only were the people delighted at their rather lucky 1 point victory, but they were loud in their praises of the advantages of the Northern Union rules. Even in Wales, where the passing game is more practised than anywhere else by amateur teams, Rugby Union supporters recognise that their rules are antiquated There is a 6trong undercurrent, of feeling in favour of a change that will make the old game as attractive as the new._ A few more converts to Northern Unionism and exhibitions like our game would cause a revolution. I am -"nformed that it is only the "internationals" that keeji Wales tied io the apron strings of the English Rugby Union. I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that sentiment or traditions •would not stand in the way if New Zealand people saw a few of our first-class Northern Union games. Both publio and players would demand a change, as the advantages of the revised rules are so apparent. Nearly everybody will admit that ' ' good old Rugby" ia sadly behind the times, and in Eome places is every season becoming less attractive. The weather for the match was fine, but very cold. The ground waa frozen to a depth of 3in or 4in, and consequently as hard as a paving stone. This was disastrous for us, as it happened. A few minutes' play had hardly gone when Rowe was rendered practically useless by being brought heavily to his knees. He pluckily caw the game through though. W. Wynyard was brought low and bumped his head severely on the ground. He sustained an injury which dazed him for a while. JohnBton was also tackled low and severely shaken, but he kept on playing. Wright received a knock and ran about dazed towards the end of the game. The New Zealand team was : — Turtill, Kelly, Rowe, Messenger. Wrigley, W. Wynyard, R. Wynyard*, Gilohrist, Pearce, Mackrell, Wright. Cross, and Johnston. The Welsh team was: — C. Jenkins, D. Thomas, Llewellyn. B. Jenkins, Treharne, Benyon, J. Thoma3, Uai Jones, Davies, Thomas, Burgham, Rees, and Francis. New Zealand had a slight advantage with the wind in the first spell. After Wales had pressed with the kick-off for a few minutes, the New Zealand forwards worked up to the Home twenty-five. W. Wynyard wag seen in a fine run. He passed to Messenger, who was tackled close to the iine. Another passing rush by Wrigley, Bowe, and Messenger looked dangerous. itowe again secured and cross-kicked to the right wing. The ball was flashed about among several New Zealand backs, and W. Wynyard ran over near the corner flag Messenger failed to convert the try. A few minutes later Wales attacked and secured from a scrum in our twenty-five. The ball was rapidly passed out to Dai Thomas, the Halifax sprinter, who scored twice against us in that club match. He made good use of his rare pace, and scored an unconverted try at the corner flag. Wales soon lost their advantage. The "All Blacks," though the ground was unkind and strange to them on account of its concrete hardness, were playing beautifully. Their fielding and tackling was superb — particularly Turtill's. Their forwards -were taking risks, and soon rushed down to the Home half again. A few neat pusses, bewildering to the home side apparently, saw W. Wynyard run over again and score a prettily-worked try. He had several comrades at hand to pass to if he had been threatened at all. Messenger converted, and raised the score to — New Zealand, 8 ; Wales, 3. Thus it remained until half-time, in spite of a strong Welsh attack during the remainder of the first epell. Wales assumed ihe aggressive when they started with the wind, ' and kept up a prolonged attack. Francis scored an unconverted try for them from a forward rush after a quarter of an hour's hard play. This seemed to rouse the " All Blacks '* again, so that they attacked, the Welsh iine being in jeopardy for a long time. The game developed into a tug-of-war be'twsen the two forward teams, usually about the half-way line. Towards the end of tho game the New Zealanders were attacking It seemed all over and a victory secured Only a few minutes remained when the Webb forwards rushed to our line. A scramble ensued near the corner flag, and Dai Jones, the ex-amateur international, ■was awarded a doubtful try. This was not converted. The New Zealonders kicked off in haste, trying to wipe out the one-point deficiency . They rushed to the We'sh line, and there R. Wynyard, with a clear field in front end onh two yards -to g-c, knocked on. and unfortunately spoilt tile last chance of snatching a victory. The whistle sounded immediately afterwards— Wales, 9; New Zealand, 8. Though .all the New Zealand backs did very well, there is no doubt the absence of Todd and Smkh was severely felt. The letter was the very man required on the oay's play— in fact, the play would have suited both eminently. Gilchrlst and Pearce wore often conspicuous, and both Wright end Johnston played sterling g-ames until injured. Cross also worked hard. Tho general opinion from people and the press after the match was that if , they, could be assured of fast, open. play, such as they had seen in that international, they would patronise and foster our game, whether the players were amateur or professionals. BLACKPOOL. January 16. England 18 New Zealand .... . 16 ffte second international match engaged

for the New Zealanders was contested at Wigan last Saturday before about 12,000 spectators. It is a strange thing that representative matches in the Northern Union area (except Wales) do not draw the attendances 4h at good club matches do. However, the lack of local interest was not solely responsible for the small attendance. A few days' heavy frost made it uncertain as to whether the ground would be fit to play on. The doubt in this direction kept away people who had to travel some distance. It transpired that the ground had been olothed in hay for the week, and this, when cleared off, left it in perfect condition. It was a good thing that this precaution had been taken, because a few yards back from the touch and goal lines the ground was frozen as hard as iron. Apart from the cold snap prevailing, the weather conditions were perfect. The members of the New Zealand team arrived in Wigan from Cumberland and Scotland on Thursday evening, and stayed there till the Monday after the match. The following took the field against England: — Turtill, Messenger, Smith, Rowe, Wrigley, Todd. R. Wynyard, Wright, Pearce, Byrne, Tyler, Cross, and Johnston. Those representing England were: — H. Taylor (Hull), Eccles (Halifax), Lomas (Salford), Hog-gr (Broughton Rangers), Leytham (Wigan), Wallace (Hull), Flynn (Broughton Rangers), Ferguson and Smith (Oldham), Padbury (Runcorn), Wilson (Hunslet), Beetham (Broughton Rangers), and Robinson (Halifax). England kicked off after losing the toss, and very soon invaded New Zealand territory. A free kick enabled the Home team to work to our line. A scramble ensued there, from which the ball was passed out wide to Eccles, of Halifax. He dashed j along the touch line, and though tackled well fell over the line at the corner flag. The try was not converted. A few minutes later Messenger secured a mark in a fair position, but failed to reach the goal with his kick. England retaliated with a rush to our line. Temporary relief wa6 secured by a free kick, and Pearce and Byrne cleared danger from their own goal line to halfway with a gsand combined dribble. Once more England attacked, and by pretty out-and-in passing scored a try between our DO6ts. This being converted, made their score 8 points, after only 12 minutes' play. Padbury scored the second try. These reverses aroused the New Zealanders. They rushed to England's twentyfive. Smith secured the ball, and made a fine run, opening: before passing to Todd. The latter served Rowe. who drew several opponents, and then passed infield to R. Wynyard. He eluded the remaining defence, and scored a try. which was converted by Messenger This fine movement, extending from halfway to the goal line, brought forth great cheering. By a fine line kick Turtill put the Blacks in a good position again, but the advantage was lost through penalty kicks beinar thre^ times awarded to the Home team. Two of these- were nearly put over the bar. R. Wynyard was very conspicuous just before half-time sounded, staving off an attack by a fine tackle. The interval arrived with the score still England 8, New Zealand 5. Soon after the restart Todd and Rowe, by nippy passing, removed play to England's territory. Messenger and Smith, by a magnificent series 'of pas=-^s in and out, reached the Home line. From a scrum there Messenger secured the ball, and made a fine opening before passing to R. Wynvard, who scored his second try after a fin© run. Messenger's failure to convert left the score 8 points all. Excitement ran hicrh as England rushed again to our line. Wrigley warded off the dan«r-er for a while with a clever line kick, but the Home team persisted, and by fine passing the crack Wigan three-quarter (Leytham) was placed in a grood position. He scored an unconverted try amidst great armlaiise from his local admirers. England nearly scored again a few minutes later, when they reached our line by fine passing, but touched the corner flaer instead of' scoriner. Messenger and Smith raced half the length of the field, passing tho ball to and from each other in a way which bewildered the defence and let them reach their goal line. A scramble took place near the goal. Wrigley secured and passed out wide to Rowe. who dived through a knot of defenders, and scored a brilliant try well out. Wrigley took the kick, but failed to convert. The scores now .stood level again* — 11 points each. The New Zealanders were putting in some fine work, and deserved more points — once when Todd out ritrht through the defence and stumbled after beatine the last defensive unit, and again when Messenger failed to put over a free kiok awarded us in front, of the home goal. The luck went with the home team, for they were more successful with a free kick, Leytham addini? a brace of points with a goal. England followed up their iegaining of the lead with a forward rush to the New Zealand goal line. The ball rolled towards it. and Wrigley had ample time to touch down under ordinary circumfltanoeß ; but the ball hit a goal post and bounded to I one side. Lomas, of Salford. was handy, and was simply presented with a try, whioh he converted himself. From thi<? on the New Zealanders had the upper hand. A fine passing: bout saw Me««enjjer almost over. Aeain, Johnston made a fine ope-iintr for Tyler to simnlv run over and tO'ich down, but he fumbled the oa»<. This looked all over a try. Eventuallv^ R. Wvnvard sen red from a scrum near *the halfway. H^ marlo a little kick o%<?r his opponents' head*. and. vwcuririflf, ran to the home full buck. At the t-vventy-five yards' line he passed to Bvrne. who sprinted away from all pursuers and scored between the posts. Tuvfill took tho kick, and landed a fine poal. This left the •scores England 13 New Zealand 16, and thus it remained until the sounding of time, in spit? of i ecrenuous finil effort to wine on - Ih^ dofirierev. From a New Zealand point of vir>w the came was onf of mL^ed chances. Wp lo^t through sheer bad lur-k. R<?o-arr'incr this tho Daily Despatch stated- " Owinoc to an ensilv explainable lark of combination and understanding, representative matoVies are mo-e often than not disappointing, but thi^i eornolairt fould not be urged against tlio pmtoh H W'<rar> N;i"wr°n England and Ne-w Zealand. Tho «!*r>p li.id ;mperf"C<k>rs Kit they wer*« more thnn compensated for by the many thrilliicr moments anrl «mo of tii.r> brilliant vmnds of pa £ »ina r among; tho All TViaeks. Thr> vast majoriiv of those who saw the match <r~ne away nlpa-^d Hint "Ensr\ir,<\ hatl won. biJt convinced that the real honours of the game belonged to tha coloiiiala. Jxx other words, they felt that the

English 6ide were indeed fortunate to be able to acclaim themselves victors." The trickiness of R. Wynyard was an outstanding feature of the game. Both his tries were meritorious ones. He kept his opponents very busy behind the scrum. Smith played a fine -game — his first, appearance since his injury in rhe Yorkshire match nearly a month ago. His tackling vraa very effective. Todd and Messenger also kept their opponents busy, and both should have scored with ordinary luck on different occasions. Rowe also did remarkably well. Hi 6 fine sprint and phenomenal dive for the line to secure his try aroused a frreat deal of enthusiasm among the crowd. England excelled in the forward division. Their fine loose dribbling rushes were veryhard to stem. The New Zealand forwards were equal to them in the pack though, and secured a fair share of the ball. Cress. Johnston, and Pearce were always to the fore. After the match at Wiaran the New Zealanders moved to Blackpool, the famous Lancashire watering place, on the west coast. A few woeks are to be spent at the seaside before playing the three important test matches. The value of this place as a health resort may be seen from the fact that last week' five Association teams were there nrepariiig for the fir^t round of their Cup ties