PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 62

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Bi A. H. Bxnxxnvn&x.

WITH THE "ALL BLACKS," 1907-08.

Lancashire 20 points. New Zealand 4 points. I The third county match Df the " All Black" tour turned out to be as decisive a disaster to the team as the victory in the first match with Yorkshire County was, and, strange to say, Lancashire was at the bottom of the table in the county competition this season. We are convinced form goes for nothing in the Northern Union game. The apparently weakest clubs can rise to the occasion I when the spirit moves them. Take for in- ! stance two interclub league contests last week. Wigan were beaten on their own ground by Runeorn by 9 points to 3, and Hunelet (the unbeaten team so far) went down before Hull Kingston Rovers to the tune of 23 points to 11. " The Lancashire team rose to occasion undoubtedly on Saturday, and took the chance to retrieve a record which, for them, had been their worst since the Northern Union County ohampionship had been instituted. They could do nothing wrong during the day. On the other hand, the New Zealanders were all at sea. as far as pushing home attacks were concerned, although they brought off many a. brilliant and clever movement. They thoroughly deserved more recognition for their work. The New Zealand team was: —Turtill, Messenger, Smith, Wrigley, W. Wynvard, Todd, R. Wynyard, Gilchrist, Pearce, Cross, Trevarthen, Byrne, and Johnston. W. Wynyard had to retire during the first spell through an injured shoulder. This Tipest our combination, both on attack and die-fence. However, Gilchrist, at win-g three-quarter, did remarkably well, considering ho was opposed to the redoubtable Leytham. The Lancashire team was: —Gifford (Barrow), Tyson (Old-ham), Hogg (Broiurhton), Jenkins and Leytham (Wigan), Baxter (Rochdale), Jolley (Runeorn), Spencer and Buelrfer (Salford), Smith and Avery lOklham), Ruddick and Beetham (Oldham). These players, when they settled down to their game, astounded us by their combination. The weather and ground conditions were favourable for a fast game, and the fine sporting crowd were obliged with an exhibition which mitet have been worth going a long way to see. We were beateni at every point, and at what is now considered in Northern Union circles our 1 own game. New Zealand won the toss, and Lancashire kicked off with the slight breeze in their favour, but were soon on the defensive. By a fine passing rush from a scrum in the Home twen+y-five R. Wynyard, , Todd, W. Wynyard, and Wrigley got I within, striking distance, but the latter was well tackled. The ground gained was lost by a free kick later. Cross and Johnston headed a rush back again. R-. ww yn: yard served Wrigley on' the blind side 01 a scrum, and he was pushed into the

corner flag just in time to prevent « 6core. Messenger, with a good tackle, cl-ecked a Lancashire attack. Todd, ab midfield, initiated a grand passing rush, which was continued by R. Wjnyard, Smith, and Wrigley. For the third time the latter was foiied in a good position. Messenger and Smith combined well in a. rare passing duet, covering half the field, but Laiicashire came back with two grand passing rushes, and Tyson scored on tho second occasion near the coiner flag. This try was not converted Even play followed for (some time. sSmitli made a fine run and dribble, and the ball was passed on to W. Wynyard, Todd, and Wrigley, who failed again to push horpe the advanlage. Todd made a fine run, and handed the ball on to W. Wynyard and Gilchrist. The latter struggled to within a few yards of their goal-posts, but was held up. Johnston lost the advantage by off-side play. At halfway R. Wynyard tricked the defence around a scrum, and gave the ball to Byrne, who ran to their full back, but was unfortunately tackled while in possession of j the ball. A pass in season to attendant supporters would have made the required difference to the score. Messenger elected to go on his own account after a fine run. ■ I He also nearly scored, but a pass wide out j to Smith would have don© much better, as the latter had a clear field. Lancashire made no mistakes at critical moments. Gif Ford scored a try after fine passing for them, and the failure to convert left them 6 points up. Lancashire scored another unconverted try in the same Bpot as the other two had been secured, Spencer this time being tho means of touching down, after a fine round of passing. Half-time arrived with • Lancashire leading by 9 points, and New I Zealand playing without their clever fiveeighbh (W. Wynyard), who had .been forced to retire earlier in the game. ! Upon the resumption of play Todd 6oon j made a fine opening for Messenger, who j ran over their line, but the referee ruled 1 the pass a forward one. Wrigley had two I tries to put over free kicks, but failed in each case. .Todd was obstructed in a fine scoring position near the corner, and the compensating free kick was not turned to account by Wrigley. A good run by Tre- , varthen. which was carried on by Byrne, enabled the latter to reach the Home goal, I but no score resulted. The Blacks were i d&ngerous until obstructed. This time { Messenger failed to kick a goal from the 1 free' kick. Lancashire intercepted a pase, and reached New Zealand terrftory. A [ free kick awarded them did ncrf; bear fruit, but they prevailed a few minutes later, when Jenkins scared an unconverted try in a scramble. R. Wynyard was next conspicuous by making a fine run. He transferred neatly to Johnston, who dashed away, but was pulled down a few yards short of the goalline. A fine New Zealand passing rueh placed Byrne in a good scoring position, but he unluckily lost th#ball. Lancashire seemed to deliberately get off-side to aave a situation —a trick often practised by Northerri\ Unionists,—and Messenger succeeded in placing, a goal from the free kick. ! Lancashire retaliated later with a fin* passing rush, which enabled Leyfcham to run past Gilchrist and score an unconverted try near the corner. The New Zaalanders next attacked, and Messenger practically had a try at hi« mercy, but was obstructed, and, taking th« free kick himself; landed another goalNew Zealand looked dangerous again » few minutes later when R. Wynvard cut through near a scrum. He transferred to Todd in a fpood position, but no score resulted. I Then the Home team rushed back, and bva wide pas 6 from a scrum Ley+ham was served with room to work in. He evaded Gilchrist, and scored his second try, which he converted himself. No further alteration took place in the score, rhe game enc*» ing: Lancashire, 20 points; New Zealand, 4 points. That the " All Blaoks " had a bad run of luck no one could deny. They could not do a thing right throughout the game. The Athletic News, discussing this, stated: " They played well in the first half, «nJ perhaps did not deserve to be 9 points behind, but their combination —a great, point of the previous week's mtttch —was completely overshadowed by that of their opponents. Turtill bravely struoglcil against odds, and Smith was many times, accompanied by Messenger, «een making' tracks for the line. A Lancastrian, however, always happened to be about at the- . finish, and though some of the ' checks' in the first half of the frame* .savoured of the fortunate, they were there, and that i« j the point. Wrigley was uncertain, and W. 1 Wyny.ard's injury and .retirement brokeI up the combination completely between the I half back and the five-eighths. In eatohI ing the ball, punting, and delightful passing movements the colonials were oftentimes brilliant." Messenger, though suffering from & severe cold and an injury received «t tb« start of the game, played well. Smith had very little to do, which was a pity, seeino: that the going was in his favour. RWvnyard was also handicapped by a bad cold,' but played iairly well under the circumstances. The New Zealand team, after beinir entertained at dinner, returned to Blackwool, »nd will stay there for the week before the first test match at Leeds. Unfortunaielv for this important match, the team will be weakened considerably by illness W Wynrard's shoulder' will keep him off for a few weeks. Messenger. Byrne, and Lile are now under the influence of influenza* and confined to their beds. «o that things do not look too promising. Watkine was tried in practice. I but his kr/oe won failed him again, And ! made ptaving in the "tests" impossible. ' The New Zealand team selected is: — I Turtill. M'Gregor. Smith, Rowe, Wrijrley, Todd, R. Wvnvard. Gilchrw*. Pearoe, Trevarthen, Wright, Cross, and Johnston. A* some members are still suffering frool.** ocoldfl or mild influenza, this team is liable to alteration.