FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9079, 20 February 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH, Press Association.—Copyright. Received February 19, 11 p.m. Sydney, February 19. The DailyiTelegraph says that the New Zealanders lost 'their second international match by two points after a delightful exhibition of football. The colonials started badly. Their fielding was faulty. England scored in the first minute, and increased the lead immediately*, after by scoring another goal. Finding themselves so much in arrears the Colonials infused greater energy into their methods. A really brilliant movement by Smith, Todd, |and Wynyard ended in the last named scoring, and Messenger kicking a fine goal from a good position. At the interval the score was England 8, New Zealand 5. On the 40 minutes’ play England was just about three points the better team. The advantage was due to superior scrummaging. On resumption the Blacks gave a delightful display, Their splendid resourcefulness and accuracy in passing were a revelation to the Northern Union enthusiasts. Wynyard and Rowe secured tries, and in the last two minutes Byrne got [over, Turtill kicking a goal, making the scores: England 18, New Zealand 16.. ’ Had Messenger been more accurate at goal-kicking the scales might have been turned. Smith,. Wynyard,. Tnrtill, and Todd wore outstanding in the Blacks. Smith played a remarkably fine game. Turtill’s all round performance was a feature. Messenger and Rouse, on the wings, were often prominent. Both teams played their full strength; It is generally admitted that the better team lost. The Chronicle says the New [|Zealanders, in the early parfe'of the game, played in a very impetuous style. The Englishmen showed [no pronounced superiority prior to the interval. Afterwards they played up finely, the forwards getting the ball oftener and the- backs being steadier.

The Daily News says the New Zealanders were quite as good as their opponents. They lost the game through missing a couple of favourable chances when very well placed.