FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9103, 24 March 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE LAST TEST MATCH

NSW ZEALAND 8 NORTHERNS 5,

Press Association —Copyright, Received March 23, 3.10 p.m

Sydney, March 33,

The last test match at Cheltenham was witnessed by 3000 persons. The Northerns kicked off, and the English halves got the ball away, Button running into New Zealand’s 25. Then Taylor and Wrigley got their line clear, the Unionists being forced down near midfield. The New Zealanders here became offside, und, with a fine kick, White goaded. The Union again attacked in great style, with the result that Jolley s. r-» ever,with a clover try, but it wr-’-. con dip.-cult, however, to con-

So far the northerns bad all the best of the game, and more than held their own. to half-time, when the score was .five to nil. The New Zealanders, on resuming, broke away, and Trevnrthon, getting a pass from Smith, crossed tho line, bat was help up. White also made a. fine run, while Taylor was forced to touch down by Wyuyurd. Keeping up tho pressure, Now Zenalnd obtained a free, kick, and Messenger attempted a shot at goal.

Tho Ail Blacks were making tremendous attempts to score. Wynyard, Tyler, and Wrigloy doing fine work. Towards the close, says the Daily Telegraph., the game became extremely rough, and the men almost get out of hand. Cross was ordered off the field for striking an opponent, and there were several other incidents which created considerable unpleasantness to everybody concerned.

Eventually Messenger scored from pjass by Tyler. After Wrigloy had obtained the extra points, some mere fighting took place, Dunning using his fists pretty frcelv.

Johnston scored again from a fine rush, hut Wrigley failed at goal. For the rest of the game the New Zealanders pressed hard, but there was no more scoring.

A BRUTAL GAME,

SEVERE CRITICISM.

Received, March 24, 8.0 a.m. Sydney, March 24. The Daily Express says that the idea of instructing Westerners in the delights of Northern Football was a failure. Mauy left the ground heartily disgusted at the foul and brutal tactics employed towards the close when the game developed into a scrapping match.

The views of an unbiassed chronicler of the game are worth quoting in full, they are: Tackling developed from fierceness into brutality and ruffianism. First Cross was ordered off for delibeiately kicking an opponent, then Thomas, of Oldham, was guilty of the same foul tactics, the sufferer in this case was Gilchrist, who was not disposed to take it lying down and he arose and administered such fistic chastisement to the Oldham player as will not soon be forgotten. Everybody anticipated that both men would receive marching orders, but the referee was evidently of the opinion that justice had already been meted out. The Daily Mail and Leader confirm the report of roughness, while the Daily Graphic says the cause of professional Rugby has not been advanced much by the third contest.