FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9139, 7 May 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM

Press Association —Copyright. Sydney, May C,

The New Zealanders played their second match against New South Wales to-day, and again suffered defeat by three points. The weather was fine and the attendance large. Play was fast and interesting. The following were the teams : New Zealand.—Back, Turtill; three-quarters, W. Wynyard, Barber and Rowe ; five-eights, Tyler and R. Wynyard; half, Kelly; forwards, Gilchrist, Pearce, Maokrill, Trevarthen, Byrne and Wright. New South Wales. —Back, Whitfield; three-quarters, Stuutz, Messenger, Devereux, Oheadle; halves. Dean and Holloway; forwards, Graves, Jones, McCabe, Pearce, Davis and Mable.

The New Zealanders won the toss, playing with a stiff breeze in their favour. They opened cleverly. The pace was soon a cracker. Good even play resulted in Messenger marking outside the 35. The shot went wide. The backs pressed for some minutes and then Holloway broke away. Devereux raced in. Messenger’s kick went over the post. A few minutes later a second try was secured by Pearce, Messenger adding a goal. New South Wales 8, New Zealand nil.

The New'Zealand hacks then got going, and Rowe were responsible for fine passing work. Rowe centred to Wynyard, whom Stuntz tackled before he took the ball. Prom a penalty, Turtill kicked a goal. New South Wales 8, New Zealand 2. The New Zealanders forced the play into the home 25 and a combined rush by Tyler and Rowe ended in Mackrell securing a try. Turtill’s kick missed the posts. New South Wales 8, New Zealand 5.

Just before half-time the visitors strongly attacked, but failed to penetrate the defence, and the first spell ended without addition to the score.

The second half opened quietly and gradually warmed up, the backs attacking strongly. A spell of exciting play ended in Devereux grounding the ball between the posts. Messenger added a goal. New South Wales 13, New Zealand 5. Even play followed. Messenger had two attempts, but the goal beat him. Wright began a formidable attack, beating the whole N.S.W. forwards and passed to R. Wynyard, who handed to W. Wynyard. The latter, feinting, got over and Tnrtill converted. Now South Wales 13, New Zealand 10.

Prom this out, honours were even. Just on the call of time Rowe made a fine run outside, and a 'try appeared certain, but Markman raised the flag and spoiled the chance. MARTON V. HUNTERVILLE.^ Another of the principal senior opening matches was played at Marton yesterday between the -above clubs. Last Saturday the other two teams entered for the senior contest met at Bulls. The four teams have now played their first game, Bulls defeating ."Excelsiors somewhat easily, and yesterday Marton scored a victory after a hotly contested game against the present holders of the shield, by a narrow margin of three points to nil—a penalty goal. The steady rain which set in at 2 o’clock did not lend Itself to a slashing exposition of the game, but nevertheless the match was uot"disappoiutiug as the play was generally very fast for opening games. Both clubs were represented by a number of new players and contrary to the usual state of things these men showed many signs of brilliancy as the game wore on. Only two neat passing rushes resulted —Signal and Henderson being responsible for this for the home team and Southcombe, Hill, Pine (of Huia fame), and Jago for the maroons. Every inch of the ground was stubbornly fought all the time by the opposing sides. The Hunterville team did not altogether satisfy their admirers, who came down fully expecting a victory, but perhaps it was because they met a better team than expected. The Marton forward division, although lighter than their opponents, are a set of willing workers, but so well did the visitors play that they were glad to hear the “no-side” whistle. It could not be said that Marton were lucky to come out of the deal ahead because they bad the advantage of the game and two tries were narrowly missed and a goal from the field by Signal, which went over the post. The first 15 minutes of the play was mostly serum work and line kicking and the visitors more than held their own in the scrum work. Then Signal made a grand opening when Hunterville had their opponents busily defending. He came round from behnid the pack and made a great run down the line and Henderson quickly joined in a splendid passing bout and just when a score seemed probable the ball was knocked on. The pair received wellmerited applause for this fine piece of work. Soon after Signal again got possession and raced into Hunterville’s 25’s, where Jago collared in the nick of time. Play remained to Hunterville’s 25’s for a short time and then Jago relieved by a line kick when things looked dangerous. The hall was soon in the visitors’ territory again, hut Hill secured and ran to half-way, and a long kick saw Marton forced for the first time. An exchange of kicks between Williams and Henderson saw the ball again in Hunterville ground and a scrum on the line nearly ended in a score for Marton. Pine and Stratford worked play to the centre and Hill had a sh&t at goal without result. A loose rush headed hy Stratford and Illstou saw Marton force. From one end of the field to the other the Marton players rushed the leather and Signal from a mark at a difficult angle and against the wind : made a fine attempt at goal, the hall going over the post. The kick out saw play in Hunterville ground. Hill relieved to centre and half time was called with no score. Shortly ! after resuming, Rickie ben, by a

splendid pieec of individual play, carried the oval right on the Hnnterville line and a scrum resulted five yards out. Play hovered in Hunterville’s 25’s for a considerable time and Signal again essayed a goal. Tiie kick out saw a fine bit of passing between Southcoinbe, Pine, Hill and Jago, the ball being taken to Marten’s 25’s line. Brock, Hunt and Kelliher returned to the attack and the ball;Went back to within a yard of Hunterville’s goal :: Hue. Here McGuirk snapped it np and in falling over collided with the goal post and lost his chance of a try. A scrum was formed and off-side play gave Signal another chance—this time right in front —this time successful. —3—o. A loose rush saw Huutervllle force for the first - time, Simpson, Brock and Hunt being to the fore. The game went on to the end chiefly among the forwards and some solid work was done. On two occasions Huuterville forwards dominated and penned Marton down on their base so much so that the latter were glad when time was called. Mr Martin bad charge of the game and gave satisfaction. BULLS 11. v. MARTON 11. This match was played at Bulls and Marton suffered defeat by 15 points to 3. Steady rain fell during the game, but this did not prevent a large number of people from attending. The teams were very evenly weighted and the game was closely contested and fast loose rushes were the order of the day. Five .tries were secured by the home team and Lynch, who put in some fine individual play, scored the only try for Marton. For the Marton backs Marr and Hunt did serviceable work and Lynch, Harris, and McCbesney played a sterling forward game. H. McGregor played a splendid game at back for Bulls and repeatedly saved his side. Mr Hinkley refereed.