FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9165, 8 June 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE FIRST TEST MATCH. NEW ZEALAND (32) v. BRITAIN (6). Per Press Association. Dunedin, June 5. The first test match, Britain v. New Zealand, was played at Oarisbrook ground this afternoon in the presence of fully 19,000 spectators. Following were the teams : BRITAIN (red and white). Full-back: Jackett. Three-quarters: Gibbs, Yassall, Ponty Jones, J. L. Williams. Halves ; Laxou and Davies. Forwards: Harding (captain), Dibble, Oldham, Kyrka, Ritson, Archer, Down, Jackson. NEW ZEALAND (Black). Full-back : Coleman. Three-quarters; Cameron, Hutchinson, Thomson. Five-eighths : Hunter and Stead. Half : Roberts.

Forwards: Casey, Hughes, Francis, Cunningham, Wilson, Seeling, McDonald, Gillett. Stead won the toss and elected to play towards the eastern goal line, the Britishers having the disadvantage forjialf an hour of a strong sun in their" eyes. Jackson kicked the ball over the touch line and it was ordered back. When the oval was fairly in play New Zealand began to press but a smart screw kick by Gibbs sent the ball to neutral^territory. A good rush by the New Zealand forwards carried the leather to the 25 line, where some fast play ensued. Jackett kicked down the field, but again the Blacks came with a determined swoop, McDonald and Seeling being in the van, and Britain forced down. Play still continued in the vicinity of the Red and White’s 25 flag. Hunter set off, but was collared before he hadgfcime to pass, a free kick for off-side by a Britisher was awarded to New Zealand Just outside the quarter line, and Roberts had a shot at goal without result. Wilson smartly followed up the kick out and play was again seen m the visitors’ 25. For off-side play in the scrum the Blacks got a free kick, and Roberts was entrusted with a shot at goal. Oldham and Gibbe ran out before the ball had been placed and no charge was ordered. Roberts took a steady kick and lauded an unmistakably good goal. This was seven minutes after the start. New Zealand .. .. 3 Britain . . . . . . 0 From a scrum at the centre, the visitors initiated a pxetty and effective run. Yassall went off like a shot and passed to J.[Williams, who sent the ball on to Jones. The last named, who ran, was brought down by Cameron. He passed in the nick of time to Yassall, but the attack was carried no further, Yassall being hemmed in before he could kick. Play was carried to the centre. New Zealand forwards, with Francis and Hughes prominent, set up a loose rush ,<dmt 'Gibbs stopped it ;and carried the ball back to the Blacks’ 25. Yassall kicked down once more, carrying the play in dangerous proximity to the New Zealand goal line. Then, from a scrum, the Blacks’ forwards broke up fast and set off in an open rush, which did not end until the hall reached Britain’s quarter flag, where Ritson kicked into touch. Then, from a scrum, Thomson got into possession, and dodging past a couple of opponents, including Jackett, scored about ten yards from the corner. Roberts placed an unmistakable goal. New Zealand .. .. 8 Britain .. .. . . 0

The visitors set out on a passing rush, but Jones was brought down by Stead at the centre. Britain again becoming aggressive, tried dribbling tactics, but Mitchinson came to his side’s relief with a serviceable kick. From a scrum, the ball went to Gibbs, who set out at a great pace until he was grassed at the centre. Hunter here snapped un the ball and sent it away to Mitchinson. The latter made off and then made a low pass to Cameron, spoiling a good chance. From a scrum, Roberts got the ball and passed to Hunter, who transferred to Mitchinson, and ho scored without any trouble. Giliett kicked a iirettv goal. New Zealand .. -13 Britain 0 Soon after the Blacks were on the attack, and Hunter was on the verge of getting over when he slipped and lost his chance. Rising smartly, he passed with the greatest coolness to Cameron, who was in waiting, and the last-named got over. The kick at goal was successful. New Ze?<land .. ..18 Britain 0

From the kick off Britain invaded and the Blacks had to defend, but their look in was brief. The Black forwards came out with an irresistible run and took play to' halfway. From a free kick Giliett sent the ball wide. In loose play Davey got into possession and with only Coleman between him and the goal line, he kicked over the full back’s head. He might, have passed to Williams, who was handy, but he did. not see his chance. As it was, the Blacks got on to the ball smartly and what at one time looked like a certain score for Britain was nullified. In another minute Britain was defending, and Roberts getting the ball near the line shot across wifck a Britisher on top of him. Giliett failed at goal. New Zealand .. .. 21 Britain 0.

The visitors carried the play into the Black domain and the ball was in the vicinity, of the quarter flag when half-time sounded. Shortly after the second spell started Britain were attacking. In an irresistible rush by the New Zealand forwards they took the ball right up to the visitors’ line, and from a scrum, Roberts got away on the blind side, and scored at the corner. Gillet failed with the kick. New Zealand .. .. 24 Britain 0 The next was a free kick to Britain near the half way flag. Gibbs had a shot at the goal from a yard or two outside the half and made an excellent effort. Clever footwork by Britain added by fast following up, resulted in Coleman being collared inside the Blacks 25. Davey got the ball and made a dash; bat could not get through the defence. A free kick to the home team brought no relief and the visitors, who were getting the ball frequently atPkhis stage, gave the Blacks a busy time staving off the attacks. A few after Jackett got the ball close to the touch line near half-way and had a pot at goal. His kick was a good one, but the ball fell ust under the bar. From a scrum

in midfield Davey got the ball away and sent it on to Jones, to Yassall. The last named made a fine run and then passed to. Gifits, who cut in and beat the opposition, scoring in a favourable position. Jackett converted. New Zealand .. .. 24 Britain 5 From the kick ont, the British backs again broke away and the ball eventually went to Archer, who got in a clever kick after being tackled. Vassall’e failure to field the ball let the Blacks away and Thomson put in a splendid ran, getting within a few yards of the opposing line. f 4 From a scrum Hunter gained ! possession and scored beside the posts. Roberts failed with the kick. . New Zealand .. .. 27 Britain .. .. .. 5

Shortly after Gibbs and Yassall failed to field the ball, and Mitchinsou secured possession and dived over near the i corner. Francis converted with a good kick. New Zealand .. .. 32 Britain . . . . . . 5 When time was called play was in the British 25.;; The winning team eclipsed their opponents in nearly all departments of play. The New Zealand forwards, who were a fast lot, played well together in the loose, sweeping down the field time after time. At times the British forwards displayed remarkably clever footwork, getting the ball away on seemingly impossible occasions; but there was lack of combination, and often, when a man overran or missed the bail, there was no one at hand to support him. In the back division New Zealand had a decided advantage. Roberts got the ball away splendidly, and gave ttie other hacks fine opportunities, of which they generally made the best use. Only during a brief period in the second spell did the,British backs appear at their best, owing to their inability to get the ball away from the scrum. They did not get very many chances, and even when they got the opportunity, they were seldom able to make headway, as Ponty Jones, who put in some good work in other departments, was lamentably weak in taking the ball, and almost on every occasion either missed the hall or knocked on. Both full backs shaped very well and showed excellent Judgment in finding the line with powerful kicks. Britain showed rather more resource in footwork than the home team did, but did not stop rushes with the same determination. eTBW ZEALAND V. AUSTRALIA. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

The All Blacks concluded their tour with a match against Australia in which the home team proved victors by fourteen to nine. The weather was fine and the attendance good. Play, excepting towards the close of the second half, was mediocre. At the opening the home team pressed, bnt the tide soon turned, and the first score went to the visitors. Holloway, picking up in the open, was penalised, and Wrigley goal. Slow play followed, and then the New Zealander, Pearce, marked at half-way and Wrigley landed a goal. The third goal added by Wrigley was the result of a mark by Gilchrist. At half-time the score was : —New Zealand 6; Australia 0. In the second half Australia showed to much better advantage, and in the closing stages completely outplayed the Blacks. Tries were secured by Anderson, Graves, Jones and Messenger, one of which Messenger converted. J. Wynyard secured the only try for the Blacks, hut Wrigley failed with the goal.

FREE FIGHT AFTER A MATCH. Received June 8. 10.30 a.m. Melbourne, June 8. A free fight took place at the conclusion of the Fitzrgy-Esseudon football match. Abo-Jt 2000 larrikins assailed the Essendon men and the police had hard work to quell the disturbance. CANTERBURY TEAM AGAINST THE BRITISHERS. Per Press Association. Christchurch, Jane 7. The following have been selected to play for Canterbury against the Anglo-Welsh team next Saturday Full back, A. E. Doell: three-quart-ers, F. O. Fryer, R. G. Deans and W. B. Fuller; five-eights, E. B. McDonald and G. D. Gray; half, P. Burns; wing forward., D. McPhail; forwards, J. Mahony, T. Bond, W. Menzies, J. Baker, B. Hopkins, O. Evans and T. Bain.

AUCKLAND MATCHES. Auckland, June 6. The rfist round of the Rugby Football Championship was ' continued here to-day in ideal football weather. The attendance, 2,000, suffered by reason of the strong counter attraction of the Great Northern meeting at Ellerslie. In the senior grade matches, JGrafton and ’Varsity drew —8 points (one try) each Ponsonby defeated Parnell by 17 points (four tries, one converted, and a penalty, goal) to three (a field goal). City had an easy win from Newton, scoring 37 points (seven tiles, three converted) to three (1 try). MARLBOROUGH DEFEATS NELSON. Blenheim, June 6, The Rep. football match, Nelson v Marlborough, was played under favourable conditions at to-day, and resulted in Marlborough winning by thirteen points to seven. Marlborough scored three tries, two of which were converted. Nelson potted a goal and a penalty goal. WAIRARAPA MATCHES. Masterton, June 6. The senior matches of the Wairarapa JRugby Union on Saturday resulted as follows : Red Star defeated Masterton hy ten points to |three ; Carterton heat Greytown by twelve points to three. Junior matches— Red Star heat Dalefield by 6 points to)|s, ; Carterton beat Deoreore by 13 to*8; Greytown defeated Masterton by 9to nil. Third class champion-ship—-Red Star heat Dalefield by 15 points to 3. : b

MARTON (6) v. EXCELSIORS (8)

Great interest was centred in the above match, which was keenly contested on Marton Park on Saturday. Favoured with delightful weather, and a dry ground, the an-

ticipatioff of a good game was not in doubt. Excelsiors kicked off and were returned to their own’2s, where scrums followed. A breach of the rules enabled Marton to hare a shot at goal. Signal made a, good kick but failed. Shortly after from a scrum in Excelsiors’ territory, Beckett secured to Henderson to McGuirke, who snapped quickly and scored cleverly at a good angle, but Signal made a poor kick to add major points. 3 —o. A splendid forward rush by Excelsiors, with Allan in the van, soon had Marton oh defensive work, and in Marten’s 25 Excelsiors were awarded a penalty. Allan was entrusted with the kick, which went wide and was returned by Signal. After a series of scrums and give and take play Marton were again penned. At this" stage of the game Strawbridge (Excelsior) was injured and was compelled to retire. Immediately on resuming Excelsior were given another opportunity at goal, the kick being returned by Henderson to touch. From a scrum in midfield Hunt was well away with the ball at toe, but was cleverly stopped by Richards, who was playing a sound game. For a few monents only Marton had Excelsiors on defence, but not to be denied Excelsiors’ forwards rushed up field (with deadly attack, and Beckett going down, gave Excelsior a penalty, and Arnott was equal to the occasion, landing a pretty goal. B--3. Soon after the whistle sounded with play in midfield. On resuming, Marton kicked off, the ball being well returned by Sinclair, who found Marten’s 25. Flay was lacking somewhat at [this stage , until McGurke marked, and Signall kicked a beautiful goal. 6—3. Play livened considerably, from a throw out Henderson marked, and Mclntyre made a splendid kick at goal, ball going a little wide. From a scrum following Richards secured to Arnott to Sinclair who found Marten’s 25. For a short time Marton were on the defence, but were relieved by Beckett securing and racing up the field, here passing to Henderson to Signal to Rickelben, who overan, which was penalised, Richards returning with a good kick, and Brodrick marking found the line. From the throw in Excelsiors rushed down the field and through a knock on, were unlucky not to score. Marton soon afterwards were forced. Allan broke away from a line out, but Marr secured and smartly returned to touch. With play in Excelsior’s 25, Beckett secured from a serum to Henderson, who passed forward to Rickelben, Henderson being off-side. Allan skied the ball to Mclntyre, who centred, where scrum followed and Beckett again snapped up but passed forward to Henderson. From a Marton rush Scott ceverly marked. The outcome of the kick was Mclntyre dashing up, beating all but Goodail, who played very safe. Hard play 7 followed in Excelsiors’ 25. From a piece of close play Signal got possession to Rickelben, who "failed to take cleanly'. From a scum Marton were penalised and Excelsiors found touch in Marten’s territory and they were kept busy until Brodrick relieved with a good kick up field. The ball being mulled, play was carried to Excelsiors’ 25’ where Signall had a fruitless attempt at goal. Shortly after with play at half-way flag, the whistle sounded no-side.

It was a hard fought, game, and it would be difficult to single out any player for special mention. Mr Martin refereed. HOROWHENUA v. RANGITIKEI. The most important Rugby event of the season in Raugitikei takes place at Martou on Wednesday, when Horowhenna representatives meet Rangitikei on the Park. The visitors will arrive by the express train on Wednesday, and do not return till the following day. Arrangements have been completed for the accommodation of players and those accompanying the team, and the visitors will he entertained by the officials of Rangitikei Union in the evening at the Assembly rooms. Keen enthusiasts of Rugby in Rangitikei estimate that the combination for Rangitikei on Wednesday is the best that has represented them for two or three years. The forwards are all hard honest'players, and the backs experienced men, without being too old ; on the Horowhenua side all new faces will make their appearance, so that no doubt a large number of people will make a point of witnessing the game, which should be closely contested. Trespassing on the players area during the match and at half-time will be strictly forbidden, RANGITIKEI TEAM. Full back : Broderick (Martou). Three-quarters: Jago (Hunterville), Hill (Hunterville), and Signal (Marton). Five-eighths: Reed and Henderson (Marton). Half: E, Becektt (Marton). Wing Forward: W. Carter (Bulls). Forwards: Hunt (Marton), Stratford and Milne (Hunterville), McGurke (Marton), Marchaut and Northovor (Mar- ! ton), J. Pine (Hnntervilie). Emergencies -.—Backs—-Taylor (Hnntervilie) and Mclntyre (Marton); forward—Thompson (Bulla). At Wanganui on Saturday, Pirates defeated Old Boys by 39 to nil '■s Owing to the two successive Rep. matches against Rangitikei, the Management Committee met on Saturday and decided to put all senior fixtures for next Saturday off till the following Wednesday.

KIA TOA (3) v. FEILDING (9)

This was almost a forward game. In the first spell each side secured a try. In the second, Mexted and Shannon secured further tries for Feildiug, neither of which were converted.

TAIHAPE v. OLD BOYS.— A DRAW. From Our Taihape correspondent. The fixture Taihape v. Old Boys was played on. Saturday and resulted in a draw. From a .free kick just at 'the end‘of; 'the first Ospell P. Leary landed a splendid goal, and the score was never altered till the last two minutes, when Robbie Smith, for the Old Boys, got over the line. The try was not successful, and the whistle blew —three all. As I was hot present I cannot describe the game, but from the scores it must have been an even go.

MANGAWEKA v. MATAROA. The match Mangaweka v. Mataroa at Mataroa resulted in a‘ win for Mangaweka by tiiree to nil. UTIKU v. WINIATA. Utiku v. Winiata was won by Utiku by 9 points to nil.