FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9174, 18 June 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE MAORI TEAM. United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Sydney, June 17. The Maoris scored 23 points and Metropolitan team 20.’ There was an attendance of 5000. The Maoris showed a decided advancement in their playing of the new game. A feature of the play was the improved attacking of the three-quarters Asher, Moko, Wouwiirae, and Tuki. Among the forwards Pehaua was the most prominent. The game was very even throughout. The local side was attacking strongly at the close. Messenger’s goals included a remarkably fine one from half-way. Asher, in evading a tackle, jumped clean over a player early in the game. Roa sustained a fractured jaw. Tries were scored by Pakere (8), Asher, Pawhui, Tuki, and Arretanga. Asher also kicked a penalty goal. BRITAIN v. WEST COAST AND DULLER. VICTORY FOR THE VISITORSBY 33 TO 3. Qreymouth, June 17. The weather conditions were perthe match, Britain v. West Coast and Bulleiv and the attendance between 5Cv» and 6000. The play on the whole was rather disappointing, and it was only for about twenty minutes in the second half that the visitors showed any of the brilliant play for which they have been noted throughout the tour. The play of the West Ooast was a lot below the form displayed in the representative _ match last Saturday, the hacks in particular being unable to handle cleanly, losing several fine chances by mulling at the critical moment. The handling of the visitors also was not always accurate. The _ forwards were very even, neither side claiming an advantage, though the visitors got the ball more often in the scrum, but still the home team had plenty of opportunities of opening up play, but on nearly every occasion the half worked the blind side. FIRST SPELL. England won the toss, and played with a strong wind behind them. Wade kicked off for the Ooast, and Morgan marked. Brown returned to Jaokett, who found the line well down the field. The Ooast got the ball in the first scrum, Brown kicking to Jackett, who again got in a good line kick. The Ooast were penalised, and Gibbs had a shot at goal, which fell short, Denham,finding the line. The English forwards came away from the scrum with the ball at their toes, and illegal tackling by Colvin gave Gibbs a chance, which he took advantage of, placing a nice goal. Britain .. .. ■ • " , West Coast and Bailer .. 0 From the kick out the hall was well returned by Jackett, and the Coast were again penalised. Colvin getting possession, beat Gibbs, and endedjup a fine run“hy being pushed into touch. The British forwards returned, and from a scrum Davey essayed the blind side, but Brown brought him down. After a mark, by Wade, Morgan set his backs going, the ball being banded on to Davey, to Jones, who was grassed before he could get his pass in. The home team at this stage were being penalised repeatedly, from one of which Gibbs had a shot at goal, which missed, and Brown saved in style. Then there was a forward rush, but almost immediately another penalty against the Coast enabled Gibbs to laud his second goal. __ .

Britain 6 West Coast and Buller .. 0 A fine Coast forward rush ended by Jones finding the line, and the visitors, breaking away, were only arrested by Denham. A passing bout by Britain was spoilt by Jones knocking on, and directly afterwards a similar rush by the Coast ended by Swaetmau Jfailing to take his pass. Madison got down to a dangerous rush in fine style, but from the loose play which ensued McEvedy obtained possession, and atter a short run sent on to Kyrke, who scored, and Gibbs converted. Britain . . . . . . U West Coast and Buller .. 0

W. Morgan at this stage temporarily retired. Prom a scrum, the Coast obtained possession, but Brown, hanging on too long, let McEvedy find the line. The home team’s I onwards were now playing well, and Ogg, picking up from the loose, made a fine run to near the line, where he was tackled by Gibbs. From the scrum which followed, the Coast obtained the ball, hud what looked like a good chance was settled by Brown being penalised for picking out of the scrum. The free kick gave Britain welcome relief. The crowd at this stage did not relish the constant penalising of the Coast team, and the referee came in for some hostile criticism. SECOND SPELL.

On resuming, the strong wind had died to nothing, and play in the second half was under equal conditions. Morgan initiated a passing rush, the hall going to Davey and on to Jones, hut the latter passed wildly, and the Coast relieved. McEvedy got down to an ugly Coast rush in good style, but the home team kept up the attack, and Colvin, picking up cleverly, beat most of the visiting hacks and got right to Jackott, whom he tried also to heat, but the Cornwall player left nothing to chance, and collared Colvin, who had two players alongside him, thus losing a certain score. Britain gradually cleared their line, and passing between Morgan, Davey and Jones, saw the latter kick to McKay, who found the line well in the visitors’ 25. From some loose play near half way Oldham broke away, picking up and transferring to Gibbs, who, though tackled _ by Colvin, crossed the line. Gibbs missed tbp kick at goal. Britain .. .. .. 14 West Coast and Buller ~, 0 On kicking out the Coast made thirds lively, and only clever play by .jacket,fe kept the home team back. More passing between Griffiths, Jones, and McEvedy saw the latter yniss the ball, but immediately after /the same player was responsible for ‘ a fine run, Ogg upending him just in time. The visitors were now getting in some passing rushes, and - the Coast had hard work in keeping them from scoring on several occasions. Several free kicks against the home team caused the spectators to again become demonstrative. Sweetmau drove the visitors back with a timely kick, and from a loose scramble Jackect had a pot without success. A passing rush between

Morgan, Davey, McEvedy and Gibbs, saw McKay tackle the latter near the corner flag, and, almost immediately after, passing between the same quartette let McßvedyJsoore behind the posts. Gibbs missed ,an easy goal. Britain .. .. .. 17 West Ooast and Builer .. 0

The Ooast rushed play to Britain’s 25, where, from a scrum, the home team secured, and passing between Brown, Sweetman, Wade, and Colvin, ended hy the latter knocking on when he had only to run over the line. Play was shifted to the Ooast 25 and from some straggling play, Green picked up and handed on to Jackson, who forced his way over the line. Jackson kicked a goaf. Britain . .. .. 32' West Coast and Duller .. 0 Corbett headed a forward- rush,Jones saving hy kicking well down the field. A free kick to the’ Coast removed opei’ations to the visitors’ territory, where Madison secured,, and after a short dash passed to Brown. The latter got to- Jaokett, who collared him; m fine style,, hut Sweetman and Colvin being., handy, kicked the hall over the line, Colvin scoring. Wade missed the kick at goal. Britain . .. ..32 West Coast and Bailer .. 3 A passing bout by the visitors resulted in- Colvin beating Jones for the halt,, Jackett saving. A mark by Gomer saw McEvedy secure, and start a passing rush, which brought play to .the Coast’s 25, where it remained till time sounded. The decisions of Mr Orchard were by no means well received by the spectators, the first spell in particular being a succession of penalty kicks against the home team, only about six being recorded against the visitors, who infringed repeatedly, and used some questionable tactics. BRITISH-MANAWATU MATCH. TO BE PLAYED IN PALMERSTON. Wellington, June 17. The management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union has decided that the match between the Britishers and Manawatu be played at Palmerston. At the same time the committee thanks the Feilding people for their generous offer of a free ground and £SO towards expenses. MIRAMAR GROUND DESERTED. Wellington, June 17. The Wellington Rugby Union has fonnd it unprofitable to play matches at Miramar, where the grounds have been leased for three years at £350 per annum, and has now arranged to go hack to the Athletic Park for the remainder of the season, paying the Park company £6O, and taking half the gate money. At,last Saturday’s match at Miramar ‘‘.only 70 persons paid for admission, whereas it is thought there would have been at least 3000 in the Athletic Park. HUNTERVILLE v. EXCELSIORS. A drizzling rain set in just before this match started and the Mar ton Park soon got too slippery for football. In consequence the game was a poor one, play being among the forwards most of the time. Hunteryille scored a try in each spell and the attempts at goal were futile. O. Stratford injured his arm during the early part of the game and had to retire. Bishop was the best forward for Excelsiors and Sinclair’ was the pick among the backs. Milne played a solid game for the winners. Mr Martin was referee.

The following will represent Bulls v. Rata at Bulls on June 20th G. Hinkiey, Mower, Howard, Yalpy, McGregor, Bishop, Nicholson, Frecklington, ■' Davis, Bromley, Garter, Signal, P. McGregor, Green and Langdon. Emergencies: Trueman, Whale, Paul, McKenzie, Rawson, W. Clark. Scrum practice tonight.