THIS NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL TEAM IN ENGLAND. DETAILS OF TOUR AND MATCHES. London, November 16.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 331, 5 January 1889, Page 6

THIS NEW ZE ALAND FOOTBALL TEAM IN ENGLAND. DETAILS OF TOUR AND MATCHE S. London, November 16.

NOTES BY A MEMBER OF THE TEAM. I ucer.iv I'D a lone; and interesting lefctor from one of the New Zealand footballers anent their doings in the North just too late for last Friday's, mail. 1 fancy, however, the following extracts therefrom may still prove acceptable :—: — The writer says that the New Zealanders' defeat at Newcnsblo was hugely due to the bad weathei. It was the tirst time tho team had played in rain and slush, and they were (unlike their opponents) wholly unpiovided with gloves and mittens. " [ consider," he avers, "our boys would have scored on two occasions in the first spell had the backs only had gloves on to prevent the ball clipping through their hands. MeCausland placed a neat goal from a very diJiicult angle. In the second half, though we had the wind against us, our boys uere btill the aggressors. The Northumbrians, however, kicked a goal, which made things even. It. should, nevertheless, be noted that the kick they got thisgoal from wabapenalty | given against us for breach of rules which i only came into force on November Ist. The Northumbrians also broke the new I rule, but the penalty given against them I wat. only a scrummage at the placo where | the ball was last played Perhaps you arc not acquainted with the new rule on this point. ' This is something like it ; If a player plays a ball ohNside or interferes with an opponent while he's off-side, the tirst player may claim a iree kick or a scrummage. Well, the refeiee at Newcastle taid that it was within his province bo decide which of the two penalties to award. Throughout the whole he ga\e the advantugeous penalty or free kick to our opponents?, awarding us ouly a scrummage, which was no good at all. It was, as I have said, from one of these free kicks given against us that the Northumbrians kicked their goal. We appealed for u free kick light in trout of their posts, and had it been granted we could have scored a goal with ease. Unfortunately, the refeiee would not give us a shot. We are generally discontented about this new discretionary power given to the referees, who are naturally more interested in our opponents than ourselves. "The game, as you know, ended in a diaw. W. Warbrick had a very close shot lor goal, and so had JMcCJaubland. The New Zealand forwards weie a little better than their opponents, but the local backs kicked well, and took the slipper}' ball with their gloved hands extremely well. I cannot recall .-in occasion when they mulled the ball. On the other hand, our backs could not hold the sphere even when pabeed right into their hands, and often lost grand shows for a try in this way. The most noticeable of our forwards were Lee and Tairoa. Keogh, at half back, played the worst game 1 have seen him play in England." The New Zealandcrs were heartily welcomed at Stockton ; in fact, it was the tirst town in the North of England t\ hero they have been really well-treated by the local players and public. "We were," says my correspondent, "shown all the bights and places of interest in the old town, and had the pleasure of watching a large boat being launched on the tees. In the evening we were the gue a ts of the Corporation at a giand public dinner, and subsequently visited the theatre, where ' Jim the Penman ' wa? being perfoimed. Altogether our Stockton jaunt was most enjoyable. "The Stockton team was a very strong one, considering the football reputation of the locality. There were four county and international players included in their fifteen. The locals won the toss and elected to play with the w ind in theirfavour. They pressed the ' boys ' now and again, and also succeeded in crossing the goal line, but nothing resulted. Our fellows secured a mark right in front of our opponents' goal posts, but McCausland missed an easy kick at goal. The tirst spell ended : Stockton, one try ; Maoris, nil. On change of sides the * boys ' immediotely rushed the ball into their oppenents 1 twenty-live, and a good attempt at goal by dago only icsulted in a force down. The ball just passed under the bar Kaurauria was, the next to distinguish himself by an exceedingly good run, which he wound up by giving Taare a good pass which the latter failed to take, and lost a certain try. Elliott, however, presently got o cr the coveted line, after making a splendid dodgy run. Mac took the kick at goal, in which he bucceeded. Not lonp- after this Lee dribbled the ball over the line and secured another try. This Mac also converted, and the game ended, leaving us victors by two goals and six points to one try and one point Keogh did not play in thi? match owing to a bad knee. Madigan was too well looked after to do much, but his collaring was perfect. Gage played his usual safe game, and Elliott was in grand fettle, the run in which he scored being the best he has made in England. Amongst tho forwards, Lee played the a game, and Tairoa (barring the mistakes under the new rules) was 'all there.' Karauria hit the mark with bis run in the second spell, and Williams, with his long reach, prevented the Stocktonians adding two more points to their score by touching the ball before it went over the goal-bar. He also made a very good attempt at goal from between our twenty-five and half-way. " The match against Noith Shields was principally remarkable for r,he smalluess of the gate, the irross takings amounting to no more than £15, of which our share was 75 per cent., minus expenses. J. Warbrick — our captain — played his first game in England in this match. He won the to^s, and elected to play with the wind, which was blowing diagonally across the field. During the whole of the first spell the game was within the ' pakehas' ' territory. Elliott made a fine run along the touch-line for about forty yards, and then passed to Gage, who, after a dodgy run, got over the line, and scored his first try eince landing in the ' Ould Country.' McCausland justmanaged to pilot the ball between the posts in his attempt at goal. Soon after this, J. Warbrick put in a fine dodgy and fending run, gaining a lot of ground for us. He showed a lot of his old form, and quite surprised the boys. Bad luck, however, still pursues him, for not long after a fellow charged, and gave Joe hisltnee, which our skipper caught on his thigh. This lamed him badly for che rest oi the match. Tairoa was the next to get over the line, and Mac placed another goal to our credit. Several good shows were lost by our fellows, and no further ecore was recorded for bho rest of the spell. On resuming, the 'pakehas' had the wind {which continued to hlovr as hard as ever) in their favour. Madigan, Elliott and Keogh made some fine dashes early in the spell, but nothing was scored. Tairoa pub in a pood dodgy run, which amused the crowd very much. Madigan again was to the fore, and after downing several of

the opposing backs, secured a welleurned try. McCausland took the kick, but the wind was too much for him. Maynard made a good run, but the ground gained was 1 soon lost again. One of the opposing backs took a kick and the wind drove the ball over our line, and the kicker following up very well securod a try for his side. J. Warbrick wan too lame to get to the ball before the charging back, although he had over twenty yards' start. .The kick ab goal wus, however, a failure, and the game ended, leaving us victors by 7 points to 1. Immediately after the match we vo turned to Newcastle.'*

NEWCASTLE TO HALIFAX. Mr Scofcb, having 1 no rocular match fixed for Saturday last, JSovouibcr lOfch, wus glnd, despite tho loni» and expensive journeys involved, to accept an invitation to play the formidable Halifax Club on that afternoon. On Friday, bhctcfote, the team turned their taoes Yorkshi<evvurdQ again, and after some hours in the comfortless North Eastern carnages .satoly reached thoir destination

THE MAORIS V HALIFAX. J\tr Scott having received a special in vita- j tion from the famous Halifax Club asking him to try and bring 1 his team to play them on Saturday last, the match arranged -with the comparatively insignificant West Hartlepool fifteen was huniedly put off, and on Friday afternoon t lie New Zealandeis journeyed back fi mh Halifax to Leeds. The Halifax fifteen are iho holders of the Yorks>hi»c Champion Cup, and the strongest team in the North of England, their most formidable opponents hitherto having been Wakelield Trinity. The Yorkshire " Post " gives btic following nccountof I the match :—: — Much interest \sao manifested in the encounter, the "gate " being: one of the largest of the season. Ha ifax turned ont a .strong team, and although two or three of the chief forwards of the Maori combination weie unable to take part, it was generally anticipated that the game would he a close one. Lee kicked oil for the visitors, Halifax having a slight advantage from the wind during the first halt. Keogh soon made a sbiong run and kick, and the Halifax "25 " was euteied, but the home team Boon retaliated, and rushed the leather into touch near the Maori- line. A diibble canied the ball over and Loid dropped, on it, .securing a try very early in tin* game, but the place-kick Sby Brornwich was a poor one. Dodd made a crood reply to the drop out, but Madigan put in a grand run to the centre, and some ta-st and interesting play followed in midlield. Warbrick and Keogh picked up and passed in rine st>le, but the tackling of the home playeis eilectually prevented the powerful Maori three-quarters from getting far- At length, after a scrimmage in the visitors' "25," Lord transferred to Dodd, who dropped a pretty goal, eliciting much applause. Dennis's reply to the kickoft' was a feeble one, but Halliday by a grand diibble soon lecovered the ground lost, and Dodd followed this by a well - judged kick into touch at the New Zealanders' "25" mark. McCausland, however, speedily kicked back to the centie, where Madigan got possession, and he and Wynyard by strong runs cai ned the game into Halifax quarters. Here Mage was awarded a free kick for an infringement, of rule by Halifax, and the ball vfas. placed for McCausland, who landed a beautiful goal amid loud applause. Alter iestaiting from the centre Buckley took the ball in fine style, and got in a sharp dtop at j goal, which only just missed. Again Madi- ! gan executed a brilliant run through the Halifax ranks, and he was with difficulty pulled down just over the centre mark. Halifax by splendid forward play leturned to the attack, and 3 minor points Had to be conceded by the visitors. Here Dennis charged a kick by Wynyard, and almost scored, McCausland only just securing the ball in time. Directly afterwards, Greenwood gob in a warm shot, ar.d again the Maoris resorted to saving tactics. Play continued to be of the tastevSt and nios-t exciting description, the enthusia&m of the spectators being raised to a high pitch, and when Scholefield got possession and, after dodging right through his opponents, diopped anothei pplendid goal, the cheering was tumultuous. In spite ot these ieverseb, the colonists played up with the utmost dash and determination, and the ball was constantly on the move. Soon after the kick-oil, Wai brick passed beautifully t > Keogh, who, putting on great speed, da-i>ed away from his opponents, and scored u well-earned try near the corner, McCausland again made a bold bid for goal, but was not successful. After the halt-time interval, Dodd kicked finely into touch near the Maoris' line, and a minor was conceded. Then Madigan and Wynyard each made a splendid run, which transferred play to the home " 25." Dennis and T. Watson in turn dribbled linely, and thus Greenwood got a good opening, but failed to pick up, and tho -Maoris rushed a»vay to the centre. An in the first half, play was ot the fastest and most exciting description, «ome really brilliant work being done on both sides. Mwdigan brought down the house by a magnificent run more than half the length of the field, but Dodd pro\ed a great thorn in the side of the visitors, and two or three times in succession he not only tackled his man but took the ball from him and retaliated with a good run and kick. Indeed, the veteian was never seen to greater advantage. A smart drop by Scholefietd added a minor point to the score, and following the drop-out Dodd dribbled fully twothirds the length of the field, and almost scored. From the line - out which then ensued Albutt passed to Buckiey, who dropped the third goal for Halifax. The remainder of the game fully sustained the high character ot the play, andtthe universal opinion was that nothing equal to it lias been witnessed at Halifax for many years. For Halifax Halliday on two or three occasions made dribbles half the length of the ground, while Watson, Lord, Dodd, Buckley, and Seholefield all played brilliantly on the same aide. The Maoi is, although nob so fortunate in scoring as Halifax, still did some exceedingly clever work, following up, passing, running, and kicking with the greatest dasti and effect, Keogh, Lee, Warbrick, Wynyard, and Madigan behind being trequently prominent. Halifax, however, had the advantage, and after adding two or three minor points to their scoie — major poinbs being only just missed more than once — Buckley picked up at the "25" mark, and dodging his opponent!: with surprising adroitness he secured a try, trom which Seholefield placed a fourth goal. Halifax eventually won a match which will long be remembered at Hanson Lane by 4 goals, 1 try, and 9 minor points, to the Maoris' 1 goal and 1 try- Teams :—: — Maoris — McCausland, back; Madigan, Gage, and Wynyard, three-quarter backs ; Elliott, Keogh, and F. Warbrick, half backs; Tairoa, Webster, Lee, A. Warbrick, Stewart, Maynard, Karauria, and Rene, forwards. Halifax —J. H. Broinwich, back ; D. Welsh, J. Dodd, and J. H. Greenwood, three-quarter backs; E. Buckley, (i. Sohole field, and J. N. Lord, halt backs : T. Albutb, F. Halliday, H. Clay, A.Watson, I. Webster, J. Sbansfield, T. Watson, and A. Dennis, forwards. Referee, Mr Mortimer, Dewebury.

NOTES ON THE HALIFAX MATCH. My New Zealand footballer friend writes: — " We had an extra match arranged with the Halifax Club for Saturday last, and our fellows journeyed there that morning only, however, to get a horrible licking. I daresay you have beard of the score : - Halifax, 4 goals one try ; New Zealand, J eroal and a try. The result scarcely gives us a faith- j ful idea of the game, seeing that 3 of the Halifax goals were lucky drop kicks from the hold. Still, they undoubtedly had the best of us. Our boys played a poor game. Scott, and Warbrick say it was the wox-st game they have seen our backs play. Halitax won the toss, and elected to play with the wind. The first spell ended with Halifax — 2 goal* 1 try, to our 1 goal 1 try. On change of sides, Halifax still maintained their superiority, and managed to pot two goals. Keogh and Elliott were simply useless before their opponents' charging forwards. Although the first namod scored a fine try in (he first spell, that bit of good play was terribly marred by his leeblenOh« in the second spell. Gngo also pluyed erratically throughout ; in fact, the only Maoris- who showed anything like form behind were MrCausland and Madigan. " Tlioie were about 10,000 spectators on the ground. Our boys had a weary journey beforehand. They starteri from Newcastle at, six in the morning, and only arlived at their destination about un hour botore the match commenced. They did nob get back again till midnight.

MAORIS AND NORTHUMBERLAND. On account oi the poor attendance at our firM, match against this county, an extra one wnb arranged. This took placo yesterday again under most unfavourable circumstances, as the rain began to fall just \ before the commencement of the game. We put a veiy strong team on the Hold, j ouly two oi ouv first-class men standing out. Ellison donned the jersey for the firs* time since his arm was injured, but it was far from being all right again. We were determined to make atonement for our Halifax defeat, and give the Northumbrians as big a beating as we could, and so we did. We won the tots and elected to play with the wind. Soon after commencing, Ellison got away from the line out, and after dodging the opposing backs, managed to draw hrst blood for the Maoris?. McCausland took the kick and plated a fine goal. Not long after this Madigan secured a well-earned try, but this time Mac failed to convert. A. little later Hage kicked a goal. The play all the time was in the "pakehas'" torritoiy. Just before half-time was announced Arthur Wai brick got a try right under the goal posts, from which Mac placed an easy goal. At half-time the scores stood : Maoiis, 3 goals, 1 try ; Northumberland County, love. In the second spell we still pres-ed our 1 opponents luird, though they had the wind j in their favour. Keogh was the lust to show up, executing a pretty dodgy inn, which ene'ed in a try. This was converted to the major point. Madigan made some very smart runs, but they didn't bcure. Towards the end of the game Maynard secured another try, and when play ceased we were victorious by 14 points to the county's love. Evoi\>bod^ played well in thit match without exception.