MAORIS V. CASTLEFORD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 352, 20 March 1889, Page 3

MAORIS Y. CASTLEFORD.

The New Zealand team visited Castleford on Monday afternoon, and, after a splendidly contested game, the -usitois were defeated. The Castleford men have shown remarkably good for several weeks, and in the above h'xtuio their football was superior to the visitors' in all respects except actual pace. The Castleford forwards never did better, and behind all were in fine- form. The Maoii forwards lacked dribbling power ; • Smiler ' was too rough with his head, but Elliott, Wynyard, and Madigan showed splendid pace. Theie were over four thousand spectators, the gate reaching £82. Ellison kicked off against a slight breeze. Hopton returned to the centre. Then Keogh's kick was charged, and the ball sent into touch at the corner flag. Elliott relieved a little, and then a punt by Morton caused the first minor to be put on for the home team. Needham returned the drop-oub, but Wynyard intercepting a pass, he made a splendid run lound. McCausland failed with the kick at goal. The game resumed at the centre. Phillips, Dawson, and P. Dicken&on put in good play for the home side, Elliott neutralising it by a splendid run round the centre. Good passing by the home halves enabled Hammond to kick to the Maori line. Keogh got off and passed to Wynyard, who throw to F. Warbrick, the latter running to the home half, where Hammond tackled him. Daw«on dribbled to McCausland and tacked him in front of his own goal. ' Smiler ' relieved by a strong run, and then the ball came out to Hammond, who dropped a splendid goal from near the centre. On restarting the Maori forwaids beat the home men to their quarter by strong forward play. Capital play by Didlock brought the game to midh'eld. Good passing by Hammond anJ Dawson caused ihe New Zealanders to defend. Wynyard came off with a grand run and kick, but Nesdham responded well, and McCau&land was tackled near the corner flag. The Maoris got relief, and then Needham hud a drop at goal, which only fell about a foot below the cross-bar. Tho visiting forwards got some relief, but Did lock kicked well back, and Morton getting hold, dodged over near the corner. Needham landed a splendid goal from the place. On re-start-ing, the Maoii forwards foiccd play, and just before half-time Elliott scored from a dribble over the line. No goal followed. At, half-time, Castleford led by two goals and one minor, to two tr ; es. Phillips restarted into touch. Huns by Wynyard and Madigan took play to the front of the home goal, Castleford's good tackling only just saving the line. After some tough sciimmaging, Dawson got relief by &omo good following up. 'Smiler' came back, and then Phillips and Claike dribbled finely to tho centre. Here Needham sprinted finely, Madigan only catching him by his own quarter Hag. The home men tried to make the most of this opportunity, but a dribble over the line only resulted in a touch-in-goal. Elliott made a strong run after the chop-out, but Phillips and others of the home forwards played splendidly, and tho Maoris still defended. Needham caused a minor by his long kicking, and the ball wa3 again sentovertho line and dead as the result of some splendid passing between Hammond, Moilon, and Didlock. The home men now seemed complete masters of tho situation, grand kicking by Hammond aiding the home forwards in keeping up tho pre&sure. After another minor, P. Dickenson, Dawson, and several others of the home sido made an irresistible rush, Brook getting over. Needham again landed a goal. After some stiong play in neutral territory, Taiaroa made a fast run to the home quarter, and from the next scrimmage Keogh ran in grandly. No goal followed, and time was shortly afterwards called, Castleford having won by three goals and five minors to three tries. Teams : — Cahtleford. —G. Hopton, back ; W. Hammond, T. Needham, and Didlock, three-quarter backs; J. Morton and Dawson, half backs; P. Dickenson (captain), J. Dickenson, W. Phillips, Brooke, Nelson, J. Bastow, J. .Rhodes, J. L. Clarke, and Uambleton, forwards. Maoris.— E. McCausland, back; Madigan, Wynyard, and F. Warbrick, threequarter backs ; Ihimaira, Keogh, and Elliott, half backs ; Ellison, Williams, G, Wynyard, Lee, Rene, Taiaroa, Karauria and Stewart, forwards. Referee, Dr. Nicholon, York,