THE CAMBRIDGE MATCH.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 363, 27 April 1889, Page 6

THE CAMBRIDGE MATCH.

When we had been at this match for about twenty minutes I noticed that our team were playing in an unusual style. At fiv^t I took the foolish mUtakcs made as matters of course, but when they happened one alter another in quick succession I came to the conclusion that our fellows were " dead oft".'' The passing on most occasions was detrimental, and generally lost us ground instead of gaining ; fellows pissing when they ought not to and sticking to the ball when they should pass seemed to bd the order of the day. Condemning the passing of course condemns the play of our* backs, but the forward division were equally bad, never following up half quick enough. The ' Varsity men, on the other hand, had all the. luck. Dave C4age potted a goal which was disallowed, and we should be-ides have got in once or twice it " Dave " and " Tab " Wynyard had only passed in time. Keogh and W. Warbrick wero quite unfit to play, but we had no other men at hand to take their places. " Pai' Wynyard was a poor substitute for Elliott at half, being very slow ; nevertheless, he was the person through whom we scored our only point. After the match, the team weie entertained at a sumptuous feed, which we all thoroughly appieciated. Next morning we were invited by rliilctent students to breakfast. One was Mr Postlewjite, of Timaru, and another Mr P. Williams, an old New Zealand friend. Ln the afternoon we went to see the "bumping" races, and enjoyed them immensely. Wo also saw the Cambridge Eight at practice. The team left Cambridge at 7.40 for Oxford, arriving at the latter place after a weary journey about bed-time. On the following afternoon we met the Oxfoid University, and again suffered defeat by 2 goald to nil. In this game our backs played feat fully. Gage, usually so safe, passed wildly, as did H. Wynyard, and " Tab '' of that ilk couldn't take a ball to save his life. Keogh and W. Warbrick at three-quarfcci.s were also " dead off colour." Our forwards certainly managed to hold the opposing ones, but did not play at all we 1. The worst points in their game were "knocking on"' m the line out and not backing or following up a run or a kick. The ill-luck which seems to have dogged our footsteps since tne All England match stuck to us hero. Easy chances of scoring were lost lime after time. Early in the first spell, Ellison got clear through the- ' Varsity backs, but was hauled back just as' he waa'crossing the line, and as there was no one near to take the ball, a good chance 1 of an easy try was lost. I In the second spell, Joe Warbrick had, the misfortune to get knocked out. Joe's, ill-luck 6ince the commencement of the tour, has been appalling. In almost every game; in which he has taken part he has received; some injury. I consider that though we, played a rotten game as compared to our previous displays, we still had much the best of the play, and, with a little luck, might have won. ; The umpiring acd refereeing in both " 'Varsity " matches was very impartial. . The "gales " of these two matches wero £105 and £115 respectively. ; From Oxford we returned to our old j head-quarters, viz., Manchester, putting up this time at the Trevelyan. On Saturday, i j wo met the Mannin»ham team and won, after an exciting match, by 1 goal, 1 try. and 1 minor to 3 minors, thus breaking our: , spell of ill luck. In this game both Keogh < ias half and Wm. Warbrick at full-back j played magnificently, Keogh's runs fairly, "fetching" the spectators. H. Lee, who, you will recollect was given a trial ab t three-quarters at the commencement of, the; tour, was again put to the test in this,, match, and playod very well.

We have received from a member of the Maori team the following notes on the Lceds-St. John's match :—: — The selection of the team for this match proved a very difficult matfcor. Keogh complained of "his chest, and Mac. was incapacitated by the boil on his neck. Madigan also was unwell, but offered to play, as no one could take his place at three-quarter. " Smiler " took Keogh's place at half, and proved a very good substitute, as he scored two magnificent tries. The game was a very good one, and much appreciated by the spectators. Our backs played splendidly. Sensational runs wore frequent, the best of the day being put in by VY. Warbrick when he stopped a rush in our 25, and, after running through all his opponents, had the misfortune to lose the ball within a couple ot yards of the line. Elliott plajed up in rattling form, and though he did not score himself, wasmainly instrumental in obtaining our first try, which was gained by Lee. Ellison was entrusted with the place kick (an easy one), but failed to convert. Soon after this the last • named player scored a try, which was disallowed. "Smiler" now showed up, and shooting through the opposing backs liko a cannon ball, gained a grand try. Williams failed at the place kick. At the end of the first spell the scores stood — New Zealand, 2 tries •, St. John's, nil. In the second spell, with the wind and incline in our favour, wo had matters pretty much our own way. Gage, Madigan and " Smiler '' each scored. Williams and Ellison landed goals from Gage's and "Smiler's" tries respectively, Ellison failing to do the needful with Madigan's, which was got hard up to the touch line by about a foot. Ac the call of time wo loft the field victors by 2 goals and 3 tries to nil. In the evening we were given a complimentary dinner — the nicest one we have had in Yorkshire. After dinner the Chairman proposed the health of "Smiler" as captain of our team. Contrary to expectation, " Smiler," after a little persuasion, stood up and responded to the toast in characteristically eloquent style. His reniaiks were received with applause and heartily enjoyed by all present. This is how he began, " German an' geddaman. I very sorry because I canno' talk England. (Prolonged laughter). I the bad epeak in the team—" The lest was drowned by hysterical laughter and applause. After a most enjoyable evening we left for Manchester at 8.30. Apropos ot the conduct of the Rugby Union in calling upon the Maoiis for an apology for rudeness to the ofiicials at the •' All England " match, the " Hawk " says : — Seldom has a greater mistake been made than that of tho Rugby Union in demanding an apology from the Maoiis for their unpleasant behaviour to the officials at Blackheath, on the occasion of the late International match. Nobody defends the conduct of the New ZeuHndeis on the occasion in question. E\en their captain, by the tone of then full and humble apology, admits thai ib was inexcusable. But the Union authorities were dealing with visitors to the country, and not with an English club under their immediate jurisdiction, and 1 am quite certain that, their action in humiliating the colonists thus publicly will be productive of evil iesult&. This soit of thing, and this is a very gross instance, is not forgotten in our Antipodean dependencies, as the AngloAustralian cricket teams have found out.