OUR FOOTBALLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8008, 20 December 1905, Page 2

OUR FOOTBALLERS.

THE RICHMOND MATCH. COMMENTS ON THE GAMEi HUNTER'S BRILLIANT RUN. OFF-SIDE PLAY. P.eccived 19, 9.2 p.m. ' Sydney, Decembor 19. The " Eaily Mail" says that in the Richmond match the New Zealanders wore not nearly at their full strength, seven of their international players standing down, They did not, therefore, givo one of their bost displays. In fielding and catching they were hardly ever at fault, but some of the passing was vory wild indeed. The New Zealand outsidos in the first biilf hardly ever got a chance to get going, as their forwards were being' beaten in all the sorums, and it looked as though half-time would arrive with nothing scored. Then Hunter provided ooe of tho few flashes of the game, going through nearly every member of the Richmond team from the twehty-fivo line, until he grounded the ball behind the posts. !

In the second half the " All-Blacks " played with more dash, and Richmond's defence broke down.

Two penalties wore givon against the visitors for off-sidp in the first two minutes' play. It was a great pity, as the New Zcalandors aro such a real good side, and they could easily loave out obstructing and "off-side play, of which they aro undoubtedly guilty. In the keenness of a match you cannot always help getting off-side, but such tactics as holding and obstructing your opponent when not near the ball i arc unnecessary.