THE ALL-BLACK "PROS."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 4 November 1907, Page 3

THE ALL-BLACK "PROS."

EASY WIN IN WALES. Received Nov. 3, 4.20 p.m. London. November 2. The Xmv Zealand footballers played their first match in Wales to-dav, and defeated Merthyr at Merthyr Tydvil by 27 points (three goals and seven tries) to y points (three tries). The New Zealanders had the best of the game throughout, and the passing of their three-quarters was superb.

The following tabic shows the mateh«s played and the scores to date:— Bramley—Won by 2.5 points to 10-5 goals 5 tries to 2 goals 2 tries. Huddersfield—Won by 10 points to 8— 2 goals 5 tries to 1 goal 2 tries. Widnes—Won- by 26 points to 11—4 goals 6 tries to 1 goal 3 tries. Broughton Rangers—Won bv 20 to 11. Wakefield Trinity—Draw, 5" points. Leeds—Won by 8 points to 2—l goal 2 tries to 1 goal. ° J St. Helens—Won by 24 points to 5-3 goals and 6 tries to 1 goal and 1 try. .Merthyr—Won by 27 points to 9—3 goals and 7 tries to 3 tries.

A recent issue of the Athletic News contains the following interestin" information:—"The thin end of the wed™ has been inserted into Welsh Rugby football, and for the first time in the history of the game there will be professional Rugby in Wales. At first it seemed as if several clubs under Northern Union Rules would be organised, but the ferment in Welsh football has resolved itself into two new organisations —Merthyr and Ebbw Vale. It must be at once admitted that of the two Merthyr is the one of greater importance and better prospects. In a very populous district, with a love for the Rugby code fostered by the amateur organisation, and with no opposition from the Soccer code, the truth of the optimism can be judged. An effort was made to secure the well-appointed ground held by the amateur club, but, failing this, another ground close to it has been secured, and already a stand is being erected. The club has been fortunate in securing a home match to. open the season, and on the first Saturday in September Oldham will visit them and display before a Welsh crowd the merits of the Northern Union game. There is no doubting that this match will be a great attraction, and that there will be a big gate. But the success of the club will depend upon the ability of the player to win matches, and for this reason the names of the players who will assist the club are necessary before forming an opinion. So far, those registered have no pretensions to first-class, but it is not on such that the promoters are relying for success. There must be some others whose names are withheld until the last moment, for reasons of policy. The delay of the Welsh Football Union in issuing the report of their inquiry into professionalism has not been of any assistance to the new organisation, for certain players would not take the plunge unless under sheer necessity."