FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 17 December 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND.

NEW ZEALANDERS' FIRST DEFEAT. A PRESS REPORTS, i % ' Received December 10, o.ii ;v.:i. > .Sydney, December id. Comiuenling'on the Wigan match, the London Daily Chronicle states the New Zeahinders suffered their first defeat at Wigan, one of the strongest clubs in the Northern Union. They opposed the All Mucks with the finest contingent possible, and gained a victory by 12 points to 8. The match was fought out in the sternest manner, before 30,000 spectators, and provided some exciting episodes. The New Zealanders were represented by their best team, but all their arts and skill failed before the determined methods of Wigan, Before the game was three minutes old the home team had forced their way over the line. The home team then repelled several attacks, but at last their stubborn defence was broken down, when a pretty piece of passing by Wynyard, Todd, and Wrigley onded in the latter crossing the lines. Messenger failed to convert. At half-time Wigan led by C to 3. The second half was contested in the fiercest spirit. Desperate efforts to score ended in Laytham (Wigan), who was undoubtedly the hero of the game, putting another try to his side's credit, after beating both Wrigley and furtill. Then Jenkins, who had been mainly instrumental in giving chances to

his captain, dribbled the leather right into New Zealand's camp, and, catching it on the bounce, bad no difficulty in scoring a fourth try. With the end of the game in sight,' the New Zealanders attacked In force, and from a forward rush Lile was able to ground the ball over the line, and Turtill placed a goal This completed the scoring. The Daily News says the New Zen-

landers suffered their defeat at the hands of worthy opponents. There was tremendous enthusiasm when Wigan finally won well on their merits. The club played fine football throughout. The colonials did not under-estimate their opponents, and their team "was absol-

utely the beat they could put in the field. The colonial forwards were less successful in getting the ball out of the scrums than the opposing front men, and their tackling at critical moments failed badly. Not until the last.moment did the New Zcalandors give up hope, and their pluck was rewarded by scoring towards the close of the game.'