FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 314, 13 January 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NEW. ZEALAND PKOS. y, ENGLAND. .WON BY ENGLAND. ' 'A CLOSE GAME. .; 1 Received 12th, 4.58 p.m. London, January 12. Tlic football matcli, Ihc New Zealand ' professionals versus England, was played on Saturday. England scored 18 (three goals and four tries), and New Zealand 10 (two goals and four tries). Both .sides put the strongest teeuiß possible In the field. It was an even game all through. England led at halftime by g points to 5, but New Zealand equalised matters in the second spell, and it was a great struggle till the end, England winning by the narrow margin of two.

Record—Played 28, won 15, lost 11, " drawn 2, points for 351, points against ' 232. The remaining matches arc—lanu--1 nrv 18, v. Lancashire at Oldham; January 25, v. Northern Union at Leeds. , \ EXPLOITING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL. I l'er Press Association. Auckland, Saturday Night. The announcement from Wellington that a wealthy syndicate is prepared to come forward with a sum exceeding £20,000 for the purpose of systematically exploiting Rugby football as played under the professional code will not have caused much surprise to those intimately connected with and followers of the game here. Though astonishment and even doubt might be expressed at the large amount, it is known that the movement is being worked up in Auckland in a systematic manner, though the greatest secrecy is being observed in connection with all that Is done. Northern Union literature is being disseminated in the city among players and others. From what can

| be learnt an attempt will be made to get professional football going in Auckland and other parts of the Dominion, especially Wellington, in time for the next season, and an endeavor will be made to get a ground at Kingsland. A prominent member of the Auckland Rugby Union, when asked wliat steps were being taken to counteract the movement, replied that nothing had been done so fRr, as they had nothing tangible to go upon. In any case, the New Zealand Union is likely to be better informed than the local unions, and the parent body would soon decide upon action and advise the provincial unions accordingly.