FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 144, 9 June 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

UXDER NORTHERN' RILES. MAOltl PROFESSIONALS IN AUSTRALIA. DEFEATED BY XEW SOUTH WALES. (Ilv Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright). Received Bth, 7.43 p.m. Sydney, June 8. Tin- Maoris played' their opening ' match in beautiful weather against a Xew South Wales team to-day. They proved a great attraction, tinattendance numbering 25,000. Considering their short acquaintance with the new Rugby game, the visitors gave a good account of themselves. Play was of a lively but somewhat Scrambling character. In the first spell, Pouwhui scored the only try for the Maoris, the spell ending Xew South Wales 7, Maoris 3. In the second spell, llolaua ami Witcriiia placed tries to the credit of tiro visitors, Imt Tuki's shots at goal were ineffectual. For Xew South Wales, tries were obtained by McCalic, Messenger, Itailcy, and Storey, the final score reading:— Xew South Wales .18; Maoris !).

SOL'TII CANTERBURY MATCH. Per Press Association. Tinmru. ),a>t Night. The British football learn arrived this afternoon for the m.iHi with South Canteibury on Weiini-sihiv, and were ollieially welcomed bv the 'M:iynr. Th.-v will be the guests of the Rugby I'nioii at a public- "social'' to-morrow evening.

THE FIRST TEST. COMMENTS ON THE MATCH. THE PLAY AXD THE PLAYERS. Duiiediu, Saturday. Xew Zealand was always on top throughout the desperately lougiit game. Xolhing ls-tler in loose dashing lorward play and erisp, swift passing by the Xew Zealand forwards and backs has ever been seen in Duiiediu. On a dry ground, fast as au athletic field, Britain, with its solid phlanx of forwards, was given a reasonable chance in today's struggle. The wind, Which prevailed slightly in the first half, did not, however, favor Britain's chances, and the visitors were, moreover, handicapped by the sun. These circumstances, no doubt, told somewhat against the Britishers, showing their best form in the first half of Hie game, but, throughout, Xew Zealand was always in the van. The element of hick, a freiiucut happening in Rugby, did not at any stage of the game enter into the argument. It was one of the most desperate struggles which has taken place between Jlritain and Xew Zealand. The Ilritisb team had instructions from Captain Harding to jump into th,;- game from the outset, and not let down until the call of time. From the kick-oil, they swept into the game with the vim and vigor of a highly trained international side at the outset. Britain was not represented by its full strength. J. F. Williams." the Welsh international forward, who is re- ' cognised as one of the finest forwards in the team, was on the touch-line, hobbling on sticks through injuries received ' in a practice game a few days ago. An other line player in Edgar Morgan, the Welsh international reserve forward, ] wn- also nursing an injured leg in the. reserved grandstand. This player, who ' weighs 14st., would have improved the ' vanguard, which was recognised as » solid, hard-working pack, livery mai '' was out to wiu, and played supurnly. > .Mistakes made on the Athletic Park at. '

Wellington, and on the Carisbrook gjoiuid against Utago, wore not to be repeated in the first test. Although the game was brilliant in many spots, it was at times -low and -wearisome by reason of the many lineouts and scrummages which took place. But the vast multitude of spectators never knew {or a single moment what was going to happen next, and the unci jiected always took place. Jiritaiu were clearly outclassed iu almost every department of Hie game, but .played as desperately at the finish as they did at the kick-oir. New Zealand were no one unit their inferiors m this respect, and it would indeed be hard to say which was the fresher team at the lin'i-h, though both sides were no doubt glad when the whistle blew. thi; Britishers. .Jackett, the famous Knglish interna- ! tional, was much iu the public vision. He was, probably, the idol of the crowd. His superb line-kicking and accurate linding nursed his forwards remarkably. On occasions when the New Zcalandcrs hurst through, he invariably accounted for his man, but there were always up) to half a dozen New Zcalanders in the. | attacking movement. Much was expected of the famous British three-quar-ters. So doubt the crowd were disappointed at their showing. Handicapped through lack of the ball they rarely got all opportunity to attack. Gibbs, who had nursed himself in Duncdiu for a. week prior to the match, was only in evidence on rare occasions, but, while lacking opportunity of attack, he showed up iu sterling and desperate defence. One chance the Welsh international three-quarter hail, and he made the best possible use of it, scoring a brilliant try after au exceedingly swift and clever run. What has been said of Gibus must in a measure, apply to his colleaguest Yassull got few chances to show that speed and alertness which had made his name famous. It was Vassal!, how ever, who was mainly responsible foi Britain's score. He passed Hunter like a flash and eluded Mitchinson in the same stride. When opposed by Coleman he sent the ball on to G'i%s, whose swerve carried him past the New Zea land full-back. "I'onty'' Jones, who was playing centre with Vassal), was much in the public eye, being at all times strong oil attack and defence. He fielded the ball with delightful certainty, ' hut before he had time to think the • New Zealand forwards were on top of ' him. and frequently bagged him with the ball iu hand, "in the second half.

.(ones frequently fumbled .vml failed to take several pas-c-. William-, who w.n plaving »n the left win;.', rarely got a chaV-c to show his scoring ability. He i- tin; fastest back on the Briti-h sumbut save for one crisp run from the Bri tish twenty-five into that of X»'\v /-<•» land, hi' never got a chance. Behind tin' scrum bix<m was luiiuU capped hy laek of tin- ball, anil wa« bustled into uncertainty ami inaccurac} hy the »w Zealand winy-forward. Lav oil had as his partner Davey, the Eng;' lish international half, who in recent international games made a line showing. Davey rarely ever got far on attack. On the defence he had much to do. and he showed up well. Kverv one of the forwards was at times liim-e or b--- in e.videnee. Xuw it was Harding, the English captain, and Dibble, tin: Knglish international, anl again Oldham, Archer, and Jackson. The last-named player was the most prominent of the British forwards on the long line, and was responsible in the main for a majority of the British passing rushes initiated from this dcpartl- [ nient.

I THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM, Coming to thu New Zealauders, tun iiiiii-li praise cannot be given. Back's' | and forwards played a superb game I Coleman, tbc New Zealand full-back, played tl«' game of bis life. IK- bad little defence to do, the only noticeable occasion being when Gibbs'so cleverly | | -.nerved past bin). -coving Britain's only ■ try. Hi- accurate lidding of (be ball I ami bis bmg anil accurate line-kicking were featmes of bis l>l»y, and in "lis respect lie was not oulrivallcd by Jacket!, tin- Eugli-b full-back.

Tin- New Zealand tlii-ee-i|iuirler line were ever on the attii'-k. Tbomson was liist to show up for brilliant runs, the Wellington liver frcMicntly eluding the defence of Hrilaiu, and piercing it to its final line. He took his passe* beautifully, and once in bis .stride was bard to catch. ' Mil. bin-on, at centre, played a tine name, and wa- in most of Ibe attacking nioionicnls initialed by the New Zealand back-. The praise which has been ni.-led out to Tbonr-oii and Milchin-on mii-l al-o l.c tendered (o Cameron. I|e wa- always more or less a source of

to (he enemy. (if lh<- livc.-iglillis, (be elusive lliniter was niiicb in evidence, Inking the ball with ccrlaiiiiy from bis half-hack, and Iran-fcrring it will) quick precision to the thi-ee-i|iiarler line. Hunter rarely ever attempted to go far on his own. This was owing to (be fact thai liewi.-b----ed to give the Dying (brco-quarters • every opportunity. Sl'ead was probably the least noliee- ' abb- of tin: brilliant' buck division, but he took part in a majority of passing rushes, making an able captain, aim leading his men splendidly, not r iat the i' New Zealanders -wanted leading in the n game. ~ i Roberts.-behind the serum, was a d«eided success, He never besitated for %

single moment to send the ball on with the greatest despatch. On the defence, Roberts had something to do, and he always proved ei|iial to the task. Of a line lot „f forwards—and the New Zealand forwards were indeed n fine lot —it would be hard to single out the best players, for all played so hard and so well. The two front-rankers, Casey and Hughes, hooked the ball with certainty. Francis, Seeling, and McDonald were always prominent, and invariably headed the Xew ZailapdcrS in dribbling rushes. Cunningham held the scrum compactly together, while Gillctt made an excellent wing-forward. Therewas only one jarring note, and this was on an occasion when Harding, the liritish captain, got into holds with a Xew Zealand forward, but the incident was quickly forgotten in the excitement of I the game.—Dominion special. I

THURSDAY'S MATCHES. Seniors Elthani v. Clilton, at El- | tham,3 p.m., referee Mr. Kivell; Star v. Stratford, at Stratford, 3 p.m., Mr. Spunlle; Inglewood v. Tukapa, New Plymouth, 3 p.m., Mr. Proctor. Juniors—Clifton v. Elthani, at Waitara, 3 p.m., Mr. Griffiths; Star v. Stratford, at Xew Plymouth, 1.15 p.m., Mr. J. Way. Second Juniors—'Eltliam v. Clifton, at Elthani, 1.45, .Mr. Kivell; Stratford v. Star, at Stratford, 1.45, Mr. Spindle.

Waimate I. defeated Knpouga I. on Saturday by the tremendous score of 40 to nil. Waimate 11. defeated Kaponga 11. by 11 to ;i. I The results of Ihe Wellington senior game.- on Saturday were: Melrose, 3, v. l'etone. ;(; PoiK'ke, 0. v.' Orientals. 0; St. .lames. 5, v. Athletics, 0; Victoria College, 11, v. Wellington, (i; Old Uovs, 13, v. Southern, 11. ihc representative football match, Xelson v. Marlborough, played at Blenheim on Saturday, resulted in Marlborough winning by 13 points to 7. Marlborough scored three tries, two of which were converted. Xelson potted a goal ami a penalty goal. At a meeting of the Taranaki

; Referees' Association last evening. It 1 was resolved to approve of the Xew Zealand Rugby Union's proposal in regard to the payment of referees' expenses, i.e.. to do away with "out-of-pocket" e\|K-nses. At the same meeting it. was decided to ask Mr. Jluhlt, secretary of the Inglewood Club, to attend a meeting of the Association on .Monday nest to substantiate his published statements in regard to the refereeing in the Clifton - Inglewood match played on the 4tb inst. Mr. Hopkins was made a life member of the Association. Mr. Thomas Grubh. Stratford, was elected a member of the Association, subject to passing the usual examination.

l'ihama 11. Ivpiit Okatn 11. at l'ihama liy Hi to 3. Okato played two m«n -di.rt. Tlic tori's were put the other wav about in U-uc. The mistake was made in telephoning the IV.Mllts. 51 r. ('!. H»pkin>, who lias decided to start liusiness on his own account at Okaio. was last night presented liy the Tnrannki Kcfcrccs' Association with a fine pipe In ca=e. Mr. F. T. Jiellringcr maclf the presentation, anil there was almost a full meeting of the Association. At last night's meeting of the liorough (ouni.il a letter was read from Mr. I'. Skoglund. secretary of the Taranaki liugby Union, notifying that the match between the Taranaki- representatives ami the Angl»-\Yel*h touring fooll.all team would take place at New Plymouth on the afternoon of Wednesday. 15tli July, and asking the Council to endeavor to have that day observed as the half-liolidav in place, of Thursday, Kith July. He added that the banks and school authorities had been asked to {•rant a holiday on that date. The Council referred the letter to the various tradesmen's association.-,.

In making the presentation to Mr. C. Hopkins last night, on behalf of the Taranaki Referee*' Association, 11 r. F. T. liellringcr, said that the recipient was one of the founders and oue of the most enthusiatic members of the Association. It had hud a hard rowto hoe at the start, hut, owing to the calibre of such men.as Mr. Hopkins, it was now in a good position. Messrs. i Ceo. (irillitlis and 11. Kivell also paid a tribute to Mr. Hopkins' integrity, and to his deserved popularity as a referee. Mr. F. Spurdle, a member of the Association, in a note regretting his absence, referred to llr. Hopkins as "one'of our most popular referees, both with Mlcf public and with players." In replying, Mr Hopkins said he would endeavor to do something to forward the intcrcste o| fnotliiill in Okato, his new home.

iJA'JX'IIKS PLAY 101) 11Y IT 110 MtITTSII TIOAM. May Jiii,h Union, at Maslerton. bv 17 points t.i :i. May 27.-J)olcatc ( | l.v Wellington, at Wellington, liv l!l points tn J;i. May .'M.-Defeated h,v Otago L'niun. at iDuncdin. Ijv !• |mints to li. June J.-Dcfeaiod Southland, at Jiivcicargill, liy 14 points to 8. June li. match, at Duuediu, liv 'ii points to •). JiKITISII TICAM'S I'fINIOKAHY. Wednesday, June 111-South Canterbury I'niun, at Tiinaru. Saturday. June I:! Canterbury Union, at Cliristchiirch. Wednesday. June 17 -■ West Coast and Jlnller Unions, at (ireymouth. Satiirdiiy, June 20- -Nelson and Marlborough Unions, at Nelson. Saturday, June 27—New Zealand, at Wellington. Wednesday, July 1 - Hawke's Hay Union, at Napier. Saturday, July 4—Poverty Hay Union, at (iisborne. Wednesday. July 8 Manawatu an I Horowhcnua Unions, at l'almerston Saturday, July 11—Wanganni Union, at Wanganni. Wednesday. July M—Tarsmaki Union, at New Plymouth. Saturday, July 18—Auckland Union, at Auckland.