FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 178, 18 July 1908, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

BRITAIN v. AUCKLAND. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The British' football team to play Auckland to-niorrow is not considered . a strong one, a number of the prorate-' cnt members being laid up with injuries. Six of tho players who took part in the South teßt are unable from this cause to take part to-morrow. The forwards are considered tho stronger portion of the team. It is expected that a line game will eventuate, roe weather has been fine to-day with a drying wind and at tho time of writing there is every prospect if a flno day. Arrangements have been made for the team to- leave by special train for Ho-I torua at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening. THE NEXT TEST. Bv Telegraph.—Press Association. ' Auckland, Last Night Mr. Gallagher to-night stated that it was his intention to quarter the New Zealand team (the southern portion of which will arrive in Auckland on Sun- - day) in the city in order that a pro*. tice may be held at Alexandra Park even- day next week. The third test match promises to be a great struggle, for the Britishers hope to have a fine side in good order for that game. \ A PLAYER SUSPENDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night. B. Spencer, of the Melrose- Football Club, who is alleged to havo kicked en opponent during a ■match last Saturday, and was ordered off the field by the referee, has been suspended for twelve months by the committee of the Wellington Rugby Union. BRmSH-TARANAKI MATCH. THE VISITORS'GRIEVANCE;.' ■' By Telegrapk—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A grievance is expressed by some members of the British'team regarding the Taranoki match. It is stated that the game was really a draw, the reason given for this assertion oeing that one of the Taranaki forwards was injured, and Dr. McEvedy and Smith were at- ■ 'tending to him when the ball went out of bounds. The ball was. put in play quickly, enabling Divo to race over, unopposed. The visitors state that the incident is quite consistent with the bod luck that has pursued them during their lour of the Dominion.

The above, as everyone at the match. knows, is misleading. Divo did not run over unopposed. He raced neck and neck with Vassal and Dyke, and.niuoh to thv surprise of everyone, beat them. It to true two of the Britishers stopped pitying just before the ball was whipped out by Colman, but even if McEvedy and Smith had been in their right position!, it is improbable that the score would-./ have been averted, so smartly was the, ball takeu by Hunter and transferred to Dive, The movement was electrical In it* suddenness, and had Dive been collared, Cameron was lying handy and probably would havo got over. It is unfortunate that the Britishers should take the defeat in the spirit they evidently toe doing. The referee did not blow Ms whistlo to stop the game, and if two « the visitors stopped-playing, fortho nonce it was their own kws and should not be made an excuse for the Britishers' inability to win a match inwhieh, all impartial critics agree, the Taranaln men held the advantage. Taranaki won bv playing to the whistle;-' Britain lost |iy neglecting it.

The members of the Taran&ki team ti> meet Mnnawatu at New Plymouth on Thursday are requested to bo in town hv Wednesday might. j ' ' five members' of the New Zealand team to play Britain at Auckland toilnv week arrived hy last night's mail. They intended going North, but as there was no boat they stayed the night here, ! and will journey onward by to-night I boat. Mr. Charters, of Greytown, who was to referee in to-day's match, Britain v. Auckland, waß sinvihTrly situated. He will probably return home toCommenting on Wednesday's football match, the Manawatu Daily Times say*! "Tho struggle between the Anglo-Welsh' men and tho doughty representatives of Taranaki must have been something worth going far to sec, but it was pleasant to note that though characteristically 'hard' football—and Taranaki footbailers proverbially live 'the strenuous life' on the field, as their wonderful record shows—it was 'clean' football. 'The fairest game yet.' was the verdict of the beaten team, and it makes pleasant reading. But it was not of this wn desired to make a note, hut of the fact thai n touring Manawatu team is being selected to meet these doughty opnunenls. There is no doubt whatever that if this team could include, for instance, the three Hnrnwlicmia backs who made so admirable a showing nuainst the Britishers, its chances Of i success would be much greater. Why cannot Manawatu and Horowhenu* Unions show a mutual spirit and combine in what would become ode of thestrongest unions in the Dominion, andthe teams having once nlnwd togetherthis season should finish the season incombination."