FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 194, 6 August 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

'" -BRITAIN v. NEW SOUTH WALES. _ NARROW WIN FOR THE VISITORS. A MUD SCRAMBLE. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copy- ' I right.) Received 5, 9.15 p.m. ~.,, ~ , Sydney, August 5. lllc first miitcii of the Britishers in Australia took place nero to-day, whon they mot the representatives of New « South Walws. The game was played in 0 mud inches deep, with occasional heavy 0 ram squalls throughout the afternoon. I > Alter the first few minutes it was almost impossible to distinguish one team from the other. The British for- ' wards packed splendidly, and came ■ through the locals like a wed»c Halfway through the first spell, the ball was kicked over the line, and Morgan racing several locals, dived ou the ball and secured a try. The angle was dillicult, and Harding failed to add the I major points. The Britishers were too powerful in the scrums for the Welshmen, ana continually broke .through. Only twice did the local team in the first half approach close to the British line. In the second spell, the game was stubbornly contested. The New South Wales hacks saved thuir side frequent- j 1 ly. It was an exciting moment whun the Britishers were penalised right in front of their goal, but Bode Smith made a poor kick, and New South Wales had no further chance to score Britain winning by thivc points to nil -

SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO. By Telegraph-—Press Association. „., . -tovcrcargill, Last Night. the hrst of the season's home and home matches between Southland and Otago, waß played to-day. Southland won by 12 to 9. The first spell was. very evenly contested. Otago scored two tries, while Southland scored a try and kicked a penalty goal. In the second spell the Southland forwards outplayed the visitors, and the local back" were attacking nearly ail the time"! Southland scored two" more tries, and lost several chances. Near the end of the game bad play on the part ol Southland allowed Otago forwards to dribble beside the posts. An easy iroal was missed and the game end.ed as above. The Otago team was considered very weak, and the fart that Southland's win was such a narrow one is not a good augury for the forthcoming northern tour of the Southlandcrs, especially as Glasgow and Stead (their mainstays) will not be available for the trip. The Otago scorers were Dougherty, Gennett, and Williams.

AUCKLAND NEWS. Auckland, Last Night. _ The Auckland Rugby Union received intimation to-night from the Wellington Rugby Union that the representative team to play Auckland would leave Wellington on 12th August, arriving in Auckland the following day. The Wellington Union also notified that the match would be a challenge for the Ranfurly Shield. The Auckland Union decided to suggest to the Wi ilington and New Zealand Unions that Mr. Williams, of Dunedin, be appdintctl referee for the match. No word has been received of the expected time of arrival of the Marlborough team, which plays Auckland for the Shield on Saturday. Owing to injuries, Morse and Hater will be unable to play for Auckland next Saturday, their places being filled i>y Winder and Coote. INTER-COLLEGE MATCH. Christchurch, Last Night. The annual match between the Boys' High School and Christ's College was played this afternoon on the College grounds, and resulted in a win for the school by 22 points to 13.