FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 87, 21 July 1910, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

XOIITHEIIX UXiOX oA Al E. ENGLISHMEN'S OPENING MATCH. DECISIVELY DEFEAT MAORIS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Xiglit. The first match of the British Northern I'nion Rugby football team was played here to-day against the New Zealand Maori team, in drenching rain and on a ground that was practically under water. The showing of the Englishmen in these adverse conditions was so good that further matches are being eagerly anticipated. There was an attendance to-day of over 5000.

The British team, playing with a strong north-east wind in the first spell, scored 23 points to nil, and wound up by winning by 29 points t« mil. Tries were scored by B. Jenkins (4), Riley, Smith and Lomas, and the latter kicked two penalty goals, and converted two tries. \

THE MAORIS IX WELLINGTON. A DRAWN GAME. Wellington, Last Night. The Maori Rugby t-am to-dav played a drawn game w'tli the Wellington rep. fifteen. The ttir.no was a magnificent one, the Maoris proving themselves a truly great side, and they had exceedingly hard luck in not winning the match, as on two occasions the merest accident robbed them of scores. As it was they scored a goal and try to Wellington's _ goal and penalty. The score at half-time was three to nil in favor of Wellington, Kinvig landing a penalty goal. In the second half the Maoris attacked strongly, Hall and Paratene -scoring tries, one of which Cunningham converted. Wellington retaliated with a try by Dawson, converted by Kinvig, making the final score eight-nil. AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES v. OTAGO. A POOR DISPLAY. Dunedin, Last Night. About two thousand people witnessed the match between the Otago representatives and the American Universities' team, played here to-day. The weather was fine, but the turf heavy. After an indifferent and unattractive game, Otago won by 9 points to 3. Graham (Otago) scored the first try from a short passing rush. The try was unconverted. The American forwards responded with vigorous work, and Watts (wing three-quar-ter) scored from a passing rush. The try was unconverted. The Americans continued to make the pace w«rm, nut a brisk counter move by Otago had them in difficulties, and Gomar scored a second try (unconverted). In the second spell the visitors made every effort to reverse the positions, but were unable to stand the pace, and fell to pieces in the final stages. Otago gained two more tries, one of which was disallowed for an alleged knock-on. A fdßture of the American's play was their dash and keenness, but their knowledge of the game was very limited. The full-back (Dwi'ggms) is a powerful and sure kick, and Allen (wing) and Watts (five-eighths) are both dangerous men, and were responsible for some fine dashes. Otago's exhibition was indifferent, and could not have profited the Americans very muck.

The following will represent Tukapa seniors against Clifton at Waitara today:—Clarke, Jones. Stohr. Webster, Mvnott, Loverklae (-2), Matheson, McAllum, Ward. Fairbrother, Davidson, Steele, -Jul]' and A. Loveridge. Tukapa 11. will be represented against Clifton on Western Park at 3 o'clock this afternoon by the following players: Brown, Webster, Honeyfield, Ryder, Addison, McGiven, Julian,Coker, Allen, Kilgour, Smith, Sturmey, Bollinger, Francis, and another.