FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 253, 15 March 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

There, is every prospect of a Maori team visiting New South Wales and Queensland this year. The visit witf be made early in the season, prior to the Australians coming over here.

In view of the forthcoming visit of an Australian team to New Zealand, it is interesting to note that the New South Wales Union has adopted the following definitions: Law 2 (definition of a tackle)—A tackle is when the bolder of the ball is held by one or more players of the opposite side, so that he cannot at any moment while he is so held pass or play it. The words "at any moment while he is so held" have been added to the old law. Law 111 —In the case of a throw-forward or knock-on, the ball shall be brought back to the place where such infringement occurred and there be scrummaged, unless a fair catch has been allowed, or the opposite side gain an advantage, or unless, in the opinion of the referee, such throw-forward or knock-on is wilful, when he may award a free kick, to be taken at the spot when such infringement occurred. This shall hot apply to a wilful throw-for-ward or knock-on into touch, which 1 must be dealt with under Law 2(1 (a). All the words after "advantage" have been added to the old law. New Law 10 (a)— If a player shall wilfully pass, knock or throw the ball into touch, the opposite side may claim either a free kick or scrummage. Such free kick or scrummage is ' to be taken at their option, either (a) at any spot at right angles to the touch-line, 10 yards from thcplace where the U.all went into touch; or (b) at the spot where such pass, knock o;' throw occurred. In the ease of a free kick, the "spot," whether under (a) or (b), shall be taken as the mark. This law shall not over-ride the power of the referee to allow or disallow a try under Law 13 (unfair piny or interference).

As Swansea held an invincible record, having played twenty games, of which they had won sixteen and drawn four, their visit to Newport on January 25 aroused special interest. Among the Welsh clubs Newport this season §tand" second to Swansea., -and 'in the West there was a general feeling that the match w:>.s the most serious obstacle Swansea had to face on their way to complete invincibility. Newport, however, beat tliem by 10 points to 3. ENGLAND'S GREAT VICTORY. WALES BEATEN IN THE .MUD.' After IS years of defeat in Wales', occasionally of a humiliating character, the English fifteen triumphed decisively on January IS, and for the first time at Cardiff," too (wrote "Txion" in the London Sportsman). The score was 12 points to nil. Success was all the more refreshing because it was unexpected. Cardiff Arm Park, the burying ground of many an English, Scottish and Irish national, side, was once more very much on the soft side. Before the match plenty of rain had fallen, and the conditions generally were said to favor Wales, who are more accustomed to mud-larking than the great majority of the English fifteen. The Welsh forwards scrummaged earnestly, and the' AYelsh backs enjoved a good share of the ball that rapidly became slippery and greasy. But they were not quick, and they were not sure, except in their kicking, and they were worried 1 bv the quick breaking up and skirmishing of the English pack, in which 'Pillinan was ever prominent. Quite earlv. too. it was seen that the Welsh forwards were no match for their opponents in the loose, and it was dribbling, rushing and kick'uis on the day which proved the most effective forms of attack.

The srcr.nd half saw Wales well beaten. In less than five minutes Pillman organised another burst, which was checked will) considerable difficulty-in-side the AYelsh 2.T. From the scrum the ball slithered out, Davies collected, and threw a long pass, passing Poulton and .Steinlhal. which fell into the hands of Coates. lie promptly handed off Plummet and rushed over a try. which Greenwood converted linelv. The whole movement, starting from Pillmnn's dash, was admirably executed: it pleased the ci'owd immensely. Having obtained the lead, the Englishmen played better than ever. Wales made a few raids, which were safely repelled. Their backs did not shine.' The centres made mistakes, and the whole division met stronger and faster men. Above all. tbev dreaded the 1-ai'iHsh foot rushes, replete as they •wero with nerve and pace.

The .Eru'lisjiiuen, adapted themselves better to the conditions than the Welshmen, mid their speed both in attack and defence was a decisive factor.-' The AYelsh. forwards were nothing like so sma,rt with their feet as the English. Really, the English oack was excellent from first to last. The backs, too. more than held--their own. They were much better than the Welsh lot in defence, and when ouportunitv served thev scored. The Welsh centres were not a ■-troii".' nair. ami, in consequence the'wings got few openings. '