FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1916, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAMB. NEW ZEALANDERS' FIRST DEFEAT.. London, March 10. The New Zealand soldiers' victorious career in the Rugby football world came to a check on Saturday at Queen's Club, when the South Africans (Heavy Artillery), defeated them by 7 points to nil. The match had been eagerly anticipated by lovers of football, for' both teams had won all their games to date, and a splendid exhibition was expected. Nor were the several thousands of spectators disappointed. ?so one could wish for a more strenuous game, the result of which was in doubt practically to the last minute. This is the first 'occasion on which New Zealand and South African teams have ever met on the athletic field, and they were captained respectively by Sergeant Muir (Auckland), and Lieut. R. H. M. Hands, a Rhodes scholar, and Oxford University Blue. Harrison kicked off for the South Africans who had the assistance, of the wind. A punt by P. Hands, badly fielded, caused % scrum, and the ball being set in motion, Hands obtained possession, steadied himself, and dropped a goal from a range of about 35 yards—--4—o. From this early set back the New Zcalanders never really recovered. Except for occasional bursts of the kind that occur in all close games, they were playing practically a defensive game throughout. The game had lasted close on twenty minutes before they got well into tho South African, twentyfive, and then they nearly scored. On the other hand, their own line was in constant danger, nothing but magnificent tackling keeping it intact. At half time the scores was 4—o against them. Directly the second half opened, the New Zealanders received a favorable free kick. Griffiths got the right direction, but his kick was just short of the bar. New.Zealand now pressed a little, a kick by Hulton landing into touch near goal. From a short punt the South African went pell-mell for goal, and a New Zealander, sore beset, kicked over his line. The ball was brought back and scrummaged. The South Africans secured possession, and some swift passing across the field saw Halm dash in at the corner. Roper failed to concert. Only ten minutes remained, and the Africans were seven points up. Heartened by their success the Africans started some more' passing, P. Hands being collared 12 yards out. Hard forward wurk got the New Zealanders out of a difficulty, and eventually some dribbling gave them a footing near the Africans' posts. Here a South African handled in the scrum, and there was a free kick, the most favorable of the match. With "no charge" in, addition, Clifford had an excellent chance, but to the great disappointment of the All Blacks' partisans he missed it. A'minute or two later the match ended thus:— South Africans -.-.-.—..v. 7 Ncw v Zealanders ..™> l Q The teams were:— New Zealand: Lance-Corporal Griffiths (Wellington), Sapper Burns (Auckland), Sergeant Muir (Auckland), Corporal Hesketh (Hawke's Bay), Sapper Clifford (Auckland), Corporal Jeffs (Otago), Corporal Baddeley (Wanganui), Sergeant Hulton (Rotorua), QuartermasterSergt. Mackenzie, Trooper Park (Dunedin), Trooper Eraser (Mosgiel), Corporal Flicker (Auckland), Lance-Corporal Harding (Blenheim), Sergeant Sheridan (Marlborough), and Sergeant Garth (Greymouth). South Africans: Gunner Parkin (Swifts, Uitenhage); Lieut. Roper, A.W.F. (Hamiltons, Capetown), Gunner Abell (Natal Wasps, Maritzburg), Gunner Hahn (Hamiltons, Capetown); Gunner Rossor (Gardens, Capetown), Gunner Reddiek (Wanderers, Johannesburg), Gunner J. Waller (Wanderers, Johannesburg, Transvaal, and Wales), Lieut. R. H. M. Hands (Villagers Capetown, Oxford, and England), Gunner James, Gunner Mellish (Diocesan College, Rondeboseh), Gunner Bergli (Villagers, Capetown), Major H. C. Harrison (United .Services, Hamilton, Capetown, and England), Gunner Loxton IWanderers, Johannesburg), and Gunner loss (Crusaders, Port Elizabeth). The Morning Post offered the follow- ;' ' instructive comments after the . I.h:—-"The South African forwards li.ive averaged the 14st thit Mil- ;-■ ':< South African side had three i'i. ■* ago. If ever weiaht told iu a

match it did on Saturday on the sticky surface of Queen's turf. The N«w Zealanders themselves were of more than normal weight and they were wonderfully fast, but their tactics of loosening Mio ball and getting through on the foot rush or in short hand to hand passing rushes could not be practised in this game, because of the deadlines! of the South African tackling and of their going down to the rushes. The New Zealaiulers found their hands forced at every turn It was a delightful game at every point. . . . The New Zealanders were beaten on their merits fore, and aft in a great game. All its fine theories of half and fiveeighths and three-quarter back nlav now went by the board before the'fierce shoving and following up of the South Africans, who outdid the Irish headlong rushes, as they swept down the field." K H. D. Sewell, in the Standard, again commended the New Zealand rule of a five-yards throw-in from touch, which he hopes has come to stay, and he adds: "It was a good match to watch because of the splendid tackling, checking, and spoiling of obvious masters of the game on both sides. , Certainly the better of the two teams won, the South Africans being faster and having better hands all through than the losers, who, it must in fairness to them be remembered, have been wounded or invalided, most of them home from the Gallipoli Peninsula. The physical dimenisons and the splendid fitness of both teams were much commented upon. They were certainly the two biggest fifteens I have eyer seen." To date, March 10, New Zealand has played six matches, won five and lost one. Points scored: For, S5; against, 18. The Auckland Rugby Union decided, at the annual meeting last week, that no player who was over 20 years of age on April 1 last, shall play in the Union's competition during the war. The proposal caused considerable discussion amongst the delegates, one of whom referred to the danger, of losing players over the age of 20 years. It was suggested that they would play the League game, on which no restrictions were 'being placed. Another delegate, in reply, said: "We don't want to take any notice of what other bodies are doing. If Union players over age go over to the League game, more discredit to them. We want to show the way. The men who have gone to the front have made considerable sacrifices, and we who stay at home should also make some sacrifice." Other delegates (reports.the Auckland Herald) were of the opinion that the Union's action would uplift the game. Some delegates spoke against the motion, and it was asserted that the Union was not formed as a Recruiting Board, but to foster the game of Rugby football. The newly-elected president, Mr. J. Arneil, referred to the sacrifices made by their players and said, it was the duty of the Union to give all the assistance it could to th» recruiting movement. The ■ delegates had decided that the age of players be restricted, and it was possible that some players over the age limit wou)d be left in the country through no fault of their own. They, however, must also be prepared to make some sacrifice and would have to either watch the play or assist in its conduct. The country was in stirring need of men, and the Union should do all it could to help the men at the front.