FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7930, 2 January 1906, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. MATCH AGAINST SWANSEA. By Telegraph—Press Association. Received December 31, 4.20 p.m. LONDON, December 30. There was fine weather to-day for the football match New Zealand v. Swansea, the last of the scheduled games in the tour of the colonials in Britain. About 20,000 spectators were present. Swansea put a strong team into the field, and the game was stubbornly contested from start to finish. W. J. Wallace, of Wellington, potted a goal for the colonials, and Serine scored a try lor Swansea, the game ending after a splendid struggleNew ' 4 Swansea 3 In the first half the Welshman kept the visitors strictly on the defensive, attacking strongly almost the whole time the spell lasted. The only fioore they managed to obtain, however, was a try by Serine—the result of a fine passing rush. Davis took the kick, but failed to convert. in the seooad half the Welshmen renewed their aggressive tactics and kept the All-blaok« hard pressed, until Wallace relieved the situation by dropping a fine goal. When the ball was in play again Swansea maintained the pressure till the end, but the Maorilanders played a line defensive game and prevented further score. THE RETURN OP THE TEAM. WELLINGTON, January 1. Nothing definite has been arranged in referenco to bringing the footballers . home via America and Canada The executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union separated during the holidays, aad there appears to be a doubt as to whether the Government will defray the whole or a portion of the cost of transit. If the latter the team will prubably return direct.

The following telegram' was received from the Premier on Saturday:— "Greymoutb, Deoember 30:— Ministers have under consideration a proposal (if it can be arranged) for the New Zealand football team to come back to the colony via Canada and America, 1 ? the expense to be borne by the colony. It would be a treat for them and a oourtesy and mark of appreciation by New Zealand of the worthy manner they have represented New Zealand football in the Mother Country. The manager of the team is in communication with the football authorities in the colony." „—XTHE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. IT'S RECORD SO FAR. Sept. 16—v. Devon—Won by 55 to 4. Sept. 20—v* Cornwall—Won by 41 to 0. Sept. 23—v. Bristol—Won by 41 to 0. Sept. 28—v. Northampton Won by 32 to 0. , Sept. 3u—v. Leicester Won by 28 to 0. Oct. 4—v. Middlesex—Won by 34 to 0. Oct. 7—v. Durham—Won by 16 to 3. , Oct. 11—v. Hartlepool—Won by 63 to 0. Oct. 14—v. Northumberland —• Won by 31 to 0. Oot. 19—r. Gloucester City—Won by 44 to 0. ■ < Oct. 21—v. Somerset—Won by 22 to 0. Oct. 25—v. Devonport Albions— Won by 21 to 3. Oct. 28—v. Midland CountiesWon by 21 to 5. Nov .I—v. Surrey—Won by 11 to 0. Nov. 4—v. Blackheath—Won by 32 to 0. Nov. 7.—v. Oxford UniversityWon by 47 to 0. Nov. 9—v Cambridge Oniverßity Won by 14 to 0. Nov. 11 v. Richmond—Won by 17 to 0. Nov. 15—v. Bedford—Won by 41 to 0. Nov. 18—v. Scotland—Won by 12 to 7. Nov. 22—v. West of Scotland— Won by 22 to 0. Nov. 25—v. Ireland—Won by 15 to 0. Nov. 28—v. Munster—Won by 33 to 0. Deo. 2—v. England—Won by 15 to 0. Deo. 6—v. Cheltenham—Won by 18 to 0. Dec. 9—v. Cheshire—Won by 34 to 0. Deo. 13—v. Yorkshire—Won by 40 to 0. Deo. 16—v. Wales—Lost by 3 to 0. Deo. 21—v. Glamorgan—Won by 9' to 0. Deo. 23—v. Newport—Won by 6 to 3. Dec. 26—v. Cardiff—Won by I'o' 8. Dec. 30.—v. Swansea—Won by 4 ! to 3. Matohes played 32; won, 31; lost, 1. Points for T 829; agaiost,. 39.