FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8503, 5 August 1907, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA

EASY WIN FOR NEW ZEALAND.

By Telegraph —Press Association

Received August 3, 7.42 p.m. BRISBANE, August 3,

The return match, Australia and New Zealand, was played on the Cricket Ground, this afternoon. The weather was fine, but there was a strong breeze blowing. The attendance was estimated at between 16,000 and 17,000. The teams were as follow: — Australia —Full-back, Dix; threequarters, Parkinson, Russell, Smith and Messenger; halves, Woods and Mandible; forwards, Oxlade, Oxenham, Barnett, Burge, Caniffe, Fihelly, Flanagan and Richards. New Zealand Full-back, Colman ; three-quarters, Wallace, Mitefainson and Fryer; five-eighths, Hunter andMynott; half-back, Roberts; forwards, Gillett, (wing), Casey, Hughes, Cunningham, Nicholson, Francis, Johnston and Seeling. Oxlade having won the toss from Hunter, elected to play with the wind, and Francis started by kicking off for the visitors. Russell took the leather, and returned it to the halfway flag, where it went into touch. "From a line-out the All Blacks rushed up the field, and began to look dangerous when they were forced out within Australia's 25. On the ball being thrown-in Oxlade and Fihelly got going and carried the scene of play back to half-way where Colman stopped further progress by gathering up the ball with despatch, and although hotly pressed he got his boot to work, and relieved his side by finding tho line at the half-way flag. From the line-out the Australians broke away with the brill at their toe. Wallace raced along in front and gaining possession attempted to work his way round the field, but was grassed by Fihelly, and the local pack kept the ball rolling in the direction of the New Zealanders' goal line. Wallace again attempted to check the advance, but was carried oft' his feet. Messenger kicked tha bail over the line, and a great scramble ensued for possession. Messenger was first to reach ii:, and eventually touched it down, drawing first blood. He took the kick himself, and registered a goal. Australia 5 New Zealand 0 From the drop out the All Blacks forced the Australians right back ot to their line, and danger was onlyaverted by Dix who, putting in some fine foot work, renmved play to halfway. The Australians then continued to attack, and going on with dribbling rushes the New Zealand line was for a time in serious danger. By concerted play, however, the visitors gradually but surely forced their opponents back into neutral territory. For the rest of the spell the ball went hither and thither, but mostly in the New Zealand territory where it was when the whistle sounded halftime and the board read— -. -

Australia 5 New Zealand ... ... 0 Messenger opened the. second spell with a kick to Mynott, who returned and the All Blacks at once began to move toward. Mynott secured possession of the ball and punted high. Dix fumbled the leather, and before be had time to make redress Seeling was on top of him, and kicking over the line fell on the ball, registering the first score for the visitors. Wallace took the kick and equalised the scores by putting the ball between the posts. Australia ... ... 5 New Zealand 5 From another drop out the All Blacks again became offensive, though, if anything, with increased vigour and, gaining considerable ground by means of dribbling rushes, soon got within the local men's 25. Here one of the visitors skied the ball to Dix, who secured it, and with the return found the line. No sooner was the ball in play again than the Australians were forced back within their 25. Then Hunter snapped up the oval, and after a great run, passed to Wallace, who crossed- the line near the corner. Francis failed to convert the try.

New Zealand 8 Australia ...» ... 5 On resuming the All blades were not long away from the Australian territory, and' Dix, making a further mistake by dropping a very simple thing, gave Francis an opportunity to score, which he quickly availed himself of. He failed in the kick at goal, which left the scoresNew Zealand 11 Australia 5

The All Blacks were now making the game very interesting for the home team. The ball was scarcely in play again before the New Zealanders were once more at their throats, and were within the ace of scoring, Fihelly just saving by kicking intq the dead ball area. The game continued, however, in the locals' 25, and a scrum was formed right on their line. From this Roberts gained possession and passed on to Wallace, who raced roun<l the scrum mers and touched down behind the posts. He wis entrusted with the kick, but no goal resulted. Zealand 14 Australia ... ... 5 On resuming the Australians rushed the ball down the field and carried play well into the visitors' quarters, but Colman saved with a fine punt. The Australians were again put on the defensive. A free kick to the local men relieved the pressure, and a little later a similar penalty enabled the Australians to enter the All Blacks' ground, but they were sent back by Colman, who found the line at half-way. For a time uninteresting play took place in neutral territory. Eventually the Aust~alhns broke away, and were looking dangerous, when they were forced out in the New Zealand corner. Almost immediately the whistle sound-

Ed no side, and the game ended— New Zealand 14 Australia 5

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM,

By Telegraph—Press Association. SYDNEY, August 3. The Daily Telegraph, commenting on the New Zealand professional team, says it is almost common property now that on August 17th, 21st and 24th the visitors will be engaging in combat with teams respectively from Eastern Suburbs, South Sydney, and Glebe. - It will cause some sense of disappointment to those who have followed the game for the game's sake to learn that prominent players —indeed, some who have been lauded to the Rugby skies for their loyalty to club and cause have climbed down from the dizzy height of their elevation to pick berries from the professional ground bush. Several men who, it is said, had previously announced their determination to spurn an international cap or interState cap, in order that their clubs might top the list in amateur competitions, are "out for the gate."

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 4. The Senior Rugby competitions were continued yesterday and resulted as follow:—Poneke (three points —a try) beat Melrose (nil), Petone (11) beat Oriental (9), Wellington (5) beat St. James (3), Athletic (11) beat Old Boys (nil). By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, August 4. The first grade football competition was concluded to-day, the matches resulting as follows: University (19 points) beat Port Chalmers (5 points), Alhambra (11 points) beat Pirates (7 points), Zingari-Richmond (12 points) beat Southern (11 points), Dunedin (9 points) beat Kaikorai (5 points), Taieri Rovers (11- points) beat Union (nil). The University and Alhambra are leading with 23 points each, but the former have played only 15 matches, as against the latter's 16, and are regarded as certain to secure the premiership.

The Red Star Juniors met and easily defeated Old Boys on the Masterton Showgrounds, on Saturday, by 28 points For Red Stars Williams and McKenzie scored two tries each and Eastbope, Bannister and Dunn one each, two of which were converted. Wing kicked a penalty goal. Riley scored a try for Old Boys, and Phillips kicked a penalty goal. Mr E. Jenkins was referee. A social will be tendered in the Foresters' Hall, to-morrow evening, by the citizens of Masterton, to Mr E. Wrigley, who has bean selected as a member of the Ngw Zealand professional team that is to visit England. The Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine) is to be aslced to preside and a large number of citizans have signified their intention of attending. A. meeting of the senior team of the Masterton Club was held on Saturday evening. It was decided that a meeting of players should be held just prior to or immediately after the match for the Renall Cup for the purposa of deciding to whom the Henderson and Cochrane medals for the present season should be allotted. Messrs Lyall, Barry and J. O'Leary were appointed to represent the club on the Citizens' Committee appointed to arrange a farewell social to Mr E. Wrigley. It was decided to recommend to the Management Committee of the club that further efforts be made to get more representative matches played in Masterton, it being pointed out that, apart from the liberal support given to the game by local enthusiasts, the two local teams had provided most of the best matches during the season, and that, although Saturday was essentially Masterton's football day, not a single representative fixture was arranged to take place here on that day. Several players expressed indignation at being called upon to make so many sacrifices incidental to travelling up and down the Valley so much. Special votes of thanks were passed to Messrs J. O'Leary and A. Millar for services to the team in championship matches. The former made the unusual sacrifice of the captaincy of the Wellington Provincial team for the purpose of representing the club against Carter! on, and Millar took the place of O'Leary after the latter was injured in the Masttr-ton-Red Star match.

A meeting of the Management Committee of the Wairarapa Rugby Union was held at Carterton, on Saturday evening, there being present—Messrs A. B. Charters (chairman), E. Beard, E. McKenzie, J. Nicholls, Balfour, Wynes, G. W. Sellar, D. K. Logan and A. L. Webster. Mr G. W. Sellar was appointed a member of the committee vice Mr J. W. Cochrane. A letter was received from the Wanganui Rugby Union stating that a date for the representative match with Wairarapa would be fixed later. The fine of £l' Is, recently imposed on the Peatherston Club, was remitted. The Chairman was authorised to sign the deed between the Union and the Wairarapa and East Coast P. and A. Society for the use of the Carterton Showgrounds for football matches. A letter was received from the Masterton and Red Star Clubs regarding the allotting of representative matches to Masterton. It was resolved that the representative match, Wellington v. Wairarapa, should be played at Masterton on September 7th. It was decided to play a third round in the Junior Championship. It was announced that the Carterton Juniors had withdrawn from the competition. Messrs Lett Bros.' employees played Mr C. E. Daniel's' employees on the Masterton Showgrounds, on Saturday afternoon, the former team winning by 6 points to nil, after an evenlycontested game. Holmes scored a try for th-3 winners and Kinzett kicked a penalty goal. Mr J. O'Leary was ref-

eree. In the evening the losing team entertained the winners at a dinner at the Central Hotel. Mr F. C. Daniell occupied the chair. After an excellent dinner provided by Mr F. S. Cooper had been partaken of the following toast list was honoured:—"The King," Mr D. Lett; "Winners," Mr F. C. Daniell—Mr W. S. Lett; "Losers" Mr J. Lyall —Mr J. Duggan; "The Ladies," Mr L. Daniell—Mr J. Elder; "The Referee.'' Mr J.Lyall— Mr J. Duggan; "The Press," Mr L. Atkins. Songs and recitations were given by the following: Messrs J. Lyall, J. Duggan, S. Dodd, H. Walker, L. Daniell, D. Lett, W. Golder, P. Lett and E. Lett. Mr H. Inns presided at the piano. A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."