FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8513, 19 August 1907, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND v- NEW SOUTH WALES. A WIN FOR THE VISITORS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Received August 17, 8.46 p.m. SYDNEY, August 17. The first football match between tb.3 professional teams representing New South Wales and New Zealand was played this afternoon, in fine weather. There was considerable interest centred in this match, which was the introduction of professionalism in this branch of sport in the Commonwealth and the Dominion of New Zeahnd. The attendance was estimated at about 20,000. From the spectators' point of view, the match was rot of an interesting nature, as both teams lacked the necessary combination for a good game. Consequently the splashes of brilliancy were of an individual character. Of the two sets of forwards, the visitors wera a better class than their opponents, and played a strenuous, though somewhat uneven, game. For the first half hour the game was very even, play neing chiefly in neutral territory, where the local men put in some fine passing rushes. One of these was intercepted by Wynyard, who, after a capital run, lost possession, but Wrigley was near at hand, and, gathering up the ova!, whipped it on to Wright, who dodged across the line. Turtili took the kick at goal, but the score was not increased. New Zealand 3 New South Wales ... 0 On resuming the New South Welshmen put in several fine rushes, but New Zealand's defence was too good to admit of a breach being made in that quarter. Wrigley and Turtili in particular were playing fine games behind the scrums. Gradually and certainly the Bla ks pushed the Blues back, and Wynyard who gained possession of the ball ran across the field accompanied by Todd. As they neared the corner Wyr.jard, seeing a chance of scoring, handed the ball to Todd, who, dodging the opposing back, touched down. Wrigley took the lack, which was at a difficult angle, but he too failed to pilot the ball between the posts.

New Zealand ... ... 6 New South Wales ... 0 A few minutes after the ball was in play again the Jtilues drove New Zealand back into their territory and from a passing rush from outside the 25 y.irds, in which D'Alpuget, Cheadle and Messenger were concerned, the latter got over the New Zealand line. He took the kick at goal himself, but with no better success than that which had attended the New Zealanders' efforts. New Zealand ... ... 6 New South Wales ... 3

Give and take play followed for a few minutes, and then the referee sounded half-time.

The second spell produced 1:0 striking play, but Wrigley proved himself a tower of strength in repeatedly checking the onslaughts rrnde by the Blues on the New Zealand line. The home team, shortly after the spell opened, had a shot at goal, and narrowly escaped a score, the ball going just rnder the bar. For a Mme there was an interchange of kicks between the backs, Hedley, the local fullback and Turtill, who occupied a similar position for the visitors, proving themselves worthy representatives in their respective places. Messenger proved a dangerous thorn in the side of the New Zealanders, and time after time he gave them some anxious moments. The game had for a time been hovering in the New Zealanders' country, but a passing rush shifted the scene of play into the local team's 25. The latter got possession of the ball from a scrum, but a kick, in an endeavour to relieve the opposition, was not a success, the ball going into Wynyard's hands, who promptly marked in front of the goal. Wrigley placed an easy'goal, and the figures read — New Zealand ... ... 9 New South Wales ... 3 No sooner were the players at it again than Messenger, with a fine run, carried play into New Zealand's 25, and then kicked across to Cann, who ran in. Messenger converted, amid cheers. New Zealand 9 New South Wales ... 8 From the kick-off, the New Zealanders rushed the ball down the field, and a few minutes saw Cross score. Wrigley made a poor kick at goal; in fact, the place-kicking of this team and the "AH Blacks" is much below the standard of former teams from New Zealand. When the whistle sounded no-side, the score stood at— New Zealand 12 New South Wales ... 8 By Telegraph— Press Association. Received August 19, 12.40 a.m. SYDNEY, August 18. Owing to the New Zealand professional teams' steamer arrangements for their departure to England clashing, the matches arranged by Mr Wren have been abandoned. A match was playe:] on the Showgrounds, on Saturday afternoon, between teams representing the Masterton Municipal Band and the Masterton Fire Brigade, in aid of Mr J. K. Blinkhorne. Both sides were well represented, and the game, which was a very interesting one, resulted in a win for the Band by 8 points to nil. J. O'Leary and Mackellar scored a try each for the Band. O'Leary converted his o.vn try. Mr L. Williams was referee. In the evening the losing team entertained th<: winners at a smoke concert in the Central Fire Station, when a very enjoyable time was spent. Captain Jenkins occupied the chair. The following; was the toast list:—"The King," proposed by the

Chairman; "The Winners," proposed by Mr J. Duggan, responded to by Mr J. Adams; "The Losers," Mr C. J. Mackellar—Mr J. Duggan; "Kindred Sports," Mr E. Braggins— Mr A. Prow; "Referee," Mr J. O'Leary—Mr L. Williams; "The Fire Brigade," Mr C. J. Mackellar—Captain Jenkins and Secretary E. Pragnell; "The Ladies," Mr H. Selby— Mr A. Esson; "The Pianist," Mr J. Duggan—Mr E. Chunn; "The Chairman," Mr J. Duggan; "The Press," Mr E. Maher. Songs were rendered by Messrs C. A. Ewington, E. Braggins, E. McEwen, J. Duggan, J. Adams, W. Darvill, C. J. Mackellar, J. O'Leary, J. Elder and H. Walker. Messrs E. Hooper and B. Chapman contributed recitations. TE RANGITUMAU v. MAURICEVILLE. A match was played between Te Rangitumau and Mauriceviile, for Mr G. H. Clarke's Cup, at Te Rangitumau on Saturday, and, after a hard-fought and interesting game, resulted in a draw, both sides scoring six points. The home team played in black and the visitors in red and black. From the kick-off the game was very fast, the play being chiefly confined to the forwards. After some give and take play, J. Harvey crossed the line for the blacks, after a passing rush. B. Chamberlain failed to add the major points. This was the only score in the first spell. The second, half opened with the visitors attacking strongly, and the home team were kept busy defending. The latter, however, gradually worked the visitors back, and from a loose rush A. McLachlan scored the home team's second try. The attempt at goal again proved futiie. The visitors then livened up and soon had their opponents hard pressed. From a forward rush Brenchley scored a try for the visitors. He took the kick at goal but the ball went wide. The game at this stage was very fast the ball travelling from one end of the field to the other. Shortly before the call of time Brenchley again scored for the visitors but he failed to convert the try. Messrs E. Welch and Brookes acted as line umpires and Mr F. Williams was r- feree. A feature of the game was the place-kick-ing of B. Chamberlain tho bail striking ihe bar on three occasions, j After t.:: .-..:■ teh the two teams

were entertained at tea by the ladies of Te Rangitumau at Mr Duncan McLaeJilan's homestead. Messrs Bx*enchley and Brookes briefly thanked the ladies for their hospitality and Mr McLachlan for the use of the paddock in which the match was played.

WAIRARAPA SCHOOLS v. WEL LINGTON SCHOOLS. The Wairarapa and Wellington Public Schools representative teams met on the Masterton Showgrounds, on Saturday afternoon, when Wairarapa secured an easy win by 15 points to'nil. All the points were scored in the first spell. In the second half, with the wind in their favour, the visitors put up a better stand, and Wairarapa failed to score. The Wairarapa team were very much heavier than the visitors. Tries were scored for Wairarapa by Bray (2), Johnson, Beard and Ibbetson, none of which were converted. Mr S. Smallwood was referee. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a dinner by the Wairarapa'team in the Exchange Buildings, an excellent repast being provided by Misses Whitcombe. Mr W. H. Jackson (headmaster of the Masterton District High School) presided, and there were teachers present from Wellington and the Wairarapa schools. The Chairman apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine), Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.K., Mr R. Brown (Chairman of the Masterton School Committee), and other members of the School Committee who were unable to be present. The Red Star Juniors beat Featherston, at Grey town, on Saturday, by 11 points to 6. For the winners Wing scored a try, which Ball converted, and Williams kicked two penalty goals. Thomas and Gage scored" a try each for Featherston. Mr J. Nicholls was referee. Kopuaranga were beaten by Opaki, at Opaki, on Saturday by 6 points to nil. E. Pay ton crossed the line twice for the winners. Mr R. Spademan was referee. The inter-collegiate football match, St. Patrick's College v. Wellington College, was played on Saturday, and was won by St.f Patrick's College by 11 points to 6, states a Press Association telegram. Martinborough met and defeated Ruahine, at Carterton, on Saturday, by 7 points (a penalty and potted goal) to nil. A Press Association telegram from Palmerston North states that Manawatu defeated Hawke's Bay, on Saturday last, by 14 points to 6. The dates of the representative matches which the Northern Union have arranged with the New Zealand professional team are as follow : December 18th, v. Yorksh'i-e; January Ist, v. Wales; January Bth, v. Cumberland; January 11th, v. England; January 18th, v. Lancashire; January 26th, v. Northern Union. When the grounds for these games have been selected the dates for the remaining fixtures will be decided unon.