FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8984, 19 November 1907, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE "PRO-BLACKS." MATCH AGAINST HUDDERSFIELD. FRESS COMMENTS. Keceived November 18, 6.2 p.m. SYDNEY, November 18. Commenting on the New ZealandHuddersfield match the London Chronicle says that those who predicted an easy triumph for

the New Zealanders were sadly disconcerted. It was only in the final ten minutes that the visitors took the lead, and were able to pile up a score that on the face indicates a decisive defeat. The New Zealanders can yet be said to be in a period experimenting. They tried a new set of forwards, Johnston being the only man who appeared against Bramley. In consequence of their inability to cope with the more experienced men ofHuddersfield the visitors were repeatedly beaten for possession of the ball. The backs could not be set in motion, and fighting as they were against a strong wind in the rirst half they were invariably on the delensive. Huddersfield pressed the advantage keenly, and were the first to score after twenty-five minutes' play. Five minutes later Todd, who was in the New Zealand team vice McGregor, dashed over the line, but Messenger failed with the kick at goal. For an interval Huddersfield was- leading by eight points to three. In the second half Messenger tried repeatedly to place goals without success, and many movements opened up were bpoilcd by faulty passing and poor combination. Wright gave a rosy tint to the operations by scoring a try which Wrigley failed to convert. Matters were looking ominous for the i visitors when Rowe rushed over, and Wrigley kicked a goal. In the few remaining minutes Byrne and Todd gained tries, and Wrigley placed a grand goal from a mark by Turtill, making the final scores cwo goals and five tries to one goal and one try. No doubt the reduced number of forwards and the new formation were the stumbling blocks in the operations of the New Zealanders, with the backs more occupied on the defence than attack, thrilling runs and skilful manipulation of the ball were not evident. Whenever the men did have a chance to become aggressive, too much anxiety coupled with some resolute tackling and effective marking prevented a score, a odd was far the best on the New Zealand side. Besides giving his colleagues many chances he scored two tries. He has a positively brilliant style. The Telegraph says as the game was played the New Zealanders were, a little fortunate to win by such S. large margin. Huddersfield without their best half-back played surprisingly well, and had the best of matters quite three-fourths of a fast game, but went to piecen somewhat in the closing stages. Had Huddersfield been more precise in the finish of their attacks they would have been in a much t tronger position at the interval, but blundered badly right on the line. Two or three times they went over, the New Zealanders having some fortunate escapes. After changing ends Huddersfield for a long time held up wonderfully well against the wind, the forwards maintaining their previous superiority. Eventually the New Zealanders gained the upper hand.