FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9003, 13 December 1907, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

— THE TOUR OF THE "PRO BLACKS." THE MATCH AGAINST KEIGHLEY. BY TELEC.IUPK PUE3S ASSOCIATION". Received December 12, 8.50 p.m. SYDNEY, December 12.

English press comments on the match between New Zealand and Keighley are to hand. The Chronicle says that although the New Zealanders are still unbeaten, they experienced a very anxious time at Keighley. They were in the minority at the interval, but managed, by scoring a couple of tries in the second half to secure a victory by nine points to seven. The game could not ba described as high class. There were faxtoo many tactics of the hustling and bustling order, and the finer points of a scientific exposition were sadly lacking. It is very evident that when Messenger, Smith and certain forwards are not in the team that the game generates into a scramble. Much of that, however, is due to the style of their opponents' play, and Keighley have a reputation for disregarding the more subtler methods. The Keighley ground is rather narrow and the surface uneven, and the conditions are against the openoperations o? New Zealanders. In the first half the Home team scored two penalty goals, as the result of off-side play. Against this the visitors could only respond with a tryscored by Wright, after a piece of meritorious work. Keighlay also had chances to score, but were wholly , indifferent when it came to a question of pushing an advantage home. At the interval the home team led by four points to three. The second half was contested in the same vigorous unscientific manner. The New Zealanders did shape a litt'e better, and several fierce attacks were made. With the game near the home line, Craven attempted to relieve, but his kick was charged down by K. Wynyard, who promptly secured ,posj session and scored. Wrigley failed . to convert. At the other end of the , ground Drummond caught the ball ■ from Wynyard's kick and ran in and got a try. That also was not converted. Towards the end,after Walker 1 had tried several times to place goals from penalties against the New Zea- - landers, a pretty piece of combined . plav by Wrigley, Wynyard and Todd ; led to the latter scoring.

The "Daily News" says:—"The game was very fast throughout, Keighley showing quite as much pace as the colonials. They had more of the ball than the New Zealanders but were slower in the passing, and not so accurate. However, they were not over-matched.

The "Telegraph" considers that the New Zealanders had considerable difficulty in maintaining an unbeaten record. The:)* form was not so good as in previous matches, though chey have not been opposed by more stubborn and resolute defenders than those of the Yorkshire Club.