FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9097, 25 May 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

ENGLAND v. WAIRARAPABUSH. EASY VICTORY FOR THE VISITORS. 17 POINTS'TO 3. FINE FORM SHOWN BY THE ENGLISHMEN. What will, in the future, be regarded as a memorable game in the football history of the Wairarapa, took place on Saturday afternoon, when the English team met the combined team from the Wairarapa and Bush Unions on the Showground. There was. a record attendance of the public from all over the district, besides visitors from Napier, Palmerston North and Wanganui. It is estimated that the number present totalled 6,000. The takings at the gate amounted to £237, while at the grandstand £ll2 16s was taken. The following were the teams:— ENGLAND (red, white and blue). —Backs: E. J. Jackett, Gibbs, McEvedy, Ponty JoneM, J. L. Williams, J. Davy, H. Laxon. Forwards: A. F. Harding, R. Dibble, E. Morgan, W. Oldham, J. F. Williams, G. V. Kyrke, %. Smith, J. A. S. Ritson. WAIRARAPA-BUSH (green). Backs: Russell, M. Connor, Collins, W. Darvill, C. Groube, J. O'Leary, J. Adams. Forwards: Workman, McCarthy, R. J. Smith, H. McKenzie, Harvey, T. Brenchtey, Swainson, C. Ross. The visitors were captained by A. F. Harding, and the home team by J. O'Leary. The visiting skipper won the toss and O'Leary kicked off. From the first it. was made manifest that the Anglo-Welshmen meant business, and play was hard and fast from the word "go." McEvedy returned O'Leary's kick, and the visiting forwards following up soon had the Greens on the defensive. A free kick awarded to the combined team for off-side play on the part of the visitors, however, relieved the tension. O'beary found the line with a splendid kick. A scrum followed Mie throw-in, the ball going out to the English backs, being transferred to T. Smith, who, after making a short run,'kicked out of touch. Immediately after the line out, another scrummage took place, from which the visitors again got the oval, and a beautiful piece of passing play was witnessed, and a sure score was spoiled through the leather being passed forward. The visitors were penalised for an infringement in the scrum. The Greens did not profit much by the kick, the ball being returned and the home team's line was endangered, and Russell was compelled to force. Shortly after the ball was set in motion, Jackett took a mark in the Green's 25's. Oldham had a shot at goal, but the oval went wide. Collins snapped up the leather and cleared his line. A scrum took place a little later, and the ball was once more secured by the visitors, and their backs set in motion, but an obstruction prevented them from turning their fine passing to good account. A free kick was awarded the Englishmen, and Ponty Jone3 essayed to kick a goal, which, however, was ineffective, and Russell forced. Williams returned the ball, and Collins securing the oval found the line with a feeble kick. The visitors Wti'e successful in the line out, and the ball was transferred to Por.ty Jones,who passed it on to Hauling, the latter giving it to McEvedy, from whom it went on Thf last mentioned sent. it over to Ponty Jon9£, Who Scored a Alio try. Gibbs was entrusted with the kick, but failed to enhance" thfl score. The visitors attacked again, and four minutes later Davy passed to Gibbs, who touched down alter a smart run. Harding failed with the kick. Three minutes later Lax ton snapped up the ball and started a passing rush, the ball passing through the hands of Davy, McEvecly,- Jones, J. L. Williams, to Gibbs, who scoredj Gibbs was unsuccessful in 1 bis attempt to convert. The combined team appeared to be demoralised. Groube missed a kirk of Harding's, and Ritson following up fast, scored exactly two minutes after Gibbs' try. Harding added the major points. The first spell endeJ England 14 Wairarapa-Bush ... o

In changing ends the home team rallied and played better football than they did in the first spall. Connor mulled the ball after the kickoff. McEvedy followed up and t3eciped the ball but was collared by O'Leary and play Was carried to .the centre of the field, where a scrum reaulced. Workman smothered the visiting half-back's kick, and snapping up the ball kicked across the field, the green forwards followed up well, and a score seemed probable, but the visitors forced. Russell sent the leather out of touch on the • resumption of play. Throughout the spell with but one or two exceptions the game was tairly even. 'lhe visitors only added a try to - their score, J. L. Williams touching down about twenty minutas after the start of play. Give and take playwas the order of things for the remainder of the spell, and the home .team, although unable to cross the visitors' line, registered their only score a levy minuteo before the call of time through O'Leary placing a fine goal from a free kick awarded to his side on account of offside play on the part of the visiting forwards. No side was called shortly after with thp score—

England 17 VVairarapa-Bush ... 3 Mr P. Mackiu controlled the game in a most impartial manner. Messrs J. C. M. Dyke (England) and E. McKenzic (Wairarapa-Bush) werjj the line umpires. The visitors had much better combination than the home te? iv—in fact combination amongst the latter players was conspicuous by its absence. From the start England made the game fast and open, and their backs threw the ball about in a manner that astonished the onlookers. Their kicking was excellent, being well-judged and clean. Ponty Jones, Williams and Gibb were particularly good in attack and defence. Jackett gave the finest display at full-back seen in the Wairarapa for many years. He was always sure, cool 33 a cucumber and kicked with rare judgment. He several times initiated passing rushes. On one occasion the ball bounced from him and several forwards

swarmed on him, but the sturdy Cornwall player recovered the ball, dodged through his opponents, ran for over twenty yards, and finally started a passing rush. Davy, Laxon and McEvedy had plenty of work to do at times, but always did it well. The forwards struck one as being a very hard lot to beat, and are fairly fast and heavy. J. O'Leary was the pick of the Wairarapa backs, and of the forwards Swainson and Brenchley were perhaps the best. VISIT OF.STODDART'S TEAM. It is nearly twenty years ago—to bo exact September 17th, 1888, since an English team had previously played a match in the Wairarapa. This team was generally known as "Stoddart's Team." The contest took place on the Park Oval, Masterton, in the presence of about 2,000 spectators. The teams were as j Yollow: -Wairarapa—Backs: D'Arcy (Red Star), A. Udy (Greytown), G. | H. Smith, Pani, J.Perry (Masterton), J. Baumber (Carterton). Forwards: C. Bannister (Masterton), Bryce (Greyt)wn), W. Davy (Masterton), I H. Mitchell (Greytown), F. Pelling (Masterton), Reid (Carterton), Thomas (Red Star), G. Welch (Mastercon), W. E. Welch (Masterton). j England—W. Burnett, J. T. Haslam, A. E. Stoddart, Dr. H. Brooks, W. Bumby, 11. C. Speakman, R. Burnett, J. Lang, T. Kent, H. Eagles, S, Williams, W. H. Thomas, J. Anderton, Banks, Stewart. The game resulted in a win for the visitors by 5 points to 1 (a try scored by J. Perry). The takings at the gate amounted to £S9 12s. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a ball by the Masterton Club.

RECEPTION AT PAPAWAI. Beautiful weather prevailed yesterday, which enabled about 2,000 people to attend the function arranged by the natives at the Papawai Pa in honour of the English footballers. Three drag loads of people—in addition to several who travelled by private conveyances—from Masterton attended the reception. The large meeting house at the pa was set out in u most artistic manner for the occasion. Thebuiking was packed long before the time for the ceremony to commence came round, large numbers being unable to gain admission. Upon their arrival the visitors were accorded an ovation, being cheered to the echo. They were then ushered »nto the building, where seating accommodation had been reserved for them on the platform. After an appetising repast had been done full justice to the aged chief Tauira addressed the assemblage in his native tongue, has remarks being interpreted by Mr- H. Parata. Mr Parata then read the following address of welcome, which was presented to Mr Hartnett, manager of the English team:—Haere mai, e tekotuku, kerenga Tahi te manuhiri Taurangi (welcome the white crane of one passage, the illustrious visitors from afar). Welcome, welcome, to Maoriland welcome, welcome, to these Isles—Aotea Roa and Te Wai-pounamu—-you who have come across the groat sea of kiwa, to take pa:* in the manly sport of football with your colonial brothers A\\ th© world over sportsmen are brothers, whatever their complexion, an.<U ijf/.ve cannot hope to play quite as go«i a game as you, we can at least profit a little by your example and teaching, We nope a-:d trust thnt you will enjoy yourselves thoroughly, And will I'm"tvsni to your homes with kind recolkctions of our island c?!?ny. Th?r? is still a plGasoiit riicti'l6'i.'y of the" hospitable manner in which the Maori football team, who visited England in 1887, were treated, though many of that team have passed away, and we hope to return that kindness in some small measure. Your visit here will be but brief and you will again have to return to your homes in far-away England, but if you should happen to meet any of your Maori brethren in the" course of your travels, we are certain they will give you the same cordial welcome. This is the first native kainga which you have visited, and we hope that you will carry away with you a favourable impression of what you have seen. Welcome and farewell, sine: you must pass on. It is enough that wo have seen you—,ve wish ycu a. safe return to our King and Queen, from whoso presence you have come to gladden our eyes in this most distant part of Brritain's Empire. Mr Hartnett suitably responded to the address. The Mayor of Greytown (Mr Loasby) also delivered a brief speech of welcome on behalf of the citizens of Grc-ytown to the visitors. An excellent programme of musical items was rendesed, and a numbc of Maori girls Vlanced several native dances. A Maori haka, led by the chief Tauira, brought the function to a close. The visitors were the recipients of many Maori curios, including a large greenstone tiki and a fine mat presented to Mr Hartnett.

INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN HARDING. OPINION OF HIS MEN'S ACHIEVEMENT. Mr Harding, captain oi the English team, granted a brief interview to a Wairarapa Age reporter after the match. Asked as to his opinion of his team's performance, Mr Harding said he was naturally very gratified with the result, hut at the same time it was no morn than what he expected. "The match has done our men considerable good, and shaken off the last effects of our long sea voyace. We all feel now that we are prepared to meet our opponHiti on nip- best form." "Were your men reserving themselves at ali in the second spell'.'" was naked. "Well, we did take things a little easier in the poenrrl half, but having a fairly safa lea:i that was only to be expected." Mr Hiirdinij was asked if he had any opinion to express of the play of the Wnirarapa-Bush team, but said he bad no comments to make. WELLINGTON v. BRITISH TEAM. HY TXUWIAI'H —I'KKHK ASSOCIATION. ' WELLINGTON, May 24. The Wellington team against the British footballers next Wednesday will be as follows:—Full-back. G. Spencer, 11.10; three-quarters, A.

Evenson 12 0, F. Mitchinson 10.10, H. D. Thomson 10.11; five-eighths, W. Wallace 11.1, F. Roberts 12.6; half, C. Green, 9.4; wing forward, VV. Hordharn 12.6; forwards, M. Ready 13.4, J. Hamilton 12.10, A. Wilson 14.8, D. Rush 12.9, H. Wilson (Athletic) 12.12, H. Dewar 12.4, W. Alexander 12.0; emergency, back, J. Ryan 10.11, forward, Knight 13.0. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. BY TCriEGKAJ'II —I'KESS ASSOCIATION . WELLINGTON, May 24. The following is the New Zealand football tea.ni to meet the Britishers at Dunedin on June 6th:—Full-back, W. Wallace (Wellington); threequarters, Cameron (Taranaki), Deans (Canterbury), Thomson (Wellington); five-eightns, Hunter (Taranaki), Stead (Southland); half, Roberts (Wellington); wing forward, Gillett (Auckland); forwards, front rank, Casey (Otago), Hughes (Southland), lock, Cunningham (Auckland), supports, Francis (Auckland), "Rangi" Wilson (Wellington), back row, Seeling (Auckland), McDonald (Otago). Emergency back, Mynott (Taranaki); emergency forward, Hayward (Auckland). The New Zealand team includes thirteen players who were members of the New Zealand combination which visited Australia last year, among them being eleven "All-Blacks." BY TKLEtfRArH —PBESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, May 23. The New Zealand Union advises that the game Britain v. the Maori team has been definitely fixed to be played at Rotorua on 21st July. NEW ZEALAND "PRO-BLACKS" v. QUEENSLAND. Received May 24, 8.40 p.m. BRISBANE, May 23. The return match between New Zealand and Queensland was played this afternoon. The weather was fine but dull. There was a moderate attendance. New Zealand played witfi twelve men. Tyler and Byrne suffering from influenza, and Dunning from a severe strain. Queensland won the toss, and O'Brien kicked off. Lile fumbled, and Messenger nearly scored. Several scrums ensued without advantage to either side. New Zealand were penalised at nearly half-way, and Messenger kicked a goal. The "Pro-Blacks" pressed hard, and Wrigley kicked a penalty goal. Shortly afterwards H. Wynyard kicked a goal from the field. At half-lime the score was - New Zealand, 4; Queensland, 2. In the second spell R. Wynyard and Lile scored tries, one of which Wrigley converted. Messenger kicked two goals from the field, and scored a try. Watson also scored one try. Time was called with the score twelve points each.