FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9102, 30 May 1908, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM.

Five members of the New Zealand professional football team, which lecently toured Great Britain, playing a series of matches against Northern Union Clubs, returned to Wellington by the Monowai from Sydney. One of the players informed a "New Zealand Times" reporter that the tcur had "panned out" successfully financially. When the proceeds from the Australian tour were divided each man would receive about £3OO clear after payment of all travelling expenses. The players of the Northern Union compared with the amateurs were easily in the forefront. There is no "taffy" style about them the same as the amateurs. They are colilarsand iron-workers mostly—real footballers getting paid for playing, and it was remunerative to them to defeat us. You know we had to fight the big reputation of the 'All Blanks.' Every time we had a hard ter.m to beat, and personally I consider we did remarkably well when it is remembered that we had to learn the new game. The Northern Union game is absolutely the best game of the lot—attractive, spectacular and fast —but a man has to be in very good form to play it." Questioned as to the possibility of the team being reformed in New Zealand, the playtr said he thought this was unlikely. Ic might happen that the various members might get clubs formed in the portions of the Dominion in which they lived, and thus get the game started. If this were done it would be the most popular game in a few years. Messenger, Smith, Todd, Wynyard and Wrigley bore the brunt of the back work, while Pearce, Bryne and Cross were far and away the best of the forwards.

The .Masterton Association Club have been successful in arranging a match with the Wellington Swifts, for Wednesday next, June 3rd, thus affording a good opportunity for local enthusiasts to pick up the principal points of the game that draws such huge crowds to the football field at Home. The Swifts are one of the leading Wellington teams, and play good football, and as /the local club are turning out a strong eleven, a capital game should be witnessed. Tne kick-off will take place at 2.15 p.m. on the club's ground opposite the new Hospital, Lansdowne. Teams representing the Pahiatua and Mangatainoka Juniors tried conclusions at Mangatainoka, on Wednesday, when the latter team proved the victors. The game was well worth witnessing, being- open and fast right from the start, while some really fine play was shown on both sides. King and Saunders socred tries for Mangatainoka, one being converted, while Morrison s.'ored a try for Pahiatua. The folbwing will represent the Masterton 111. against Dalefield today : Dayah, Unman, Simonson, Pauling, Yates, Hanley, Rayner, McHattie, Dixon, Catt, Billington, Munn, Dean, Wellington, Fly. Tno folowing will represent Albion Juuura in their match against Selwyr.s, at Wellington, on Wednesday, June 3rd:—H. Jones, W. Thompson, T. E.lers, b. Morris, P. Haftka, G. Ban*, W. Rautu, A. Keeble, W. Jones, C. Bowen, T. Wickens, T. Green, A. Benge, V. Fiorio, H. Hilton, VV". Hunter. All players are requested to no at the station on Tuesday afternoon to meet 3.20 p.m. train.