FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9103, 1 June 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

BRITAIN v. OTAGO. VISITORS DEFEATED. BY TELEGBAPH — PBEBS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, May 30. The match between the British team and Otago was played at Carisbrook, to-day, in the presence of about 15,000 spectators. The weather was splendid in' the morning, but about 2 p.m. light rain set in and continued until juat before the start of play. This was followed by a strong and bitterly cold wind which blew across the ground, making matters very unpleasant for the spectators, and hampering good back play considerably. The game, which resulted in a victory for Otago by 9 points (two tries and a penalty goal) to six (try and penalty goal), was rather disappointing from a spectator's point of view, but at the same time some splendid forward play was wilnessed. The British team was as follows: —Full-back, Griffiths; three-quart-ers, Gibbs, Vassal, Ponty Jones, Chapman; halves, Morgan and Davy; forwards, Dibble, Oldham, Morgan, Jackson, Smith, Archer, Ritson and Dyke. THE FIRST SPELL. In the opening stages the British team had somewhat the better of the play, and Otago had to force down about five minutes after the start. The visitors kept up the attack, Vassal being conspicuous for good play. After the game had been in progress about twelve minutes Otago was penalised for obstruction, and Dyke drop-kicked a fine gaol from about the 25's. Britain 3 Otago 0 A few minutes later the British forwards broke away, and after a good rush Archer scored in a fairly good position, but Dyke failed with the kick at goal. Rritain 6 Otago 0 Two free-kicks to Otago placed the British line in danger, and the visitors were forced down after Paton had had an unsuccessful shot at a goal from an acute angle. Otago then set up a strong attack, and McDonald got over the line, but the ball was called back for a knockon. Otago were not to be denied, however, and immediately afterwards the forwards rushed the ball over the line, Fitzpatrick scoring. The kick at goal was a failure. Rritain ... ... 6 Otago 3 For the rest of the spell the visitors had the upper hand, and on one occasion got dangerously near the Otago line, but a free kick to the home team relieved. THE SECOND SPELL. The second s jell opened with fine work by the Otago forwards, who kept so close on tha ball that the visiting backs got practically no chance of showing to advantage. Otago followed up splendidly, and gave the vis'ton a bu;y time in staving off attacks. About iei! minutes after the spell had opened Otago s>ot a free kick in a favourable position, and Patuti equalised the scores by sending the ball over the bar. Britain 6 Otago i 3 Half-way thro igh the opeil Otago penned Britain down, and after some interesting play the ball was whipped out to Dwyer, wlu dashed over at th.3 corner, scoring the winning try. The kick at goal was a failure. Otago 9 Britain 6 After this the visitors "held their own better, and for a few minutes towards the finish Otago had a busy timp defending. Britain was, however, unable to penetrate the defence, and the game ended with Otago attacking. The'final score was— Otago ... ... 9 Britain 6 For the greater part of the game play was confined to the forwards, the backs on both sides getting very few opportunities to disnlay their abilities on attack. The ball rarely came out to the rear division from the scrum, and in consequence the backs had to make all their own play. The visitor?, who seemed to have the advantage in weight, had the best of the line play, and the scrums, but in the loose they were outclassed by Otago, whose forward rushes were at times irresistible. Passing rushes were rarely attempted, but the few efforts made in this direction were not very successful. A large number of free kicks were given dining the game, the British team being chiefly responsible for breaches ot rules. The visitors were entertained at a smoke concert to-night, and leave for Invercargill on Tuesday.

NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA. BY TELEGIIAPII—PKESS ASSOCIATION. Received May 30, 8.26 p.m. BRISBANE, May 30. The football match, New Zealand v. Australia, was played to-day in dull weather. There were five thousand persons present. Australia won the toss, and Wrigley kicked out. The New Zealanders pressed and had the blues in difficulties. A free kick for lifting; a foot in the scrum relieved Australia, and play was transferred to the centre. The New Zealanders was soon back in the home territory, and a passing bout between J. Wynard, Tyler and Rowe ended in the latter scoring. Wrigley converted. The All Blacks again attacked vigorously, and, repelled for a time, returned to the attack. J. Wynard again gathered up the ball from the ruck and scored. Wrigley failed with the kick. A free kick to the All Blacks for off-side play resulted in Wrigley kicking a nice goal. The Australians attacked, and v, frep kick saw Messenger kick a goal for Australia. The All Blacks neutralised quickly through Rowe scoring. Wrigley converted. At half time the score was—New Zealand, 15; Australia, 2. C. Byrne fractured the point of his elbow, and Gilchrist played in his place. Early in the spell Rowe obtained a mark in the home team's 25, and Wrigley kicked a goal. Give and l take play was the order for a space,

and then play was brisk, and ultimately the All Blacks ;vre3sed their opponents on to the line, where a battle raged until a miskick sent it over and Baird saved. The Blues were forced down. Messenger shortly after dropped a nice goal from tho field. From a scrum at half way J. VVynard got the ball and passed to Johnston, who transferred to Cross. The latter scored and Wrigley converted. Lutze and Hardcastle scored tries for Australia shortly after, Messenger converting one. Just before the call of time Wrigley kicked a goal from the field. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. CARTERTON v. RED STARS. Carterton I. and Red Star I. met on the Showgrounds, Masterton, victory going to the visitors by the large margin of 17poinfs, the game ending Carterton 22, Stars 5. In the first spell the local men gave their opponents a busy time, and had the best of the play, raising hopes in their supporters that they would achieve a win. The first try scored in the game was secured by a Star man, Andrew, which Duggan converted. This was the oniy *,ry of the first spell, but the score was more than balanced by the Carterton men through Mason lucking two penalty goals, leaving the score Carterton 6, Masterton 5. In the second half if the game the local men seemed to have lost their dash, and added no more to their tally. Carterton, on the other band, added 16 more points. Mr E. McKenzie controlled the game. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. RED STAR v. GREYTOWN. The Greytown and Red Star juniors met at Carterton on Saturday. The northern team had the best of the game and won by 12 points to 3. D. Ross (2), Colder and Ball scored tries for Red Star. Greytown's score consisted of a penalty goal. DALEFIELD v. TE ORE ORE. Dalefield defeated Te Ore Ore at Dalefield on Saturday by 17 points to 5. MARTINBOROUGH v. MASTERTON. Martinborough won by default against Masterton. IS*—THIRD - CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. MASTERTON 111. v. DALEFIELD 11. This match was played on the Showgrounds, and resulted in a win for the home team by 9 points to nil. Pauling, Munn and Edmunds scored a try each for the winners. POSITION OF TEAMS. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The following is the position of the teams in the Wairarapa Rugby Unions Senior Championship:—

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The position of teams in the Junior Championship is as follows:

BUSH UNION FIXTURES. (By Telegraph—Special to Age). PAHIATUA, May 30. The senior flag matches, to-day, resulted as follows:—Mangatainoka played Hamua at Hamua. The ground was very wet and the ball slippery, making play difficult. The game,which was a good forward one—play being equally divided—resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. The match between Alfredton and Konini, at Konini, proved a walk over for the home team, they having decidedly the best of the game right from the start, winning by twenty points to nil. The team selected by the Masterton Association Football Club, to play the Wellington Swifts on Wednesday next, is as follows: —Goal, W. Elder; backs, Lawrence and Smith; half-backs, T. Elder, J.Elder, Nicol; forwards, Glen, Doyle, Robertson,- Marshall and Fawcett. Reserves —Miller, Jarvis and Truscott. The colors of the team are white shirt and blue knickers.

u a CO ••'"» c CO <c ...1 h4 Pi GQ cu Carterton Masterton Grey town Red Star 4 3 1 0 — 64 1 40 3 24 4 11 11 17 83 78

«2 3 w o c 03 '3 oi 4J •-I Q Oi &< Red Star 4 — — 51 15 Dalefield 4 — — 53 16 Te Ore Ore 3 1 — 44 21 Carterton 2 1 1 24 25 Martinborough 2 2 1 34 34 Grey town 0 4 0 6 54 Masterton 0 5 0 11 58