BRITAIN AGAIN DEFEATED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9115, 15 June 1908, Page 5

BRITAIN AGAIN DEFEATED.

CANTERBURY FOOTBALLERS SECURE A LUCKY WIN. CANTERBURY ... 13 ■ BRITAIN ... 8 BY TELEGRAPH—PER PIiESS A6SO NATION CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. The Canterbury team secured a very lucky victorv over the AngloWelsh team this afternoon, the scores being 13 points to 8. The weather was all that could be desired, and the attendance wa<* about 15,000. The visitors won the toss and elected to play with the sun at their backs. Gibbs marked, and Deans, who took the ball from the kick, sent it out near the centre. A scrum followed, and then a line out. A passing rush, which was initiated by Burns a little later, resulted in Britain being put on the defence. Burns made a good run, but wild passing resulted in the ball being kicked across Britain's line and Ponty Jones forced. A good mark was obtained by Morgan and P. Jones centred. Gibbs securad the ball and kicked. Fast following up by Dibble from the kick was responsible for Doell, the Canterbury full-back, being in trouble, but the danger was averted by a force. Ponty Jones found the line well in the Canterbury's territory, and from a scrum Chapman secured the oval, but Gray collared him and kicked the ball out in the centre. The Canterbury forwards then adopted loose play, which was only stopped by fine defence work on the part of Ponty Jones and Dibble. Fine kicking by Doell kept Britain confined to their own ground for some time. Then Morgan and Ponty Jones tried their utmost to shift the scene £pf operations. Canterbury were looking very dangerous at this period, but Chapman save', and the game was taken to Canterbury's twenty-five, where the local team were awarded a free kick. A scrum resulted through a man being in front, and Ponty Jones obtained the ball and kicked to McEvedy, who initiated a fine passing rush. Williams, however, failed to take the return from Ponty Jones and a chance of scoring was lost. A series of scrums followed, and Britain obtained the ball every time. Through' Murgan con stantly finding the line Canterbury were being steadily pushed back to their own twenty-five. Another passing rush was started by Morgan, when Canterbury were well on the defensive, but Fryer, by collaring Williams, defeated the object of this movement. Burns sent the ball down the field, but Jones returned it with interest, finding the line just about a yard from Canterbury's goal line. Canterbury, however, managed to extricate themselves from their unenviable position by a forward rush, in which Mahoney was prominent. Burns got the ball a little lacer and kicked at it across the field, but it was carried over. A scrum followed, from which Burns got the ball and passed to Gray, who in turn transferred to Fuller, and he scored. He tried to add to the major points, but the ball went across the field. Canterbury ... 3 Britain ... 0 Fuller returned the ball from the kick-out and Ponty Jones placiny Canterbury on the defensive through a fine kick and lat ra brilliant pisii'i? . rush between the English backs resulted in Ponty Jones scoring. Gibb's kick went wide. Britain ... 3 Canterbury ... 3 The game was of a very even nature for the rest of the spell. On resuming, Fryer made a splendid kick and centred play, but through McPhail being off siue Canterbury were penalised. Deans found the line near the centre, when he returned the ball. From a scrum which succeeded a line out Burns got the ball and good passing ensued between Gray, McDonald and Fryer, the latter, unfortunately, spoiling Canterbury's advantage, by kicking too hard, the ball going over the line. Scrums and passing rushes by the visitors had Canterbury defending, Gray saving on more than one occasion. Doell, however, found the line near the centre, but Britain again returned to the attack, and Morgan was nearly over. A passing rush and a long kick by Deans shifted the game to Britain's twenty-five, whsre Canterbury were only stopped by Morgan marking. Burns kicked the ball back to the visitor's territory, and fast following up by McPhail resulted in a try being scored by him. Fuller succeeded in kicking a very neat goal. Canterbury ... 8 Britain ... 3 Canterbury were now more aggressive than ever, and were only stopped fro'm securing another try through Fonty Jones getting in a timely kick. The visitors were awarded a free kick after a line out. A similar award was made to Canterbury almost immediately, and Fuller had a shot at goal, but he was not successful. Loose play was then indulged in near the visitors' twentyfive, and Bain securing the ball got over the line between the goal posts. Fuller easily placed the ball between the posts. Canterbury ... 13 Britain ... 3 Loose play followed, in which the visitors had the upper hand, ancl later the ball was kicked over the line. A great race between Burns, Doell ano Archer for it took place, the last-named beating the two Canterbury men easily. Gibbs easily converted. Canterbury ... 13 ■ Britain ... 8 After the kick out Archer started a loose rush, which Dibble and Kitson continued till over the Canterbury's goal line. They were both away from the Canterbury men, and had a certain score in front of them, but for some reason they allowed Burns, who was following up very fast, to slip in and force. Shortly after play resumed the whistle sounded, the score being— Canterbury ! ... 13 Britain ... 8 The gate totalled nearly £I,OOO, the attendance being 14,800. In conversation with a reporter, after the game, the referee expressed the

opinion that on the play the best team won, and the points scored were about the indication of the game. He stated that he was far from satisfied with the manner in which many of his decisions were accepted by the British team during the game, aid the statements made by several of thi players after the game in the dressing room in his presence were in Dad taste, and should not have been made by the defeated side. Mr Laws is of opinion that the ball was placed in the scrummage fairly by the British team on most occasions, and that the manner in which it is screwed by the front rankers is totally foreign to the mar - ner adopted by New Zealand players. It is thrown in quickly, and bumping against the foot or leg of the Britisher in front, is shot out again, either on the side of the pack or straight behind. The British team throughout the game look exception to most of the rulings, especially when their side were penalised, and Mr Laws stated that his woik was far from pleasant. He further stated that he had no occasion to take exception to any of the Canterbury players, and thought they accepted his rulings in the manner that New Zealand players always do.

NEW SOUTH WALES v. MAOKIS. Received Jun J 14, 4.15 p.m. SYDNEY, June 14. About 20,000 people were present at the match between the Maoris and the New South Wales team. The game was fast and open. Messenger was in great form, and kicked six goals and scored two tries. Pakere played brilliantly for the Maoris, while Pehana, Rotataua and Asher also distinguished themselves. A tryeach was obtained by Mokotuki, Asher and Pakere, two of which were converted by Papatura. The final scores were: —New South Wales, 30; Maoris, 13.

An Association match between the Masterton and Y.M.C.A. teams was played at Lansduwne, on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a win for the former by 6 goals to 2. In the first half of the game the Y.M.C.A. team had Masterton on the defensive almost the whole of the time, and when the whistle sounded for halftime the scores stood at 2 goals each. In the second spell Masterton added 4 more goals to their score, and the Y.M.C.A. team were kept busy defending their goal. Although many of the Y.M.C.A. members had rot played the game before they gave every indication of becoming very fair players.