FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9137, 9 July 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

BRITAIN v. MANAWATU AND HOROWHENUA.

WIN FOR THE VISITORS

BY TKXEGEAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION,

PALMERSTON N., July 8

There was a large crowd and fine weather for the match Britain v. Manawatu and Horowhenua, to-day. Thejplay throughout was marred .by the sloppy ground, but the Britishers gave glimpses of brilliancy, especially early in the second spell, v/hen they scored two fine tries in quick succession. Britain kicked off and Hewett returned the ball Lack to the 25. Gibbs and Stalker exchanged kicks, and Ponty Jones finally reached half-way with a well judged kick. From the throw out the combined team were awarded a free kick, and Wineata had a place at goal, but the ball fell short. The British team were now on the defence, and only momentarily did they relieve their end. Archie McMinn raced the ball over the line from a forward rush. Stalker pounced upon it, but the referee gave no try, the hall having crossed the dead ball lire. The combined team were mastering the British formation r and it was by the sure saving tactics of the visitor's rearguard that stemmed the tide of adversity. Pority Jones and Chapman made a big dash, but Anderson secured the first named, and Chapman for a moment appeared to be clean away, but Hewett shot out and secured him in «.he nick of time. The Manawatu-Horowh?nua backs were handling the greasy ball in fine style, and their collaring was all that could be desired. Both teams were now warming up to their work, and Oldham and Williams rushed play to half way. J. F. Williams missed his kick. Archie McMinn gained possession, and with a great dribbling rush he pHoteJ the ball through the visitors' backs and scored. He took the kick at goal, but made a pour attempt. This woke the visitors up, and they, with several wellorganised attempts, they entered the home team's dominion, and, through the illegal placing of the ball in the scrum by the local players, Williams sent the ball between the posts.

Shortly after the start of the second spell Britain', gained the ascendency, and Chapman, Ponty Jones and Williams made a strong passing run. Anderson collared the last named 0:1 the line, but not in time to save a score. Gibbs failed at the goal. The combined team seemed out of hinge, and Britain, taking advantage of the weakness, started several bouts of passing, which ended in Williams scoring. Gibbs failed with the kick. Shortly after, from a scrum, Oldham dropped over. Gibbs failed again with the kick. There was no further score, but the home team had all the best of the remainder of the spell, and when the wnisile sounded no time Britain were hard on the defence.

MAORI TEAM LEAVE THE FIELD. BT TiILEGBAPII —PLtKSS ASSOCIATION. Received July 8, 10 a.m. BRISBANE, July 8. An exhibition match, Queensland versus the Maori team, was played at Toowoomba. Play was very fast, and at times rough. Just before the finish, when the scores were—Queensland 11, Maoris 9, it is alleged that one of the visitors struck a Queenslander, and the latter retaliated.

The Maori was ordered off, whereupon the whole Maori team left the field, amid hootings.

ADVERSE COMMENT.

Received July 8, 12.23 p.m. BRISBANE, July 8

There ia much adverse comment over the action of the Maori footballers in leaving the field at Toowoomba yesterday, owing to the umpire ordering a Maori off for striking a Queenslander. Queensland was then leading by two points.

Received July 9, 1.30 a.m. BRISBANE, July 8. Queensland defeated the Maoris at Warwick by 26 points to 14.

Received July 8, 7.38 p.m. SYDNEY, July 8.

Sydney University beat New Zealand University by 26 points to 11 to-day.