FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9160, 6 August 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

BRITAIN v. NEW SOUTH WALES. VICTORY FOR VISITORS. Received August 5, 9.15 p..tr. i SYDNEY, August 5. Thi British footballers played the first match of their Australian tour ito-day. \ The game was played in mud an inch deep, with occasional heavy rain squalls throughout the afternoon. At'tfer the first few minutes it was almost impossible to distinguish one team from the other. The British forwards packed splendidly, and came through like a wedge. Half-way through the first spell the ball was kicked over the line, and Morgan racing several of the local pien dived on the ball and secured a try. The angle was a difficult one, and Harding failed to add the additional points. The Britishers were too powerful in the scrums for the Welshmen, and continuously broke through. Only twice did the local players in the first half approach j close to the British line. In the second spell the game was stubbornly contested. The New South Wales backs saved their side frequently. It was an exciting moment when the Britishers were penalised right in front of their goal, but Bede-Smith made a poor kick, and New South Wales had no further chance to score, Britain winning by three points to nil. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received August 5, 9.20 a.m. SYDNEY, August 5. Owing to their inabi'itv to secure a playing ground, t.he Maori footballers j have reversed their decision to forrrt themselves into a "New Zealand Native Team." The match between the Wairarapa Juniors and Marlborough Juniors will be played at Blenheim on Saturday next. The Red Star and Te Ore Ore members of the team will leave Masterton to-morrow morning by the 7 o'clock train for Wellington. Ratigi (Te Ore Ore), who is emergency back, will accompany the team, and in the event of his not being able to go, G. Ross (Red Star) will take his place. Mr J. Brunton has been appointed manager of the team. Wellington Juniors will be played on the return home. Owing to several of the Red Star Juniors being absent with the representatives, and also to the difliculty >in obtaining a ground, the match between Tulcapa and Red Star Juniors will not take place. The match between Wairarapa and Wanganui Seniors will be played at Masterton on August 27th. The Wairarapa tcun will be picked on Saturday next.