INTERCOLONIAL FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 958, 3 August 1903, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND BEAT QUEENSLAND BY. 17 TO NIL.

By Telegraph-Press AssociationCopyright. Received August Ist, 8.9 p.m. BRISBANE, Aug. 1, Great interest was manifested' in flie opening match, New Zealand v. Queensland, and there was a very large attendance, it being estimated that fully fifteen thousand were present. Perfect weather prevailed, though the sun was rather oppressive to the ' visitors in the early stages ot the game. In every phase of back and forward play the New Zealanders exhibited form much below that given by them in other matches of the tour, particularly the vanguard, which displayed sluggishness in their, movements. The catching, fielding, handling, and kicking of the hacks was very poor in the first spell, but improved somewhat in the second half. Wallace, at full-back, gave a magnificent display, his tackling, line kicking, and catching raising repeated shouts of applause. Kiernan, who has recovered from the injury to his knee, shaped well, and McGregor did good service. Wood played below his usual form. Asher was prominent at times, and Long, Tyler, and Cooko were the best of the forwards. Wood, who captained the visitors, won the toss, and elected to play, with the sun at their backs. Queensland started aggressively and went near scoring right from the kick-oil, Wallace smartly staving off. the danger. But a few minutes later the home combination were awarded a free kick near the flag, the shot at goal being futile. A further penalty kick was given to tile homo team, and Redwood made a tine but unsuccessful attempt at goal. Kicrnan then dashed through the ■ opposing backs outside Queensland’s 25, from where Wallace had a fruitless shot at goal. Porteous was responsible for putting the Queenslanders in a tight corner, Redwood extricating them cleverly. Wallace had another penalty shot, which went dangerously near the goal posts. Stead and McGregor nullified the opposing backs’ passing rush, the ball going three parts down the field. Gradually the visitors removed play into Queensland’s Quarters, where a miss-kick on the part of the Queensland centre threequarter gave Asher an opportunity, and he, getting possession o£ the ball, dodged past Evidon, the home back and scored behind the posts. Wallace converted the try, tile visitors thus drawing first blood. New Zealand, 5 ; Queensland, 0. The visitors were soon on the aggressive again, and a splendid opening made by Stead was spoilt by Long getting ofl-side. A little later the New Zealanders were given a free kick within easy range of the Queensland goal, hut Wallace failed to improve the score. Two capital passes in quick sueession from Kiernan to Wood were made when invading Queensland territory, but the advantage gained was mulled by a Canterbury man. Relief was awarded the home team by a free kick, and afterwards a mark. A dangerous Queensland forwards’ rush was 'brilliantly stopped by Wallace, who subseqiuently terminated the capital passing of the home backs in' the nick of time. Kiernau, Wood, and McGregor were next prominent in concerted passing, the latter being grassed splendidly by Redwood within a few yards of the goal line. * Queensland responded gamely, hut the visitors were not to be denied, and once more brought the scene of play into Queensland’s quarters, where Redwood again cleverly saved his side, and shortly after the first spell ended without any further addition to tlie score. The New Zealanders got going better in the second half, and within, five minutes of the kick-off, Kiernan whipped the hall out smartly to Porteous, who gave it to Wood, the latter handing it on to Stead, who 'badly, heat Redwood, and touched down behind the posts. The ball was placed for Wallace, but no goal resulted. New Zealand, 8 ; Queensland, 0. On resuming, the Queensland forwards invaded New Zealand territory, Wallace coming to the rescue of his side with, a brilliant piece of saving. Subsequently, some player with a tremendous line Icick, brought the operations right up to Queensland’s line. Kiernan gave; Wood a pretty, pass, which enabled his captain to score a clever try, but Wallace failed with the kick at goal. New Zealand, 11 ; ; Queensland, 0. McLean made a couple of superb runs for the homa team, and for a time the New Zealand line was threatened, but again Wallace was to the fore, and smartly extricated Ins side. The home team were next awarded a free-kick owing to Wood (being offside, and Redwood made another fine attempt to rosier a goal, the Maori landers being forced down. Following the kick out, tlie visiting vanguard, headed by Long, swept the ball right up the field, Long being bowled over a few inches from the Queensland line. Wallace! here failed with a penalty kick. The prettiest piece of passing of the day, was now witnessed, Stead, Asher, and McGregor being the players taking part in it, and the result was that McGregor crossed the line and scored behind the posts. Wallace once more failed at goal. New Zealand, 11 ; Queensland, nil. The visitors were now having much the best, and in a rush, in which Stead, Kiernan, and Asher handled the ball, a grand opportunity for scoring, was. lost by tbe Aucklander knocking on. This was followed by a strong forward rushy which the Queensland backs failed to check, and Armstrong crossed the line with the ball at his toe. Wallace’s effort to convert was good, though unsuccessful. New Zealand, 17 ; Queensland, niL Play for the remainder of the spell was fairly even, and the game resulted in favor of the visitors by 17 points to nothing. t