THE ANGLO-WELSH RUGBY FOOTBALL TEAM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2195, 20 May 1908, Page 1

THE ANGLO-WELSH RUGBY FOOTBALL TEAM.

enthusiastic RECEPTION / T WELLINGTON. A LIKELY ILOT OF PLAYERS. (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, Aiay 18. The first impression one receives, on meeting the members of the An-gio-AVolsh football team, is that tlioy are a very young-looking lot and some of them must be nut more than twen-ty-one years oi age. There aio a low very liylit bucks unionist them, out the majority appear to be heavy sturdily built young fellows. A crowd of about a thousand people assembled on the wharf to cheer them as they came ashore from the Athonic. They walked unostonta--iously to the Grand Hotel and secured their rooms, and in the afternoon they got into their loot-bull fogt> and drove to the -Athletic Dark to indulge ill some mild practice. As they walked on to the ground and peeled oil’ their overcoats, the impression regarding their youth, and the --turdi- ( ness of their build, gamed on the steamer, was deepened. They may not bo a remarkably brilliant team, but they certainly are a strong team; the forwards especially so. The backs arc rather slight in build, but some of them seemed clean limbed fel'.-.-ws whom one would judge to bo smart at getting away and last manors. They began their practice with a little promiscuous passing and kicking, and then the forwards, led by Harding, tho captain, ran at a smart pace once round tho ground. It uas noticeable that, as a wlioio, they we;e not of the tall build, but were veiy solidly built. AVhilo the forwards were thus engaged the Lacks enlsonie running and quick j.-.icsing amongst themselves, and then the whole team lined up in two sections, and indulged in “soccer” practice. There are some good dribblers amongst them, and if they get going, tho N.-w Zealand backs may have some litUo difficulty in stopping their dribbling rushes. After tho dribbling practice most of the team formed in a long line right across tho ground, and while they ran its length, the ball was quickly passed from end to end. the passing as a whole being neat and quick. Some of the men seemed to bo in rather poor condition, out that was perhaps only to bo ex peeled under the circumstances, 'j hey liuve, however, left themselves little time to get into training for tlieir first match, and they are under the disadvantage of never having played together. Nevertheless I anticipate, from -general -appearances, that th-y will give a good account of themselves in tlieir New Zealand tour. They certainly seem a much better team than the one brought out to New Zealand in 11)0-1 by Air Siovivright. Indeed, it is quite within the bounds of probability that they may take the football “ashes” back wth them to British soil, and, as Harding rather humorously said in his speech in the Town Hall last evening, “This may be a good tiling for us, and it will do them no harm.” The reception to the team in the Town Hall last evening was a most enthusiastic one, there must have been 3000 people present, and the Aiiglo-AVelsli representatives as they filed on to the stage, were received with prolonged and deafening cheers. ’One long hoist of Hags, Nelson’s famous signal, was hung across the hall, -and appropriate reference -was made to it by the -Mayor m las speech of welcome. Sir -rosepli \\aro made one of those happy little speeches that ho can s 0 well do oil those occasions, and then Air Harnett, the manager of the team, was called upon. Ho was received with round -after round of cheering. He spoke capitally, and soon showed that in addition to fluency and directness, lie has the saving grace oi humor and certain personal magnetism. It is quite safe to predict that lie will bo a general favorite throughout Now Zealand and that his influence over the team will be of the very best. During the course of his remarks, lie complimented sturdy little Wales upon having come to the rescue in connection with the formation of the team, at a time when Ireland and (Scotland refused to help. “Ireland,” said Air Harnett -with a twinkle in his eye, “said they did not object to ther men going, but,” lie added, “none of them came;” a sally that drew forth from the large audience assembled, laughter and cheering. AA’hat -Scotland’s reason for refusing was, he did not know, and lie supposed he never -would know, but since ho had landed in New Zealand lie had heard it stated that it was because the “All-Blacks” had taken away too many “nimble sixpences” ill connection with tlio Edinburg match (loud laughter), and because, in addition, they had licked the Scotsmen as well (laughter and cheers). During the course or an excellent speech, which was loudly cheered, Air Harnett made a pleasing reference to the patriotism engendered by true sport, and to His Alajesty King Edward AMI., whoso influence as a° patron of sport- has resulted in so much good in the United Kingdom. . .. -Air Harding, tho captain of tho team, also received a very -hearty welcome, the cheering with which he was greeted, being loud and long. After he had -spoken, the great crowd assembled in the hall rose and gave three reusing cheers lor tho AngloWolsh team. Thereupon the whole team, standing on their chairs, and taking the time from their captain, gave forth in stentorian tones, their battle cry, “Rule Britannia, Cymry Ambythl Cymry Ambytli! Hip hip hurrah! Hip liip hurrah I They gave us the true British cheer a welcome sound in comparison with the siljy and somewhat puerile “Ip ray, ip ray, ip ray,” that has become the fashion now in New Zealand. The battle cry of the -present team as will be seen, is a mixture of English and AVelsh, the two Welsh words meaning “Wales lor ever.”