THE THIRD TEST MATCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2253, 27 July 1908, Page 2

THE THIRD TEST MATCH.

BRITAIN OUTCLASSED. A MEMORABLE GAME. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND,. July 25. The third and final test 'match between .Britain and Now Zealand was played at Alexandra. Park to-day, tho weather being; dull and threatening. A heavy shower occurred .in tho second half. Tho attendance was about 15,000, the increased tariff keoping away many who otherwise would imvo atteneted. Tho playing area was in fairly good order considering tho rccont rainy weather. Britain was out-classed from tho start and never at any time threatened the All Black’s line. Tho following were the teams: — Britain: Full-hack, E. J. Jackott; three-quarters, P. F. M’Evcdy, H. li. Vassal!, J. “Polity” Jones, F. Chapman; half backs, W. Morgan, “Tuan” Jones; forwards, .A. F. Harding, E. Morgan, P. Down, G. It. Hind, It. Dibble, H. Archer, T. W. Smith, J. F. Williams. New Zealand: Full-hack, J. Coleman (Taranaki); D. Cameron (Taranaki), A'. Mitcliinson (Wellington), It. G. Deans (Canterbury); five-eighths, J. Hunter (Taranaki), W. Stead (Southland) ' captain; half-back, F. Roberts (Wellington) ; wing forward, G. Gillett (Auckland); forwards, F. Ready (Wellington), F. Glasgow (Southland), W. Cunningham (Auckland), J. Patterson (Otago), C. Seeling (Auckland), and H. Hayward (Thames). Stead won the toss and defended the western goal, with the sun behind, Harding kicking off. Play was immediately returned to the British quarters whore tho New Zealand backs got, to work in great stylo. Three minutes after kicking off, during a forward rush, Harding was injured and was only able to play for about ten- minutes. Britain played the remainder of the game with only fourteen men. With a concerted effort the Blacks forced Britain back right oil to their line, where for an infringement a scrum was ordered. Tho ball was heeled out to Roberts who whipped it out to Mitcliinson, and tho Wellington three-quarter was over the line in a Hash. No goal resulted. Now Zealand 3, Britain nil. Tho Blades resumed the attack, the forwards making it particularly hot .'or tlie visitors. Roberts attempted o pot without success, and Cameron provided a sensational incident by running through half the team before being pushed out. Then the Blacks took a hand but were unable to find a weak link in the defence. At length, Roberts found an opening for his man and got the hall clear away to Hunter, who, after putting in, a short run, transferred to Mitcliinson who again scored amidst great enthusiasm. Tho additional points were not secured. New Zealand 6, Britain nil. Stead and Roberts made things particularly lively on the hall being returned to play, but after a lapse of ten minutes, Britain became aggressive, “Ponty” Jones and Vassall getting in some tricky work. The Black forwards, however, took charge shortly afterwards and rushed play to the front of the British goal, whore Hayward picked up and transferred to Hunter, who touched down with little difficulty, and no goal being kicked, the score stood New Zealand 9, Britain nil. New Zealand forced the pace on resuming, and had tho visitors continually in difficulties. Just before half-time, Glasgow secured the ball from a loose forward scramble in front of Britain’s goal and scored, the kick again being fruitless. New'Zealand 12, Britain nil.

On changing ends New Zealand forced the pace, and three minutes after the kick-off, from a scrum on the line, Gillett burrowed his way over. The attempt at goal was again resultless. New Zealand 15, Britain nil. Play was resumed at lialf-way but the Blacks 1 gradually asserted themselves, and, despite of the desperate efforts of the visitors to put their backs in motion, they never obtained an opening. Eventually Hayward figured prominently in a forward rush, taking the ball through to Vassal!', who managed to clear. The home forwards were not to be denied and broke iup a weak defence, the Thames player scoring almost immediately afterwards. The additional points we've not secured. New Zealand 18, Britain nil. The ball was no sooner in play than the British line was again threatened, and precisely one minute elapsed when New Zealand added to their score, Mitcliinson just managing to register at the' corner after beating “Ponty” Jones. The kick was the most difficult one of the day and Coleman placed a fine goal, making tho score New Zealand 23, Britain nil. The Britishers opened up the ensuing play, and maintained a slight advantage for a time, tho game-being uninteresting to watch. With twelve minutes to go, the New Zealand forwards asserted themselves and Roberts initiated back play from the rear of a scrum, as a. result' of which Deans got over in a fine position, no goal being kicked. New Zealand 26, Britain nil. From a line-out a few minutes later, Francis secured the ball, and beating off all opposition, scored near tho corner, and no goal resulting, the score stood, New Zealand 29, Britain nil. The visitors were completely outplayed in every department of the game, and their defence was as weak as the New Zealanders’ attack was strong. Stead and Roberts were the main contributing factors to the Black’s victory, and there was not a weak spot in the whole combination. Britain’s attempts to put their backs in motion were crushed in almost every instance.

Mr. Angus Campbell, of Auckland, was referee.

AFTER THE MATCH. ADVICE FROM THE ENGLISH MANAGER, [Press Association.] . . AUCKLAND. July 26. A complimentary dinner was tendered to the members of the British football team and the New Zealand representative team last evening. Mr. A. E. Devore presided, and was supported by the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers). Mr. G. Harnett thanked the chairman for his appreciative remarks of the British team as a. body of sportsmen.' Ho said this would bo the last opportunity for thanking the New Zealand Rugby Union for their kindness during the tour throughout New Zealand. They had seen some of the finest scenery, spine of the finest football, and some of the finest people in the world. They had been taken into parts of New Zealand not visited by other teams. Football was very keen in New Zealand, and ho had no exception to take to the hard game but there had been'at times, .especially in one match, a tendency to rough play. The position was entirely in the hands of the referee, but in this country his duties were particularly difficult by reason of the wing forward play. Speaking as the mouthpiece of tlie English and Welsh Unions, 'ho would warn the New Zealand -authorities against professionalism. There was no doubt but that the returned New Zealand professionals, who were now barred from playing, would do their best to -foster their game and to endeavor to create dissension in the

rallies of the amateur clubs. He hoped amateur bodies would stand firm and resist' these attempts. A bad: feature of professional football was that it took young men to watch instead of playing the game. He would not advise the New Zealand amateurs to indulge in too much training, for it took them too long from their business, and created a feeling of unrest. In some parts of England the rule was to limit the number of days a toam could bo on tour. Professionalism at Home had sent the sports of cycling, sculling, and running to the wall, and would do the same in New Zealand. He appealed to the New Zealand provincial unions to act as determined men and endeavor to stamp out -rough- play. He was pleased to come to this country to renew old Rugby acquaintances," and ho hoped to see another New Zealand Rngby team in England and Wales in a couple of years’ time. They had received -from the Governor an 4 Premier of New Zealand,-

and also all tho members of the New Zealand Rugby Union, every consideration. They had been beaten that day by a team which had nothing to fear from any Rugby 'loam m tho world. They had had all tho worst of the luclc during their tour, as all good sportsmen would admit, nut fhoy would one and all carry back pleasant memories of tho tour through Now Zealand. . . Dr. P. F. McEvcdy, vice-captain, said ho had no excuse to make for that day’s display. They all admitted that thoy had met one of tho finest football teams that ever went on‘ tho field, and ho advised New Zealanders not to lot their exuberance of koonne.se allow them to indulge in pointing. Ho instanced a n umber of cases mot with during tho tour. The Now Zoaland teams were strong enough to win without indulging in these little tricks. . Mr. W. J. Stead,, captain of the Now Zealand team, considered that British football teams would have to adopt the Now Zealand system of play if they wished to succeed against New Zealand teams. Individually tho British teum contained some very fine players, but it was system they lacked. Ho hoped the team would carry away as ploaeant memories or New Zoaland as the “All Blacks” did of the British Isles. , The Mayor said he had accepted the privilege of welcoming the British team to Auckland as a pleasure. Ho just as keenly regretted their departure. Ho did not agree that New Zealanders devoted too much time to sports, for ho thought it would be a good idea if touring football teams held shooting matches. They all wanted New Zealanders to shoot straight, but thoy did not want conscription, and tlie athletic bodies would do a great deal to help on the movement for national defence if his suggestion was carried out. . . A number of other speakers, including officers of the New Zealand Union, referred- to tlie pleasure the visit of the British team had given them. ■ , . The team leave by the s.s. Victoria to-morrow evening for Sydney. Five of tho British team were injured yesterday. Harding, who received a severe kick in the region of the liver, was seriouslv injured, Dr. McEvedy and “Polity” 1 ' Jones had their shoulders, injured, J. L. Williams' had his knee dislocated, and W. Morgan was partially stunned, and had his face injured.