February 25 - 1889 NZ 'Natives' have low key win in Leeds
Back in Yorkshire the “Natives” had a comfortable win at Manningham and then on February 25 another victory, against Leeds St John’s at Cardigan Fields. Information about the win is sketchy to say the least, both Papers Past and Eyton’s tour book have the barest of reports. Greg Ryan, in his scholarly book about the tour, simply refers to an easy victory. Unlike Eyton and Papers Past he refers to the home team as “St John’s, Leeds”
“Our Footballers at Home.
* UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, 26th February. The Native football team to-day defeated the Leeds St. John’s Club by two goals and three tries to nil.”
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP18890227.2.30&cl=&srpos=0&e=——-10–1—-0–&st=1
MATCH No. 59 – versus LEEDS ST. JOHNS, AT LEEDS,
February 25.
Score: Natives – 2 goals, 3 tries.
Leeds St. John’s – Nil.
From “RUGBY FOOTBALL AND THE TOUR OF THE NATIVE TEAM”, compiled by T Eyton. Published 1896.P. 64.
Davey Gage - try scorer