June 15 - 1889 NZ 'Natives' beat New South Wales

“Football.

THE NEW ZEALANDERS v. NEW SOUTH WALES.

A VICTORY FOR OUR BOYS.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Sydney, 15th June.

The New Zealand Native Team played New South Wales to-day under Rugby rules. Beautiful weather was experienced, and it is estimated that fully 10,000 persons were present to watch the match. The local footballers have greatly improved since the visit of the English team brought out by Lillywhite and Shrewsbury, and although they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Maori team they fought stubbornly throughout both spells. No sooner had the game commenced than the visitors rushed the ball into the local twenty-five, and within one minute from the kick-off Madigan was over the lino with the ball, thus scoring first blood for New Zealand. Tom Ellison was entrusted with the kick at goal, but failed to convert it. [Note.— The report that reached New Zealand that Ellison had broken his arm in the match in Melbourne must have been incorrect.] After some few minutes of uninteresting play Taiaroa broke through the opposing forwards and, after a dashing run, made a clever pass to Elliott, who got in. F. Warbrick was given the kick, but failed to increase the score. The local team then woke up, and by a series of rushes carried the leather well in the New Zealand’s twenty-five, and after several scrums Lee fell over the line, scoring first try for New South Wales. Colquhoun converted this into a goal.

Score : New South Wales, 5 ; New Zealand, 6.

In the second spell, Keogh, the well-known three-quarter back of Otago, made several dashing runs almost to the goal line, but the splendid defensive play of his opponents prevented him scoring. The local team were playing splendidly at this time, and the ball being passed to Hanley, he had a shot at goal, the leather going over the bar.

New South Wales, 9 points ; New Zealand, 6.

From this out the New Zealanders had the best of the game, both Ellison and Keogh securing tries, but Ellison failed to convert; either. The Maori team thus won by 12 points (four tries) to nine points (goal from try and potted goal). [Note. —Under the scoring points as observed in New Zealand the New South Wales team would have won by 6 points to 4.”

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP18890617.2.35&cl=&srpos=0&e=——-10–1—-0–&st=1

“THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR.

On the return trip in 1889 another match v. Victoria was played at Melbourne, and the result was

Score: Natives—4 goals, 2 tries.

Victoria 2 goals.

Melbourne team.—J. Russell, full-back; T. Brown, S. Miller, E. B. Stohr, three-quarter-backs; E. Wakeham, and A. D. Graham half-backs; J. Cohen, C S. Graham, C. Diamond, Torpey, Deach, White, Outram, Dodds, and M’Cleery, forwards.

Several matches under Victorian rules were played in Victoria, but they proved a frost in every respect, and as this Work deals with Rugby alone, they will not be described.

On June 11, 1889, a second match under Rugby rules was played on the East Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the result was an easy win for our boys by 2 goals, 3 tries to nil. Next, a match was played against 18 man-of-war’s men; and after a most amusing game, during which our team changed positions—backs going forward, and forwards back, the result was an easy win for the Native team.

Leaving Melbourne for Sydney, we took up quarters on arrival there at the George Hotel, Market street, and while located there we played the following matches: –

v. NEW SOUTH WALES.

Won by 4 tries to 1 place goal, 1 dropped goal and 1 try.

v. KING’S SCHOOL AND PARRAMATTA (18).

Won by 21 points to nil.

v ARFOMA CLUB, JUNE 24.

Won by 27 points to 3.

NEW SOUTH WALES, JUNE 22. (RETURN.)

Won by 16 points to 12.

v. PERMANENT ARTILLERY (18).

Won by 33 points to 10.

v. UNIVERSITY.

Won by 17 points to 7.

The New South Wales’ Representative teams were – First match: J. M’Mahon, back ; T. Hanley, H. Moses, and P. Colquhuoun, three quarters ; L. Veitch, and H. Hillyar, half-backs; F. and W. Bellbridge, H. E. Britten, J. R. Gee, J Meaghsr, B. Newell, Sefton, J . Shaw, and J. Walker, forwards. Second match J.M’Mahon, back Sefton, Flynn, Colquhoun, three quarters; Reed, Moses, Walker, halves; Sutherland, Ward, F. Bellbridge, Otway, Palmer, Newell, Meagher, and Shaw, forwards.

Visits to Maitland and Newcastle, where games under Association rules were played, terminated our stay in New South Wales, and after experiencing great hospitality, good Rugby gates, and fine weather while in Sydney, we left for Brisbane. The matches played against New South Wales were pretty severe contests, and we found Rugby played in Sydney much better than we expected. The tour in Australia was commenced with only 22 players, which number was reduced to 19 before leaving Sydney for Brisbane. The absentees were Gage, Webster, Karauria, and Smiler; and afterwards McCausland, Stewart, and Anderson.”

From “RUGBY FOOTBALL AND THE TOUR OF THE NATIVE TEAM”, compiled by T Eyton. Published 1896.Pp. 83-84.