Evening Express

The Game. 1 From England's kick-off Boucher returned ] od, the English left wing failing to take, the t lay eetfled in the English half. From the ] ery first serum Wales gained twenty or ifteen I ards, and play went to the English < 5, where, from a tight sorum, Taylor got ossession and kicked up the field. Gwynn lichoils tried to stop by making his mark, us was upset before he had fairly got posses- ion of the ball. This let England up to half Tay, where Arthur Gould failed to field a kick, lie ball going up to Bancroft, who ran a dozen ards and then threw to Cliff Bowen. Ban- roft's tactics were quite unexpected, and lowen did not make as much use of the all as he might have done. 1 though he found touch. There was a lot If loose scrimmaging in the Welsh half, and hen Packer, coming round a scrum, kicked ,own to Byrne on the half-way line. The loseley man was all at home and punted back o touch. There were some tight gruelling crums after this, and then Selwyn Biggs, oom- ng round the scrum, intercepted some passing y the English halves, and running on half a ozen yards passed to Gould. The itter put in a fine kick towards aueh, buth the ball fell a yard or two hort, and Lanny Jones running on. beat Jyrne, and kicked down towards the English ine. There was ope reply, which Pearson, ent back, and then the English forwards, twice rostrated in their atennpts to break away, J ventuailly got the best of some loose ptay, 1 nd rushed up to the centre. Miere was some loose kicking here, which nded in Gould's lwing penalised for off-side day. This gave England a. few yards advan- age, but the Welsh forwards were playing Pearson scoring the first try. I with any amount ot aevn at tn;s stage, ana. icrimmaging desperately, were also following Lip and tackling in fire style. One rush, lieaded by Hellings and Packer, saw both raylor and Wells upset. The progress of the Welshmen was but short, until Pearson, 'ollowed a. long kick down the ield and upset Metcher. He threw )ut to J. F. Byrne in the hope of jetting it away, but Pearson was on the top of lim, and pulled him down. The English side ivere penalised for off-side play. A place at ;his point was almost certain to have resulted n a score, but Gould, for some reason or mother, elected to drop, with the result that mly a minor was scored. Less than a minute later, after the drop-out, Wales were again ittacfoing. It was a very near thing for their foing over in tihe extreme corner. Pearson's foot had, evidently, been in touch, however; .0 a couple of yards out from the English line ihe Welsh touch judge hoisted his flag, with the result that from the throw-out the ball went to one of the English forwards, who dropped down and conceded a second minor. England were making despe- rate efforts at this period to get away from their hailf, until a lucky kick by Fletcher sent the ball to Bancroft, and then Fookes rushed up and forced the Welsh back to kick to touch at his own 25. A mark made by ro,c,kes at this spot made matters look exceed- ingly dangerous for Wales. Ashford took the place kick, and made a. good thot. Bancroft brought it out, and kicked down the field, but immediately afterwards it was returned by F. A. Byrne, and then Bancroft did what he ought to have done before—conceded a minor. From the Welsh drop-out, play settled on half-way, until Boucher, by a. lengthy kick, sent play to the English half. Here some informality on the part of the Welsh forwards in the scrum, gave England a further advantage, with the result that, loose rushing play of their forwards was only stopped at the Welsh 25. Yard by yard they worked up to the touch- line, some dozen yards outside the Welsh goal- line, where Gould relieved dn a lucky fashion. Going around the scrimmage he got into touch a dozen vtrds outside the Welsh 25. Bancroft brought off a nice save after -us, and gave his side a big advantage. Then a loose dribble, after a good follow-up by the Welsh forwards, put play into the English half. Once Wells had a chance of breaking away, but he did not seem to care about the tackling of the Welshmen, and from a serum hit the ball with his hand into touch. A fine opening came to Wales a minute later. Selwyn Biggs broke away from the scrum, and threw out. Baker was close up and seemed like taking it, but Gwyn Nicholls Mat him, and ran over to the right wing, where Pearson failed to take his pass. After this England got back a few yards, and a kick went up to Bancroft that looked like getting the Welsh full back in trouble again. He came down the field with a run, and passed over to Gould. The latter was marked very carefully, but still he managed to bring off one of those brilliant dodges of 'his, and breaking back into the centre threw out to Cliff Bowen. The pass was just a bit too high, however, and a. really fine opening was missed. After this play was of a mid-field description. The Eng. lish three-quarters were travelling yards and yards off-side, but they managed it very cleverly I Taylor's futile drop for goal. behind the referee's back. As Mr. Magee never looked round, however, no notice was taken. After this there was as brilliant a bit of play as was ever seen on a Welsh ground. H. Packer headed a rush of forwards that com- menced at half way, and taken up by other of the Welshmen went straight over the English line without a, check. D. Jones, of Aberavon, and a couple of forwards fell on the ball fit this point right under ihe posts. Everyone thought it was a try, but for some reason or other Mr. Magee ordered ii a touch- down. It was a downright bit t f hard luok on Wales, but they made up for it a minute later, when a brilliant opening, initiated by Selwyn Biggs, saw Pearison, Gould, and Nicholls each handle in turn. There were some further exchanges in the far corner, but we could not see them. Then Ijgggson went over in the extreme oorner with a try, which Ban- croft failed to convert. England at this points were to all intente and purposes a. beaten team, and it came as 40 surprise a minute ater that the Welsh forwards, who were well & )eatin,g their opponents started a dribble that d lad a tangible result. Boucher and Jack 'I I Evans were at the head of the rush that t ook the ball over the English line. fi Boucher wa-s first on top of it, and so scored ¡ ( t. second try for Wales. Bancroft had another fi iliot for goal, but with no better result than A t: "Heidi" 'J Mi the previous occasion. For the next five minutes after this Wales kept up a desperately hot attack oin the English 25. A pretty piece of cross-dribbling by the English forwards took them over the half-way line, but as soon is they settled down to scrimmaging again the Welshmen pushed the English forwards clfan. off their feet, md coming round with a swing again located c themselves well within the English 25. The end of the attack was that some sterling play on c the part of Clitf Bowen sent the ball over the t English line. Byrne, gaining possession, a touched down, asid conceded Wales their fourth 8 minor. Half-time was then called, with the t score star.ding: c ü. T. At. WALES 0 2 4 ENGLAND 0 0 1 E ■ *i SECOND HALF. 1 1 Packer re-Started the second half for Wales, j and the result of the exchange kicking t.as that ( play settled slightly on the English Bie of the 1 half-way tine. The first scrimmage was a t loose one, and of quite 30 seconds' duration. j Then one of the Welshmen followed up a kick- and tackled Baker, with the result tha.t Mr. J Magee penalised the Welshman for playing the same. There was no earthly question about J this, mind, and the surprise was that the crowd 1 took it so well as they did. This, however, was not sufficient for Mr. Magee, for, after Pearson had run back to save, Mr. Magee ipenalised him right by the posts. Taylor tried a drop goal, but that fell short, and Bancroft ¡ taking it punted up to touch close at halt-way. England had certainly received enough en- couragement in the way of penalty kicks, and this, probably, was responsible for the little bit of devilry which they introduced into their play. I' A mark to Taylor again gave the Englishmen an (opportunity for shooting for goal, but again Bancroft was equal to the occasion, and, re- plying up to the centre of the field, the Welsh forwards again took the work up, and with a I really smart dribble again put tho English line in danger. A good return by Fookes drove them back to the centre, where Cliff Bowen j got possession, but wa.s pulled over, and dribbled down the field with the ball. The end of this was that Pearson, diving in nnbong the English forwards, stopped the rush at the Welsh 25, where, for the next few minutes play was located. From the first tight pack Taylor got possession, but Jones was round very smartly, and', upsetting him, started a dribble that his forwards afterwards took vip, the end of it being that play settled just inside Passing under difficulties. 1. T?«T>1 1..J _~i. J._n -11 .U"¡'l<'U iia.il. j- liiv uau got very uuu aT, tt-ia point, but Pearson livened things up in a marvellous fashion, when, from the centre of the field, he started a single-handed, cross;- dribble, which took him clean through the Eng- lish ranks up to Byrne, who stopped hini by falling on the ball naif a dozen yards outside the íintl. A scrimmage at this point saw the Welsh left wing in motion, but Gould was stopped just before he managed to break through and make the opening. The end of it all was that tJic ball was kicked over the line, and, although Byrne had plenty of time and no opposition to bring it out. he preferred to concede Wales their fifth minor by touching down. From the drop out the English forwards got to work and by a combined dribble got down to within a dozen yards of the Welsh line. Im mediately plat settled down, however, the Welsh forwards came round with a grand swing, and dribbled right up to the centre. Back the Eng- lish forwards came with some excellent foot- work, only to see Gwyn Nicholls stop them by making his mark and sending up a beautiful screw punt that went along the line and found touch at t'he centre. So far as the tight scrums were concerned, England were having no earthly eliow at this point. In addition to this, Eng- land were playing a dirty, beastly game. They were kicking the men on the floor, and lying on the ball to save themselves without ever attempting to get up to play it m the manner that they are said to be fond of boasting of. Play was now just outside the Welsh 25 line. It was very scraggy, and mostly confined to the forwards. A long kick by one of the Eng. lish backs sent the ball over the Welsh line, but Gwyn Nicholls, racing back managed to save by kicking dead, conceding England their second minor. Some nretty foi lowing up and footwork on the part of Boucher again placed England on the defensive. Mr. Magee didn't seem to be taking any personal interest in the game, and was at this point a long way behind the game. Some long kicks by the English backs were followed up by a big scramble on the centre line,in which Pearson played a prominent part, and got the best of it for his side. There were one or two un- pleasant exchanges between the forwards at this point, one of the English players particularly evincing an inclination rather to wrangle than play football. Gradually the Welsh forwards worked up into the English half, where some off-side rtay on the part of the English forwards caused Mr. Magee to penalise them. Boucher, who took the kick, put fine length, and found touch well inside the English 2o. From the line-out here, there was a bit of scrambling play, which was enaeo by the ball coming to the Welsh three-quarters. They dribbled for a Kittle hit. and then right on the line L. Jones showed a surprising bit of speed, and, picking up the ball, rushed over right behind the posts. On this occasion Bancroft converted, and so put Wales eleven points ahead. From England's reo start Wales immediately took up the attack. Jones got away from the scrimmage, and went up on the right, but his pass went astray. Less than a minute later the Welsh forwards stacked, and dribbled over the English line, They had kicked a. bit too hard, however, with the result that the ball wen.t dead, England conceding their sixth minor. After this Eng- land MSA. ana or tiwu bursts. They were very tack, and never oontmiued with any spurt oi- b anger. One long kick looked like giving s, England an opening, for Bancroft was out of e,, he way, but Nicholls got back and put in a a me long punt to touch over the half-way tine. t rould still further improved matters by a me long punt to close on the touch-in-goal ag. From here Wales, attacked hotly, and he English defence had a terriMy warm time ot a Gould ,for once in his life, used very bad a udgment on one occasion. He put in a kick r t'hieh went miles wide, when he might have mt Cliff Bowen in. Play was still kept right a the corner, and, through some misunder- s tanding on the part of the Welsh backs, neither g f whom was able to get in his kick, tlay went to the centre\>f the field. England f tever looked dangerous, however, and Gould, t oming away, soon cleared by a fine punt to I ouch, close to the half-way. Here, again, the Vtlsh forwards got to work, and as soon as i hey put their heads down they were pressing t nd gave the English defence an awfully hard r ime of it. A minute later the whistle was 1 down, and Wales, amidst a scene of the wildest s nthusiasin, won a third match against England, i L'he full score stood: — i li. T. jU. v WALES 1 2 6 a ENGLAND 1. 0 0 2 REMARKS H in BY "WELSH ATHLETE." Let me say right at the outset that I do not insider the score by any means represents g le true state of the game. If Wales on the d4 ay's play were a point better than Englajid d tey were at least four tries batter than them, p ad the surprise to me is how, con- C( dsring the number of desperate attacks tl ley made, Wales did not score 11 at least another couple of occasions. L 'ho first point, as I say in my introduction, p as how the two sides were going to act in the tl md. That question was settled at a very c: irly period of the game, for it was seen that, dllilgt not hindering the Welsh backs, their awards simply revelled in the mud. In the gilt scrimmages they were always a long way etter than the English eight. They were :ronger when they put thetir heads down, as 1 'as proved by the ease with which on two or 11 iree occasions they simply carted the English 11 yrwards down the field. I should say Wales 0 as never been represented by a harder working, t lore determined, and better all-round smart s ack. They tackled like demons. It was no use a lle English forwards trying their old games on t nd crying "Held." Every time a Welsman t oi hold of them it was a question of going t own, and. furthermore, being kept there. I rail say this for the Welshmen, however, e hat, with all their vigour and "de-vif," they ,layed a strictly honest and legit,imate game. ( "hey always gave an opponent a chance to get ip. I am sorry I can't say this for the Eng- I ish eorimniagers. They played what I say is 4 dirty, despicaible game. They were not avene ( 0 kicking a man when he was down, and, urther, often used their knees in a man's hroat when there was no earthly necessity for < t. We saw enough of them to quite i understand that on a dry day they would taice 3 tremendous amount of stopping. Where they } .'ere at a disadvantage was that owing to the j lipperiness of the ground they were constantly ] ver-running the ball. They did not seem to are about the mud; it didn't suit them, and it 1 Tas not the style of thing they were accustomed < o. The Welsh forwards, on the other hand, ",ere simply in clover. Jack Evans, Hellings, Boucher, and Packer were, probably, the mast i onspiouous four. At the same time, I don't < hink comparisons can be made, for if these men I rere doing the work in the open someone must I tave been doing equally good service in the ight packs. I think that will do for the for- rards; I can dismiss them by saying that, ( mder the existing conditions, they were, all t 'ound a 'better eight than the Englishmen. Pronounced as may have been our superrority < n front, it was really not nearly so great as hrut we enjoyed in the backs. Takes the halves, or example. E. W. Taylor had no earthly •harics against his vis-a-vis. C. iM. kYells did one or two., smart things, Dut neither should I consider him up to inter- rvational form. On the other liand, J ones and 1 Biggs played a wonderfully smart game, both m defence and attack. Under ordinary cir- 1 xiuistances, and with the referee a little nore stringent on off-side tactics, they would probably have fed their backs much oftener than they did. i Taylor and Wells were allowed to stand delibe- < :ately off-side, 'howevir. Only on one occasion, md that right at the commencement of the Tame, were they penalised for so doing. This being so, it is wonderful how Biggs and Jones iid so well as they did. Biggs on several occar Hons made those wonderfully smart openings of his, and the result on one occasion, I firmly believe-in the irst half of the game—was as fair a try as was ever scored. It was not allowed, however, and so, I suppose, Mr. Magee though different. As it happened, it had no material bearing on the game, but, still, it was 1, brilliant bit of work, and really deserved a better fate than a minor. At three-quarter England's weakness was really painful. The only man on their side that seemed able to move through the mud was l'cokes. Baker could not bring off those strong runs of his, for not only was the defence of Nicholls sure, but our forwards had a happy knack of getting round and assisting in the tackling. Fletcher did not seem to get many oppor- tunities, but saved smartly on one or two occasions, but never had a, chance in the way of attack. Anyone who saw F. A. Byrne in the North v. South game would hardly be- lieve that it was the same man that played against Wales. At Richmond everything he did seemed to come off. On Saturday he was always being beaten by Pearson, and, moreover, he didn't seem to care a lot about it. On the Welsh side Pearson, Nicholls, and Cliff Bowen played a faultless game. It seems a strange thing to say that Goutd was really the weakest of the four. I mean, of course, as far as consistency throughout the game is concerned. Now and again we would see a flash of his old brilliancy, but he was not trure-he was not the Gouild of old, and, besides one or two mistakes, he also made one or two errors of judgment. On one occa- sion he might have put Bowen in, but elected to drop for goal, but without any tangible result. Again at the commencement of the game, when England were penia-liaed right under their posts Gould. in the opinion of many, made a mistake in electing to drop for goal, instead of trying a place kick from an extremely easy angle-in fact, it was practically dead in front of the posts. Gwyn Nicholls played a faultless game, and I have no reason to alter my opinion expressed in the morning that he is probaibly the finest centre three-quarter .playing in Vv ales at the present day. He had not a number of chanoes in the way of attack, but his defenoe was as solid as a rock. Practically, the same remark applies to Pearson and Bowen. Pearson, I should say, is playing better now than he ever has done. He always had the upper hand of F. A. Byrne. whilst that wonderful single-handed uribble of his was one of the most brilliant individual achievements seen during a match brimful of interesting incidents. Cliff Bowen, on the other wing, had a tough customer to tackle in Fookes. and had an exceedingly warm time of it right through the play. The English for- wards, in particular, lJOand close attention to him, but there is good deal of the terrier about Bowen, and, although he was bleeding from a naety cut on the head',and was actually aceriibeang dribbled with the ball, he stuck to it, game as a pebble to the finish. The only part of the game in which England had a real good ohance was at full back. J. F. Byrne fuHy 'bore out the great reputation he has so deservedly made for him- self. I don't suppose lie ever had a warmer time of it than he had with the Welshmen to- t I I day- Hss neat spick and span white clothes were very soon transformed into a dirty brown couour. He stopped one or two very smart rushes, whilst his kicking, I should say, had a. better length than Bancroft's. The little Swansea man played! a sound, honest, I defensive ——— .J. ,.JÅÀ >Hka £ I ive never eeen ni-ni GO Deiore, an t of these remarks, the score does not repre- wl nt the state iof the game, for Wales, superior th all points, were quite four tries the better cr am. w] INTERVIEWS. The English captain, E. W. Taylor, seen th ter the match, shrugged his shoulders when th ;ked what he thought of the result, and simply vi ■marked, "Look at the state of the ground. It I th as no ground to play on." ot Stoddart, one of the English forwards, just ca mply repeated his captain's wrds. "The m •ound was not fit," he said. th Baker, of Oxford, centre three-quarter, went 1« irther, and said, "The English forwards were b< idly beaion. We backs never had the ball pi assed out to us at all" tl: When seen by an Evening Express man sc lmediately after the match, Mr. Arthur Gould g] cpressed himself as highly delighted with the oi isult. "It is a great pity that it was so wet," 3 remarked. "Had it been finer, I think we iould have won by more than we did: but, as 81 is, I think Wales were at least a goal and two b •ies better than England. I was delighted h ith the way in which our forwards worked, F id I certainly think the pack which layed to-day is the best that has represented T ales in many of her international matches." IT Mr. T. W. Pearson was also delighted, and ü i was of opinion that, had it been finer, the" argin would have been considerably increased. 0 [ was astonished," he said, "at the splendid" ^plav of our forwards, and, in my opinion, ellings and Evans, the two Llwynypia men, ^served special mention. Of course, the backs id not have much opportunity, but their dis- n lay cannot be criticised, and they were, li ;rbainly, better than their opponents. In fact, o le team beat England in all departmente." Mr. W. E. Rees, secretary of the Welsh rnion, was too pleased to speak. "Well, Mr. b ees," said our representative, "What do you h link of it?" "Oh, delightful, splendid, g, ipital!" That was all he said. + ROUND THE ROPES. L BY "BILL BANTEE," 1, Round the ropes, eh! I was at Biaekheath I ound the ropes last time, and was one of a e lillion who came away with a crick in the n eck, and an idea that something in the nature u f a football match must have transpired, and hat I had missed the spot. The unfortunates tanding 50 deep in front of me went home with concussion of the spine, and an impression ] hat a battering ram had been at work behind hem. That was a natural mistake. It was = he effect of the "Banter" efforts to observe ^hat the privileged ones in front were talking boutt To-day we brought away a musical hectic ( XJugh pitched in A fiat, and a soul imperilled >y vocabulary we were bound to use in the lescirption of weather and surrounding cir- 1 mmsbances, and the way we are treated this by the weather authorities. 1 Two or three thousand of us made sure of i resting place for the buonan diaphraigm upon he ropes this time, by turning on the field about 1 nid-day. We felt a soft, insiduous chill creep 1 ip our spine. A fine coid mist iiNed our lungs md tuned our early hectic cough to the ohro- natio scale. A gentle hail fell down our ] collars, as He hour advanced, and melting 1 slowly tricklled down to meei; the ascending rround-chill. 9 I ] Twenty of us clubbed together and paid a ■ed-nosed man half-a-guinea to stand where we ould hear him well and curse. We felt it to le neœssa.ry. and our <!tin-artis.t was worth the noney. He opened soft and low, with a few j vords on general topics, but warming to his ivork dilated on ilia weather with a horrid j sanguinary flow that sent the frozen blood for he first time coursing through our veins. Be- 1 'ore the match began hundreds had assembled 6 iO listen, and a hearty vote of thanks was ac- ] 3crded him, and well deserved. t 1 As tlie boys from Llwynypia and Treherbert, s Tom Penygraig and Mountain Ash, came rooping in, the atmosphere was wanned by ( ;hoice vnexpurgated Cymric, suitable to the iurrounddngis. TJie admirable selection had :he effect of stopping the sleet by the time, the ( earns did oa the field. No power could with- tand the lihondda protest. j All this occupied the crowd before the match. < tVhen the ball was set in motion one greAt ( ihout roae to the hidden stars as Wales swooped lown into the English half. "Now we shall tnow, from the first scrum," was the comment ieard on every hand in the anxious hush which awaited heads down just in the English half. As the scrum heaved and moved towards Eng- [and, we let the grand old war-cry r- "Nawr im dramo, boys!" Our forwards must have ( heard the music, for at the cry the heaving pack burst, and a tcrrent of red rushed over the ivhite, and on to the English line. Glory! Llwynypia hi, bovB! Notwr fe, off a'r lot! Dramb, Dramo, Hellings! Dramo, Rhapps! Run 'em in. Evans, myn jawl! Ob. it was great! In ten minutes there was not hoof in the crowd. A stranger in a raiin- soaked top hat sighed bilterly with a strong Cockney accent, and turned green. "Wales Win.lS!" was the cry on every hand". "Hold on, you blokes, they've not scored yet!" gaeped the emeraSd Cockny. "But England's beaten! Five bob to your tile on Wales," answered a cheerfill Cardiffian not very far removed from the Burial Board—and just then Pearson scored. I believe that Pearson was the scoring party. A saore of us were rather in doubt, for the rope that moment parted, and we knew no more I till the hwyl Ibeliiind revived us. The inevitable dog—a ting terrier mongrel— charged upon the field through the breach made in our ranks. He got to the policeman, but no further. "Let him alone!" howled the crowd. "He's a Welsh dap. He's after the referee! Seize him, Towser!" Ah, could Towser have carried out the crowd's behest, we should have seen a few more tries for Wales, for the referee was not particularly popular at times. "Bra.vo. colliery!" howled a small group near the centre flag. "Bravo, Penygraig!" "Bravo. Packer, collier bach The idea. was a novelty. "Dramo. colliers," fetched the crowd with a grand burst of laughter, for it came more pat than anything yet, far Wales looked actually as though they h^d just emerged from the .pit's mouth. "That's jus'fc the colour to make them Penygraig boys play," observed a man from that way somewhere, with three blue spots on his nose. "They fancy they're working up to finish the shift, for Mabon's Day." The general opinion—the universal verdict, in face—was that the magnificent for- ward display wjas due to the importation of the heavy scrimmagers. "It's the weakest Eng- lish pack I've seen against a Welsh team, moaned e. man, who asked at half-time when the next train ran to Chepstow. "Not that— they're hot enough—but every Welshman is a worker this t-ime," came the answer. There was no time for very much comment whilst the game was on. Exciting incidents crowded too thick and fast. It was one long shout—one great chorus of football hallelujah. It was, "Cer fel milgi, Cliff!" "Cera mewn i'w plyf nhw, Dan!" lit was a shout, "O'r bachan ag e that rattled along the ropes, and stopped that chant of "Sospan fach" from a Llanelly knot in the middle. The referee went down fairly well. He did not quite come up on occasion to the strict rules against off-side and forward passing, which the crowd had off by heart. "Who is he, Bill?" queried a. Swansea man* who lived behind newspaper time. "He's the new Welsh inspector," I re- plied. A man is bound to give information when he's asked for it. I have calculated that, as a result of Dan Jones's try, half a dozen Aber&vonites will go home bareheaded. A Newport constable, too close to the ropes at the moment, was almost buried in a shower of wet hats. Up they flew, 1 and the hilarious OJIOwd tumbled over and dived, I ter mem. xieei uuu UUi-, suunucu a }.I'C1<¿ l. lose tile had dropped beneath our feet. and e poor man played half-back behind the c] owd till he lost Bancroft's kick for goal, c: lilst we made vain endeavours to obey. Sf The wettest and chilliest enthusiast was more ii r .&n satisfied. I calculated that every one of c, a ten thousand Welshmen present had pre- ously predicted a win for Wales by just ree tries. Five thousand told me so. The b her five are yet to be heard from. but there m in be no doubt of their prophetic powers. I '1 ay mention that I predicted Wales to win by Lree tries and four minors a week ago. I ive,not, said anything about in till this moment ?cau,-e I did not care to presume upon the rovinoe of "Welst Athlete." Every man in le crowd spoke out1 boldly about it, though, as Timmaged through the exit gates, and I am [ad they were right. Football prophets so Ften differ. Let me see! Every man? Even the livermg Londoners asking the next train ack said. faAh, I knew it! When Wales puts 1 er police force in the scrummage la<w-abidi% ] Jnglishmen are afraid to do anything. "Looks like it." I observed. "Yes." said the aforemenioned Chepstow lan, confidentiallr. "Several of the English -am told me before the match they didn't know rhat to do about that Welsh policeman. From Id accosiation they felt that kicking a copper "as a punishable offence." "It ought not to be," I answered. "But you don't know. Perhaps you have iever kicked one. The feeling that they might themselves in for something evidently spoilt I ur forwards." A Whitchurch man who stabbed me in the ack with an umbrella- and said, "Beg pardon, e wais only seeing how many people :ood beiween him and the referee, old me D. Evans was a Whit- hurch man, and lived there. "Wbyl 1 ive a few doers off," he said, "and the land- Drd will raise my renit after thi". Capta.in iindsay has been up to Whitchurch many times ince Evans was picked, on his bicycle, traili- ng him. I don't care what it costs, I'm iioving next door to him next week." The oiowd's opinion was that in the halves he Welsh Urion never made a better choice. 3ven Swansea men forebore to complain about he JJames's non-selection. "How now?" I I sked an Abertawe firsfc team man, who has ;een talking recently, "Oh! I ^i^e in," he newcred, hurriedly. A TRIUMPHANT ACROSTIC. J ome, all ye loyal Britons, came, to celebrate this day— tT e never saw a nobier sight nor witnessed grander play! il id cheers from twice ten thousand throats that echoed through the dales, i eeistless, on the champions ru-shed of gallant little Wales. J p from the mirky mines were drawn the heroes who combined glorious victory to gain—we'll bear it close in mind! M ethinks these heroes of the pit have won their spurs right well— 3 elated, let the invading hoet explain how England fell! iT e men of Wales, take courage now, and sweep in triumph on r here are other "Internationafis" to win now this is done- El urrah for Wales, the efhout goes up from Cardiff to "Sir Fon!" IDRIS.

Other Local Matches SWANSEA SECONDS V. LLANDILO. An interesting match was played at Swansea jetween the Swansea string and the Llandiio second, a smart, little team from which Swansea Firsts have obtained a. couple of good backs ihe weather was atrocious. In ;hc first half Swansea played with the wind ind rain, and kept play entirely iin the risitOTs' 25. For a long time, in spite of capital efforts by the halves, especially Eddie Evans, Swansea could only tally minors. Then D. Smith, getting a pass, ran, and Iropped a goal. Soon nfterwards Jenkins, ;he full back, scored a goal from a. penalty kick. Llandiio then rushed up to the other snd, and suddenly forced Swansea, to touch iown. Half-time: — ■ T « Swansea 2 U '6. Llandiio 0 0 1 The Bfcrmd hn.if .ineripd in a mrv t»vrn 1 ino- maimer, Handilo at once sending the ball I iown, and inoa general rush scoring a try. This was not converted. Swansea now played up very keenly, and nearly scored, the Llan. lilo men just kicking out .of bounds in time. Afterwards play was very even. The result of the first half of the intemationail was here xnimunicated to the crowd, and received with huge cheering. Once, after a bit of passing by to the end. Once after a bit of passing by Swansea, the Llandilo right wing intercepted, and the Swansea goal was at their mercy, but they failed to crocs. Final reult: ri T v Swansea a2 0 0 Llandiio — 0 10 aOne dropped and one penalty. aOne dropped and one penalty. I BRISTOL V. WELSH WANDERERS. The Wanderers, captained by J. B. Smitheon. met Brietot in sloppy weather. The condition of the ground made the game a forward one. In the first tuUf ,Bristol would have scored at least three times had the backs been able to hola the ball. In the second balf Shellard and Jar-roan put on tries for them. Neither was converted, and Bristotl hus won II. dull game by two tries to nil. Barry Albions v. St. Andrew's Seconds.—This match, wi ieh was to have been played at the Barracks Field, was abandoned, the visitors not putting in an appeaiauce, owing, probably to the inclemency of the weather. Penylan v. Cardiff Crescents.—Played at the Sophia Gardens. Penylan kicked off. the ball gC'ing in touch. From the line-out the Crescents got posses- sion, and, by some clever foot work worked them- selves well into the Penylan quarters, where the ball was knocked on from the scrum. Penylan removed the ball to the middle of the field, where play of a scr&srgy nature took place, which resulted in the Crescents getting slightly the better of matters. Here the whistle blew, nothing having- been ecord. Victoria Stars v. Canton Juniors.—Played at, the Sophia Gardens, and, after a good game, resulted in si draw. COUNTY MATCH. DURHAM V. LANCASHIRE. Played aA West Hartlepool in rough weather, before 4-,000 spectators. Durham started, and for the first few minutes had the advantage, Lancashire showed up much better later, and Jones scored a fine try, which Bowker failed to convert. Durham pressed, and play was in the visitors' quarters. Lewie relieved, and a good forward rush resulted in Thompson eeoring an unconverted try. Half-time Beare: u- r< m 1# yjr. X. JML. Lancashire 0 2 0 Durham 0 0 0 T1" 1.1: T cvwwu UUil ^(VU^tOUllC ,1.LI..lJI.,l.IC1U.la.L."t:J.L3 pressed, end within five minutes Thompson scored a try, which Lewis failed to convert. Tlte visitors continued to have the beat of niatters until towards the finish, when Durham played a hard, etrong game. Parker -ot over, bu,t the try was disallowed. AAfter this play remained even. Result— T T A jjuiiicfton'ij v mm u j v Durliam 0 0 0

NORTHERN UNION. LANCASHIRE SECTION. OLDHAM V. SWINTON. Played at Oldham, before about 5,000 spectator*, in a gale accompanied by bail, onow, and sleet, which n)ade anything like true football possible. In the tirst half Old'1",w scored a fortunate penalty goal. In the second half Etohells seored a tricky try, the kick at goal, owing to the high wind, failing. Final score: Oldham, six points; Swinton, nil. WIGAN V LEIGH. Played at Wigan in cold and sleety weather. Play- ing with the wind, Leigh did. most' of the pressing, but missed severd chances by erratic passing. The sccood half saw Wigan playing vigorously, and several attacks were made Leigh, but they were ex- tremely urfortunate in not scoring. The last few minutes; were especially exciting, both sides trying extremely hard. The game ended in a pointless draw. WIDNES V. STOCKPORT. played at Wiunes in wretched weather, sleet falling all the time. Neither cide was fully representative. Widncs continually attacked in the first half, forcing minor after iniucn. and eventually Ijevshor scored an unimproved try. In the second half Widnes attacked, and bad hartl lines repeatedly. Tbeir efforts were at lenpfeh orowued viiii success. Brenaiu oeming twice. ST. HELENS V. MORHCAMBE. p* Played at St. Helens in a shower of sleet. Both d: .ul« had ccnsidaraMe clxinges m tlie team. More- :mbe plaved up manfully in the first half agamst re wind/but afterwards St. Helens pressed hard, n: ut no score was it-corded up to haii-time. ID the y icond half St. Helens had much the t>est of the play, nd from a psiiaJty kick Foulfes dropped a goal, a 'u.al score:—St. Helens, we penalty goal; More- ambe, nil. TLYDESI Y V. m'NCOBX. Plaved at Tvldeslev v driving snowstorm, before tl ,000" spectators. it in were without their full tl ack, Houghton, his -,? being taken by Butter- b ,'crth. Final score liuncorn, one dropped goal; ?yldesley one try. ai YORKSHIRE SECTION. g LEEDS V. BRAMLEY. ti Piayed at Leeds in miserable weather. Final core':—Leeds, one goal; Bnnnley, nil. HECI,MoxmnKE V HULL. This match should have been played at Heckmond- v-ike. but bad to be jjosti^cmed owing to the field seiii,- flooded. I WAKEFIELD TRIXITY Y. LEEDS rARISH » CHURCH. 0 Piayed &t Wakefield in wretched weatbea- before ilKjut 1,000 spec tutors. Final score:—Wakefield, wo tries Leeds Parish Church, nil. HT'XSLET A". MANXTXUHAM. This important gsme was plaved at Hunslet in v-ptcned weather, the gate being only about 3.<X)0. l^nal scjne .-M'1unindl'll, two go"ls and two tries d l'ixt(,f'11 points; Hunslet. a dropped goal fnd one ( :rv (seven points). BRIGHOUSE BANGERS T. HOLBECK. t Played at Brighcuee in a snowstorm, and the ground g A*al re-ndered most difficult. Final score —Brighouse. lwo goals and one try (twelve points); Holbeck, one foal \foar points) BRADFORD V. HALIFAX. THE REFEREE HOOTED. Plaved at Park Avenue in a snowstorm, and on a ground covered with snow. In the first half the e visitors pressed light ihrjugh, and Rigg scored an j unconverted try. The homs team bad the s-dvan- tage in the second half, but the referee disavowed a try which Robertson claimed, and no further score resulted. referee was loudly hooted by the spee-f tutors. Final ttcore :—Halifax, one try (three points); Bradford, nil. CASTLEFORD V. HlillDERSFlELD. Played at Castlrrord in a snowstorm on a ground i ankle deep in JIlud. and before a moderate atten- dance Final score:—Castleford. two trie"; lIud. E dersfield. nil i ( ———————.— ———————— I

OTUER MATCHES. BLACKKEATH V. MAXCHESTKIT. Played at Biaekheath in cold, v.t weather. Both sides were well represented, and a fast and exciting ( game resulted. Half-time ;<core: -Manchester. two I tries; Biaekheath, one goal. I ( Leicester v. St. Thomas's Hospital.—Tbis match ] was played at Leicester. The groundd was i ia a very heavy condition. The home side first assumed the aggressive, and. after a few minutes' play, Foreman scored an unconverted try. Butlin quickly following with another. The Hospital pressed up to the interval, but ineffectually. On resuming some brilliant passing took plae amonj the Leicester backs, which enabled Field to score, the same player converting. Subsequently additional tries were gained by Wilkinson and Whitehead, Field converting in both instances. Final score:—Leicester, three goals and two tries; St. Thomas's Hospital, nil. Stroud v. Nuneaton. At Stroud. Final score: — Nuneaton, two tries; Stroud, one goal. Gloucester v. Ci;rrlerforci.-At Gloucester. Final score:—Gloucester, nil; Cinderford. nil. Harlequins v. London Seottish.-At Chiswick. Final score:—London Scottish, one try; Harlequins, nil. Moselev v. Burton.—At Moseley. in a severe snow- storm, and before a small <rate." Play was chiefly confined to the fC'WP2'(}". and was not. of a very interesting character. Payne played a splendid game for Moseley. Final score:—Moseley. one try Burton, one try. Rochdale Hornets v. Salford.—Played in wretched weather before 3,000 spectators. In the Srst half a Salford forward was hurt, and left tiie field. Final score :—Rochdale Hornets, one goal (dropped) and one try; Salford, nil. Association SWANSEA V. BUILTH, Played at Swansea. before a large crowd, both sides placing strong- teams in the field. Builth went away at the start, making strong attacks on the home goal, whddh were repulsed. Newton started a pretty piece of play, which was taken up by Brown, Jonas Jenkins tackling the last-named finely. The Builth left wing made a pretty run, but was brought up by Johnson, who kicked to Newton. That player, drit&led into the Builth quarter, and then gave to Bryce, who failed to take a splendid pass. Howell was conspicuous by really clever play, which resulted in the home goal being placed in danger, and Thomas was called upon to save a couple of good shots, one of which struck the oross-Jbar. After the kick-out Swansea got into the visitors' territory. Newton and PwickMl, indulging in some good inter- passing, the latter rushed the bell into the net. Stung by this reverse Builth played up with renewed vigour, and Parry, beating the opposing wing, ran into Swansea ground, but the ball rolled into touch. From the throw out the Builth forwards got the 'ball amongst them, and Morris equalised. Builth for some considerable period, kept up a warrn bombard- ment oti the licme goal,, but the fine defensive tactics of Johison and Evans kept them at bay. Half-time score.- finak. Swansea 1 Builth 1 The second rwinf.inn f rlir» nuTriA woe o+n.-n+Wl vca..a. "=' oo-¿ by Newton. Swansea were first to press, the righft wing getting away nicely, and within a few minutes of the re-start Jonas scored for Swansea. Nbwton. next distinguished himself by a brilliant rush in the Builth quarter. He passed to Brown, who shot wide. Morris again equalised a minute or two later..After a pretty piece of combined play by the Builth forwards. A good run > ae made by the visit- ing inside right from his own ouarter to the Swansea'goal, and Edwards tackled him splen- didly just as he was about to shoot. The next noticeable incident was a grand dribble by New- ton from half-w&y, and after clearing a couple of opponents he passed to Brown, who was tackled. The vigour which Builth displayed in the earlier parts of the game was noted absent, and Jonas and Riddeil again fcored for Swansea. Final score:- -QOSIX. Swansea 4 Builth 2 f SOUTH WALES AND MONMOUTH- ¡ SHIRE CUP TIE. (FIRST ROUND.) BARRY DISTRICT JUNIORS V. PENARTH. This match was played on the ground of the I intermediate school football club at <&e Buttrills, Barry Docks, when both teani-zz were well represented. Penarth, who were the strongest team, played a good game right through, and came off victors by four goals to nil. The goals were obtainro by Nettles (3) and Sandiford (1). Referee, Mr. Jack Sandi- ford, Cardiff. BARRY DISTRICT V. ABERDARE. Titis match, which, created great local in- terest, was. played at the Witohill Farm ground. C adox ton Barry. Aberdare, being the only team that had defeated the homesters this reason, when in the cup match recently played ait Aberdare, they secured a victory of one goal to nil, the Barry men were determined to atone if possible for this defeat. The fol- lowing were the teams .Barry Goal. King; backs, H. Wooding end li. Knott; half-backs, R. Havard, E. Griffiths, and A. ale; forwards, J. Woodfield (captain). Thomas, J. Sheldon, T. Sheldon, and F. Hood. Aberdare: Goal, B. Morris; backs, W. Jones and F. Millar; half-backs, E. S. avies, C. Wiltshire, and D. Jones; forwards, J. Thomas, O. Morgan, W. E. Jones, and A. Davies. Referee, Dr. Living- ,tone. Aberdare kicked off with the rlope, but against a rather s'biff wind. Within a minute of the start the Barry forwards with some smart parsing took the ball up the field, and the skipper scored a smart goal. On the kick- out Aberdare were awarded a free for "hands0 in a good position, but the ball went wide of the mark. The visitor-ft kept the homesters well in their own quarters for a. few minutes, and secured a corner. But the kick was a wide oue, and the homesters were enabled to keep play in the centre, and with some good kicks eanne near the Aberdare citadel, where they also were awarded a corner, but nothing resulted. The hillmen were now preneed, and some smart play was witnessed on the part of the Barry forwards had a good chance to score for the home side, but his kick was a poor attempt; but Parry soon after put in a straight shot, which wai, hcwever, well cleared by the visitors' custodian. The home forwards imjaianued to mat's matters at in goochfehots. Woodfield put in a smarj ribble, land cleared his opponent* m fin* vie, but the goal-keeper cleared just in th* ick of time. Jones, one of the visitors' backs. anded the ball, and the seasdders were warded a free right in front of :he goal, but the Aberdare custodian ned splendidly. Barry again returned to ia atta-k, and had hard lines in not scoring, le ball going behind. The visitors now roi>ght the ball down to the home territory, nd had the ball almost in the mouth of the oal, but the backs cleared in fine style. Haif- ime BOOTC: Goals. Barry .I Aberdare — — u i 1" A Vioa-rls-ra on the Arr-er L i H r> iarry goal, and it seemed as if they would oore, but the leather was kicked behind. Play f a, fast character ensued, each division GLOUCESTER V. CIXDERFOBD. Plaved at Gloucester, in wretched weather, enow illin? during the first half. Leighton kicked off for Cinderford. and in the first half neither side, despite tesper&te efforts, could score, although obbins, for cinderford, and Stout, for Gloucester, both made -ood efforts to land goals from free kicks. After half- ime Stout nearly landed goals on one or two occa- ione. Final score: Gloucester, nil; Cinderford. nil.

LEAGUE-DIVISION" I. SUNDERLAND V. ASTON VILLA. Played at Sunderland in a snowstorm, before iO.OOf ipecfcators. Devey wab absent from Villa, Crabbre* roiiig forward and Evans back. Sunderland wert vithcut Campbell. In three minutes Gillespie scorec Mm a. corner for Sunderland. who were playing igaiiist the wind. Ten minutes from the interval Misersmith centred, and the ball went through ofl Ferguson. Score at half-time: One goal each, rhc second period was exciting. Campbell scored ft* rilla in the fin-t minute. Johnson quickly equalised, md Harvey gave Sunderland a third. Another -point 'rom jiarvev was disallowed for obstructing. Just m time Sunderla.ad scored again, and won by four roals to two. DERBY COUNTY V. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY. Tliis match was played at Derby before 5.000 jpeople. rhe weather was bad and the ground worsp, aieet n-aving made the surface one mass of slush. Derb^ ,von the toss, and had somewhat the better of matters luring the first half, but the visitors were the first to score, through Ferrier, who put through from ft jorner Ten minutes later Archie Goodail eopialised ¡¡,'ith a long shot. Half-time score: One goai each. Oerbv had the best of matters in the seoml half, although both sides were handicaped by the heavj roing. After some easy chances had been missed bt Derbv. the visitors broke away, end Bell succeeded m 6iiooting into the net, but, was given off-side. The County then scored through Fisher, Massey just having previously slopped a hot one from JBloomer. Final score: —Derby County, two goals; Sheffield Wednesday, one goal. EYERTON V. NOTTS FOREST. Played at Liverpool in a heavy snowstorm* over. ton had all the better of the play, and with: one ex- ception, the ball during the first fifteen n-iinites wat in the Forest half. Then the visitors pressed, but finistied badly. Taylor scored juet on half-time Half-time score:—Everton, one goal; Fojjert, nil Final result:—Everton three, Forest, nil. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS V. LIVERPOOL. Played at Wolverhampton, on soft, snow-covered ground, before a moderate attendance. Birth, sides had nearly full strength up. The Wa.nderafB played with the wind, and scored, through Smith, in threw minutes, and ten minutes later Allan equalised. Half- time score :—Wanderers, one goal; Liverpool. mq goa. Finaal result:—Liverpool, two goals* Weaver. hampton Wanderers, one goal. SHEFFIELD UNITED V. BLACKBURN atOVERa Played at Bi-amall. before i.000 spectators. Th< ground was thick with snow, whicii fell tltroughot* the game. The Rovers were without Brandon, ant the United without Pi-iest. Bennett scored twice ii fifteen minutes. Gain added a third. Tills United also had two goals disallowed. Ogilvie weue injured and left the field. At half-time the score wae: —» Sheffield United, three goals; Blackburn Rovers, nil. Fina lresult :-Sbeffield United, seven goals^ Black- burn, nil. BURNLEY V. STOKE. Played at Turf Moor, Burnley, in snowy Weather, and on soft ground. Burnley were the favourites, and the encounter opened in spirited fasti C<tl. Both goals were quickly and menacingly visited, but the defence of both sides was sound. and ana eMlsn game waas spoiled by the falling snow. Burnley were the, first, to start sc<ying. Maxwell equalising.. Half- time score:—BtJnlev. one goal; Stoke, one goaL: Final result:—Strike, one goal; Burnley, one> goal. CUMBERLAND V. PRESTON NORTH E&O). Played at Workington. A strong north winril swepr across the ground, but the rain kept off. Tha-e wen about 3,000 spectators present. Final score: JPresto*^ North End. twelve goals; Cumberland, nil. GLOUCESTERSHIRE RUGBY, UNION. SUSPENSION" OF PLAYEBfi!. At a meeting of the Gloucestershire E.ugby Union, held at the Ram Hotel, Gloucester, the Stroud Club were recommended to adopt* mea- sures to prevent disordetrly conduct on the part of the spectators, that club having been reported by the union referee. F. Wood, of Duoeley, was suspended for striking Cam Mills touch judge in the Lhjreley v. Cam Mills match. Two players, named Stock and Jonee, were also sus- pended for fighting in the match between the Gloucester Gordon League and Caan MiiLs. AN EXPENSIVE PLATEB* The Sunderland Football Club received a ocarmunioation from the Everton Club on Friday morning closing the offer of B200 for the release of Peter Mwehtm, full back, who left Sunderland to re-join the Celtic at the close of the season before last, but who by the rules of the English League remained bound to Sunderland so far as other League oiubs stre concerned. In addition, Evertcm ioy tin Oeltic JB150, and Meehan JElO.

This Day's Racing "SPORTSMAN" AND "SPORTING LIFE" AUTHENTIC PRICES. LINGFIELD PARK MEETTNG. How. Jao.kpv. SDortsman. Soorthur Lih -0- HAMMERWOOD STEEPLECHASE (5). Ballyalbany (Sherlock) 5 to 4 ag 5 to 4a WEALD HANDICAP (5). New Abbey (Doliery) 9to 2 ag 9 to 2 a TOWER SELLING (9). Bridesmaid (A Madden) 6 to 1 ag 6 to 1 SUSSEX SELLING (13). Rhyl (Ellis) 7 to 1 ag 7 to 1 ag EDEN VALE HURDLE (10). Melton Prior (T Fitton) 9to 2 ag 9to Sag BLfNPLEY HEATH MATDEN (8). Hawker (H Sydney) 5 to 1 ag 5 to 1 ag TVu» hn'ua »ra :nG 1 unfK 4-krkaA t\»l K11A fti 1 .I" IJ>.I.o.1;JÐ && }T"W in the "Badug Calendar."

THE AUSTRALIAN STEEPLECHASER DAtMIO. The appearance of the Australian crack steeple- chaser Daintio at Lingfleld on Saturday in the Weald Steeplechase caused no end of interest, the horse being surrounded by a lug crowd in the paddock. His great size-16 hands S^in.—made him noticeable, if his record had not. He opposed by four, and. although lw made a fairly good show on thE teritbiy heavy course for a couple of miles, he did not impress the spectators very favourably,.

Wreck Off Brest to PART OF THE MISSING CREW RESCUED. The Preae Association Dover cornespandexii telegraphs:—Eleven men, forming part of tb, missing crew of the steamer Belgique, wfaid sunk off Brest, were landed here on Saturday morning, 9 The Press Association Hartlepool correspon- dent telegraphs —Messrs. Crosby, Magee, and, Co., shipowners, on Saturday morning reoeived a telegram from Dover (stating that their steamer Glen Dochart had landed eleven of the crew of the steamer Belgiqne, of Antwrp, which had been lost off Breet, north of Uehant. The boat was picked up 25 miles aortb-east of Usbant. Seven of the crew are not accounted for. -L-

'.1; Jjtl* tT «.i»iiiic»iir>> For Sale, Three good Working Ferrets and Hutch the lot 25s—Apply Watte, Blue Anchor, St. M&-X- stieet, Ca.rdiff. e9^96il2 Found. Fox Terrter, UlLek and tail he<.d. black scot over tail; body spotted.-13, St. John's-crescent, Canton, Cardiff. e919"ill12 TJ Let, 144, Wellington-street. Canton: adjoining the Wyndliam Hotel.—Apply Thomas Jenkins. 22, Edward-terrace, Queen-street. Cardiff. e9797ilo Sj>eciaJ Announcement.—" The Dorothy," High- street. respectfully invite the inhabitants of Cardiff and Neighbourhood to a view, for one week only, ccinmencing Saturday, January 9th, of a very afctrao live Old English Scene, exhibited in tiieir windows. e43720 ENTERPRISING ADTERTISEMTEN T. ENTERPRISING ADTERTISEMTEN T. We have repeatedly advertised a Mttckintoeh at 21s., which we guarantee as thoroughly Watei-proof. Similar Garments are offered to you at the same price., and we will niske you a Present of an Expensive Pipe by the Celebrated Makers. Loewe, Haymarket, lAn- don, considered the best makers in England. RLAIBERG'S ARCADE, BU'l'E-STHEET CROSSING. Red Band jilitpt, Warranty, 12 laonlha' wear ¡ guaranteed with 'two of our wed Band Shirts, 2s. fed each. New onte Tt-pltoed ■h>u!d ttey wear out before the 12 xtonttM; reasonable wear expected Th«\ler.aà& .01,i. Beware of im:««won* in the neie b< ui hood. Med Band Shirt, 8s. 6d.—BLATBERG* JtKCADS.

trst appeared for Somerset county in the season i 1893-4. Since then he has regularly assisted the county, and has also figured in the now « abandoned Rugby Union trial matches. This t] season Eldon has been showing particularly line IT form. and it was confidently expected j¡1 th6 (Vest that he would run strongly for international! c honours. His selection for the South, therefore, t] caUrled no surprise, and he Wa.3 amongst tne w best of the forwards who did battle against the rj Korth on the Rectory Ground at Biaekheath. His display on that occasion easily secured him 6'' a place in the international team, a. choice a which gave general satisfaction. Eldon is a believer in strict training, he always enters the field in the pink of oondition, and plays as hard in the last live minutes of the game as the first. For hia own clutb he frequently figures on the 11 quarter line. to] F. JACOB (Cambridge University).—A a Kent man by birth. After receiving his edu- cation privately, Jacob proceeded to Cam- t< bridge, where his excellent form speedily b brought him under the notice of 1 i e authori- ties, and he quickly received his blue. He is °. a very dete-mined seriinmager, and in the tl North v. South match at Richmond last De- ii member he was one of the best forwards play- IT Ing. d R. F. OAKES (Durham) is not a well known forward locally, but can be accepted without g question as one of the most ""olid" men on p the English tide. He was unearthed some time hack by "Old Ebor," to which writer he in a large measure owes his introduction to first- class football. In the North v. South match a he was one of the best men oil his side, and (; did a lot of work in the scrimmage. W. B. STODDART (Liverpool).—For some years Stoddart has not only been one of the lrainstays of his club, but also of the Lanca- shire county teatn. A fine, determined scrim- mager, possessing both weight and pace, and not being by any means adverse to hard work, itl he is a most 1 eeful man on any side. In the g North v. South match he was, probably, the t. best forward on the ground. In the loose he is t t specially dangerous, and is, perhaps, seen at his best ,as was the case in the North v. South f match. When a scrimma.ge is being screwed s he comes round at the head of the forwards, t and leads the dribble. W. ASHFORD (Richmond), hails from 0 Devonshire. Ashford was educated at Exeter 1 Grammar School, and after leaving that seat A of learning he for some time played with the c Exetr, Club. On leaving Exeter to study medicine at St. Thomas's Hospital he played with that team, and after leaving the Hospital "J he threw in his lot with Richmond. While í at school Ashford showed splendid place- kicking powers, and Ul one occasion placed C thirteen goals out of fifteen attempts. He is s a hard-working forward with wonderful power c over the ball. He also plays for Surrey. 6 R. H. MANGLES (Richmond), has only 1 recently come to the front, as a season ago his form would by no means have justified his ( selection for such a match as England v. t Wales. Educated at Marlborough College, I Mangles for some time played with the ( Nomads from his old school, but then joined Biaekheath, who. however, did not think him good enough. Richmond thought differently. ] and he now plays regularly for them. So r great has been his improvement that he is now of the best forwards playing. Mangles ( stands over 6ft., he is a lieutenant in the] Army, and stationed at Aldershot. I c Latest Information from Newport ——— ] THE GROUND INSPECTED 1 AND FOUND BETTER 1 THAN ANTICIPATED. 1 < The oawn broke at Newport pretty late, 1 a.nd revealed to disgusted footballers t'he same filthy, abominable state of Nature that had prevailed during the week. There was still lnud-mud everywhere—from the skies appa- 1 J^-tly to the centre of the earth. To use aa ( expression (.f legal fiction, the whole earth wa.s trapped jll. one execrable wrapper of muck, and the dizzle, which was so annoying on t Friday, still continued on Saturday. Visitors began to pour into the town a.t an early hour, ( tin streets being very lively as early as ten o'clock, and every train brought in fresh loads 1 °f sightseers. < The referee (Mr. Magee) arrived h om Ire- land on Friday night, and stopped at the Wegigate Hotel, where the English team was also staying. I This morning Mr. Reen (the Wyl.-h Union secretary), in company with the two captains, Proceeded to the ground, and made an exami- nation of it. He stated that, although it was in a. very bad condition through the constant downpour of rain, it was rather better than he expected to find it. The kick off is timed for 2.40 p.m. j\ THE PLAYING OF HEIMNGS AND EVANS. Our Newport reporter, wiring at 11.15, states that all the members of the Welsh team had, at that time. not arrived at the Westgate Hotel. The greater number, however, had put in an appeai-ance. and some of them had breakfast as "0011 as they arrived, and will, therefore, not I;tay to lunch with the remainder of the team at 12.30. International Board. Contrary to expectation and also to the Dub. :'shed report a day or two ago, there will be 10 international board meeting preofrdiiig this Hatch. Welsh Union. The Welsh Rugby Union Committee will not ttieet until just before lunch, when the question of playing .Sellings and Evans fir Llwynypia, In the team will be considered. It will be Temembered that, contrary to the request of the Welsh committee, these two Players took part in a match at Llwynypia last INTondav. Their conduct will be considered at 'the committee meeting just after noon, and a decision will be arrived at whether they shall play or their places be; filled by reserves. j A well-known football enthusiast, discussing the conduct of the two players named, in the Presence of some of the Welsh Union com- mitteemen, said, "I don't care whether we win Or lose; but I hope they will not be played. The tame sort of thing has been done before, and it must be stopped." The members of .he English team during the morning paraded the Greets in small groups, and were, of course, eagerlv watched by the public. LATER. Wiring at 11.40, our Newport reporter says: --It doex not actually rain, but so far as now can be seen there is not much hope for fine eatlier. A seasoned Welsh international, discussing the climatic conditions, remarked, "Well, we must, make the best of it; but what I do hope That is what we have to fear." is that it will not rain whilst the match is on. But at present (11.40) that rain may come on at anv moment is one of the possibilities of the «icua-tion. The tame slaver, on learning late on Friday night that there had been a change in the Enf hsh team, and not knowing what the charfge Was, said, "I hope, for our sake, it does not mean that J. H. Barron, ;the Yorkshire for- ward, gets in. He is a hot 'un. But, all our readers well know by this tome, Barron is the reserve who liae joined the Eng- lish team. SHEETING- OF THE ENGLISH COM- o MITTEE. The English Union Committee held a meet- ing at the Westgate Hotel, Newport, on Satur- day, but, in answer to the presamen, Mr. Row- land Hill, the secretary, said it Waf merely a private meeting, and no report, official or othe- wise. could be communicated. The Westgate Hotel i. getting simply packed with people, and it is difficult to move about inaide the house or even to gat Dear the entrance doors. SELLINGS AND EVANS WILL PKOE^BLY PLAT. Which Side will the Ground Suit? Wiring at 12.20, our Newport representative •*M:—The town is getting very full of viiitorM. ain is still holding off. Although the official inti. Lation, of the Welsh Union has not yet been lade known, you may take it for granted that tellings and Evans, of Llwynypia, will be [lowed to play, but will get -a. rap on the a' nuckles for their conduct on Monday last. P 'he Welsh team, therefore, will be exactly as v dected. y As to the state of the ground, many of the 2: Peleh and English players have been over it P i the course of the forenoon, and,^ though they ]\I jund it naturally in a bad oortditon, it was b ot nearly the quagmire that might reasonably Sj ave been expected after the continuous rains of v' 1e previous week. The question as to which of t] le sides such a condition of the turf would be Y lost likely to favour has been a good deal dis- c. usaed; Welshmen claim it in their favour, and J: 1e Englishmen, on the other hand, consider it b 'ould suit them. The English captain (E. W. a Vylor) declared it as his opinion that it would 0 nit hie side admriably, as the English forwards re not too heavy. Important Resolution. Subsequently, a reporter was supplied, by Mr. tees, with an official report. Mr. Rees said tiat the following resolution was unanimously dopied:—"Inasmuch as there appears J have been a misunderstanding etween players and a number of ur committee, that. the players in ques- ion be cautioned and allowed to play, and that r i future no player selected for an international latch will be allowed to play in any match uring the week preceding the international 4' ame upon a penalty of suspension for such a e ieriod as the committee may decide." Very complete arrangements have been made y the Post-office for the despatdh of copy, and e staff of clerks will be engaged at the High- treet Poet-office. t BY WELSH ATHLETE." Early on Saturday morning a slight gleam of lope was afforded those interested in the fame, for the rain, which had practically fallen hroughout the whole of the week ceased, though he conditions overhead were dull, gloomy, and orbidding in the extreme, and a grey overcast ky threatened rain at every moment. Expee- ations were very soon realised, for quite a ouple of hours before the time set for the com- nencement of the game the Clerk of the .Vea.ther turned on the tap and a steady lownpour of raiin mixed with hail lesoended dn no undecided manner. Phis did not in any wise disturb the crowd, !owever, at any rate, the cheaper portion of them, for the whole of the stands on the far of the ground were packed long before me o'clock. The reserved seats in the grand itand, of course, filled up less rapidly, the ucky possessors taking their positions 1 'arly. I say lucky advisedly, for ,he grand stand acommodation, I was sur- )ri6ed to learn, is nothing like half that of Cardiff or Swansea. There has been a lot of p-urriling during the week on the part of t jeopre enable to get seats in the grand stand. rhe disappointed ones will feel probably less lii= appointment, certainly less surprise, when [ tell them that the seating capacity of the j Newport formidable grand stand is only 260. fo me the faot, imparted by Mr. Walter Rees, 1 )f the Welsh Rugby Union, came as a sur- prise. Still, it is a hard, solid fact, and facts J ire hard things to get over. The usual I urangements for providing a little amusement or the crowd during the long wait were preva- ent in the shape of some admirable selections -ende,red by the Newport Town Band, who lid not seem to appreciate the weather any j iiore than the crowd did. In Newport, during :he early morning, there was considerable die- jussion whether the Llwynypia forwards 1 vould be permitted to play. As I announced in this morning's "Western 1 Mail," a special meeting of the committee had oeen called to consider whether the deliberate ignoring of the committee's instructions 00 the players in question should should be vigorously dealt with, by not illowing them to take part in to-day's game. Feeling keenly upon tho matter, the committee still allowed moderate counsels to prevail, with .he result that they passed over the matter by censuring the two players. Doubtless, as I Mentioned a few days ago, the Welsh Commit- tee at their next meeting, which will, I under- stand, take place on Thursday, will ?9 gd a special rule to deal with ihis sort of thing in the future. File prevailing conditions necessarily made the jrousd in an even worse state than was anticipated. On the top it was palpably wet and slippery, but on the ground itself a slight move with the foot proved without a question that two or three inches of mud existed. Of course in some parts it was a tr:fle better. On the other hand it was in plaoes. especially in front of the stand, considerably worse. There id no need Eo early to cogitate upon the ques- tion as to whether this state of affaire will favour Wales or otherwise as the game pro- gresses. That wifll be a matter which we will Boon be able to settle upon. An hour or so before the commencement of the game it was very amusing to watch the difficulties under which the large number of reporters were labour- ing. We bad been turned out of our usual seat in the front of the grand stand, and put on some open hole and corner arrangement jU&< outside the field of play. With the rain pouring down incessantly, at- tempts ait anything like legible hand- writing were out of the question. We were more fortunate—one of those brilliant splashes that GO invariably characterise people in their iMiieuHv, suggested expenditure in the pur- chase of a sound baton box, inside which one of the most respected members of our etaif placed his copy and as much of his head and shoulders as his width would permit, and so wrote, at haft in blindness, if not in comfort. iulf-t on this subject, I ought to pay a word of thanks to Butcher, the ground man, who, recognising the difficulties under which we were labouring, did everything \n his power to rJleviate our distress. A similar modicum of thanks must be extended to Mr. Knight, of Messrs. E. Rickard and Oo.'s establishment, who, so far ac we were concerned, alio made arrangements that materially ndded to our comfort. Half an hour before the ki?k-off points of 'vantage on the ground were, of course, at a discount. As I mentioned before, the "bob" side, to e;-o a vulgar but apt expression, was cne seething mass of humanity. At each end the sight was just the game, whilst, of course, the grand stand was packed to exoees. There were one or two vacant chairs at the far side of the enclosure, which had been reserved for old internationals. Probably they were wile in their generation, and, thinking they had had enough in the old days, considered it unwise to turn out m such a stress of weather. At 2.40 to the tick the teams took the field. Tavlor led the Englishmen on, Gould coming at the head of his men immediately afterwards, The men'lined up as follows:- ENGLAND. I F. J, Byrne. (back) r 1 F 4 Bvriie. K J.Fletcher. E.Fookes. j (three-quarter backs) a « > C. M Wells. E.W.Taylor. §• '*■ j (half-backs) J- 21 • \f. w Ashford. E.Man?les. P.Ebdon. F. Stout, o; K | w Ashford. E.Man?les. P.Ebdon. F. Stout, o; J.H.Barron. W. Stoddart. R. Oakes. F. Jacob. (forwards) J o r (forwards). *j IA. Boucher. H. Packer. D.Evans. J. Rhapps. » ♦ so J Evans. B.Hellings. W.Morris. F.Comish. £ )■ (half-backs) | Selwyn Biggs. I). Jones. I g* i-3 j j T5 j (three-qiuu-ter backs) j I Cliff Bowen. <3. Niciiolls. A.Gould. Pearson, j C (back) W. J. Bancroft. + 1 I WALES. 1- e 1 Mr. Tom Wi'lliaiiiK was xoucn juage '<"■ Wal«, and Mr. WalliDg acted va a akaitar eapa- pitv rf-l