Yorkshire v Australia 1908

Yorkshire

Taylor (Hull), Batten (Hunslet), Ward (Halifax), Davies (Batley), Farrar (Hunslet), Holroyd (Huddersfield), Slater (Wakefield), Mann (Bradford), Wilson, Jukes, Higson (Hunslet), Herridge (Hull) and Winterburn (Keighley)

Australia

Bolewski, Messenger, Devereux, Morton, Anderson, Deane, Holloway, O'Malley, Walsh, Graves, Jones, Davis & Hardcastle.

On November 5th a crowd of around 8000 were in the Boulavard as Messenger kicked off, with a photographer standing at his side. Almost immediately the Australian unsuccessfully attempted a kick at goal from near half way after a mark. Then the county side went on the attack and a scrum in midfield resulted in Mann touching down after taking a pass from Davies. Holroyd goaled. Then an excellent move involving Holloway, Deane, O'Malley, Davis and Walsh led to an unconverted try in the corner for Hardcastle. The white rose side then increased the lead when Mann went in for his second after good forward play. There was no goal. Then after a scrum on the home 25 Deane scored a great try and Messenger's goal levelled the scores at the break.

The tourists opened the second stanza in style only to be pulled up on several occasions for forward passes. Eventually after a scrum in the corner Holloway gave Messenger a walk in although he failed with the conversion. The scores were soon level again after Holroyd scored but he too failed with the kick. From here on Australians dominated after a fine passing move Walsh Scored and Messenger added the two. A good dribbling rush enabled Holloway to score under the posts and again Messenger converted. It was left to O'Malley to wrap up proceedings with the final unconverted try in what was a great game played in the best spirit.

Yorkshire 11 Australia 24

Thanks to Pat Walsh in Australia for providing the information on this page which is based on an article written by T J McCabe for the Sidney sports paper "The Referee"