In the first few minutes the Japanese played brilliantly, clever handling and flashy passing causing the French trouble, Within five minutes, Tung Wen forwards had to the Forces' line, Matsu through to record the first try, which Hara easily converted.
The French then played with their backs to the wall and using their weight in a correct manner gradually drove the Japanese back towards their own goal, but all their attempts ball over the line fell From ihe start the Marines took charge and had by far the better of the play which for long periods was confined to the Forces' 25. The ball was takem over the line in the first two minutes, but Hamlin beat an attacker to touch down in time. Harley then narrowly failed with a penalty from ten yards, the ball passing a yard wide.
Fifteen minutes hed elapsed, however, before the pressure of the Americans told its tale, Harley kicking a good penalty goal from an acute angle after the British Forces had been penalized for off-side.
From the kick-off the Forces threatened for a minute, but the Marines were quickly om the attack once more and after the ball had been hovering on the Services' line for two minutes, the American pack took it forward for Harley to go over near the flag. The same player had very bad luck with the resulting kick, the ball striking the cross-bar.
The Britons then came. into the picture a little more and three good movements among the backs were spoilt each time by Coote, when it looked as if a score was inevitable. The Marines then resorted to long touch kicking to drive their opponents Towards the end of the first half, the Trench were having matters entirely their own way and it was rather surprising that they were unable to open their account, Splendid defensive measures were adopted by the collegians, however, their tackling and kicking being very good indeed.
Twice before the interval the French were able to get the ball over, but in both instances, defenders touched down in time to prevent any damage.
The second half was a repetition of the Jatter part of the first period and although the French dominated the scene for the entire half-hour, save for occasional Japanese breakaways, they were unable to reduce the leeway "until five minutes prior to the end, "when Bouche went over far out after a good passing movement. The kick for the so-necessary two points failed and the Japanese ran out winners after being held on the defensive for the greater part of the match.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.