# 1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia

The 1888 British Isles tour to New Zealand and Australia was a tour by a British rugby union team, known at the time as the "English Footballers", throughout New Zealand and Australia. Although a private venture not organised by any official body, this was the first major tour of the Southern Hemisphere undertaken by a European rugby team. It paved the way for future tours by teams which are now known as British and Irish Lions.
The team boarded the SS Kaikoura at Gravesend on 9 March 1888, returning to England on the same ship on 11 November. While in Australia and New Zealand the team played a number of state, provincial, and invitation sides, but did not play any international teams. They played 35 rugby matches, winning 27, drawing 6, and losing 2. Only four of the touring party had played, or would play, for their country; Seddon, Andrew Stoddart and Tom Kent for England, and Willie Thomas for Wales.
They also played a smaller number of Victorian rules (Australian rules) football matches, but the side had no prior experience of this before arriving in Australia. The team's legacy was honoured in 2013 when the team, along with initial captain Robert Seddon, were inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

## Tour background

The 1888 tour was organised by three professional English cricketers, James Lillywhite, Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury, but they could not obtain patronage from the Rugby Football Union who refused to patronise by the tour, though the RFU was happy for the tour to go ahead, provided there was no infringement of the rules of amateurism. The team was led by England's Robert L Seddon and took in 35 games, though no test matches against international opposition. Of the games played the tourists won twenty seven, drew six and lost two matches.
The tour was undertaken by Shaw and Shrewsbury as a purely financial exercise with little regard to producing a "British Isles" team, and the team itself is more often recorded as an English team. The two managers were not unfamiliar with touring sides, having organised cricket teams to Australia, and the rugby tour was a follow on from the financially disastrous England Cricket tour of 1887.
The rugby tour was not an economic success either and lost both managers money. Worse was to occur when team captain Seddon, drowned on 15 August in an accident while sculling on the Hunter River in West Maitland. The captaincy was then passed to Andrew Stoddart a future England rugby captain and Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
A further economic issue that related to the tour was the burgeoning professional movement that was gathering momentum in England at the time. Rugby players and clubs in Britain were divided by the growing belief that players should be paid for their time playing their sport. The growing popularity of the now professional Association Football was causing many, especially in the North of England, to challenge the amateur standing of the union code.
One of the catalysts to the split between amateur union code and the future league code, was when Jack P. Clowes, a member of the 1888 tour, was designated a 'professional' sportsman after he accepted £15 to buy equipment shortly before he left for Australia. The other players on the tour were then required to sign an affidavit to state they were not to be paid for playing rugby when in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to playing 35 game of rugby union, the Lions team also played 19 games of Victorian Rules Football (later known as Australian rules football). The Lions won 6 of the matches under the Australian rules, despite having no experience with the code prior to the tour.
The uniforms worn by the side on their first tour was a jersey displaying thick red, white and blue hoops, white shorts and dark socks.

## Touring party

* Manager: A Shaw and A Shrewsbury
Two-thirds of the touring party belonged to clubs that, within a few years, would defect to the Northern Rugby Football Union, founding the game of rugby league.

## Results

Complete list of matches played by the British Isles in Australia and New Zealand:
| # | Date | Rival | City | Country | Result | Score |
| 1 | 28 April | Otago RU | Dunedin | New Zealand | Won | 8–3 |
| 2 | 2 May | Otago RU | Dunedin | New Zealand | Won | 4–3 |
| 3 | 5 May | Canterbury RU | Christchurch | New Zealand | Won | 14–6 |
| 4 | 9 May | Canterbury RU | Christchurch | New Zealand | Won | 4–0 |
| 5 | 12 May | Wellington RU | Wellington | New Zealand | Drew | 3–3 |
| 6 | 14 May | Henry Roberts XV | Wellington | New Zealand | Won | 4–1 |
| 7 | 16 May | Taranaki RU | New Plymouth | New Zealand | Lost | 0–1 |
| 8 | 19 May | Auckland RU | Auckland | New Zealand | Won | 6–3 |
| 9 | 24 May | Auckland RU | Auckland | New Zealand | Lost | 0–4 |
| 10 | 2 June | NSW Waratahs | Sydney (NSW) | Australia | Won | 18–2 |
| 11 | 7 June | Bathurst | Bathurst (NSW) | Australia | Won | 13–6 |
| 12 | 9 June | NSW Waratahs | Sydney (NSW) | Australia | Won | 18–6 |
| 13 | 11 June | Sydney Juniors | Sydney (NSW) | Australia | Won | 11–0 |
| 14 | 12 June | The King's School | Parramatta (NSW) | Australia | Drew | 10–10 |
| 15 | 16 July | Adelaide | Adelaide (SA) | Australia | Won | 28–3 |
| 16 | 1 August | Melbourne | Melbourne (Qld) | Australia | Won | 15–5 |
| 17 | 4 August | NSW Waratahs | Sydney (NSW) | Australia | Won | 16–2 |
| 18 | 6 August | Sydney Grammar School | Sydney (NSW) | Australia | Drew | 3–3 |
| 19 | 8 August | Bathurst | Bathurst (NSW) | Australia | Won | 20–10 |
| 20 | 11 August | University of Sydney | Sydney (NSW) | Australia | Won | 8–4 |
| 21 | 18 August | Queensland Reds | Brisbane (Qld) | Australia | Won | 13–6 |
| 22 | 21 August | Queensland Juniors | Brisbane (Qld) | Australia | Won | 11–3 |
| 23 | 23 August | Ipswich | Ipswich (Qld) | Australia | Won | 12–1 |
| 24 | 25 August | Queensland Reds | Brisbane (Qld) | Australia | Won | 7–0 |
| 25 | 29 August | Newcastle | Newcastle (NSW) | Australia | Won | 15–7 |
| 26 | 8 September | Auckland RU | Auckland | New Zealand | Won | 3–0 |
| 27 | 12 September | Auckland | Auckland | New Zealand | Drew | 1–1 |
| 28 | 15 September | Hawke's Bay | Napier | New Zealand | Won | 3–2 |
| 29 | 17 September | Wairarapa RU | Masterton | New Zealand | Won | 5–1 |
| 30 | 20 September | Canterbury RU | Christchurch | New Zealand | Won | 8–0 |
| 31 | 22 September | Otago RU | Dunedin | New Zealand | Drew | 0–0 |
| 32 | 27 September | South Island | Dunedin | New Zealand | Won | 5–3 |
| 33 | 29 September | South Island | Christchurch | New Zealand | Won | 6–0 |
| 34 | 2 October | Taranaki RU | Hawera | New Zealand | Won | 7–1 |
| 35 | 3 October | Wanganui RU | Wanganui | New Zealand | Drew | 1–1 |
Balance :
| Played in | Pl | W | D | L | Ps | Pc |
| New Zealand | 19 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 82 | 33 |
| Australia | 16 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 218 | 68 |
| Total | 35 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 300 | 101 |
Two different scoring systems were in use. For games played in New Zealand and the Australian states of Queensland and South Australia, a try was worth one point, a conversion was worth two points and a drop goal was worth three points. For games played in New South Wales, the points values were; try - two points, conversion - three points, drop goal - four points.

## Match details
### New Zealand April–May

The points system for matches in New Zealand was one point for a try.
* Saturday, 28 April
| Otago | 3–8 | British Isles |
| Drop: Morrison | Report | Try: Kent, Anderton Con: Anderton 0/1, Haslam 0/1 Drop: Speakman 2 |
* (The Old) Caledonian Ground, Dunedin Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Wyinks Umpires: WD Milne (O) Dr. Smith (B)
* Team details
* Otago: Fullback: W. Thomas; Three-quarter backs: W. Noel, T. Lynch, C. J. Davie; Half-backs: J. Thomson, D. Simpson; Forwards: E. E Morrison (captain), C. Beck, A. Gibson, J. W. W. Hunter, R. Martin, W. Turnbull, W. McFarlane, J. Montgomery, H. Treseder.
* British Isles: Fullback: JT Haslam; Three-quarter backs: AE Stoddart, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), WH Thomas, T Banks, R Burnet, T Kent, H Eagles, C Mathers, S Williams, AJ Laing.
* Wednesday, 2 June 3:00pm
| Otago | 3–4 | British Isles |
| Try: Keogh Con: Lynch 1/1 | Report | Try: Banks, Nolan, J Anderton Con: J Anderton 1/1, AG Paul 0/1 |
* (The Old) Caledonian Ground, Dunedin Attendance: 8,000 Referee: W Wyinks Umpires: WD Milne (O), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Otago (blue): Fullback: W Thomas (Oamaru); Three-quarter backs: WH Noel (Montecillo), T Lynch (Pirates), J Davie (Kaikorai); Half-backs: JB Thomson (University), P Keogh (Kaikorai); Forwards: C Beck (Montecillo), A. Gibson (Taieri), JWW Hunter (University), R Martin (Dunedin), EE Morrison (High School), W McFarlane (Union), JR Montgomery (High School), H Treseder (Zingari-Richmond), W Turnbull (Dunedin).
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: AE Stoddart, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, WH Thomas, T Banks, R Burnet, T Kent, H Eagles, C Mathers, S Williams, AJ Stuart.
* Saturday, 5 May 2:45pm
| Canterbury | 6–14 | British Isles |
| Try: Harley Con: Weekes 1/1 Drop: Helmore | Report | Try: Haslam 2, Bumby 2, Stoddart Con: Anderton 2/3, Paul 1/2 Drop: Paul |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Rev. John Hoatson Umpires: AM Ollivier (C), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Canterbury (red): Fullback: W Richards (Merivale); Three-quarter backs: LW Harley (Christchurch), A Hobbs (East Christchurch), ER Webb (Christchurch) ; Half-backs: GHN Helmore, (captain, North Canterbury), H Roberts (East Christchurch); Forwards: WD Bean (North Canterbury), W Dow (East Christchurch), J Fuller (Christchurch), HE Hiddlestone (Merivale), JA Horner (Merivale), W Sutherland (Sydenham), JM Turnbull (Christchurch), AJ Weekes (Sydenham), M Riley (Sydenham).
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Burnet, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon, S Williams, H Eagles, C Mathers, T Kent, AJ Stuart, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, R Burnet.
On Monday, 7 May at Lancaster Park, the British played a team of Canterbury footballers in a game under Victorian Rules (Australian Rules Football). The teams were 17-a-side rather than the twenty as was usual at the time. Players in both teams had an incomplete understanding of the rules. The result of the match was a win to the British. Scores: Canterbury nil. British Isles 6. Goals to Speakman 4, Eagles, Smith.
* Wednesday, 9 May 3.04pm
| Canterbury | 0–4 | British Isles |
| | Reports | Try: Nolan 3, AP Penketh Con: Paul 0/4 |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 2,500-3,500 Referee: Rev. John Hoatson Umpires: AM Ollivier (C), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Canterbury (red): W Broughton (Christchurch); Three-quarter backs: LW Harley (Christchurch), A Hobbs (East Christchurch), HC Wilson (North Canterbury) ; Half-backs: GHN Helmore, (captain, North Canterbury), H Roberts (East Christchurch); Forwards: WD Bean (North Canterbury), W Dow (East Christchurch), J Fuller (Christchurch), HE Hiddlestone (Merivale), JA Horner (Merivale), W Sutherland (Sydenham), JM Turnbull (Christchurch), AJ Weekes (Sydenham), M Riley (Sydenham).
* British Isles: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, HC Speakman; Half-backs: J Nolan, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon, H Eagles, S Williams, C Mathers, T Kent, AJ Stuart, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, T Banks.
* Saturday, 12 May
| Wellington | 3–3 | British Isles |
| Drop: Thomson | Reports | Try: Haslam Con: Paul 1/1 |
* Basin Reserve, Wellington Attendance: 6,000-7,000 Referee: CA Knapp Umpires: S Nicholls (W), S Williams (B).
* Team details
* Wellington (black and gold): Fullback: DR Gage (Poneke); Three-quarter backs: F Fairbrother (Wellington), AD Thomson (Wellington), JA Warbrick (Wellington); Half-backs: C Moore (Poneke), M Moorhouse (Poneke); Forwards: JM King (captain, Athletic), F Moore (Athletic), R Malcolm (Athletic), S Cockroft (Union), M Hyland (Union), TR Ellison (Poneke), H McIntyre (Poneke), G Wiliams (Poneke), L Storey (Poneke).
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), H Eagles, T Kent, AP Penketh, C Mathers, WH Thomas, R Burnet, T Banks, AJ Stuart.
* Monday, 14 May 3pm
| H Roberts' XV | 4–1 | British Isles |
| | Reports | |
* Basin Reserve, Wellington Attendance: 2,500 Referee: H McCardell Umpires: E Davy (R), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* H Roberts' XV (played in Poneke colours, red and black): Fullback: R Sim (Poneke); Three-quarter backs: F Fairbrother (Wellington), AD Thomson (Wellington), DR Gage (Poneke); Half-backs: H Roberts (captain, Poneke), C Moore (Poneke); Forwards: F Moore (Athletic), S Cockcroft (Union). J Hyland, (Union), TR Ellison (Poneke), H Mclntyre (Poneke), L Storey (Poneke), EMD Whatman (Masterton), J Crowell (Athletic), J McCleary (Union).
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, H Brooks; Half-backs: J Anderton, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, H Eagles, W Burnet*, AP Penketh, C Mathers, WH Thomas, R Burnet, S Williams, AJ Laing.
* Note: The Evening Post listed W Burnet as playing, whilst the New Zealand Times listed T Kent instead.
* Wednesday, 16 May 2:51pm
| Taranaki | 1–0 | British Isles |
| Try: H Good Con: Coghill 0/1 | Report | |
* New Plymouth Racecourse Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Fred Bayly Umpires: GT Bayly (T), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Taranaki: Fullback: RH Kivell; Three-quarter backs: A Good, A Bayly (captain), H Coghill; Quarter-back: C Bayly; Wing forwards: R Tate, H Hine; Forwards: H Good, T Joll, W Snook, W Cheyne, CE Major, JB Veale, A Pearce, J Whitehead.
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: H Brooks, HC Speakman, JT Haslam; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Anderton; Forwards: RL Seddon, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, R Burnet, T Kent, H Eagles, AJ Stuart, S Williams, W Burnet.
* Saturday, 19 May
| Auckland | 3–6 | British Isles |
| Try: McKenzie Con: McCausland 1/1 | Report | Try: Seddon, Anderton Con: Paul 2/2 |
* Tramway Company’s Grounds, Potter’s Field, Epsom, Auckland. Attendance: 6,000 Referee: T Macky Umpires: J Arneil (A), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Auckland (blue and white): Fullback: RB Lusk (Gordon); Three-quarter backs: R. Whiteside (captain, Ponsonby), K McCausland (Gordon), C Madigan (Grafton); Halfbacks: J. Conway (Ponsonby), A. Braund (Ponsonby), W Elliott (Grafton); Forwards: TB O'Connor (Auckland), M Keefe (Ponsonby), O Wells (Grafton), JG Lecky (Grafton), C Marshall (North Shore), F Twiname (Grafton), W Hobson (Ponsonby), RH McKenzie (Grafton).
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, T Kent, AJ Stuart, AP Penketh, AJ Laing, R Burnet, S Williams.
* Thursday, 24 May (Queen's Birthday) 2:30pm
| Auckland | 4–0 | British Isles |
| Try: Elliott Con: McCausland 0/1 Drop: Hobson | Report | |
* Tramway Company’s Grounds, Potter’s Field, Epsom, Auckland. Attendance: 8,000 Referee: T Macky Umpires: J Arneil (A), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Auckland (blue and white): Fullback: RB Lusk (Gordon); Three-quarter backs: T Brown (Grafton), K McCausland (Gordon), C Madigan (Grafton); Halfbacks: J. Conway (Ponsonby), A. Braund Ponsonby), W Elliott (Grafton); Forwards: TB O'Connor (Auckland), M Keefe (Ponsonby), O Wells (Grafton), JG Lecky (Grafton), C Marshall (North Shore), F Twiname (Grafton), W Hobson (Ponsonby), RH McKenzie (Grafton).
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, T Kent, AJ Stuart, AP Penketh, WH Thomas, R Burnet, S Williams.

### Australia rugby June

The points system for matches in Australia was two points for a try.
* Saturday, 2 June
| New South Wales | 2–18 | British Isles |
| Try: Hale | Reports | Try: Bumby 3, Eagles, Seddon, Stoddart Con: Anderton 1/4, Paul 1/2 |
* Association Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 13,000 Referee: RW Thallon Umpires: JF McManamey (NSW) Dr. Smith (B)
* Team details
* New South Wales: Fullback: HY Braddon; Three-quarter backs: CG Wade, JE Moulton, HM Baylis; Half-backs: PB Colquhoun, E Cameron; Forwards: CL Tange, JAK Shaw, H Lee, LEF Neill, W Belbridge, A Hale, L Wade, E Rice, J Gee.
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, W Burnet; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Anderton; Forwards: RL Seddon, WH Thomas, S Williams, AJ Stuart, T Kent, R Burnet, AP Penketh, H Eagles, C Mathers.
* Thursday, 7 June
| Bathurst | 6–13 | British Isles |
| Try: J Meagher, Lydiard, Butler Con: J Fish 0/2, Read 0/1 | Reports | Try: Eagles 2, Seddon, Nolan, Speakman Con: Anderton 1/4, Haslam 0/1 |
* Bathurst Cricket Ground, Bathurst Referee: RM Lindsay; Umpires: H Ford (Bath), Dr. Smith (Brit)
* Team details
* Bathurst: F Yeomans; Three-quarter backs: E Pruen, A Howard, P Sullivan; Half-backs: F Butler, C Lydiard; Forwards: P. Meagher, J Meagher, J. Hogan, J. Anderson. J. Fish, H Read, H Britten, T. Palmer, George Wiburd G Wiburd.
* British Isles: JT Haslam; Three-quarter backs: H Brooks, HC Speakman, W Burnet; Half-backs: J Anderton, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, AJ Laing, S Williams, T Kent, AJ Stuart, R Burnet, AP Penketh, H Eagles.
* Saturday, 9 June
| New South Wales | 6–18 | British Isles |
| Try: Neill Con: Baylis Drop: Colquhoun | Reports | Try: Stoddart 2, Eagles 2, Brooks, Mathers Con: Anderton 1/2, Stoddart 1/3 |
* Association Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 7,000 Referee: RW Thallon Umpires: McManamey (NSW), T Banks (B)
* Team details
* New South Wales: Fullback: HM Baylis; Three-quarter backs: SA Tiley, H Lee, PB Colquhoun; Half-backs: F Hillyar, E Cameron; Forwards: CL Tange (captain), JAK Shaw, A Hale, LEF Neill, Jas O'Donnell, E Rice, J Gee, W Belbridge, G Wiburd.
* British Isles: Fullback: JT Haslam; Three-quarter backs: J Anderton, AE Stoddart, H Brooks; Half-backs: J Nolan, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon, H Eagles, C Mathers, AJ Stuart, S Williams, R Burnet, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, AJ Laing.
* Monday, 11 June
| Sydney Juniors | 0–11 | British Isles |
| | Report | Try: Anderton, Williams, Speakman, Bumby Con: Anderton 1/4 |
* Association Cricket Ground, Sydney Referee: Mr Hall Umpires: Clapin (SJ), T Banks (B)
* Team details
* Sydney Juniors (18): Fullback: Wilson; Three-quarter backs: R Cameron, Lyons, Street, McPherson; Half-backs: Seymour, Finn, Foster; Forwards: L Scott, A Scott, Fraser, Clarkson, Hartley, McCallum, Griffin, Irving, Ireland, Francis.
* British Isles: Speakman replaced Brooks.
* Tuesday, 12 June
| King's School Past & Present | 10–10 | British Isles |
| Try: Rice, Wade Con: P Baylis 2/2 | Reports | Try: Haslam, Anderton, Stoddart Con: Unnamed 0/5 |
* Parramatta Cricket Ground
* Team details
* King's School Past & Present selected from the following expected players: Ingram, White, Smith, Hall, Roberts, Manchie (School), Baylis, Tange, Hungerford (University), Wade (2), Baylis (2), Bennett, Forster, Rice, Rand, Weaver (Wallaroo) Priddle, Ingram, Burkitt.
* British Isles side announce prior to the matches against NSW and Juniors: Fullback: A Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, W Burnet; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Anderton; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, A Penketh, R Burnet, T Kent, AJ Stuart, S Williams, WH Thomas.
* Names in bold are mentioned in the Cumberland Mercury and or Referee match reports. The Cumberland Mercury names Hall as scoring the School's second try, rather than Wade as named in the Referee match report.

### Australian rules June–July

| | Carlton | Carlton | Carlton | | |
| Saturday, 16 June, 2:45pm | Carlton | def. | British Isles | Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 22,000) | Preview Report |
| | 2.5 7.7 8.10 14.17 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.1 0.1 3.7 3.8 | Umpires: PH Roy | Umpires: PH Roy |
| Berry 3, Baker 2, Green 2, A. Coulson, Goer, Cook, Gellaty, M McInerney, McKechnie, Hutchison | Berry 3, Baker 2, Green 2, A. Coulson, Goer, Cook, Gellaty, M McInerney, McKechnie, Hutchison | Goals | Thomas, Smith, Banks | Thomas, Smith, Banks |
| | Bendigo | Bendigo | Bendigo | | |
| Wednesday, 20 June, 2:45pm | Bendigo | def. by | British Isles | Back Creek Cricket Ground (crowd: 4,000—5,000) | Preview Report |
| | 0.0 0.8 0.8 1.14 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.4 3.5 5.16 5.16 | Umpires: Alf Laver | Umpires: Alf Laver |
| J. Graham | J. Graham | Goals | Brooks, Speakman, Seddon, Eagles, Stuart | Brooks, Speakman, Seddon, Eagles, Stuart |
| | Castlemaine | Castlemaine | Castlemaine | | |
| Thursday, 21 June, 3:15pm | Castlemaine | def. | British Isles | Camp Reserve (crowd: 1,000—2,000) | Preview Report |
| | 0.2 0.3 1.4 1.4 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.1 0.1 1.2 1.2 | Umpires: F Dickason | Umpires: F Dickason |
| Lawrenson | Lawrenson | Goals | Nolan | Nolan |
| | South Melbourne | South Melbourne | South Melbourne | | |
| Saturday, 23 June | South Melbourne | def. | British Isles | South Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 7,500) | Preview Report |
| | 2.6 5.10 6.16 7.29 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.2 1.5 3.7 3.7 | | |
| Reid, McShane, Kerr, Clinton, McKay, Dowdell, Young | Reid, McShane, Kerr, Clinton, McKay, Dowdell, Young | Goals | Paul, Brooks, Eagles | Paul, Brooks, Eagles |
| | Maryborough | Maryborough | Maryborough | | |
| Wednesday, 27 June, 3:00pm | Maryborough | def. | British Isles | Princes Park (crowd: 7,000) | Report |
| | 1.5 1.9 2.11 4.13 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.1 1.6 3.9 3.11 | | |
| J Hoag, T Elliott, Casey, Grigg | J Hoag, T Elliott, Casey, Grigg | Goals | Paul 3 | Paul 3 |
| | South Ballarat | South Ballarat | South Ballarat | | |
| Friday, 29 June | South Ballarat | def. | British Isles | Eastern Oval (crowd: 7,000—8,000) | Preview Report |
| | 2.6 4.9 4.16 7.18 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.3 0.5 1.7 3.7 | Umpires: JJ Trait | Umpires: JJ Trait |
| Lyon 2, Connaughton, Jacka, White, Doney, Moore | Lyon 2, Connaughton, Jacka, White, Doney, Moore | Goals | Paul, Chapman, Haslam | Paul, Chapman, Haslam |
| | Fitzroy | Fitzroy | Fitzroy | | |
| Saturday, 30 June, 3:00pm | Fitzroy | def. | British Isles | Fitzroy Cricket Ground (crowd: 7,000—8,000) | Reports |
| | 5.5 8.6 10.19 12.20 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.0 1.1 1.1 3.4 | Umpires: Welsford | Umpires: Welsford |
| Nicholls 2, Docherty 2, Buckley 2, Schmidt 2, Brown, Rappiport, Tuner, unnamed | Nicholls 2, Docherty 2, Buckley 2, Schmidt 2, Brown, Rappiport, Tuner, unnamed | Goals | Williams, Brooks, Haslam | Williams, Brooks, Haslam |
| Brown, Rappiport | Brown, Rappiport | Injuries | | |
| | Port Melbourne | Port Melbourne | Port Melbourne | | |
| Tuesday, 3 July | Port Melbourne | def. | British Isles | East Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 600) | Report |
| | 0.4 2.6 4.9 7.15 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.5 4.8 5.11 6.11 | Umpires: PH Roy | Umpires: PH Roy |
| Hannaysee 3, Daly, Graham, Taylor, Hill | Hannaysee 3, Daly, Graham, Taylor, Hill | Goals | Haslam, Williams, Seddon, Penketh, Paul, (R or W) Burnet | Haslam, Williams, Seddon, Penketh, Paul, (R or W) Burnet |
| | South Adelaide | South Adelaide | South Adelaide | | |
| Saturday, 7 July, 3:03pm | South Adelaide | def. | British Isles | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 5,000) | Report |
| | 4.3 5.5 8.9 8.9 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.2 3.6 4.7 5.9 | Umpires: Blackman | Umpires: Blackman |
| Heenan 2, Watling 2, Grogan, Sinclair, Hill, Martin | Heenan 2, Watling 2, Grogan, Sinclair, Hill, Martin | Goals | Speakman 2, Stuart, Penketh, Thomas | Speakman 2, Stuart, Penketh, Thomas |
| | Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide | | |
| Tuesday, 10 July | Port Adelaide | def. by | British Isles | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 2,000) | Report |
| | 0.2 4.5 7.5 7.8 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.4 4.4 4.6 8.8 | Umpires: Sidoli | Umpires: Sidoli |
| Phillips 4, A Bushby, Miers, C Fry | Phillips 4, A Bushby, Miers, C Fry | Goals | Stoddart 3, Mathers 2, Thomas, Paul, Kent | Stoddart 3, Mathers 2, Thomas, Paul, Kent |
| | Adelaide | Adelaide | Adelaide | | |
| Thursday, 12 July, | Adelaide | def. | British Isles | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 3,000) | Report |
| | 2.6 2.9 5.12 6.13 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.0 3.1 3.5 3.6 | Umpires: Blackman | Umpires: Blackman |
| McIntyre 2, Carter 2, Holbrook, Shawyer | McIntyre 2, Carter 2, Holbrook, Shawyer | Goals | AE Stoddart 2, WH Thomas | AE Stoddart 2, WH Thomas |
| | Norwood | Norwood | Norwood | | |
| Saturday, 14 July, 3:03pm | Norwood | def. | British Isles | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 8,000) | Report |
| | 0.2 2.5 3.7 5.8 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.0 2.0 3.1 3.1 | Umpires: Birrell | Umpires: Birrell |
| C Woods 3, Slattery, Haldane | C Woods 3, Slattery, Haldane | Goals | Williams, Lawler, Stoddart | Williams, Lawler, Stoddart |

### Rugby in Adelaide

* Monday, 16 July 3:03pm
| Adelaide Twenty | 3–28 | British Isles |
| Drop: Keats | Reports | Try: Stoddart 3, Anderton, Mathers, Haslam, Eagles, Williams, Unnamed 6 Con: Stoddart 2, Anderton, Kent, Burnet, Williams, Eagles |
* Adelaide Oval Attendance: 2,500 Referee: H Brooks Umpires: Giles (A) and T Banks (B)
* Team details
* Adelaide The following were named in the Advertiser on the morning of the match: Grainger, Woodhard, Hayward, Martin, Baker, Scott, Furze, Arnot, Hose, Raynbird, Marryat, Clerk, Atkins, Keats, Hawly, Porter, Hunter, Kerr, Blaun, Darwell. Grainger attended the match but did not take the field. There were no Rugby clubs in Adelaide at the time. The team was selected after a scratch match on Saturday, 14 July.
* British Isles The following are named in the Advertiser match report: J Anderton, (R and or W) Burnet, H Eagles, JT Haslam, T Kent, C Mathers, AE Stoddart, S Williams.

### Australian rules late July

The tourists returned to Victoria for six further Victorian Rules matches.
| | Horsham | Horsham | Horsham | | |
| Wednesday, 18 July, 3:00pm | Horsham | def. by | British Isles | Recreation Ground (crowd: 1,500) | Preview Report |
| | 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.2 3.2 5.4 6.5 | Umpires: W Bolton | Umpires: W Bolton |
| | | Goals | Banks 4, Nolan 2 | Banks 4, Nolan 2 |
| | Ballarat Imperial | Ballarat Imperial | Ballarat Imperial | | |
| Friday, 20 July | Ballarat Imperial | def. | British Isles | Saxon Paddock | Report |
| | 0.2 3.7 3.11 4.15 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 | Umpires: Bourke | Umpires: Bourke |
| Thomas 2, Dawson, unnamed | Thomas 2, Dawson, unnamed | Goals | Stoddart | Stoddart |
| | Ballarat | Ballarat | Ballarat | | |
| Saturday, 21 July | Ballarat | def. by | British Isles | Saxon Paddock | Preview Report |
| | 4.3 4.3 4.8 4.8 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.0 4.4 4.4 5.8 | Umpires: P Luplau | Umpires: P Luplau |
| Ross, Gordon, Bodycombe, Ross | Ross, Gordon, Bodycombe, Ross | Goals | Kent, Burnet, last 3 unnamed | Kent, Burnet, last 3 unnamed |
| | Sandhurst (Bendigo) | Sandhurst (Bendigo) | Sandhurst (Bendigo) | | |
| Wednesday, 25 July, 3:03pm | Sandhurst | def. by | British Isles | Back Creek Cricket Ground | Report |
| | 1.2 1.4 2.9 2.10 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.2 2.2 2.3 3.3 | Umpires: HS Skehan | Umpires: HS Skehan |
| Magee 2 | Magee 2 | Goals | Stoddart 2, Rushed | Stoddart 2, Rushed |
| | | Injuries | Eagles | Eagles |
| A goal given to the British was allowed to stand, after some discussion, despite the contention that it had been inadvertently kicked through the goalposts by a Sandhurst player. ||||||
| | Kyneton | Kyneton | Kyneton | | |
| Thursday, 26 July | Kyneton | def. by | British Isles | Kyneton Racecourse (crowd: 2,000) | Preview Report |
| | 0.2 0.5 0.? 1.8 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.4 2.4 2.? 2.7 | Umpires: Ohe / Oke | Umpires: Ohe / Oke |
| Hobbs | Hobbs | Goals | Williams, Stoddart | Williams, Stoddart |
| | Essendon | Essendon | Essendon | | |
| Saturday, 28 July | Essendon | def. | British Isles | East Melbourne Cricket Ground | Reports |
| | 2.4 6.9 7.13 7.16 | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.1 1.1 3.3 3.5 | | |
| Sebire 3, Tolmie, Turner, Meader, Fleming | Sebire 3, Tolmie, Turner, Meader, Fleming | Goals | Stoddart 3 | Stoddart 3 |

### Australia rugby August

Prior to their return to Sydney, the tourists played a game under Rugby rules in Melbourne. The locals were members of the Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club. For final preparation and selection they had played a Probables versus Possibles match on the Saturday, 28 July.
* Wednesday, 1 August 3:03pm
| Melbourne | 3–9 | British Isles |
| Try: Wakeham Con: Scarborough | Reports | Try: Stoddart, Nolan, Williams Con: Stoddart 3 |
* East Melbourne Cricket Ground Attendance: 5,000-6,000 Referee: JST Hughes Umpires: Dr. Willmott (M), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Melbourne: Fullback: HH Lee; Three-quarter backs: ED Spohr, G Miller, TL Scarborough; Halfbacks: AJ Murray, EE Wakeham; Forwards: JR Murray (captain), J Cowen, HH Morrell, A White, J Lindsay, HR Rice, AD Graham, G Outrim, W Williams.
* British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: HC Speakman, AE Stoddart, JT Haslam; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), C Mathers, H Eagles, R Burnet, AJ Laing, AP Penketh, T Kent, S Williams, WH Thomas.
* Saturday, 4 August 3:26pm
| New South Wales | 2–16 | British Isles |
| Try: E Cameron Con: Baylis 0/1 | Reports | Try: Mathers 2, Eagles, Stoddart, Nolan Con: AE Stoddart 2/5 |
* Association Cricket Ground Attendance: 5,000 Referee: A Hale Umpires: P Allen (Sydney), Dr Smith (B)
* Team details
* New South Wales: Fullback: HM Baylis (University); Three-quarter backs: PB Colquhoun (University), E Cameron (Balmain), R Cameron (Balmain); Half-backs: White (University), CY Caird (Wallaroo); Forwards: CL Tange (University), G Braund (Rosedale), JAK Shaw (University), TB Perry (Arfoma), F Belbridge (University), W Belbridge (University), LEF Neill (University), Newcombe, Jas McMahon (Rosedale). From the original team selection, five players withdrew due to their unavailability.
* British Isles: Fullback: W Burnet; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, J Anderton; Half-backs: J olan, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), H Eagles, T Kent, S Williams, AG Paul, R Burnet, AJ Laing, WH Thomas, C Mathers.
* Monday, 6 August
| Sydney Grammar School (Past & Present) | 2–2 | British Isles |
| Try: Fuller Con: Elphinstone 0/1 | Report | Try: Stoddart Con: Stoddart 0/1 |
* Association Cricket Ground Referee: JAK Shaw Umpires: Allen (SGS), Dr. J Smith (B)
* Team details
* Sydney Grammar School Past & Present: Fullback: Wood; Three-quarter backs: R Cameron, E Cameron, H Hillyar; Half-backs: AE Sefton, Elphinstone; Forwards: A Hale, Hawkens, LEF Neill, Abbott, McManamey, Fuller, Fairfax, G Barbour, F Belbridge, W Belbridge.
* British Isles: Fullback: W Burnet; Three-quarter backs: H Brooks, AE Stoddart, HC Speakman; Half-backs: J nderton, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, AJ Laing, R Burnet, WH Thomas, S Williams, T Kent, AG Paul.