 The <unk> next defeated both <unk> and Kent , before defeats by <unk> and Burton @-@ on @-@ Trent . Both defeats were unexpected , and in the <unk> match , injuries played a part – the tourists played most of the match at least two men down , as replacements were then not allowed . The team recovered to win their next game , against Midlands Counties in Birmingham . Their next fixture was against Middlesex in a match not open to the public , and hosted by the Earl of Sheffield at Sheffield Park , <unk> . The Middlesex side contained a number of international players , including Arthur Gould . Middlesex won easily , with the <unk> play characterised by poor tackling . The final score was 9 – 0 , with three tries conceded by the New Zealanders . Prior to the match both sides had enjoyed lunch with wine – an indulgence the <unk> were not used to . A report in the Auckland Star had this to say of the game : 
