"37 TO NIL."

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 260, 7 November 1906, Page 3

"37 TO NIL."

SOUTH AFRICANS FOLLOW NEW ZEALAND'S LEAD. (.From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON.. September 28. The South African footballers have played their first match,, and have won tlieiv first -victory with what is quite an "All Black"' score. They defeated the East Midlands at Northampton on Thursday by 5 goals and 4 tries (37 points) to nothing. It was a victory that owed nothing to luck. The defeated team were quite outclassed, and in the later stages grew more or less demoralised as well. This opening match of the tour furnishes an interesting contrast to that of the "All Blacks 7, last year. The arrival of the New Zealander 3 attracted so little attention that few people here were aware of their existence until Iho news of their victory over Devon by the tremendous margin of 50 points to 4. The effect Avas almost as surprising an though the '"All Blacks'' had dropped down from the clouds! But with the South Africans the conditions are different. They have been "-written up" day by day ever since their arrival by the new-papers, and the public have been led to expect a combination almost, if not quite, as formidable as the New Zealanders Ihemselvcs. Consequently the. result of the opening match, while it has been received with widespread interest, cannot be said to have caused any great surpri-c. En.st Midlands, composed mainly of Northampton and Bedford players, are amongst the weakest of the county teams; last season,, I believe, theydid not win a single match. Still, the South Africans beat "them in such bandsome stylo that we arc justified in regarding the visiting team as a real good side. Estimates of their ability must, however, be accepted with caution until they have met stronger teams than the East Midlands. It is certainly too early as yet to say whether or»jjot the "Springboks" are as good as Hie 9-All Blacks."

The conditions were favourable for a fast', open game at Northampton on Thursday. The. South Africans began badly, being evidently nervous. Many passes were dropped at critical moments, ;iml lor ;i while it looked as though the first scon) of the. lour would \>>; made against instead of by the visitors. But at the end of fifteen minutes of very scrambling play the colonials pulled themselves together, and settled down to an exhibition of good, sound, clean footfoall. Their first try was scored when the game was twenty minutes old, ana at half-time tho South Africans' score was Id points to nothing. Their task was easier in thp second half, for the Midlands tailed of)' badly, and tries were (scored by tho visitors at practically regular intervals. Both sides played the English four three-quarter game., with eight forwards in the pack. Mr. Victor C-irtwright, the Kriglish International captain, acted as it force. Virst impressions of the new invaders will lie of interest to followers of the game in New Zealand. Xot having been able to make the. journey to Northampton in person, J. mint content myself with recording tho. opinions of various eril.ie.-s whose judgment can. I think, be Siifelv relied upon. The chief feature of tho South African? , play seems to have been the line work of the three-quartet lino, though wucii < ,f credit of tbc -■■foi-nK ;« giwii io th<- forwards. The f> ion Tr-ft. "l-» 1 v* t ytSte rclo.v-'Q* -••■■*" "'"■"'' l"' .....i II r|r >«!(| th.-.-v :iir- ;j st.voilg CUE 1 JUlll 1 1011. Willi m\ lX rait' lw ; no V^pi™^ l that irt as to tho high class of their threequarters. Owing to slight indisposition, J, D. Kridge,. who is one of their best players, stood down, but LoubSGl', iLirsch, De Villiers. and Stegmann, who foynwd tbe, |vie, <»

admirable a display a< could reasonably be desired. Speedy, resourceful, and determined in their running, and tolerably accurate and .smart in their passing, the four played a line combined game. Their sharp backing up. quick movement*, and pace were altogether too much for tinEast Midlands, whose defence at times seemed to go all to pieces. How effective was their work may be judged from the fact, that all the nine tries were gained between them, fttegmaiui, on the left wing, was quite the hero of the afternoon, scoring four times. A tall and powerfully-built man, and running with splendid determination, he was obviously most difficult to stop. Loubser, on tin: other wing, was not favoured with so many chances, but hu has a fine turn of speed that must always make him dangerous. Hirsch and ])c Villiers, in the centre, displayed an intimate knowledge of their duties."

"The Times" also gives high praise to the visitors:— (, lt is quite certain that the South Africans are first-class football players, and their value is the easier to estimate seeing that they play what is in method and style merely the English game. They may, of course, develop peculiarities, but yesterday they had only to proceed on orthodox lines in order to win quite comfortably. Their physique is good, they are. obviously well trained, and they arc quick as well as actually fast. Sheer pace gained three if not four of their tries yesterday; faulty tackling, due to indecision, was responsible for Iwo more: the others resulted from combined attacks which were cleverly instituted and well carried through. Of their defence it is as yet impossible to speak with any degree of certain y, for .in tiicir opening game it was not severely taxed. They did well enough yesterday, and there was every indication that they are. likely to do better still. Their faults were clearly faults arising from want of practice, while with combined practice their merits are likely to become more, obvious. The passes which were missed were, nearly all well given, and given moreover at the right moment. There was no hesitation either in instituting an attack or in following it up. The kicking of all kinds was good, two of the place kicks which realised goals being remarkably fine, efforts, while the moments for high punting were well chosen. There was not much cross-kicking or in-passing, but, as lias been said, the winners found that doing very ordinary things well was more than sufficient for their purpose. No doubt when they are met with sturdier opposition they will reveal a 'capacity tor greater ingenuity. One reassuring piece of evidence for which yesterday's game was responsible deserves prominent notice. The , South Africans played a most fair and straightforward game."

The half-backs. Dobbin ainl Carolin, appeal" to have shown not more than average ability, their play exhibiting very little personal initiative. It is possible that here may be the weak spot in inn team's armour. However, it is too early yet to pass judgment. The forwards were superior in weight and strength to their opponents. Says the "Telegraph/ , '"Once they had obtained command of the scrummage the game was as good as over. The ball was then nearly always with them, and was on most ocoasionu promptly heeled out, The mm

linen,' Showing speed ana cleverness in lip! niioiiiuS 4 ■ '

t-lieii- They ulso p«.ssorl neal.lv ami tackleil. ns did. t.lio whole sirto, with gi'iiii certainly. At fuIMM, Burrneiiter was seen 1o advantage. His chances came in the. first few minute.s, and in one or two awkward predicaments he showed himself the possessor of a cool h.ead and a. long kick. .In the later

stages he. bnd very little to do beyond an occasional kick. However, lie always gathered the ball safely, and is cleariy a sound, reliable player.''

The handsome victory scored by ihe South Africans in the initial match should ensure a great attendance when they make their iirst public appcarrfnec in London next week. That the tour is being followed with interest in New Zealand also is suggested by the following cablegram received this week by the South Africans from T). (jallahcr, the captain of the New Zealand team: "On behalf of the 'Ail Blacks' allow mc to wish you all a prosperous time in the Old Land, and success in the coming contests. Kia ora."