MORE DASH AND PURPOSE SHOWN

Chronicle (Levin), 11 July 1949, Page 5

MORE DASH AND PURPOSE SHOWN

Received Sunday, 7.50 p.in. CAPE TOWN,. July *9. The All Blacks have come right. Gontinuing the improvement which maiiifested' itself in their last match, they became* the first side to defeat Western Province t'or 25 yeai's in an internatiofial fixture, when winniiig at Newlands today by two unconverted tries to a penalty goal. The result confounded the critics' and cam^ as a rude shock* to South African Rugby supporters on the eve'lf-.the^First Teit; : as tlie All Blacks were clearly much the superior side o-ti the day. . ; At the sanie time the result justified the feeling of confideuce: in the All Blacks' camp. ■ '* ■ 4,%

Tliough. there was-no inclination to overplay this optimism in vie'w of the serious nature of today 's game, the All Blacks knew definitely that they had mastered most of the prohlems which had heset them and were thus freer to exploit their natnral talents. Thus they revelled in today 's tussle, maintained their remarkahle record of having had their line crossed on three occasions only in 11 games, attacked with greater dash and purpOse and, with a little good fortune, could have finished the match 10 poinfs to the good. Conditions • were more to the Ali Blacks' liking than at any previous stage of tlie tour. Rain on the previous day had left the ground soft but still springy and the atmosphere was invigorating. Tliough there were light showers during the game, the weather generally was flne. The Rugby did not rise to the spectacular heiglits-expected except for one ' or two brilliant moves by the All Blac-ks for wlicrai- Elvidge was undoubtedly the outstanding personality. But the game had nia'ny flne qualities. , - Western Province Rugby falls more into the category of a competent all round class than the lively bustlin^ forward Rugby of the Transvaal and other teams. Consequently the match was ffee of much of the harassing destructive tactics by loose forwards which proved such a diffieult probleni for the All Blacks to master in the other matehes. The early stages were quiet with both teams giving the impression ot sizing each other up. Then came a long period of All Black mastery, the chief reason for which was the ability of the forwards to dominate the struggle for possession. Catley won 9 scrums to 5 and the New Zealanders won the lineouts hy 13 to 6. Oue scintillating passing movement saw Elvidge iend offj^wo opponents and send Henderson away. The winger sent inlield to AUen who passed out agair. to Henderson but the winger knoeked 011 a-.none too easy pass near the corner flag with the defence beaten. » iScott then liit the crossbar with a penalty shot at goal.