RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 151, 21 March 1919, Page 6

RUGBY

WALES V. ALL BLACKS.

The following account of the Wales r. All Blacks match, played on Boxing Day at Swansea, won by Wales by 3 points to nil, appeared in the London "Snorting Life":— "Anticipated with widespread interest in Rugby football circles, tho great match between. Wales and New Zealand at Swansea ended after a keen struegio in a victory foV tho Welshmen by a try to nothing. Splendid -weather favoured the game, which attracted 20,000 people. For a time the New Zealanders showed the finer form, but tho representatives of the Principality hold on gamely and asserting themselves afterwards snatched a narrow win. Early on, Wales went off in promising stylo, but Bacon was pulled up, aud Sellars cleared, The tackling proved too smart for much open play, but Fogarty onco dashed and was only pulled up near tho Welsh line. Roberta next showed prominently. Plummer eventually tackling him. .Next camo a fine ran by Tom Williams, who held on too long. Again tho New Zealanders pressed vigorously, only determined defence keeping them. out until Jerram broke away aud ran half the length of the held before he was brought down. A minute later Jerram narrowly missed scoring. "So big was the crowd that tho spectators encroached on the field, the referee having to appeal to them to keep thei l places. Again the Welshmen combined well, Beynon and Jerram bringing oil a capital piece of work and making an opening for l'lummer, who was forced into touch. Half-time arrived with neither side having scored. "Wales opened the second portion of the struggle, and a grand movement between Evan Davies, l'lummer, and Bacon ended in the last-named diving over the New Zealand lino right in t|ie corner. Again the referee before the place-kiM was taken had to appeal to the croud to keep off the field of play. \\ hen eventually taken the attempt ,io convert failed. On resinning the Welshmen kept the play 'repeatedly near ttmNew Zealand line, where many hard scrummages were fought out. M'Naught relieved the pressure on tho visitors Quarters, but when lie looked dangerous Jerram tackled him in great style. Soon Wales were holding the upper hand again, the play being still too keen tor much passing. The New Zealand forwards put in great efforts, and then Thomas before he could clear was held by Tureni. For tho moment Wales were ill danger, but tho side held out. and though Brown, Tureai. M'Naught. and Coekroft set up a brilliant attack the movement ended in a strong tackte lust a* an equalising 6core looked certain. "The New Zealanders made desperate efforts to draw level, and O'Brien, bv his accurate kicking, kept up the oressure. Storey next ran well. Beynon bringine him'down, and still the Welsh defence was maintained at high level. A penalty kick by Sellars foil short, and the end came witu Wales .still lcadim. a great match .throughout, the Welshmen rising to the occasion in magnificent fashion. Indeed, on the general run of the game Wales wero ilia stronger side and deserved their memorable victory." The teams wore as under:—Wales: Full-back, Dr. Gw.vn Thomas; threequarters,. 1?. Hummer. W. Davies, E. Davies, J. Bacon; half-backs, S. B. Beynon; forwards,- T. C. Lloyd. I. Goldriek, Huddlestone, T. Williams W. Jenkins, F. Parker, J. Jones, and M. New Zealand: Full-back, J- OBrien (Auckland); three-quarters, P. Storey (North Otago), Coekroft _ (Olago). R, Roberts (Taranaln); hvo-eishths. M'Naught and _ Tureai; Brown (Tarauaki); forwards, W. Hasell (Canterbury), T. Sellars (Aiicklaml). "Kanji" AVilson (Wellington). M" l ™* (Wellington), Bruce (Auckland), I'or.ai'iy end Jvissiek (Otago); wing forward. Jlur ray (Canterbury).