THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1924, Page 1

THE ALL BLACKS.

iDITBALUN AND N.Z. OADLZ ASSOCIATION. EAST MIDLANDS BEATEN. THREE TRIES BY STEEL. LONDON, December 6. The New Zealanders met East Aridhinds at Northampton to-day, and won easily hv ;51 points to 7. The All Black fifteen were: Ncpia. Lucas. Brown. Steel, AlcGregor, Coottc, Mill, Porter, Donald, Irvine. Richardson, Ahisters, C. Brownlie, Parker and Clippies. This was looked upon as a surprisingly strong side to put in the field seeing that no serious opposition was expected. The Alidlands men were drawn almost exclusively from the Bradford and Northampton Clubs, and contained a number of players who have done very well in local matches.

The match was played under the very he.st of conditions, the day being sunliv and calm, and the turf in splendid order. Fifteen thousand people wore

present. New Zealand lost the toss, and, with in a few minutes of Porter’s kick-off, first Steel and then Richardson were all hut across the Alidlands goal line. The visitors continued aggressive play, hut one momentary lapse on their part let their opponents in. to the huge delight of the crowd. It was promptly turned to account, and first blood fell to the home team.

A weak cross-kick gave Jones (the Alidlands half hack) his opportunity. Dashing in rapidly he got the hall tit his loe. dribbled it across, and touched down. Churchill (the full hack) took the kick hut his effort failed. Alidlands 3 All Blacks 0 This roused the home men, and some remarkable fast and keen play followed. The All Blacks, though much below form at this stage, mostly held the upper (land, hut the A Lidia lids made no mistakes in their tackling, which was deadly. For a time they gave their opponents some anxious moments. and once there was nearly a topefitioii of Jones’ feat. Towned, the koine live-eighth, intercepted a rather loose pass, anil before the All Blacks realised it. he was clear away. Townell ran the length of the field almost before lie was brought down. For a time tlie game was confined to the New Zealand quarters. The local men attacked so ,-trongly that the All Blacks i ad to set up a stern defence, hut, at last. Mill set his litre''-quarters moving, and the New Zemin dors romped down the I'u lit in a dangerous rush. Steel completing a vigorous offensive mov’inc'il with one of his characteristic fending rims, humping alt the tinklers oil, and scoring in the corner. AA ith a splendid kick. N'cpia turned it into a goal. New Zealand ” Midlands 3 The visiting forwards had now shaken themselves together and they took charge of the game. Richardson broke smartly away front a serum, mid passed to Brownlie, and Brownlie dived across fur a try. hut this lime Nepia’s kick failed. All Blacks S Alidlands 3

The All Backs continued to gain possessions. but their passing was so uncertain and ineffectual that they made no use of their advantage and the first spell ended without further score. Oil resuming, the home side attacked strongly, until 11 "f t licit' re.d vole nil', and the All Blacks had ‘.heir defence well tried while this spurt was on. AYhen it was over, the superior training of the visitors came into play ami they simply ran all over the Alidlamlef.s.

Cooke was the first to break away, hut lie -spoiled what looked a certain try l>v hanging on to the hall too long. Then (‘apples pul in a brilliant piece of dribbling, attended by Brownlie, who, at the finish, picked up the hall, and grounded it under the posts. Xepia had no dillietity in adding a goal. All Blacks B°> Alidlands d The All Black forwards (ontinued to use their feet with great effect in the open, and they kept the game in their opponents twenty-live. Here Hill sent a long pass to Brown, who look it at top speed, and Hashed across at the the corner. Once again, from this dif ficult angle. Xepia kicked a superb goal. All Blacks Id ■ Alidlands . -d The New Zealanders in this half were playing altogether more scientifically and methodically. Only occasionally did the Alidlanders get anywhere near the other end, but on one ol these (looting incursions, Jones managed to drop a "neat goal to cheer the drooping spirits of his side. All Blacks 1R Alidlands 7 Tu a few minutes the All Blacks wiped this score oil'. A pass from ATeCregor let Cooke in. and he ran over close to the pests. Xepia <onverting. All Blacks .../. Alidlands ‘ \fter further chances of scoring lad been nullified by forward passes and fumbling, Brown gave Steel a welljudged pass, and this enabled Steel to get over at the corner. Xepia all but scored a goal from the kick. All Blacks 2( l Alidlands ‘ Almost immediately Steel repeated; the performance and this time Xepia put a magnificent goal to his credit. All Blacks .Midlands ‘ The Alidlanders made valiant oliorts