THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1924, Page 2

THE ALL BLACKS.

LONDON COUNTIES REATEN. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, December 27. The All Blacks’ team to play London Combined: Nepia, Svenson. (’(Kike, Steel, Nicliolls. McGregor. Parker, Mill, Irvine, Donald, .Hastens, Brownlies (2), Clippies and Richardson. LONDON. December 27. The All Blacks defeated _J.omloii Counties in their second match, which was played at Bhickhoath, by 28 points to 3. The margin (2-7 points) was the saim* as in their first game against the Londoners, when the score was 31 to G. The Imlidnn team underwent many changes, only seven.of the original selection taking the field. Practically all the Internationals for the match on Saturday next including Raymond (N.S.W.) were withdrawn. Ten thousand s|lectatars braved most atrocious weather, there being a heavy continuous rainfall and the ground was waterlogged in places. The l-ondoii-ers had spotless white uniforms, which soon took their opponents’ colour.

The New Zealanders kicked off against a strong, disconcerting diagonal wind. The London forwards using their feet cleverly in the lorse. established an early footing in tlie New Zealander's territory, and for the first fifteen minutes the All Blacks were mostly defending with Nicholls. Cooke and Svenson most effective. Then Cooke broke through in the centre of the field, and dribbled on to the Londoner's line, where C. Brownlie secured possession in the loose. He dived across the line near the posts. Nicholls converted. New Zealand 7 London 0

Despite numerous penalties against the All Blacks, they handled the greasy ball brilliantly, and. with certainly. The next score was sensational. Hamilton-Wickes. profiting from a slip by Svenson, ran brilliantly right up to Nepia. His pass went astray and Nicholls gathered up the hall. He passed lo M. Brownlie, who ran forty yards before passing to Donald, who secured an unopposed try between the posts. Nicholls failed to convert. N>*w Zealand 8 London 0 'l'he Londoners were the next in score. Steel slipped and lost the ball, which the fieet-footed Gibbs annexed, and then ran along the toudi-line fo Nepia. lie short punted past the Now Zealand full hack, and scored ill the corner. The kick at goal tailed. New Zealand 8 London 3 Immediately afterwards. Nepia ran into position to send the All Blacks hacks away and the hall went from Steel to M. Brownlie, who forced his way across. Nicholls tailed with the kick, and the half time score was New Zealand H London With the assistance of the wind in the second spell, the New Zealanders dominated the game to an even greater extent than hitherto. The ball was rarely out of the Londoners’ twentyfive. ’ Soon after resumption. Cooke tackled the Counties full hack in possession, mid Svenson who was backing up, paved the way for C. Brownlie to score. Nicholls’ kick hit the post and rebounded and failed. New Zealand * London * Within a few minutes. C. Brownlie repeated his performance after a brilliant run hv Svenson, but Nicholls again failed'to pilot the heavy slippery ball between the posts. New Zealand ‘ . London From now on, the New Zealanders took complete control of the game, giving a magnificent demonstration or wet weather football. Three more tries were scored in quick siicicssion. Parker ran across from a scrum near the line. Nepia just failing in his effort to convert, the bull striking the !" -INew Zealand - 11 Loudon • Richardson was the next scorer, and his try was converted liv Nicholls. New Zealand Loudon Irvine completed the New Zealanders’ tally, crossing from a scramble near the line, but Nicliolls failed to convert. New Zealand 28 London *^ There were numerous other scoring chaiucs, which were nullified by uii'.ertain handling. Nevertheless, the passing of the hacks and the forwards alike reached a high standard of exiellence. completely demoralising their opponents. Having regard to the conditions, which were the worst that the tourists have ever experienied, it was an excellent game pronouncedly in tin New Zealander’s favour.

The New Zealand forwards were all brilliant, with the Brownlies. Richardson. Donald and Irvine the most conspicuous. Svonson and Cooke wore in magnificent form, and Nieholls’ play demonstrated that he has lost nothing in versatility by his enforced spell. Xepia performed a very easy task with his customary soundness. It is interesting to note that tlu- New Zealanders' eight tries wore all scored by the forwards, and that hath the front row men succeeded in crossing then opponents’ line. THE TI’.AAf WELL. LONDON, December 27. After the London match the All Blacks return to Deal to complete their preparations for their international game next Saturday. r The All 81-uks are in excellent H'tt|., ~xM . .,t Stewart, who has been sufefr'ing from a slight attack of qainsoy. The team have received shoals of messages from New Zealanders wishing them success.