ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

WIN against orange free STATE. lAIPROVED TEA At AVORK. (Special to Press Association). ilteeeived this day at 9.0 a.m.) KROONSTAD, June 13. The All Blacks playing the best allround football of the tour so far, beat Orange Free State by four converted tries to nil at Kroonstad to-day. The local side was supposed to be country clubs, but liad been considerably’ strengthened. The team was given an ovation on leaving the field. The game was played on a dirt ground, which had been furrowed ten days previously and watered before the match.

The attendance numbered five thousand. It was a beautiful day and not a breath of wind.

AVithin two minutes of the start New Zealand forwards bustled their opponents and there was a line-out near the latter’s line and from loose play that followed, Dailey dived over at the corner and Lindsay converted wiw a very fine kick.

The play then travelled up and down the field twice, the New Zealanders having easily the best of tilings. At this stage the ball was heeled out from the scrum, and Dailey sent his backs away, AlcGregor, Strang Lindsay and Grenside handling in turn. The last-named finally ran over and Lindsay converted. At half-way Grenside again got possession and set sail for the line, with Lindsay and Strang on the inside, they took the ball in turn and Strang raced behind the posts. Lindsay again converted.

It was an easy’ matter for the New Zealanders now. The forwards were dribbling well and the backs opening out in pretty movements. When halftime came the All Blacks were still hot on attack.

The Free State started the' second spell with a great effort to retrieve the position. The forwards played with more dash and started to get possession from tlie scrums. The bajeks were given every chance hut mulled their passes badly. New Zealand was defending for about ten minutes, Free State forwards storming their line and rallying in fine style. AA’licn this burst had spent its force the New Zealand forwards carried all before them and drove their opponents to their twenty-five. The hot offensive was kept up the backs throwing the ball about in a telling style, but the defence was strong and their movements just failed to get home. Again, the Free State with a fine combined movement carried the play to the All Blacks line. By sound work Strang and Dailey cleared, and with brilliant forward movement led by Brownlie, AlcAA 7 illiams, Swain, and Alley, New Zealand swept down the field. From a scrum in the State’s twenty-five, Dailey sent Strang away. The five-eighths cut in and scored a fine try under the posts which Lindsay had no trouble in converting. Lilburne now changed places with Lindsay, and the next passing movement saw Grenside thrown out at the corner.

Play hovered in the Free State s twenty-five or a time, the New Zealand backs puzzling their opponents by a series of quick thrusts. Hie State made one more praiseworthy but ineffective cflort anil the game ended with tlie All Blacks still going strong. Tlie latter gave easily the best display during tlie tour. The forwards put more weight into the scrums and obtained possession. Tlie scrum woik was a big improvement on Saturday’s exhibition. In the line-out New Zealand dominated the play, the pack exhibiting better combination and understanding. Brownlie, AlcAVilliiuns and Swain stood out and Alley was invaluable in line-outs.

The backs from the start combined well, Dailey feeding them generously. Although McGregor received a nasty injury to is hack early, ho was valuable in attacking movements. Strang, who played' first five-eighths when McGregor was hurt, showed excellent football, varying his play nicely. The three-quarters were in good form, the pace being too much for their opponents.

The team is delighted with the reversal of form, hut realised fully that were meeting weak opponents. It is now certain they will keep 2-3-2 formation in the scrum.

WELLINGTON, June 13

Air Hornig, manager of the All Blacks, has cabled to Air Coates stating his message was much appreciated bv the team, and adds: “We hope to show our true form soon. We are not downhearted.—(Signed) Hornig.”

New shipments just opened from London to-day of ladies’ water-proof rubber coats with hats to match, fancy snake and lizard designs: Coats 15s Gd, lints to match 6s 9d. Fancy designs with piped edges: Coats 22s Gd, hats to match 8s Gd. Coloured art silk coats 22s Gd, hats to match 8s Gd. Fancy pattern" art silk coats 28s 6d, hats to match 10s Gd. See our window display.—AleKay’s.—Advt.