ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

A DRAWN GAME.

(Special to Press Association)

KIMBERLEY,. July 7

After a fast open game, New Zealand drew with the Northern Provinces combined team at Kimberley. The display was not convincing, both sides making many mistakes. Snow replaced C. Brownlie, who, like In's brother, has contracted influenza.

The Northern Provinces team was:— Awerbusy, Licbenburg, Dobie, McCarthy, Todd, Francis, Fellows, Smith, Nyk'amp, Dewet, Potgieter, Kipling, Viss, Billing, Brand, Lodder. The game commenced with a forward scramble in midfield. The New Zealanders started to got the ball from the scrums, but the hacks efforts to score were fruitless. Sheen was sent away by Lucas from the ruck and made a great run, which nearly ended in a try, but the Aucklander was pushed out.at the corner. New Zealand then secured the hall from the line-out, but Todd intercepted Sheen’s pass to Lucas.

The Northern Province man made a line breakaway, side-stepped Lindsay, and scored under the posts. Potgieter goaled. Good work and a fine line kick by Lindsay put New Zealand in an attacking position. The Northerns were penalised for lifting in the scrum, and Lindsay landed a splendid goal. After the kickoff, away went the Northern forwards and backs in a spectacular passing movement.

Lindsay saved a likely try by a magnificent line kick from the goal line to half way. McGregor with another good kick put New Zealand on attack. A scrum was put down ten yards from the Northerns line, and Rushbrook went to five-eighths, taking Kilby’s pass, and shot through, beating the defence with a fend and swerve. Lindsay converted. Ragged play followed ; then both sides started to throw the ball about in good style. In a melee, Kilby’s ankle was badly hurt and lie bad to be taken off between two ambulance men. MpGregor played half-back and Stewart centre-three-quarter. For lifting in the scrum, New Zealand was penalised in its own twentyfive, and Francis kicked a good goal. Then came a long succession of scrums, with the Northerns attacking strongly. A mis-kiek by Lindsay gave the Northerns a great chance, but Nykamp was .pushed out at the corner flag, after a fine run. v

A minute later Fellows-Smith was penalised for taking the ball out of a scrum, Lindsay landing a great goal from forty yards out. A good thrust by the Northerns’ backs had New Zealand defending strongly. Gradually the All Blacks forwards cleared, and ragged play followed till half-time. Several runs by the \ Northerns backs, after play resumed, were smashed by a fine New Zealand defence. A minute later . Fellows-Smith sent his backs away by a clever blind side movement, and Dobie shot through and swerved past Lindsay to score a good try under the posts. Francis converted. There was great excitement among the crowd of eight thousand spectators as the Northerns started a hot attack again, but a fine cut-in by Nicholls sent Ward away down the line, with Lucas in attendance. Ward held on too long, and a certain try was missed. In a forward struggle, Brand had a rib broken and was carried off. Taking a high punt in his stride Lindsay sent Stewart away, and Rushbrook took his pass at half way, and with a great run, in which he beat six men, scored a magnificent try. Lindsay missed the kick. McWilliams beaded a fine dribbling rush to the Northerns line, and Northerns, in attempting to clear, kicked in to Lindsay’s hands, the full-back potting a great goal from forty yards out.

After several scrums, the ball went along the line of Northern backs to Todd, who had a clear run over the line. Francis converted, making the total 18 all. Throwing the ball about in sensational style, the New Zealanders made things merry. Nicholls broke away with a dummy and a fine cut in, hut tlie movement broke down when Stewart was tackled with the ball.

There were a few thrilling incidents by both sides, sound defence saving larger scores.

The game ended with tlie scores 18