ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

PRETORIA DEFEATED. BY 13 TO 6. SOME BRILLIANT PLAY. ' (Special to Press Association). (Received this day at 9.30 a.m'). PRETORIA, July 25. Overwhelmed in the first spell by tlie New Zealand backs and forwards, Pretoria came to light with a complete reversal of form in the second half in the match played at Pretoria to-day. The displa3 r of the All Blacks in the first spell, when they dominated the scrums was brilliant and the best exhibition of the tour.

In the second spell, the New Zealand forwards slackened up and the game deteriorated. The New Zealanders should have won by more than VS to 6.

A large crowd watched the match which was played on a. parched turf ground. Sir William Solomon was introduced to the New Zealand team, who delighted the crowd with their famous liaka.

The match opened with a passing rush from a line-out, by Pretoria backs, but the movement broke down among the three-quarters, the New Zealand forwards, led by C. Brownlie, breaking through. Dailey whipped the ball away from the ruck on the blind side to Grenside, who raced down the touchline with a shattering swerving run, and scored far out. Lindsay’s kick just missed. 3—o. From a line-out following the kickoff Chapman sent Pretoria, backs away. Kotze punted beautifully and the backs kicked over the line, and in a race for the ball Kotze beat Lindsay and scored. The kick at goal missed. The New Zealanders were on their toes to-day, throwing the ball about in the open in telling fashion, and making the game fast and open, while their backs combined in pretty movements.

Swain next started a dribbling rush from a line-out. McWilliams got over. Lindsay goaled. ‘ N.Z. 8: PRETORIA 3.

A succession of runs by the New Zealand backs had Pretoria puzzled, but their tackling was sound and they managed to keep the attackers at bay. In attempting to clear, Gush, the full back, miskicked into the hands of Grenside, who passed to Swain and the forward scored an easy try under the posts. Lindsay converted. Kotze and Liebenborg had the crowd on their feet with a beautiful in and out movement down the line. Liebenberg kicked past Lindsay and the position looked dangerous, but Carle-

ton came hard across and saved. Away

went the New Zealand forwards again in a fast attack, with McWilliams, Hore and Swain in the load. They combined in several interesting movements before half-time and were twice

almost over, but Pretoria forwards led by Kruger, Vandruten and Nyknrnp eventually worked play down the field. Half-time score*: ALL BLACKS 13: PRETORIA 3. From the kick-off in the second spell, Pretoria backs got going in a passing rush but Dolue stumbled and Lindsay cleared with a great kick past half way. Play was more even than in the

first spell, the local forwards holding

their own. The set about their big task of rceoverery with a vengeance but the All Blacks defence, as usual, was sound. The New Zealand forwards then got moving again. McWilliams and Swain went racing down the lino in a brilliant in and out passing rush from a line-out, but a forward pass at a,critical moment spoiled a moral try. Pretoria backs gained a lot of ground with a clever passing movement from a scrum at , half-way and the forwards made a determined effort to get over, hammering away at the New Zealand lino for a few minutes till Ward shot out with the ball at his feet and went away on a beautiful solo effort. The Pretoria forwards next started a fine attack in which the backs joined. It was a pretty movement which ended in Geyser scoring at the corner. Gush missed the kick at goal. 6-—l3. Pretoria was getting the ball from the scrums at this stage and the backs threw the ball about in movements which were consistently smashed by the New Zealand backs.

There was a spell of scrappy play until New Zealand forwards started a. hot attack which went from half way to the corner where an infringement spoiled a royal chance. Pretoria cleared their quarters, shooting the bull away from the a scrum. Chapman started them away and Dobie sliort-punted, but Carleton and Lindsay between them pulled the side out of a dangerous position. The last few minutes of the game saw Pretoria making desperate efforts to win and the final whistle came with the New Zealand hacks still holding up a lively attack. j Final score:

ALL BLACKS 13: PRETORIA 6,

Winning the ball from scrums 19 to 8 in the first spell, the New Zealanders were all over Pretoria, hacks, showing excellent form. The only thing that saved a larger score was the line defence of the home side.

In the second spell they would not he recognised as the same players. The New Zealand forwards slackened up and Pretoria getting the same percentage of tho ball from the scrums as their opponents did in the first spell, their hacks were continuously on the attack, Dobie, Kotze and Chapman standing out. All tlieir efforts, however, were effectively and consistently spoiled. All the New Zealand hacks played a fine game, Nicliolls, Carleton and Dailey at times being brilliant. Grenside got more of the ball than Lucas but the Aucklander made the most of every chance. Lindsay’s kicking and defence were first class. McWilliams, Swain and Ward were easily the best of - fonvnrds. Kruger, Vawlruten, Nykamp and Geore were the outstanding Pretoria forwards. It was a fine triumph for the New Zealanders, for Pretoria was regarded as one of the hardest matches of the tour and was looked upon as a minor test. ,