ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

AGAINST BORDER. (.Special to Press Association). EAST LONDON, Aug. 4. With an exhibition of true New Zealand football, the All Blacks heat the Border representative team by two converted tries, three tires, and one penalty goal, totalling 22 points; to one penalty goal, three points, at East London to-day. it was easily the best exhibition that the All Blacks have given on the tour, the forwards playing with fine combination, and file backs giving a dazzling display. Unfortunately the play degenerated somewhat in the second spell. There was some unsavoury “mixing” in the tight, and tli© referee, after warning the players of both sides, told Maurice Brownlie that if the rough play did.not stop, lie would order off the first man caught. Finlayson has the influenza. His (place on the N.Z. side was taken by McWilliams, Stewart going back to the sorum.

The Border rep team was as follows; Decordeur; Hoare, Dnffv, Southwood. Klemp, Cheshire Daniels, Tainton. Stutter, Jenkins, .1. Landman, H. Landman, Schnell, Seymour, and I’retorious.

There were ten thousand people present. The ground was one of tlio hest on which the All Blacks have played in South Africa, while the day was fine, with a grey, overcast sky. After an exchange oT kicks from the kick off, the New Zealand hacks opened out a movement, but they faltered. A run by the Border backs saw' Duffy dazzle the opposition with a brilliant run, which was stopped by Lindsay. Three clever kicks by Daniels put the Border on the attack, At the corner there were some fireworks among th forwards, but the New Zealand defence could not be penetrated. Then, securing the ball from a scrum at half way, away went the New Zealand backs 'Phe leather travelled out to Grenside, who put in a great run before liis path was blocked. Carleton came up for a pass, but be lost tlie ball when over the line. Scrimshaw and Decordeur had a race for it, but the New Zealander was beaten by a dive. There w ; as a. spell of fluctuating play in which the New Zealanders had the best of things. Then Lilburne cut in smartly, and sent the ball to Nicholls. who passed to Carleton, who raced over to score. Lindsay missed tlio kick. N.Z. 3; Border 0. The New Zealand forwards attacked from the restart, Strang then sending the backs away. The ball was handled by Lilburne and Nicholls, the lastnamed bewildering tlie defence with a nippy cut-in, to send Hazlett over. Nicholls missed tlie kick. N.Z. 6: Border 0.

The All Black backs started to give an exhibition of fine football at this stage, and they took play hack to the Border twenty-five, where Nicholls landed a goal from a. penalty. N.Z. 9; Border 0.

Then Nicholls engineered another brilliant movement from halfway. Cutting clean through the defence, he sent the ball back to Lilburne, and it went then to Strang, who raced over near the posts. Nicholls converted. N.Z. 14 ; Border 0.

A penalty kick came to the Border a minute later, Daniels kicking a good goal N.Z. 14; Border 3. 'Che next try came when Brownlie picked up the ball in the loose and ran in under the posts. Nicholls goalee!. N.Z. 19; Border 3. The All Blacks went to the attack again from the kick-off. Tlie forwards wheeled a scrum cleverly, and let Hazlett score his second try. Nicholls missed the goal. N.Z. 22: Border 3.

The final whistle went with the All Blacks still holding the upper hand. It was' a match full of spectacular play, particularly hv the New Zealanders. Time after time they moved up into perfect alignment, their clever attacks being a pretty puzzle for the Border backs. This game revealed the New Zealanders’ football at its best.

The biggest feature of the match was the fact that Mark Nicholls staged a spectacular comeback. It was his finest exhibition of tlie tour, and he gave a taste of bin own true form. All of the New Zealand backs played up to standard, Strang giving a useful display and Lilburne proved himself to bo a very effective first five-eighth. The three-quarter line was deadly both in attack and defence. Lindsay made his usual sound showing. Tlie forwards worked with beautiful combination, perhaps- tlie shining lights being Hazlett, McWilliams, Hore and Stewart.

The outstanding Border players were Duffy, Soutlnvood and Cheshire among the backs, and Taintoit, Stutter and Jenkins among the forwards.