THE ALL BLACKS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1929, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS

BEATEN BY 9 TO 8. Press Association). SYDNEY, July 7. For the first test football match yesterday, there was superb weather, with only a liiouvraie south-west breeze Mowing. The attendance was 40,(X)U. A splendid preceding inter-collegi-ate match whetted the crowd’s appetite for the big game. The N.S.W. Governor (Sir D. De Chair) and his suite were present, and both of the teams received ovations.

The Australians won the game bj nine points to eight. For Australia Gordon scored one try, while Lawton kicked two penalty goals. For New Zealand, Oliver scored one try, which Nepia converted, and Nepia also kicked a penalty goal. The All Blacks won the toss, and Lawton kicked off against the wind. Smart interception enabled Tuck to break right through, supported by Lilburne and Oliver, but finally the ball was lost almost under the posts, and Ross forced. Play immediately sharpened up, Australia pressing, and 'from, a penalty 35 yards out Lawton'goaled beautifully, making the scores: Australia 3, New Zealand 0.

The All Blacks responded with a great forward rush, when a penalty was awarded, but Nepia missed five goal. Another Australian passing movement was started by Towers, King and Ford, but it was checked, the All Blacks responding quickly with a thrilling back movement by Tuck, Oliver, Lilburriey Carleton and Waterman, who was pushed out dose up. The All Black forwards were playing exceptionally hard, and play was carried into Australian territory. From a penalty deep in the field, Nepia kicked a great goal, making the scores, New Zealand 3, Australia. 3. Continuing their pressure the central backs smartly broke through down the centre of the field, interchanging the ball, until finally Oliver dived through near the posts to scoe, lie being badly shaken owing to his heavy contact with; the ground. Nepia, kicked the goal, so that the figures were: New Zealand 8, Australia 8. Both sides were now playing an open game in fast spectacular fashion. Following the greens’ attack, from a penalty well out in front, Lawton kicked a goal in piagnificent fashion, and the scores read : Australia G, New Zealand 8. After thirty minutes play the greens were again attacking impressively, Geddes, Waterman and Nepia driving them back by fine defensive work, and well judged kicking, thus relieving the pressure. The next incident was when the N.S.W. ' Towers, was disabled and he retired. New Zealand was at this stage penalised, and Lawton kicked the ball, which hit the post, rebounding into the field. In continuance of the Australian attack, Lawton almost repeated his goaling exploit. The All Bricks were next awarded a penalty, but Nepia missed a long range kick. Towers was replaced by Thorpe. J ust. previously, E. Ford (N.S.W. wing) badly dropped two passes. The New Zealand defence was practically beaten when Tuck effected a great save by a brilliant” mark off the toes of his opponents from a terrific forward dribbling rush. The hrilf-time scores were': New Zealand 8, Australia 6.

The play up to this point had been very even, both sides alternately attacking in the most approved fashion, to the crowd’s delight. The; publir were enthusiastically cheering, an< this quite impartially. Lawton gave a most outstanding display on the Australian side, attacking with great dash and vigour. Upon the resumption of play Strihgfellow replaced Nepia, whose back had become troublesome as a result of the last game. The play opened auspiciously for New Zea land. Reside, by a long -pass, almost put Geddes over, but the greens rallied magnificently, and with a tremendous dash the bulky Ford, also Findlay, Cerutti and Brackenridge became extremely dangerous. Geddes 1 saved I>\ forcing down. The play went to midfield and it then raged at a tremendously fast pace between the opposing packs. Lawton gained great stretches by effective line kicking. . A penalty was awarded the All Blacks, but Lilburne missed the goal narrowly. Tuck then provided a sensation by a fort} yards run from the scrum, but the ball was forced out at the corner by Ross. Oliver was the next to become prominent with a dodging run, but Ross was equal to the occasion. Hitherto the greens had shown the most cohesive back work from both the scrums and the line-outs. The All Blacks’ bad play was lacking in sting. Then cam< the most sensational Australian movement of the day. In New Zealand s 25, Malcolm set the whole Australian rearguard on a great lateral passing rush, all of the backs handling the ball, and finally Gordon dashed over at the corner amidst tumultuous cheering. Lawton missed his kick at goal narrowly. The scores now stood Australia 9. New Zealand 8. Fully half an hour of the spell had passed, and the greens continued theii brilliant attacks. The play was territorially in New Zealand’s quarters and a desperte and effective defence alone saved the blacks, Stringfellow answering to the requirements we.l. The setback roused New Zealand and they commenced a fierce onslaught on the greens’ quarters, play waging in intensity. A brief bout of passing almost put Waterman over. The final s.ages of the game were mostly in the greens’ favour, the blacks’ backs adopting safe tactics. The general standard of play was better than in the first spell. The final scores were; Australia 9, New Zealand 8.