ALL BLACKS DEFEAT NEWPORT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2793, 4 October 1924, Page 3

ALL BLACKS DEFEAT NEWPORT

BY NARROW ArARGIN. Tlie New Zealanders won the sixth successive, game of t heir British tour on Thursday, when they defeated Newport, the famous Welsh club, by 13 points to 10. Tlie match aroused the keenest interest and a crowd of 35,000 had assembled an hour before tlie start. The weather was dull. The All Blacks —Full-back: G. Nopia; threequarters: 8. K. Svenson, IT. W. Brown, .J. Steel: fiveeiglitlis: A. E. Cooke (2), AL F. Nieholls (1); half: .1. Alill; winger: C. G. Porter (captain); hack row: A. White, A. IT. West; lock: R. R. Masters; supports: AI. J. and 0. J. Brownlie; hookers,: W. R. Irvine, Q. Donald.

Newport won the toss and early in the game initiated splendid cohesive movements, showing grim determination. The crowd was-huge-ly delighted and also surprised at the local players’ fine exhibition, The Welshmen easily secured possession of the ball from most of tlie scrams and were almost continuously hammering at the N.Z. line. The visitors’ kicking with the exception of Nepia, failed in direction and force.

After several attacks had been repulsed, Newport, drew first blood by erossng the All Blacks’ line amid tumultuous applause. Friend gained flic try and Wether converted. Newport 5, N.Z. nil. Close upon half-time rhe All Blacks came with a fine rush, started by Nicliolls and carried on by Cooke, who gave Brown an easy chance to run through unopposed. Tlie Taranaki man, however, mulled the pass and knocked the ball on. Play continued to he fast, open and spectacular, but, at half-time no further score bad been recorded. Immediately after resumption, C'ooke, after kicking the ball iti midfield, was seemingly foully charged by .Tones, the big, powerful centre three-quarter. Cooke appeared to lie badly hurt and was carried off, hut he returned later amidst cheering. Newport continued to gain Hie hall from the serums, and their hacks kept up the attack, but Nepia, who was called on to do a lot. of work, proved equal to the task. The All Blacks then had a look in and forcing' Newport back, ATill got over, Nieholls converting. Newport 5, N.Z. 5.

A penalty was given against a Welshman and Nicliolls kicked" a splendid goal from the touchline. N.Z. 8, Newport 5. Newport charged back, and following up in a loose rush, Andrews scored for them in a fine position, from which Baker easily obtained a goal. Newport 10, N.Z. 8. The New Zealanders, however, were not done with. They played up strongly and within a few minutes of time, Sven son made a wonderful run, evading all in bis way, and ended by dashing over the line. Nieholls converted with another fine kick, almost from the touchline, making the final score N.Z. 33, Newport 30. 'the All Blacks Urns won a great game. The Newport, forwards gave a splendid display and outpointed their opponents in the front line of tHe serum, hut outside Hie scrums the New Zealanders were faster and elevc-rer. Tlie Welsh club made the greatest showing against the All Blaeks yet witnessed. In finish, variety, skill, and initiative they exhibited form very much above the usual. The New Zealanders won golden opinions by their wonderful display of pluck, and,tenacity. They practically pulled the game out of the fire in Hie last, few minutes and aroused tremendous enthusiasm among the spectators. The game is considered the best seen for many years. The place kicking, which had been poor so far, was a feature of the game on this occasion, and it was really Nieholls’ kicking that saved the match for the All Blacks. The crowd made a demonstration against the referee for not ordering .Tones off the field, hut this was the only untoward incident in an otherwise splendid and thrilling exhibition of Rugby football by both sides.