ALL BLACKS DEFEAT MIDLANDS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2796, 11 October 1924, Page 3

ALL BLACKS DEFEAT MIDLANDS

BY 40 POINTS TO 3.

London, October 8.

The All Blacks played North Midlands at Birmingham to-day, winning easily by 40 points to 3. The game was played on the famous Aston Villa soccer ground. The attendance was 18,000. The N.Z. team was as follows: —

Full-back: G. Nepia; three-quar-ters; K. S. Svenson, A. E. Cooke (centre). .T. Steel; five-eighths: C. E. O. Badeley (1), N. P. McGregor (2); half: W- C. Dailey; winger: J. IT. Parker; hack row: A. White, C. •T. Brownlie; supports: J. Richardson (captain), R. L. Stewart; lock: R. R, Masters; hookers: B. V. MeCleary, Q. Donald. After ten minutes’ stubborn attacking, Parker scored the New Zealanders’ first try and Nepia converted. N.Z. 5, North Midlands nil. Before the interval Parker scored again, and also Cooke and Donald, none being converted owing to faulty place kicking. N.Z. 14, North Midlands nil. Just before the interval, Nepia’s failure to force down rapidly enough enabled the Midlanders to score their only try amidst much applause. N.Z. 14, North Midlands 3. Half-time was called shortly afterwards. . After the interval the New Zealanders' superior weight, in the scrummages gave them the ball most of the time. The back division began numerous promising movements, but many were spoiled by knoek-ons, over lengthy kicking, and needless use of the tooch line. Parker was playing the best game on the whole groond, and added three more tries, C. Brownlie, Cooke and Stewart scoring one each. Nepia converted four. N.Z. 40, Non h Midlands 3. Midlands in the first part defended well, but the visitors’ fast heavy work wore them down completely. The Midland backs made frequent rallies but their passing movements failed for want, of speed, and owing to laboured passing. The most singular feature of the game was that, despite the visitors’ large score, the Midlanders attacked more persistently than any of their previous opponents. Badeley played indifferently and was shifted to wing three-quarter. Parker, owing to a minor leg injury, was forced to leave the field. His speed had carried him into almost every movement. Viewed critically, the. play lacked merit, and it is considered that the New Zealanders will need to graft more certitude on to their present haphazard style of play. J