FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3510, 13 July 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

AUSTRALIA DEFEATS ALL BLACKS.BY 20 TO 20.

A record crowd of forty thousand saw New South Wales defeat the All-Blacks in the first Test match in Australia, by 20 points to 20. ' Casualities amongst the members of the New Zealand team which had the effect of upsetting the combination, and continued oJlsidc play by Porter, were factors in the result. Sydney, July 10. New South Wales won tlie toss, playing from the north, with a slight wind and sun advantage. Following a penalty against the Blues, the All Blacks began to attack, and gained a good position, but the Blues defence proved sound. New South Wales then retniliated. Intercepting a loose pass by Porter, Bowers, crossed at the corner, but lost possession of the ball over tha line. An exchange of kicks between Nicholls and Ross left play in midfield. Off-side play by N.Z. gave Crossman a shot at goal, in which he failed. Following an electric run bv Elvey, the Blacks for the first time gained a position near the homo line, where, out of loose play, Nicholls attempted to drop a goal, Ross finding the line well down with the return kick. Out of a smart passing rush, Finlayson made a characteristic dash towards boss, who proved equal to the occasion, bringing down the Auckland giant in brilliant- fashion. Immediately afterwards, M. Brownlie, gaining possesion of the ball, ran well into position and transferred to Porter, who scored. Nicholls narrowly missed with the kick. N.Z. 3, N.S.W. 0.

Blues retaliated, and five minutes later, a smart passing rush saw Sheehan in possession. .He beautifully dummied his wav through, and scored under the posts, but Crossman made a lamentable "attempt to convert. N.Z. 3, N.S.W. 3. An off-side infringement in front of the" goal gave Nicholls an opportunity of adding three points to the Blacks score, in which he succeeded. N.Z. (>, N.S.W • 3. The Blues now developed a fine attractive passing rush, in which Bowers dashed over and scored, Ross making a good but unsuccessful attempt at goal. N.Z. 0. N.S.W. (i.

Porter was off-side twice in succession, on the second occasion, immediately in front of the where Ross kicked a goal, giving New South Wales the lead amid intense excitment., N.S.W. !), N.Z. fi.

The spell ended with the Blacks attacking. Immediately on the resumption, Porter was caught off-side running round the scrum, and Ross, from forty yards, placed a magnificent goal’. N.'S.W 1 . 12, N.Z. (i.

The Blacks now began attacking vigorously, but Ross marked on his own line and brought relief. Bowers made an opening for New South Wales. The ball passed to Tower, to Ford, then to Crossman, who scored in a good position, and Ross converte<|. N.S.W. .17, N.Z. (>.

Bad handling by the Black backs left the Blues in an attacking position, and from a forward rush, Ford dashed over, Ross failing to convert. N.S.W. 20, N.Z. (i. At this stage play was exhilarating. The Black forwards got away but Ross found the line past half way. The Blacks now made a titanic effort, hut a forward pass stopped their onward career. Another attack then followed,. Stewart forcing his way over at the corner. ■ Nicholls missed his kick. N.S.W. 20, N.Z. 9. After twenty minutes play, Elvey look Ihe hall into the Blues territory, where a penalty award enabled Nicholls to kick a goal. N.S.W. •20, N.Z. 12.

Much hard, willing 'forward play and close rucking ensued in midfield. Following a good New Zealand passing rush, Blake gained much ground. Ross and Dailey I hen exchanged kicks, t he ball going out in New Zealand quarters. New Zealand was adjudged offside round Ihe scrum, which gave Ross a Glance in midfield, and he succeeded in placing another goal with a magnificent kick. N.S.W. 23. N.Z. 12. '

Mjitli ten minutes to go, the Black

vanguard made great efforts to reirieve the situation. - A splendid individual effort by Lomas,'■and good foot, work, resulted in bis diving over the line and scoring at Hie corner. Nicholls failed to add the major points. N.S.W. 23, N.Z. 15. A. good effort by the Blacks in a renewed attach, resulted in C, Brownlie forcing bis way over and scoring, Nicholls succeeding with a, 'splendid kick. N.S.W. 23, X.Z. 20.

Play continued at a tremendous pace. Off-side play by Porter resulted in Ross kicking the ball out (dose to New Zealand's line. From I he line out, Meagher marked off a knock on, and kicked a brilliant goal, time being called a few minutes later. N.S.W. 2(5, N.Z. 20. JUNIOR. MATCH. SHANNON (3) v. AAYAHOU (0). The Awaliou —Shannon junior match took place on the local racecourse on Saturday and despite a cold easterly wind, attracted a large attendance. The game ended in a win for Shannon by three points (an unconverted try) to nil. The local team were late in talc-

ing the field and played for a short period with thirteen man. The game, though strenuous, lacked brilliance and was more or less confined to the forwards. A wall on (black) set off with an attacking movement which was returned by Shannon (red), Morgan and W. Gray following up fast compeled the locals to accept a force. Shortly after Chatman had a sliol at goal and Marks again forced. A forward rush by Pine transferred play to red territoy where a free kick stopped the onrush. The black full back instead of kicking attempted to run and got into difficulties until Short I saved with a line kick. A scramble in front of blacks goal ensued and Short, in attempting a kick to clear, sen! the bail into Robbie’s hands and he darted over and scored the easiest of tries. The shot at goal failed— Shannon 3 —Awaliou 0.

Pine was conspicuous in spoiling a red attack and finished up with a strong run, but the movement was spoil by faulty passing. Boyle & Co. of the black forward division swept down on the rods, but the letters’ defence was sure and on several occasions Short stopped the reds by timely finding the line. A dangerous attack by Shannon was spoilt by faulty handling and over-eagerness. Shannon kept blacks busy defending and 'if. Robbie broke away for the line, but was beautifully grassed by Pine. Awaliou accepted another force and the play went across field when half time sounded. Awaliou with a slight breeze in I heir favour set off for the red goal and with a forward rush and a passing movement among the backs invaded the red line where play hovered for a time but over-eagerness mi the part of the blacks spoilt a ■chance to score and reds cleared. Robbie marked just outside the half way and had a shot at goal lint failed, and Pine securing, led another attack in red territory, but McGregor was found wanting and reds rushed play to blacks’ territory, stopped by Short! with a line kick. Another black attack was saved by Robbie. Awaliou was not to lie denied and swept down again but a free kick gave reds relief. McGregor sent play back to red territory where the blacks tried hard to eoss, but could not beak through the red defence. The rest of the game consisted of forward rushes, with little advantage to either side. There was no further score, the game ending in the centre. Air. W. Neville efficiently don't roleld the game. FOURTH GRADE. The Shannon fourths defeated Foxton by !) points to 3 on Saturday. Tries for the winners were scored by Holden (2) and MeEwen. Ncwson scored for Foxton. The discrepancy between the teams was marked, the local boys appearing as midgets in comparison with Shannon, and they deserve credit for the plucky manner in which they stuck to their hefty opponents. Mr. Neville controlled the game. j FIXTURES, JULY 17th. j JUNIORS: Miranui v. Shannon at Miranui, 2.50 p.m. Wanderers v. Awaliou at Weraroa, 2.50 p.m. THIRDS. Miranui y. Weraroa at Weravoa, 1.30 p.in. Shannon v. Wanderers at Levin, 1.30 p.m. Otaki M.G. v. Kuku at Otaki M.C. 2.50 p.m. Otaki v. Southern U. at Otaki, 2.50 p.m. FOURTHS: ! Foxton D.H.S. v. Shannon at Foxton, 1.30 p.m. Levin D.IT.S. v. Foxton at Foxton 1.30 p.m.