ALL BLACKS DEFEATED

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3801, 5 June 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS DEFEATED

WESTERN PROVINCE WINS BY 7 POINTS TO 3.

Capo Town, June 2. The New Zealand Rugby team met one of the strongest sides they have to face outside the test matches when they played the Western Province Combined Town team today. After a game full of thrills New Zealand lost by 7 points to 3. Each side scored a try and the South Africans also potted a goal. The match took place on Rowlands Ground, which was in good condition. The attendance numbered 25,000. Losing the toss the visitors had to play against the wind in the first half and were kept on the defence most of the lime. Their backs showed much better form than in Wednesday’s game, and the forwards put more vim into their play and more system into tliier work, but still there was something miss-

ing. They were far from exhibiting the forceful and smashing play that characterised the trial matches in New Zealanl. On the other hand the side produced far better stopping power than in those|games. A big feature of the game was the rock-like defence against the great disadvantage of the wind. Tiie Western Province men’s strategy was to continually attack by a succession of clever, deadly and accurate line-kicks, which, under the rules as played in South Africa, dontinually forced the defenders back. In this department of the game Bennie Osier, whose name must have become well-known in New Zealand by the frequent references to his capabilities, and who may he called South Africa’s Cooke, stood out prominently. Notwithstanding the gruelling to

which they were subjected, the first seode came to the All Blacks. About three minutes before the end of the first half they started a desperate sortie. Backs and forwards carved their way trrough the defence and completely smashed their opponents. From a tangled knot of plunging men, Stewart shot the ball to Johnson, who cut-in brilliantly and passed to Scrimshaw. The wing forward crossed the line, but failed to touch down, and lost the ball. Nicholls,'however, had followed up closely, and in a long race got there first and secured the ball just at the corner. His kick at goal was not successful. New Zealand 3 Western Province 0 Immediately afterwards what should have been a certain try was lost through iCarleton dropping the final pass after a brilliant movement by the backs had made an opening. The first spell then ended with New Zealand in the lead. Straightway upon resuming, Western Province instituted a strong attack and forced their wayclose to the line. Thy re Ward made the unpardonable blunder of allowing a penalty by offside play almost under the goal-posts. However, fortunately for New Zealand, Osier’s kick hit an upright. A scrum followed five yards out, and in attempting to clear the ball was kicked into Rousseau’s hands, and he dropped a goal amid the. wild enthusiasm of the spectators. Western Province ........ 4 New Zealand 3

From. a line-out Dailey sent his backs away in their best movement of the day, which ended in Grenside being pushed out near the corner after a sparkling run. By this time, however, the spell was halfway through, and the All Blacks appeared to be done as the result either of their severe experience in the first- spell or of the peculiar qualities of the air, which affects strangers to it. These conditions are stated to be more pronounced on the higher land of the interior. Once again Western Province forced the pace, and, obtaining possession of the scrums, the backs were set at liberty to indulge in a series of brilliant rushes, though only one succeeded, Wlesthuizen, centre three-quarter, cut. in cleverly and passed to Pienaar; the latter started off in a shattering run, mowing down every tackier, and landed over the line at the corner. No goal was kicked. Lilburnc, the New Zealand full-back, was laid out in trying to stop Pienaar, but recovered after receiving attention. There was no further score, and the game ended: — Western Province 7 New Zealand , 3 The keynote to the African side’s success was that they beat the New Zealand forwards for possession in the scrum in the proportion of three to one.

Mr. Tlieo. Pienaar, who was captain of the Springbok team which toured New Zealand in 1921, made an excellent referee. SELWYN 17 v. FOXTON 0. Yesterday Selwyn Fourths (Wellington), journeyed to Foxton where they met the Foxton Thirds on the racecourse in the afternoon. The game resulted in a win for the visitors by 17 points to nil. The teams were as follows: —

Selwyn: Smith, iCroff, Russell, Aked, Williams, Wilkinson, Der-

bridge, Handeock, Jacobs, Green. Jane, Madson, Mitchell, Green, and Head. Emergencies: Jacobs. McGruer, Chamberlain, Scroggins. Fox ton: N. Huff, Anderson, Ball, Easton, Hartley, Dunn, Hirini, Taylor, Anderson, Smith, Newton, Hofmann, Moore, Baird, Nemth.

Foxton won the loss and elected to defend the southern end. The game opened fast. Hartley put in a good run and passing the ball out , to Newton a knock-on resulted. From the ensuing scrum Selwyn (green), got away but Dunn accounted for his man in good style and the hall went out in the Foxton 25. Green then pressed and a five yards scrum ensued in front of the posts. Green were penalised for “rabbiting,” and the free kick relieved Foxton who took play into their opponent’s 25. Ball showed out with a good run hut green, gaining possession brought play back to Foxton’s 25, and from a scuffle in front of thq posts Smith passed the ball back and G. Green, intercepting, planted the leather beneath the posts. Mitchell made no mistake with the kick and the scoring opened. Selwyn s—Foxton5 —Foxton nil. Green again attacked but Newton relieved with a good line kick. From the line-out Dunn set his backs going and took play up to the green 25. Green were soon on the offensive again, however, and Newton stemned the rush -with a mark. In a scramble near the Foxton line green were penalised for passing off the ground. Green, securing the ball, made a good passing rush dowuiield, which ended in C. Jane crossing for the visitors. Mitchell failed with the kick. Selwyn B—Foxton8 —Foxton nil. Green again attacked but were penalised for off-side play. From the kick the green pack brought the ball down field at their toe and offside play by Foxton gave them a shot at goal which failed. Selwyn were attacking again when half-time was called. From the opening green took play to Foxton’s 25 where the home team was penalised for picking the ball out of the serum. The resulting kick at goal from a difficult angle failed. Green were also penalised for “rabbiting” and Huff relieved with a good line kick. Playswung back to the Foxton territory when from a scrum Hartley broke through with the ball at his toe and took play into the opponent’s 25. Relief was momentory, however, and back play went to the Foxton 25, where Russell dropkicked a fine goal. Selwyn 1-/ Foxton nil. Foxton appeared to rally for a while and a lively five minutes ensued. A loose rush by green followed by a good passing rush, saw the visitors nearly score but a free kick relieved Foxton.. Green again took the ball back and were forced out in the corner. From a scrum, Hartley cleared nicely for Foxton. The ball got into the hands of the green backs, however, and Wilkinson crossed between the posts. His attempt at goal failed. Selwyn 17 —Foxton nil. Green kept up the attack until the call of time, no further score resulting. Mr. W. Neville ably refereed.

The visitors were met on arrival by the President (Mr. Hutchins), and members of the committee and entertained to a cup of tea. At the conclusion of the match both teams were entertained to dinner at Walls. Mr. 11. Hutchins welcomed the visitors on behalf of the Club and Mr. J. K. Hornblow in endorsing the President’s remarks, said it was a pleasure for the local Club to meet the Wellington visitors, and referred to the fine spirit in which the game had been played. He hoped that the local Club would be able to arrange a reLurn game at a future date. Mr. Churchill (Club Captain), returned thanks on behalf of the Selwyn team and considered the Foxton Thirds were capable, with a little more training, of giving any leaml of its grade “a good go.” The Selwyn team had enjoyed the game immensely and nothing would give them greater pleasure than to meet the Foxton team again at Wellington. With regard to the refereeing, Mr. Churchill said that from start to finish there had not been heard one dissentient note in regard to Mr. Neville’s refereeing. He was a Foxton man and yet he had been absolutely impartial and absolutely correct in his rulings. He only wished that they had him to referee matches in Wellington as no one who played under him coidd feel anything but pleased with his decisions. (Applause). Cheers were then given by both teams.

The visitors left on the return trip to Wellington at 6 p.m. The Selwyn team was accompanied by Mr. Churchill (Club Captain), and Br. Ballinger (coach).

At Wanganui yesterday Taranaki defeated Wanganui by 14 points to nil. Wanganui were outplayed both in the back and forward divisions. At Napier yesterday, Wairarapa defeated Hawke’s Bay by 11 points to 6. There will be a practice of the Juniors at the shed at 6.30 sharp this evening. Players are requested to bring togs and boots.