THE SECOND TEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3822, 24 July 1928, Page 1

THE SECOND TEST.

WON BY ALL BLACKS. At Johannesburg on Saturday, 40,000 spectators witnessed the serond test match, which resulted in a victory for the All Blacks by seven points to six. Brownlie won the toss and Bennie Osier kicked off for South Africa who were playing with a strong sun in their eyes. „ From a scrum, one of Osier’s deadly line kicks put the Springboks on the attack. In the corner there was a series of determined scrums in which the All Blacks showed vast improvement. One of the backs attempted to clear the line with a kick into (ouch, but Brand took the ball and made a dangerous dash for the corner, where he was pushed out on the flag. A penalty against Devine for picking out of the scrum allowed Lindsay to find touch past the twenty-five line. The Springbok backs then started a beautiful passing movement from a scrum, at the end of which Brand centred accurately, hut van der Westhuizen knocked the ball on when he was under the posts. South Africa heeled the ball from the following scrum. The backs lost control and Hazlett, rushing through, cleared with a good kick. There was ominous hooting among the crowd when Tod was laid out temporarily, but details of the incident could not be seen from the press stand. Fierce battling among the forwards followed in midfield. The Springboks’ first points came a minute later when Mostert took a mark near half-way and dropped a great goal. 'Springboks 3 —All Blacks 0. The New Zealand backs started a concerted movement, Strang dropped his pass, Carleton clearing just in time. A penalty for lifting in the scrum was awarded the Springboks in the centre of the ground and New Zealand had a narrow escape for Brand got in a splendid drop kick which luckily for the All Blacks hit the posts. New Zealand cleared their quarters and from this onwards started to show their quality, the forwards at last, holding the Springboks in scrums. The South African backs, however, were also on their game. 1 Breaking clean through the New - Zealand three-quarter line, Van der Westhuizen made a brilliant run un- 1 til he was solidly grassed by Lind- * say. I The Springbok hacks made things -

merry with two more runs. In a third Strang let them through with a weak attempt at a tackle and only Lindsay’s safe collaring saved a dangerous position. There was a spell of terrific forward battling till from a scrum, Dailey sent his backs away in a sparkling movement, which went to South Africa’s twenty-five. Open but dangerous passing by the New Zealanders let the Springbok forwards clear. Back went the All Black forwards and they stormed the Springbok line for a time, but the defence was always sound and eventually a kick by Van Druten made ground for them. There was a spell of hard but ragged play which resulted in the Springboks being penalised for lifting in the scrum. Lindsay landed a great goal from the side line twenty-five yards out and equalised the scores, half time coming with play near midfield. All Blacks 3 Springboks 3. The opening of the second spell was characterised by three good line kicks by Osier, which put the Springboks in a handy position. Devine sent his backs away in a good movement and Brand kicked well down the line. In attempting to clear, Lindsay kicked the ball into the arms of Van Druten, who had ample time to take a pot at goal,

but failed with the kick which fell short. The New Zealand forwards then started to play up to something like the All Black standard, and their backs got moving in better style. First Strang, then Dailey, cut clear through the defence, but their passes went astray on both occasions. Slowly the Springbok forwards worked down field. A New Zealand forward was penalised for lying on the ball at the twenty-five yards line and Osier kicked a goal. Springboks G —All Blacks 3. In the fierce forward battle that raged on the New Zealand line a minute later, Hadley’s shoulder was badly injured but he kept on after receiving attention. A fine combined movement by

the New Zealand forwards and a splendid kick by Johnson put the Springboks in a desperate position, but when the New Zealand backs got moving Johnson spoilt it all by

a poor short kick which allowed Brand to drive the ball out at half way.

For taking.the ball out of the scrum Devine was penalised and Lindsay made a fine attempt at goal, only just missing. New Zealand was having all the better of play at this stage, their forwards packing with better effect. Several runs by the New Zealand backs looked dangerous, but the defence held good. Whipping the ball away from a scrum Dailey started his backs going again. When Strang got possession he took a quick snap for a goal, the hall sailing fairly between the posts. All Blacks 7—-Spring-boks G.

This reverse put the Springboks on their mettle and they started an effort to pull the game out of the fire. Abandoning their tight scrum theory they began to open up the game, the backs throwing the ball about in All Black style.

Tod in spite of an injury to his ankle made a great dash down the line and short punted over Lindsey’s head, but Carleton came aeross and secured the ball.

The effort petered out and the Springboks were obviously now a beaten side. Their backs lost their five and were merely running across lb Id, gaining no ground. The final whistle sounded with New Zealand s’ ill firmly on the attack. All B’aeki 7 —Springboks 6.