ALMOST PRIMROSE PATH

NZ Truth, Issue 1183, 2 August 1928, Page 14

ALMOST PRIMROSE PATH

All Blacks' Victory In Last High AJtitude Match of Tour (By Cable. — Fi*om "N.Z. Truth's" Special ; Representative touring- with the Air Blacks.). r FHE All Blacks had a tight game against Free State whom they defeated by X 15 points to 11. There was a stage, early m the second half, when the fern-leaf men were left with only fourteen players on the field (Sheen having been taken off with an injured knee), when it seemed that the side was rattled, and, after Potgieter had actually put the homesters ahead with a penalty, it appeared more than likely that the tourists would suffer another defeat. . From a scrum m the Free Stater's twenty-five, however, Dalley effected a surprisingly smart clearance and Strang made a beautiful opening for Scrimshaw to score. Strang converted to put his team ahead and thus restore their balance. • From that stage, despite an amazing rally by the homesters m the final fifteen minutes, the result was never m doubt. Dalley again played a truly magnificent game, scoring a beautiful try by running round the scrum, and with Strang, was the outstanding unit of the back division. The latter more than ever , impresses with his clever inside play and to-day ,he played a big part indeed m the last two tries, handling surely and making some clever openings. _ > After. Sheen's injury, Lucas took his place at centre with distinction and his. interpassihg with Strang led to Scrimshaw's final try which made the issue safe. , ■ Johnson was not m his best form, his passing lacking snap, while Rushbrook proved weak m defence, twice being beaten by his opposing wing, Tromp, who got over the line early m the game, but lost possession and, finally scored the best try of the match with a dashing run. Scrimshaw proved the better of the All Blacks' wings and, m the second half, he was always nicely on hand to take passes and handled safely, running with resolution. Lilburne again proved that he is somewhat unfortunate m being overshadowed by Lindsay, but m this match he was cool and safe against persistent forward rushes, frequently running up and passing rrtovements. It is somewhat surprising that the tourists have not considered playina him m the Tests, thus relieving Lindsay for the centre position where he showed immense potentialities, as Carleton, though certainly a magnificent defender has proved unreliable m attack. The forwards had a stern task against the strong, rugged pack and were fully extended to hold them. . ; Swain, Maurice Brownlie, Ward and Alley were always m the van, while Snow gave an excellent display which indicated that he has been somewhat, unfortunate m not securing more games and proving that the tourists have ample reserves. -This match concluded the matches up country where the teams have been affected by the high altitude and rarified atmosphere, the remainder of the programme being played on the coast level. - Hadley, who sustained a torn muscle of the shoulder m the last Test, may not. be available for the third Test, but Burrows is now fit. Nicholls suffered a bruised shoulder at Pretoria and was unable to practise, whioh was, a great pity as the vice-captain showed evidence of striking his very best form. KEPT AT FULL STRENGTH THE North- Eastern Districts, drawn from the widely-scattered farming 1 country of the Cape border, proved weak opponents for the All Blacks at Burghersdorp yesterday. The New Zealanders triumphed 27 — 0. The tourists gave ,a bright, open display on a hard, picturesque ground under the shadow of a saddle-backed mountain. ■■'.": " North-Eastern Districts failed to take full advantage of a rugged pack, playing a loose forward game, with the result that there-was a weakening m their scrummaging power, and the All Blacks dominated m the fight for possession, keeping the backs continually attacking with a series of spectacular back movements Owing to the unexpected strength encountered m some matches, the tourists were consequently unable to take chances of resting too many Test players. Dalley was given a spell,' however, guarding against injury m view of important matches, including ih'eTests. ' • . i Strang, deputizing, gave "a creditable display, making some magnificent breaks, leading to several tries. 1 His service from the scrum suffered a comparison with the work of the other AM Black scrum workers and the defence was frequently able to smother movements near the scrum. Burrows, who has been on the injured .list since the second match of the tour, made a welcome re-appearance, proving successful as hooker and playing a most useful game m. the loose, his break from a line-out leading to Brownlie's try. ' • Nicholls suffered as a result of several hard tackles m the early stages. He did not impress as much as at' Pretoria, but kept his outside men continually moving, despite the smothering of the opposition, and effected a couple of brilliant breaks through. . ,