WALES SWALLOWS THE LEEK.

Shannon News, 2 December 1924, Page 3

WALES SWALLOWS THE LEEK.

ALL BLACKS BRILLIANT VICTORY. NINETEEN TO NIL. (Received Sunday, 7.6 p.m.) LONDON, December 29. / Before an enormous crowd the All Blacks to-day avenged the defeat of their predecessors by soundly, beating Wales in a gam4 in which they never gave their opponents a chance fi'om beginning to end. They kept up a / relentless pressure under which the Welsh defence crumbled, and, though once or twice the local men raised. ’ the hopes of the onlookers, At the bell they had- to leave the field beaten by 19 points to nil—not evpn a solitary score to offset the brilliant New Zealanders’ fine total. ' The weather at the start was bright after heavy rain, but the ground was on the soft side. The visitors had greatly beneiited by the week’s stay at Tenby Mill, where they had diligently practising scrum work in order to eradicate some of their weaknesses. Third Degree. Memorable scenes witnessed in the • historic encounter at Cardiff in 1906 were re-enacted at Swansea to-day, The greatest, crowd that ever packed - St. Helen’s ground sang with intensely patriotic fervour "Land of My Fathers” and .March of the Men of Harlech” in a manner of which only Wesh football enthusiasts are capable. No visiting team could remain altogether insensible to the influence of the peculiar atmosphere invariably ' associated with .an international match on Welsh soil. men experienced their full share of this intense Celtic emotionalism and it is generally recognised it affected in some measure their play that day. Greatest Ambition of Tour. " Nevertheless this new team * New Zealand entered the field with unshaken determination to avenge that defeat, and the rigid preparation they had undergone met with its reward and enabled them to .achieve the greatest ambition of the tour. The gates had to be closed long before the start and the attendance is estimated at 50,000.

Tile Conquering Heroes. New Zealand . fielded: —Full-back: G.Nepia; three-quarters; K. S. Svenson, A. E. Cooke, J. Steel'; fiveeighths: N. P. McGregor (2), M. F. Nicholls; Scrum-half: J. Mill; Winger: • J.. 1-L Parker; back row: J. Richard- . son (captain), F. L. Cupples; Supports: M. J. and ,C. J. Brownlie; lock: R. R. Masters; hookers: W. R. Irvine, Q. Donald.

The Scarlet Welshmen. The following players took the field in the scarlet jeftey of Wales: —Fullback: T. Johnson (Cardiff); three quarters: E. Finch (Llannelly); A. 'Stock (Newport), A. Jenkins (Newport), Rowe Harding (Swansea and Cambridge); outside halves: J. Wetter, captain (Newport), E. Williams (Neath); scrum-half: W. J. Dclahay (Cardiff): wing-forward: D. Hiddlestone . (Neath); forwards: S. Morris (Cross Keys), P. Marsden-Jones (Cardiff and London Welsh), Dai Parker

(Swansea), C. Pugh (Maesteg), J. Gore (Blaina), R. Randall (Aberavon), (All but Williams were old internationals). Referee. Major J. Brunton (Northumberland). Another Dispute. The Welsh team aroused immediate enthusiasm by answering ' the All Blacks’ war-cry with an improvised one of their own. There was some delay before the game began owing to a dispute over the ball, but finally Wales, having lost the toss, kicked-off against a slight breeze. Their forwards took up an aggresive attitude for the moment and resolutely dribbled into New Zealand territory, but it was only a flash in the pan. Nicholls Again First Scorer.

Some fine kicking by Cooke gained ground up the touch-line and transferred play close to the Welsh line. Here impetuosity by the local forwards got them into trouble for offside play. Several penalties were given against them and from one Nicholls had an easy chance at goal and Sent the ball across to the dismay of the crowd: — New Zealand . • s Wales 0 New Zealand had scored within fifteen minutes of kicking-off. Continuous Pressure on Welsh Line. The .All Blacks maintained continuous pressure and drove' their hardest at Wales’ line. Nicholls, who was playing brilliantly, was nearly across once, but the Welshmen were putting up a desperate defence and he was collared in time. On the Blacks came again—no breathing time was allowed. As.fast as one dash failed another was started, nor could the defenders, strive as they might, clear their quarters from this sustained pressure. , M. Brownlie’s Forceful Try.

There was no respite and at last it found a gap fifteen yards from the goal line. Maurice Brownlie secured the- ball, and, using all his strength, the burly Hawke’s Bay forward shook-off every opponent, forced his way through and crossed the line. Nicholls converted and with twentyfive minutes gone the score was: New Zealand 8 Wales 0

Welsh Skipper Injured. At this- stage, Wetter, Wales’ captain, temporarily retired Hurt and most unfortunately rain came on again. The wet ball, however, did not seem to affect the Alii Blacks so adversely as it had done in previous matches. Forwards Dominate Game.

It was evident they were keyed-up to such a pitch that nothing could dampen the ardour of their forwards, about capacity to stand up to the Welshmen doubts had been expressed by various critics. They were playing With such extraordinary dash and determination that they completely dominated the game. Irvine’s Try From Helter-Skelter.

Once .more they drove up to the Welsh line, there was a helter-skelter scramble with the slippery ball jumping here and there among the players’ feet and then Irvine from a welter of mingled jerseys was seen emerging with it in his arms and falling across the line. Nicholls only just failed to land a goal from this try and the first half ended: New Zealand 11 Wales 0 Hard Game Tides Tempers. Thus far the A\l Blacks had completely outplayed their opponents, They carried most of the scrums, they got much more of the ball from the line-outs and they had maintained a continuous • pressure which never slackened. The hard game had The effect of trying the tempers of several of the men on both sides, and' the referee considered it necessary to administer some mild warnings. Wales Launches Offensive.

After the interval Wetter re-appear-ed N but was stil limping badly. Upon resuming play the Welsh forwards, who had had time to regain breatth in the interval, began well as in the. first half. They raised the hopes of their suppo/ters. -who now were very crCstfallen indeed, by rushing- the ball to the other end and setting up an attack on the New Zealand line which lasted for quite a time. The defence was strongly tried, -but was equal to the occasion ahd remained unbroken, Nepia Repels Boarders. Nepia, with some magnificent kicks into touch, repeatedly • drove the invaders back and presently they had shot their bolt. ' Hard Luck For Cooke. Cooke) Steel and Parker, then joined ina magnificent passing rush which ended in the first-named crossing the line, but a try was disallowed. Both full-backs, Nepia and Johnson, here came into the limelight with some splendid fielding and kicking which aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators. Once more the Welshmen succeeded in pushing- their opponents back and the game was again in the New Zealanders’ quarters. Steel, Mill and Svenson Shine.

Spoiling tactics on both sides prevented much open play until Steel gathered in the ball at the centre and started one of his powerful runs. On the verge of crossing the line he was pushed into touch when a try looked certain. This was the prelude to a glorious passing rush by the All Blacks, which brought ..about a scrum in the corner. Here Mill cleverly worked the blind side, passing with judgment to Svenson and the latter got over. Nicholls’ kick failed. New Zealand 14 Wales 0

Both sides Avere noAV playing at high speed, pace at times being tremendous and Wales showing much improved combination among the backs. Rowe Harding v. Nepia. Roive Harding got one chance and ran through everyone till he reached Nepia, but the Maori was equal to the occasion and grassed his man with certainty. Irvine Scores in the Dark. The light was now beginning to fail and the final stages of the game were fought out in the gathering gloom.

Just on the call of time Irvine got the ball fit his feet and after a brilliant piece of dribbling scored again Avith a try right under thejaosts, Nicholls had no difficulty in converting and the game then ended: — New Zealand . 19 Wales 0 THE ONLY WAY. CRITICISM ANSWERED ON PLAYING FIELD. MASTERTON, -Last Night. In an intervieiv Avhon the result was announced ftlr. E. McKenzie, chairman of the All Blacks’- seelction committee, Avho yesterday predicted a good win for them said he told a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, before the players departed, that the criticism levelled at the team Avould be ansAvered on the playing fields at Home. It had been done and he felt sure that all the critics had now been silenced.