ALL BLACKS’ WALK-OVER.

Shannon News, 30 December 1924, Page 3

ALL BLACKS’ WALK-OVER.

LONDON COUNTIES BEATEN 28—3. BLACKS BOGGED BUT BRILLIANT. The 1924 New Zealand Rugby team lias leaclied the identical stag;e that predecessor did without deteat, the end oi the 27th. game and ..the eve of tlic last British international. On Saturday London Counties was beaten in a rotuiii game by the same margin as previously, 25 xioints. While the'English internationals foi the final Test wore withdrawn -from the London team it. is interesting to note that Hamilton-Wickes took the held. ;

Cyiil Brownlie scored three tries, the best " individual performance of ;iiny forward on the tour. ALL BLACKS BEST SIDID FIELDED COUNTIES LOSE ENGLISH ENGLISH INTERNATIONALS. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 27.

The All Blacks defeated London Counties in a second match, which was played at Blackheath,223,8 —3, the margin being the same as in the first game against the Londoners on November 11, when the score was 31 —-6. The Lo ndon team underwent many changes, only seven of the original selection taking the field. Practically all the internationals for the All England match on Saturday next, including R. L. Raymond (the ex-New South Welshman) were' withdrawn. Ten thousand spectators braved most atrocious weather. Heavy continuous rain fell, the ground .was waterlogged in places and the Londoner’s spotless whiteuniform soon took their opponent’s colour. i New Zealand’s Test Fifteen.

The New Zealand representatives for the London Counties game were: Full-back: ' G. Nepia; three-quar-ters: K. S. Svenson, A. E. Codke, J. Steel; five-eighths: N. P. McGregor (2), M. F. Nicholls(l); halves:. J. 11. Parker (outside), J. Mill (scrum); back-row: ,J. Richardson (capt), F. iL, Guppies; supports: M. J. and G. JBrownlie; lock: R. R. Masters; hookers: W. R. Irvine, Q. Donald. London Takes Offensive. The All Blacks kicked off against a strong, disconcerting, diagonal wind. The London forwards using their feet cleverly in the loose, established an "early footing in the New Zealander’s territory and for the first fifteen minutes the New Zealanders were mostly defending, ‘Nicholls, Cooke and Svenson most effective. Cooke Effectively Relieves Pressure. Then Cooke broke through in centre field and dribbled on to/the Londoner’s line, where Brownlie secured in the loose and dived across near the posts. Nicholls converted: New Zealand .............. 5 London 0 Despite numerous penalties against the All Blacks the Londoners were now allowed little respite. The New Zealand backs handled the greasy ball brilliantly and with certainty. Sensational Try. The next score was sensational; Hamilton-Wickes, profiting from a slip by Svenson, ran brilliantly right up to Nepia. His pass went astray and Nicholls gathered up .the ball, passing to M. Brownlie who ran forty yards before he transferred to Donald to score unopposed between the posts. Nicholls failed to convert. - ♦New' Zealand ... . . 8

London ........ 0 The Londoners were next to score. Steel, slipped and lost the ball which the Jlcet-footed Gibbs annexed and ran along the touchline to Nepia. He short-punted • past the full-back and scored in the cor'ner. The kick at goal failed: New Zealand . . ... 8 London ............. ..... * 3 Nepia Sets ’Em Sailing 1 . Immediately afterwards Nepia ran into position to set the All Blacks’ backs away and the ball went from Steel to M. Brownlie who forced his way across. Nicholls failed with the kick and half-time score was: New Zealand 11

Loudon V. 3 (Jyrii Brownlie Re-opens with a Brace • With assistance of the wind the . second spell the New Zealanders dominated the game to an even greater extent than hitherto and the ball was rarely out of the Londone’s twenty-five. Soon after resumption, Cooke tackled the Counties full-back in possession and Svenson, who was backing up, paved the way for C. -Browlalie to score. Nicholl’s kick hit the post, a'ad failed: New Zeateu^B....... 14 ' London 3 Within minutes C. Brownlie repeated-mis performance after a brilliant run by Svenson and Nicholls again failed to pilot the heavy slippery'ball between posts: New Zealand 17 London ... .. . ..... 3 Prom now on the New Zealanders took complete control of the game, giving a magnificent demonstration of wet-weather football. Three more tries Avere scored in quick succession. Parker rati across from a scrum near the line, Nepia just failing in a.great effort to convert, the ball striking the post: ' e New Zealand 20 London 3 Richardson avus the next scorer and his try was converted by Nicholls: New Zealand .'.. . 25 London 3 Irvine completed the New Zealander’s tally, crossing from a scramblo near the line. Nicholls failed: New .Zealand 28 London- 8 There were numerous other scoring chances which Avere nullified by uncertain handling. Nevertheless the , - .passing of the NeAv Zealand backs atul , • forwards alike reached a high standard of excellence,- completely demonarising .the opponents. Having regard to

the. conditions, which Avere the worst the tourists have yet experienced, it Avas an excellent game, pronouncedly in the NeAV Zealanders’ favour. Painting the Lilies. Their forwards were all brilliant, •with the BroAvnlies, Richardson, Ronald and Irvine most conspicuous. 'Svenson and Cooke were in magnificent form, Avliile Nicholls’ play demonstrated he has lost nothing in versatility by his enforced spell. Nepia tomary soundness. ft is interesting to note (hat the NeAv Zealanders’ eight tries Avere all scored by forAvards and that both the front-row men succeeded in crossing their opponents’ line. (The New Zealand team was identical with that which defeated Wales, and with the substitution of Cyril- Brownlie for White the forAvards Avere the same as those who took the field against Ireland. Undoubtedly the fifteen is that destined to play against England on Saturday next in the Test of the tour of Great Britain.)

TRIUMPHED OVER ALL HANDICAPS.

(Received Snuday 11.5 p.m) LONDON, December 28. The “Observer” says the All Blacks' victory exploded the old theory that wet conditions would hamper the New Zealanders’ attack. Long before half time, the visitors were covered with mud, and friend and foe were alike indistinguishable, yet the New Zealanders’ genius triumphed over all handicaps.