TEAM IN SCORING MOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 422, 2 August 1928, Page 1

TEAM IN SCORING MOOD

ALL BLACKS HAVE EASY WIN

PERFECT HANDLING BY THE BACKS

NORTH-EASTERN PLAYERS OVERWHELMED

(United I*.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) (Special to Press Association.) Becd. 10.15 a.m. BURGHERSDOKP, Wednesday. IN a game in which the All Blacks showed themselves in scoring mood, New Zealand beat North-Eastern Districts by three converted tries, two tries, and two penalty goals (27 points) to nil, before an attendance of 3,000 at Burghersdorp to-day.

The ground was sandy, with patches parched grass. The game was a comparatively tame .ffair but there were several sparkling n,Ments. especially tae scoring moveLeits of the All Blacks. The match “ained several interesting indents. so far as the New Zealanders “ e concerned. Burrows, fully reared from his damaged ribs, played ids third game. Alley was rested, Ward acting as lock in the scrums ,'apably. Strang played in the place ot Dally, and turned out to be an excellent substitute. early n.z. attack New Zealand went to the attack as soon as the whistle was blown, Strang eending the backs away from a scrum. Nicholls was caught with the ball, but Rushbrook raced across the field and opened up the play again. A pretty movement followed, Robilliard being tackled near the line. Off-side play by the Districts men m.ve the All Blacks a penalty, and Strang landed a line goal from well out New Zealand 3 North-Eastern Districts .. 0

The New Zealanders started throwing the ball about accurately, and the North-Easterners were kept busily defending. AN EARLY TRY Eight minutes from the start, the New Zealanders’ first try came. From > scrum, Stewart sent to Strang, Johnson, Nicholls, Lucas and Robildard handling in turn. The last-named finished the movement with a fine dash, and scored behind the posts. Strang goaled. New Zealand 8 North-Eastern Districts .. 0 With a succession of good linekicks, the North-Easterners put themselves on the attack. Their reign was a short one, for they were quickly driven back by the All Blacks. The latter were playing good football, pushing their opponents off the ball, and the backs were galloping in fine style, the handling being perfect. Another penalty came to New Zealand, from which Nicholls kicked a fine goal from 40 yards out. New Zealand 11 North-Eastern Districts .. 0 Van Heerden led the North-Eastern forwards in a good movement, which reached Lilburne before it was stopped. The North-Eastern backs iad a couple of attempts at passing rashes, but their handling was weak snd the opposing backs broke through. From a line-out on the 25, Burrows shot ont and passed to M. Brownlie, who scored an easy try under the Posts. Nicholls goaled. New Zealand 16 North-Eastern Districts .. 0 Play had hardly started when Strang worked the blind side. Johnson beat. Ms man and sent Rushbrook over near the posts. Nicholls just missed the goal Half-time New Zealand 19 North-Eastern Districts .. 0 A minute after resuming, Nicholls opened up the game from a clearing kick by Wakeford. The ball was handled by Snow, Stewart, Brownlie. Lucas and finally by Robilliard, who swerved over at the corner. Strang’s kick missed. New Zealand 22 North-Eastern Districts .. 0 There was only one side in the picture now. The All Blacks were dominkdhg the game fore and aft. Nicholls oott showed up in one of his characteristic dashes, cutting in, but his pass went astray. AFRICANS RALLY There was a fine rally by the Northastern forwards, which had the All blacks in a tangle. They stormed the ‘ Zealand citadel for a time, and eir backs had a run, but Nel dropped his pass. The New Zealand backs broke clear v ? Nicholls made a fine run of 40 an d then passed to Lucas, who uns PaSt th® fullback and scored her the poets, Strang converting. New Zealand 27 North-Eastern Districts 0 biir' 16 ew Zealand backs were coms run after run at this stage, sh„„ ns ’ J °hnson, Nicholls and Lucas showing splendid form. Stran 6Ver movement saw well s’ Jolmaon and Rushbrook go carrios >Wn t * le * ine - an d the forwards dribhr ° n witll a P rett y piece of throi rom a scrum, Strang cut hard - t0 sen d Stewart and Robilfiown a "[ ay ’ but the movement broke At t v! thin inches of the line, centm aIS stase the referee tool? exWarnoa thlking on the field, and W4r ned both sides. ,VAN ORDERED OFF b e^ ter ’ U a PPeared that Stewart had r eferA° r ? *- or answering the Nicholls and Brownlie over anc * *ke incident passed s «veral good runs by the All Black 1

backs had the North-Eastern men puzzled. Two of them only just missed ending in a score. Final New Zealand 27 North-Eastern Districts .. 0 It is now definitely known that Sheen will not play during the rest of the tour. Tie was limping on a walking stick to-day. Cyril Brownlie’s injury to a knee on Saturday turns out to be more serious than was at first thought, and it will probably be some weeks before he can play again.

STRANG SUCCESSFUL GOOD SUBSTITUTE FOR DALLEY WARD PLAYS LOCK Although no information has been sent of the strength of the North-East-ern Districts team, it has been assumed in New Zealand that it is not a very strong side. This is confirmed in the report of yesterday’s game. Those who were familiar with Strang's play at half-back had no doubts regarding his ability to relieve Dailey when necessary. It would appear that in this position yesterday he played an excellent game, but apparently he was not opposed by a strong pack, and this would make his task easier. It is also pleasing to note that Ward capably filled the lock position, and this will relieve the selectors of some anxiety regarding this position in the event of an iniury to Alley. In his position of “loose head” rover, Stewart evidently has not been on the best of terms with the referee. It was only to be expected that South African referees would not take too kindly to the innovation which provides a convenient hole in the deed of agreement aimed at curtailing the activities of the wing-forwards, but at the same time no good, either to Stewart or the team, can come from arguing with the man who has sole charge of the game. Fortunately the persuasive powers of Maurice Brownlie and Mark Nicholls prevailed, otherwise Stewart would have been a spectator for the remainder of the game. The game would provide the New Zealanders with a good run and an opportunity for adjusting and oiling up their scoring machine. It is more than likely that with the number of men on the injured list, now increased by the addition of Cyril Brownlie that the All Blacks will not et/.end themselves unduly in these minor games, and it is certainly wise for them not to do so.