SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3316, 21 October 1919, Page 6

SOLDI ER FOOTBALLERS.

THESOUTH AFRICAN TOUR. NAT‘.-LL. EASILY DEFEATED. t » 17 POINTS To 3. PIETERMARITZBURG, Aug. 29_ Before a. record crowd of 10,000 people the New Zealand Military team Vbeat Natal at Lord ’s, Durba,,n on WedEnesday, August 27, by 17 points to 3. The ivcather was all that could be de: sired and the turf, considering it was the end of the dry winter season, was good. The visitors had a, fine reception. M Association rather than Rugby has been the premier Natal. winter game, but the lattel'*"’will receive a. great fillip from the" New Zealanders’ i fine -exhibition. 1 The teams were:—— ‘

New Zealand. ——- Fullba_ck, J. Gr--o’Brien; threequarté'rs, L. Stohr, W, R. Roberts, and P. ;W. sforcy; fiveeighths, J. Ryan and W. -R. Fe-a; halves, Brown and H.‘P_ Sillghi 5501‘Wards,‘E. W. I-la-sell, S. R. Standen, J. A. Bruce, E. L_ Cockroft, A. Gilchrisf, R. Fogadty, and H. G: Whit:tington. Natal.——Full‘back, C. A. Bafrweu; three-qua:-s.ers',‘ s_ ‘Atkinson, H. C. De.-ms_.f-W. C. Zeller, and C‘. C. Allan; halfbacks. W. Clarkson, W. Townsend, and J. R. "Harding; forwards, L. B. Siedle (captain), A. P. Walker, H. W. Stockdale, J. McDonald, B. E_ Vandep jplank, W. Payn, and . Alexander. Referee: Mr S. A .Tov§vnscnd.

The New Zealanders were obviously the heavier and beiter trained of the two‘ sides. The-NeW.Zca}andel's were the £l-st to get going and with footwork carried play into the .Natal -half_ Townsend cleared. Thrice in succes~ sion the visitors rushed, but each time the home backs came to the rescue. Hasell obtained, and'with Bruce passing and repassing ensued. Then Ryan ‘came ‘in and threw out to Storef, w'fio scored the opening try‘ behind the posts, Stohr made no mistake in con-

v'el-ting. FOURTEEN POINTS IN FIRST ' HALF.

‘ O'Brien was tested, but his kicking and handling was sound, and play settled again in Natal’s half. Hasell was now prominent with dodging and breaking away, nearly got through. The “All Blacks’? had, obviously, “the ‘ game Well in hand, Fea making bril[giant runs; and nearly getting through. “.5 big Tush ‘was then launched, ibut _Zeller cleared and,“kicking to touch put Natal in 3. better position. But only for a brief while-. Roberts and ‘Storey, with quick passing, almost ‘penefr-ated.‘ but the reverse failed. Stohr, making an opening, saw Fogarty touch_ down on the corner. Stohr, '.h'owever,jfailed to convert. ~

After a fewiindividual attempts by the visitors to get through, but which ‘were held, Ryan and Brown got going, passing to Fea,_ who Very cleverly tourned the ball over to Storey. ‘ The latter jumped as the full back tackled ‘and. fell over the line. The kick failed; By good touch-kicking play was brought into the New Zealanders’ half. {lt was however, but a ‘temporary invasion, as Storey with a kick forward ‘rushed for the xball and scored a brilliant individual try after sprinting 50 yards. Natal were attacking in the twenty-five when the whistle blew for 'A?na.lf-time with the “All Blacks” 14

{points to 0_ IMPROVEMENT IN HOME SIDE’S PLASQ

The resumption saw a vigorous at—‘ tackv -by Natal, but support was lacking. This half saw as marked inlpl'o\'ement in the play of Natal. The New Zealanders tried to’ open up the game,but the Natal kicking and rushing ‘broke down the ‘defence. M Stohr and o’Bl-ien falling together, Siedle and Harding rushed for the ball and had real hard luck in not scoring. The combination of the visitors was perfect, ‘and their threequal'tel's movtements seemed to dazzle ‘the local backs. The 110995 of the crowd .lollg subdued, rose at last as Walker. and Stockdale dashed down the field, carry‘ ing the game into the “All Blacks“ twenty-five. Many an opening, though was missedby the local backs. For quite five nlinlltes play prevailed in the visitors’ twenty-five, ‘but the defence was too strong. Bawell then ;fielded and dropped for goal, just missing the post. Soon afterwards the Natal threes passed along .the_ line. Allan being the final recipient, and crashed over. The kick failed. Natal kept up the aggressive and play at this ' stage was very fast. O'Brien was kept at it, but he rose. to the occasion. The "award of 'a penalty, raised the tinge. W‘l3a.rwell missing. '

H Ryan made an opening, soni‘. after passing to Storéy, who was fast away, then was tackled, and just failed to Vcross. But Fogarty was th..--fie and before a rally could be made he :~'3=‘.‘r:.'ed_ one minute befo_re time-. The match ended with the scdres at: . ‘ New Zealand_ Natal ... . .