SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1919, Page 9

SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS.

SOUTH AFRICAN TdUB. FIRST NEW ZEALAND WIN. I'lelermnrltzburg, July 29. The New Zealand military football team had a very emtio...astie reception when they arrived at Capetown In the ex-German liner Op Polonlo. The team was met by the Aclsi,,Prime Minister, Mr 1-'. S. Mnlnn, the Mayor of Capetown, and other local notabilities The team comprises the following players:— Sergeant'.Major ,1. (i. O'Brien, Lieutenant E King Lieutenant G. J. McNaugh:, Stan'-Ser-ge.mt 3'. 1) Storey, Sergnnt E Ryan, Sergeant W. A. Ford, Sergeant .1. Stolir. StairSergeant C. Brown (captain), Sergeant 11 Sandman, Sergeant A 1* Singe, Staff-Ser-goant-Mnj'or .1 Ryan (vlce-capttiln), Sergeant W. It. ¥e&, Sergeant W It. Roberts, Sergea.it W L Henry, Staff-Sergeant H. fl. Whitllng. ton, StaG-Sergeant It. Fogarty, Staff-Sergeant >! J Naylor, Starr-riafsennt E. L ,1 Cockcroft, Staff-Sergeant K W. Bazell, Sergeant S i. Stanton, Sergeant E A. Bellis, Lieutenant ,1. K Moffatt, Sergeant A Lucas, Sergeant A. II West, Sergeant A Gilchrist, Sergeant M, Cain, Sergeant J. A Bruce, Sergeant J. Kissick I.'eutemuit R. W Baumgari is manager, and the assistant manager'ln Lieutenant E. King. Twelve thousand people witnessed the first match of the New Zealandcrs, which was played on the Newlands ground against a country team, on Thursday, July, 24, in glorious weather. The day was made a full holiday, and the arrival in the morning of General Botha, from England, ma/le it quite a gala day The New Xealanders left out O'Brien at back, owing to on Injury at practice, and Stolir replaced him. The teams were:— New Zealand —Fullback, Stohr; three-quar-ters, Storey, Ityan and Ford; five-eighths, tea and lioberts: half-backs. Brown and Singe; forwards, Cain, Hazell, Naylor, Moffatt, Bruce, Cllchrlst and Bellis. Country.—Fullback, Metcalfe; three-quarters, Malum, Smlt, Bester, and Muller; halfbacks, l'eet and Sprung; forwards, I'lenaar, Ackerman, Smuts, Wlieejier, Brumlleid, Vojrsfeld, Hoffman and Rwnrt,. Storey and Ryan soon placed tho "All Blacks" In the ascendant, and Stohr. in some wonderful kicking, almost succeeded In dropping a goal from the touch-line at half-way The Country forwards made'an excellent impression, and held the visitors until Brown scored a Hue try, and Stohr eonrerted. S'me warm play in the Country twenty-five ended hi Roberts placing another try for New Zealand, but Stohr did not convert this time. At half, lime the Antipodean* led by 8 points to nil. Metcalfe did some fine work at the resumption, and the visitors' goal was twice dangerously threatened One penalty kick failed, bill a second, taken by Metcalfe, was converted amidst great cheering. After a temporary lapse, a great rush on the New Zealandcrs' line saw Versefld score a great try. The kick, which was from n difficult angle, failed. Storey and Stohr stopped another raid In rare style, and the finish showed the score to betNew Zealandcrs S points; Country, 6 points. The grand display of the "All Blacks" forwards Impressed the critics very much They were much less dashing in the second half than' In the first, no doubt owing to want of condition, THE SECOND MATCH. A DRAWN GAME. Never has tho historic Newlands ground been so densely crowded as on Saturday, July 20, when the New Zealand military touring team met Capetown. Tho spectators numbered over 15,000, and among them was the Trlmo Minister, General Botha. The teams, were : New Zealand— Fullback, Henry; threequartcrs, W. Ford, E. Ryan and Storey; flveelghlhs, J. Ryan and Roberts; halfbacks, Foa and Singe; forwards, Cain, Hnssell. West, Lieutenant Moffatt, Kissick, Fogarty and Bellis, Capetown.—Fullback, Gerald Morkcl; threequarters, Steytler, Botha, Bosnian and Besthier; five-eighths, Immelman and Marchland; halfbacks, K. Morkel and T. Boos; forwards, F. Brink, R. Morkel, A. Morkel, Hulbnch and D<' J )tr. 1 Sxctptlooal latereit bad been aroused In tn*

Visiting team on account of their special formation Dull and calm weather wa3 conducive -'to fast football. The noted Stellenborh player, were not included In the local side, though against pop.i . r feeling The New Zealandcrs were hnnd!< ..jiped not only by the arseneo of their enp'ain, Sliiff-Sei'scant C Brown, through injurle., received In the opeiiing game. Imt by the absence of O'Brien and Stohr, for the same cause. Immchnon, tl:c. South African half, captained the city side The general anticipation was that the All ni:'i'::< would wlc by a small margin. Tht game was played at a remarkably rapid pace, and was noticeable for the inactivity of the backs except for defence A strenuous, and for the most part fierce, battle resulted In honors e.cn, much to the gratlftciit'nn of the crowd The score was ono try tv -h. SUIT niiillleld scrimmages marked tho opening of the uoiuo . Storey got away, hut was splendidly held a third time. The veteran ityan, dodging round the scrum, gave to tho Hying wing, who, though tackled by Morkel, jot over and within Ave minutes scored the first try for the visitors The kick did not materialise After a spell of quiot play tho Capetown men were steadily driven back, despite superb tackling by It Morltel The New Zealandcrs, with a grand forward attack, rushed the Town line and almost scored. There was no addition to the score at. half-time The visitors' backs were disappointing* and contrasted weakly with the brilliant, forwards Willi a seemingly irresistible rush the New Zealunders opened the second half, and. though falling to score, obtained an advantageous position. Followiu;, -i;i a kick by G Morkftl, tho Capetown forwards annexed, for the first time In the second half, a. position Jn tho All Black's territory But almost Immediately the superb New Zealand forwards snatched the ball and had 1: at the other end In a flash. I'asslng breaking down, .they kicked repeatedly to touch. Bestbier then dribbled down tho touch line and almost sjored Two scrums were formed on the New Zenlanders' lines, and then the local hacks, for u chance, obtained 'ie ball. The 'Springbok" skipper passed out and Botha got through the defence with a splendid try near the posts Bosnian missed the kick, and n minute later missed dropping a goal from 30 yards out. The crowd was becoming more and more excited, and, in sympathy, the res! of the play was of a highly hectic hue Amid wild cheering the mosc-koenly-Jought game ever witnessed at Newlands resulted In a draw—oi.e. try all. The opinion Is held that, so far at any rate, the New Zealand scrum formation has not. proved particularly effective against the stiff pushing tactics of tho Cape forwards. But the magnificent forward division of the visitors has compelled admiration. They are training mi quickly, and their play In the loose is regarded in the light of a revelation. In this match, though held In the scrum, they were invincible nt the lines and In the loose The backs played a comparatively minor part in tho game.