FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1919, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

DOMINION v. FREE STATI j WIN BY 10 POINTS TO 5. GOOD AND PAST GAME. _. „ Pletermarltztrarg, Aug. 8. The New Zealandcrs' fifth match In South Africa was pir.yed at Bloemfontein yesterday against the Free State, The local team has play a good fame throughout this season, and with loyal public support Rugby is booming at present in tho Orange Free Slalo. The Ramblers' Ground at Bloemfontein Is bare of grass, and the visitors had their first experience In South Africa of a real hard field. Tho learns were : Now Zealand: J. (I. O'Brien, Storey, Roberts Ford, J. ltyan, McNaught, Henry, Sandman Singe, Hazell, West, Bellls, Bruce, Stanton, Ivisslck, and Fogarly Free State: Ment'z, McFlurdy P. Dixon Osterloh, Serfonteln. Human, Chalkwvk, A. M Horak, Kohner, A. J. Horak, It. Wall Hattingh, Kriek, Manmokcrk, Hugo. Tho All Black received a great welcome The sun, shining across the ground, cave no advantage to either side. The opening was sensational. The home team tried passing, ltyan, Intercepting, went through, and a rush led almost to a score, Mentz saving. The local team then replied, floral; leading the pack, and a dangerous movement was spoilt by a knock-on. Play settled In the military quarters. The heeling-out of the visitors was slow. Consequently their backs were overrun by Tree State, ami tho visiting side cleared with dilliculty. The home men were forcing a great, pace. footwork however enabled the All Blacks to rush' the free State lines, almost scoring. SENSATIONAL INCIDENT. The pace was apparently terrific, and plav ranged up and down the field, tho New Zealand forwards excelling, whilst 'the local backs were almost superior. play settled down in the Free State lines, and sound kicking kept every movement in cheek. iiraduallv the All Blacks were assuming control of tiic game Then Jlcllardy streaked through with a sixtyyard run, but was bundled into touch. Ryan threw out a brilliant long ball lo Ford, but Osterloh tackled in masterly fashion. the New Zealand forwards' attack had Its determination rewarded at last, when Sandman started a passing rush between Rvan. McNaught, Roberts, and Ford, and the lastnamed scored in the corner—the best try of the tour. Hazell failed with his kick at goal. Tho visitors kept up the pressure and West, leading the Ail Blacks notched another try at the corner. Ryan's kick struck the crossbar. Play resumed sensationally, as in loose play Dixon gathered and broke away ih brilliant style. The All Blacks were caught napping, and Serfonteln, taking a good pass from * beautiful movement, scored. Aleut?, converted, leaving tho visitors one point ahead. Then Roberts and Storey absolutely outplayed the Free Slate, and scored behind the posts. At tho Interval New Zealand led by 11 points to 5. Free State in tho second half adopted dose dribbling, and worked thoir way into the visitors' quarters, but were held. A smart rush by the visitors' forwards was followed bv Roberts attempting a drop for goal. Play settled in midfleld, and tackling was deadly. Tho game was of a close character for five minutes Then Sandman tried the open side, and Slate were attacked heavily. A lot of scrumming ensued •In the home quarters, but the backs cleared creditably time end lime again. Tho New Zealsnders essayed to open up, but McHurdy, seizing his chance, dribbled through, with '.he enemy in pursuit. In snapping up in front of Hie posts. Roberts caught him, and brought off a wonderful tackle. Unfortunately, Roberts' knee gave way, and he had to be carried of! the field. BRILLIANT PASSING RUSHES. Reduced to a pack of six. the misfortune of the visitors was taken advantage of by the Free State men, who forced the pace. The local backs ci.me into action, but four In turn were howled over by the unerring tackling of the New Zealandcrs, who were soon once again tho home half. The brilliant MeNaughl set another deadly attack on the local base, but Fwi) was brought down on the line. Free State pressed aga.'tn, passing with brilliance, but the centres, running too far out. ran the wing to touch. Dixon and Oslcrloli got away, hut the tackling was too formidable, and headway was blocked. The New Zealandcrs again attacked, but by long kicking the homester: managed to get down, and the New Zealandcrs had to go all out to defend. Free State by a great effort smotheVed the visitors, but Ford managed to clear, and saved the position. Ryan, (setting an opportunity, ran down the field and gave to West, who scored a brilliant try. and crowned a fine sur-l-rise movement by converting It, amidst general ai.plnuse. A hard fought match ended with ■ the sores: New Zealand .. ', If, Orange Free Slate 3