FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1919, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALANDERB IN AFRICA. TEAM'S FIRST DEFEAT. _. ~ _ Johannesburg, Aug. 10. The New Zealanders took the field at KlmDerley against Griqualnnd West on August 9 without the services of a few of their best men. The bare ground, which was lined by six thousand spectators, has the reputation of being the hardest ground in South Africa, which means, a great deal. The teams were as follows: Griqualand West-Full-back, G. Marsburg; threequarters, Jackson, Strauss, Levy, and Reticf; halves, Wlndell, Sendin. and F. Dobbin: forwards, O'Brien, ScUoltz, Hatirhoff, Seaborne, Anderson, Stockenstroom, and Bannetto. New Zealand.—Full-back, W. L. Henry; three-quarters, W. A. Ford, E. Ryan, and P. Storey; five-eighths, W. B. Fea and J. Ryan; halves, D. Sandman nnd A. Lucas; forwards, E W. Hazell, H. G. Whtttington, 3. Klsslck, .1. A. Bruce, E. J. L. Cockcroft, E. A. Bellis, and «. Fogarty. GRIQUALAND SCORES EARLY. Typically of the Grlquland, after the opening or the game they delivered a terrific onslaught on the military backs. The vlsllors heeled out every time, but, kept on los:-<g ground. Ryan skied the 'ball, and a rush hv the home forwards swamping everything enabled Emmetto to score within three minutes of the start. Relief almost, got a goal from the touch angle, but the wind baulked him. The New Zealanders then attacked, heeling brilliantly, but were up against a side playing confidently their own game. The defence o* the visitors was not' up to standard, and attack after attack was launched against them. After 25 minutes ploy worked Into the Grloualand's half, but the passing broke down. Then the visitors opened an attack with the forwards, which suited them better, and E. Ryan almost dropped a sensational goal. LEADING 8 to 0 AT HALF-TIME. The "All Blacks" seemed to wake up. their backs getting away; but they failed when an opening offered. The Griqualand hacks tried to open up the game and play settled down In Now Zealand quarters. Then Griqualand hunched a dazzling attack, forwards and halves participating and penning the visitors, but Storey saved the situation In the nick m time. A little later Henry nlso saved, hut unfortunately sustained an inujry and had to be carried off Ihe field. Griqualand began to force the pace, but the "All Blacks" rallied and pushed play Into the home half, Ford being prominent. Levy sent them back, but the visitors came on again. The attack was held up, however, and plav settled down again In the New Zealand half. The visitors began to play for safetv until change of ends, but the local forwards and halves completely swept through, upsetting all calculations, and all but scored, the ball going into touch The throw-in saw Dobbin go over under the bar, notching a great try, which was completed. The "All Blacks" took the offensive, but, could not score, and Griqualand led at half-time by 8 point to 0. NEW ZEALAND FORWARDS ATTACK. The "All Blacks" opened the aeoond liulf with a forward attack, (locin-oft finding touch in the locjl lines. At this stage Henry came on again. After a fcv.- minutes, play began to settle In tha local uunrtcrs, and once there the Now Zealanders refused to be dislod/ed Three rushes in succession nearly carried the position, but score they could not, the loenl tackling being of a brilliant nature. At last Haarhoff, leading the pack, brought Hie play into the "Ail Blacks' " territory. A beautiful movement by the Incal three-quarters deserved a score, but missed. Thon the New Zealanders got away again, Ford at their bead, and were only stopped on the local lines. Another brilliant attack nearly saw Storev through; the forwards were following up, but the local defence had closed the door. Griqualand were penalised three times in succession, and from the last. Hazell, taking a low pass, shot over, reducing the local lead to five points.. "ALL BLACKS" IN MASSED ATTACK. The "All Blacks" footing the ball went In mass attack on the lines. But short kicking enabled the home team to hold off attack after attack, and the visitors could not make headway. Indeed, at last they found themselves in their own territory. Strauss made a plucky individual effnvt, but Ryan tackled and both went, down The forwards of both sides wore struggling for mastery, and halves were kicking out. At this stage O'Brien was hurt, but continued playing, and a minute later Bellis was injured, and had to be carried off the field. As play developed he limped on a[?ain. Gt'iqtialand were almost through, but. a knock-on spoiled Ihe movement. The New Zealanders tried hard to equalise, working their wav right up to ihe posts, but just falllm;. A hard fought game ended In a vietorv for Griqualand West, nnd th# team was still pressing. Griqualand West: 1 goal, 1 try (8 points). New Zealand: ■! penalty goal (3 points).