ALL BLACKS' TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 306, 26 December 1924, Page 9

ALL BLACKS' TOUR.

i NORTHUMBERLAND ROUTED. l b TRIES IN THE TWILIGHT. (From Our Special Correspondent) 1 LONDON, November 10. "The score told a somewhat flattering talc" must be written of the 27 points * to a victory achieved by the All BUcks A over Northumberland in the presence of * pome Ki.OOO people at the Oosport p at k I around of the N.R.U. at Newcastle on a Saturday last. FoV the first half of the c game and a good deal of the second * spell, the Northumbrians were every bit v as much in the picture as the New Zea- * landers, and it was not, until towards I the close of the game that the visitors i demonstrated any real superiority. By a that time the spice had gone out of the 1 Northumbrians. and though they f "fingered up" spasmodically in response 1 to frenzied appeals to "Come on North!" 1 (draw out the "r" to about five seconds l length to get the effect) most of them ' were evidently "all in," and the speed I and stamina of the well-trained All < Blacks told the inevitable tale. 1 Forward, the "Norths." though lighter than their rivals,' were a hefty crowd, 1 and wore not one whit inferior to the opposition in tight, loose, or line out; ' indeed, out of 32 scrums they carried \ 10—at least, so a statistical friend in ' the Press-box averred. As for tackling, ' the whole "North" side were keen as ' mustard, and really effective, until lack of condition told on them. ' Behind the pack, Wilkinson at full ( back was particularly cool and sound, better, on the day, to my uay of thinking, than Nepia, while the threequarter?, especially their Tcdoubtable captain, M. C. Catchside. the interna- i tional. were wonderfully strong in defence, and though their passing bouts were usually nipped in the bud, they showed clean handling, and refreshing departures from the stereotyped game usually produced by English threes. But their tackling was their strong suit, and the way they went down to the ball to stop New Zealand rushes was well worthy of the applause bestowed upon them. At half, Whitley and Cortmel, the former in particular, were very good, more especially in defence, but the team as a whole had not the pace of the All Blacks, and though it showed much better combination than moet of the County teams the New Zealanders had hitherto opposed, there were plenty of misunderstandings resulting in scoring opportunities being lost, or in the presentation of opportunities to the opposition. Also it was very clear that many of the players were not "ripe" for such a strenuous game as the All Blacks had in etore for the Northumbrians. It was hard fighting all .the way, but carried out in the real sporting spirit by both sides. Played in the Twilight. The Gosport Park ground was in excellent fettle for a fast match, but the day was damp and drear, and a thin fog developing into a drizzle of the "Scotch mist" variety did not add to the enjoyment of players or spectators. When the game started at 3 o'clock the light was none too good, and later grew much worse; indeed, the last half of the game was played in a sort of misty twilight, which rendered accurate observation of what took place at the far side of the field of play, impossible; indeed, so dark did it become that towards the finish the unfortunates in the Preesbox could scarcely see to make their notes. The Northumbrian crowd proved a sporting lot, and whilst barracking furiously for the homesters, gave generous recognition to the All Blacks whenever good work deserved it. But the dominant note of the never-ceasing cheering was "go on North!" When the strains of the National Anthem had died away the New Zealanders lined up before the grandstand and rendered their war cry, which was, it seemed, very much to the taste of the spectators, who cheered vociferously. Then the teams set themselves for the serious work of the day, thus:— Northumberland: Wilkinson (Gosforth Nomads), Wallace (Percy Park), Catcheside (Percy Park), Trotter (Armstrong College), Yeoman (Gosforth Nomads), three-quarters, Cartmel (Gosforth Nomads), Whitley (Northern) halves, Armstrong (Northern), Arkless (Northern), Kaiser (Seghill), l>avidson (RockelifT), Lambert (Percy Park), Nicholson (Tyneside), Puns-bon (Gateshead Fell) forwards. New Zealand: Nepia (back), Hart, Brown and Steel (three-quarters), McGregor, Cooke (five-eighths), Mill (halfback), Parker (wing), AicC'leary, Donald, C. Brownlie. Masters, Richardson, Cupples and West (forwards). The referee was Mr. R. 0. Jenkins, of the Durham Rugby I'nion, the linesmen being Mr. Tom Simpson, who played against the first All Blacks, and Mr. S. S. Dean. The Game. Promptly to time New Zealand kicked off and the "North" were speedily pressing, but a great forward rush by the visitors carried play clean to the other end, and only a great effort by Cateheside saved the home line. Almost immediately a "free" to New Zealand gave j Nepia a chance to open the All Blacks' score, but his kick from a rather difficult angle failed. A "North" rush looked like transferring operations to New Zealand territory, but Hart brought it to an end, and Cooke, with a run and punt, put the 'toNVli a run and punt, put the "North" on the defensive. Northumberland was pressed heavily, but a "free" to New Zealand sent play to midfield. Here, after a spell of exciting work, the AH Blacks' backs got moving, but once more it was a case of—to use a cricketing term—"butter fingers." Again North rushed into New Zealand's territory, and were getting dangerous when McGregor saved the situation with a •beautiful kick into touch, only to see his good work nullified by a fierce rush which took play right into the heart of New Zealand territory. Again a "free" against "N'ortli ,, relieved the visitors' line, but some excellent kicking by the home backs saw the All Blacks' line heavily assailed, but a great chance of scoring was lost to Northumberland through an infringement. Then New Zealand had "a look in," and a fine movement among the backs resulted in Hart getting over, but he was pushed into touch almost on the line. From this point the All Blacks kept up a remorseless attack on the "North's" line. A clever passing movement in which Mill, Brown and Steel were prominent saw Brown grassed in the nick of ] time by Wilkinson; then Mill was all I but over, and a few seconds later Pari ker, following up hia own kick, downed ] the home full-back with the ball in his possession a yard from the line. A score seemed inevitable, and it came a few minutes ere the interval. West gained .soasessioa-in-tke home twen*s«fiire-&n4

passed to Cooke, who transferred to I Parker, from whom the ball went to ' art. who literally dived over close to ie corner flag. Nepia failed to convert, it a minute later Hart came near to ving him another chance, for the aranaki winger was only bundled into )uch on the line, just before the histle went for half-time, New Zealand ading by three points only. "A Soft Thing." It had been a thrilling first half, and ie supporters of the "North" were on srv good terms with themselves, as ley had reason to be. But the second ilf had not been in progress more than few minutes when the jubilation re?ived a severe check, and the home ?am a lesson on "playing to the histle." A fine offensive movement by ne New Zealand backs, in which five layers handled the ball, having ended I Hart being pushed into touch when II but over the home line, a New Zeaind forward rush ensuing saw a scrum irmed a few yards from the "North's" ne. The ball came out swiftly. Parker icked it over, and Cooke, dashing up, ?ored in a most, favourable position. It as in the nature of "a very soft hing," for the home defence apparntly imasined that the ball had not een in the pack. Nepia rubbed in the play to the whistle" lesson by eonerting the try. New Zealand now began to get the pper hand, but a fine passing bout was poiled by Hart being crowded on to the ne. Then Catchcside made a great un into New Zealand territory, and nly his pass being fouled saved the All Hacks' bacon. However, the "North" ontinutd to press, and presently from bout the "twenty-five line" Catcheside ropped and sent his countrymen vocally elirious with joy. A Magnificent Goal. New Zealand retaliated with an ineistible rush which compelled Wilkinson 0 touch down. By this time the light ras so bad that one could only follow he course of play with difficulty. There ras, however, no question now that he home team had really shot its bolt. ?he All Black forwards were now geting the best, of matters, and a great ombined dribble ended in Mill picking ip to run a few yards and score be ween the posts. But his attempt tc lonvert was a failure. Cooke, Donald md Brownlie were next conspicuous ir t movement which only ended at Wil Linson, and the "North" full-back saved lis side from the consequences ol mother fine effort by grassing McGregoi i few yards from "the line. But Mc jregor "really brought about his owr mdoing by hesitating whether to pass >r "hang on" to the ball. Then, attei he half had been in progress for some !5 minutes another splendid movement saw Brown get over for a further try rfc was injured in the effort, and Nepia failed with the somewhat difficult •place," but only by a few feet. Spurred on by frantic encouragement 'rom the crowd, the home team "camt igain." and some grim tussles in tin \'ew Zealand half ensued. Nepia, how ?ver, put New Zealand in a position v ittack again, but a fine passing move nent was spoiled by a rotten pass, ant 'let up" the "North." Only a brillian save by Nepia checked the rush, ant ior a time the home side seemed to bt getting most of the game. But it wai more or less of an expiring effort, an< in the last leu minutes the All Black dad things much their own way. Thei forwards were'getting tbe ball mon frequently from the packs, and tin backs naturally got more opportunities Several fine openings were spoiled b; indifferent handling, but seven minute from the finish a fine run by Cook enabled Mill to score a try, which In himself converted. In the last fiv< minutes there were as many passin; movements, and only desperate tacklin, prevented the majority being successful As it was, first Richardson got over, am then Steel, Mill converting the first am Nepia failing with the latter. So tin* came with the All Blacks victorious b; three goals, four tries (27 points) t one dropped goal (four points). THE SOCIAL ROUND. The New Zealanders journeyed t Newcastle from Belfast on Thursda evening, and arrived in the Northun brian capital eariy on the morrow. Th first function of their brief stay wa luncheon at the Rotary Club, at whitMr. H. E. Galloway, president of th club, presided. Mr. Galloway is an ol Rugby player, having in years gone b done'excellent service for the Norther Club and Northumberland County. Th officials of the Northumberland Rugb Union and several old players wer invited to the luncheon, 2.50 guests bein present. The president, who welcomed th visitors, said such visits drew closer an closer the bonds of brotherhood an patriotism throughout the Empire. Th president alluded to the match whic the New Zealanders played at Sunde: land recently, and also told a number < reminiscences of his old playing day and concluded with a fine tribute to th visitors. The toast of the New Zealanders ws honoured with heartiness, and the pres dent introduced to the company tli captain of the New Zealand team fc the Northumberland match, Jock Ricl ardson, who was enthusiastically n ceived. (Mr. S. S. Dean replied briefly for th All Blacks, and then presented to M Galloway a silver fern leaf with tl letters "N.Z." upon it, the badge of ti team. Colonel T. Higginbottom propose the toast of the Northumberland teai and the Northumberland Rugby Unioi Mr. Kenneth White having sung football parody on the popular Tynesit song, "Cushy Butterfield," with the r fraiu, "The All Blacks are a good tea: and a bonny 'un," etc., Mr. C. E. Catch side, the captain of the Northurabe land team, replied in a very hapj. speech. He had, he remarked, am laughter, a shrewd suspicion that tl best team would win. In the afternoon the members of tl team visited Parsons' famous enginee ing works at Hcaton, and were show over all the departments by Mr. Be ford, director and secretary, and >] Crocker, the works manager, and we afterwards entertained to tea. In the evening, at the invitation of number of old Rugby footballers in Nc caßtle and district, the All Blacl visited the Theatre Royal, to witness performance of "The Mikado" by tl DOyly Carte Opera Company. Ti Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress joim the party, and there were also prese many gentlemen prominent in Xe' 1 castle civic life.