THE ALL BLACKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 308, 29 December 1924, Page 8

THE ALL BLACKS.

LONDON COUNTIES BEATEN.

NEW ZEALAND 28, COUNTIES 3. PLAYED IN THE TRAIN. (By Cable. —rress Association.—Copyright.) J.OXDOX, December 28. The All Blacks overwhelmed the London Counties for the second time yesterday, running up a score of 2S points to A, despite the fact that the conditions were the worst the visitors have yet experienced during their tour. The winners dominated the greater part of the game, and in the later stages, during which they gave a brilliant exhibition considering the very adverse conditions, they over-ran the home team, which had been weakened by the withdrawal of international players selected to represent England against the All Blacks on January 3. Tbe Londoners' only try, which was notched in the first spell really resulted through one of the New Zealand backs slipping, thus making an opening for one of the speedy members of the home rearguard. The London Counties team had undergone many changes, only seven of the players originally selected taking the field. Practically all the internationals, including Raymond, the New South Wales Rhodes scholar, selected for next Saturday's match were withdrawn. About 10,000 spectators braved the most atrocious weather to witness the match, which was played at Blackheath in continuous heavy rain on a heavy ground, waterlogged in places. The Londoners' spotless white uniforms quickly took on the colour of those of their opponents. The New Zealand team was as follows:—

Full-back: Nepia. Three-quarters: Svenson, Cooke, Steel. Five-eighths: Nicholls-, McGregor. Half-back: Mill. Wing-forward: Tarker. Forwards: Irvine, Donald, Masters, M. Brownlie, C. Brownlie, Cupples, Richardson. COOKE BREAKS THROUGH. The New Zcalanders kicked off against a strong disconcerting cross wind, but the London forwards, using their feet cleverly in the loose, soon gained a footing in the New Zealanders' territory, and for the first 15 minutes of the game the visitors were mostly on the defensive, with Nicholls, Cooke, and Svenson doing the most effective work. Then Cooke changed the situation by breaking through in the centre of the field and dribbling the ball to the Londoners' line. There C. Brownlie secured possession of the ball in the loose and dived across the line close to the posts. Nicholls converted. All Blacks 5 London Counties 0 Notwithstanding numerous penalties in their favour, the Londoners were given little respite. The New Zealand backs handled the greasy ball cleanly and brilliantly. The next score in* the game was notched in a sensational manner. Hamilton-Wickes, the international wing-three-quarter profiting by Svenson slipping, made a great run down the I field. However, when he reached Nepia his pass went astray. Nicholls gathered in the ball and sent it on to M. Brownlie, who ran 40 yards, and then passed to Donald. The latter finished the movement by scoring between the posts, the home backs being caught out of position. Nicholls failed to convert. All Blacks 8 London Counties 0 N.Z. CAN "FLAY IN MUD. The Londoners were the next to score. They were on the attack when Steel slipped and gave the fleet-footed Gibbs a chance. Gibbs raced along the sideline to Nepia, punted over the latter's head, and following up, scored in the corner. The kick failed. All Blacks , 8 London Counties 3 Almost immediately after the kick-out Nepia secured possession of the ball and, running into a good position, passed out to Steel. M. Brownlie then took a hand in the movement, and forced his way over the line. Nicholls again failed to convert, and half-time came with the scores:—• All Blacks 11 London Counties 3 Having regard to the conditions the game was an excellent exposition, and was in the New Zealanders' favour to a pronounced degree. On resumption, the All Blacks, with the assistance of the wind, dominated the game to a greater extent than in the first spell. Shortly after play had recommenced, Cooke tackled the London fullback in possessibti of the ball, and good baekingup by Svenson paved the way for C. Brownlie to score his second try. This time Nicholls' kick hit the post and rebounded into the field.

Within a few minutes, C. Brownlie repeated his performance after a brilliant run by Svenson. Nicholls was again unsuccessful. All Blacks 17 London Counties 3 All Blacks Talc* Control. The All Blacks took complete control of the game from this stage, giving a magnificent demonstration of wetweather football. Parker was the next to increase the visitors' tally, scoring from a scrum near the Londoners' line. A great effort by Nepia just failed to add the major points, the ball striking the post. Richardson notched the next try, which Nicholls converted, and then Irvine completed the New Zealanders* tally by scoring from a scramble near the line. Nicholls failed to convert. AH Blacks , 28 London Counties 3 There -were numerous other scoring chances which were nullified by uncertain handling. Nevertheless the passing by both backs and forwards alike reached a high standard, completely demoralising the Londoners. The visiting forwards all played excellently, the Brownlie brothers, Richardson, Donald and Irvine being the most conspicuous. Svenson and Cooke were in magnificent form. The display given by Nicholls showed that he had lost nothing in brilliance by his enforced spell. Nepia performed his easy task with customary soundness. The "Observer" says the victory of the All Blacks has exploded the old theory that wet conditions would hamper the New Zealanders' attack. Long before half-time, the visitors were coated with mud. and friend and foe , were indistinguishable. Yet the New Zealanders' genius triumphed over all handicaps. (A. and. N.Z. Cable). I