LACKING IN SPARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 7

LACKING IN SPARK.

BLACKS PLAY SLUGGISHLY. (Special to Press Association.) (Received 10 a.m.) OUDTSHOORX, August 22. A poor exhibition of Rugby was given by tlir All Blacks when they bent the South "Westerns by two tries »nd two penalties (12 points) to one try and a penalty goal. There was an attendance of 3000 spectator*, and the weather was beautiful, but. the ground consisted of parched grass. The South Westerns started off with a rush, and carried the ball to the New Zealand line, where by great defensive work Carlcton saved a likely try. The first time the All Blacks backs opened out Rushbrook beat liis man and put in a fine run down the side until tackled by the full-back. Two Penalty Scores. Then the All Black forwards asserted themselves, and made things warm for their opponents with repeated efforts to get across the line.

New Zealand was heeling the ball frequently from the scrmn at this stage, •nd backs and forwards were combining in telling passing'movements. From a penalty to New Zealand, Lindsay goaled. All Blacks 3 S.W. Districts 0 The New Zealand backs continued to get most of the ball, but the SouthWesterns moved quickly and smashed their attacks. Through a clever opening by McGregor, the New Zealanders went away in a pretty movement, which ended on the goal-line with obstruction by a local men, for which a penalty was given. Nicholls kicked a goal. All Blacks 6 S.W. Districts ... 0 There were only fragments of football from then on till half-time. Playing An Extra Back. Tho All Blacks, played backs in the second spell, Grimshatv going out to the wing, and Lucas playing as an extra centre. NicJiolls started off by making a fine opening, from which Stewart ■cored after seven New Zealanders had handled the ball. Strang's kick missed. All Blacks 9 S.W. Districts 0 An attack by the South-Western forwards, and a counter drive by the New Zealanders followed. Then came some fine work by Albeityn, which ended in Myburgh being pushed out near the' New Zealand twenty-five. A penalty for lifting in the scrum was awarded to the Africans, and Smuts kicked a good goal. All Blacks 9 S.W. Districts 3 Tho local side began beating the All Blacks for the ball from the scrums, and a great rally by their forwards carried play to the All Blacks' line, where they were forced twice in succession. The New Zealanders then got to work and threw the ball about in a care-free movement, which saw Lucas tackled within a yard of the line. A spell of distractingly poor football followed, but McGregor produced a gem when he cut in, dummied and side-stepped through, and only sound tackling near the line saved a score on this occasion. Strang next sent the backs away. The ball went to McGregor, Nicholls and Lucas. The latter missed his pass, but Scrimshaw picked up, and more passing bv Nicholls, Strang, and McGregor sent the latter over for a fine try. Lindsay missed the kick. All Blacks 12 S.W. Districts 3 Within a minute of the final whistle, Badenhorst scored for the South-West-erns in a corner from a loose rush. All Blacks 12 g.W. Districts 6 Their Worst Game. Takes <*]1 through, the game was a sluggish' o*e» and probably the worst display the New Zealanders have given

on the trip. McGrego.■ and Harvey, who had been out for 60 long, put up good performances. Nicholls, Strang, Carleton, and Lucas played reasonably well. Rushbrook and Scrimshaw made occasional good breaks. Lindsay had a shoulder hurt in the first spell, and this plainly affected bis play.

Ward, Hardley, McWilliams, and Snow were good in patches. There was no spark in the New Zealand play. At the same time the South-Western's fight must not be disparaged, considering they are regarded as the weakest team in the anion.