SIX TRIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 187, 9 August 1930, Page 11

SIX TRIES.

"ALL WHITES" TRIUMPH

BRITAIN. ALWAYS DANGEROUS

IVOR JONES PROMINENT.

THRILLING FLAY IN SECOND HALF,

The following account of the fourth Test between Britain and New Zealand played at Athletic Tark, Wellington, today, is taken from the story of the game broadcast by Station 2YA, Wellington:—

A morning's light rain had little effect on the ground, and both curtain-raiser games were played. Every possible) vantage point, both inside and outside the ground, was occupied, and it was. estimated that from 45,000 to 50,000 people were present. Seate on the ground went to within five yards of the touchline. His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and party arrived at 2.20, and were accorded an enthusiastic reception. There wae no sun and a light south breeze was blowing along the "round as Porter led the New Zealand team on, to the accompaniment of an uproarious welcome. An equally vociferous welcome was accorded the British players. Both teams faced the Vice-Regal box to cheer his Excellency, who went out to shake hands with the referee, Mr. F. Sutherland (Auckland) and the players. The Teams. The players who took the field were:— Britain. Full-back-. —J. Bassett, age 25, weight 13.10. Three-quarters.—J. S. Reeve, age 22, weight 13.10; C. D. Aarvold, age 22, 13.0; H. M. Bowcott, age 23, 12.0; A. L. Novis, age 24, 11.10. Half-backs.—R. S. Spong, ago 21, weight 13.0; T. P. Murray, age 22, 12.0. Forwards. —H. O'Neill, age 22, weight 14.0; D. Parker, age 25, 15.2; H. Rew, age 23, 14.10; W. B. Welsh, age 23, 13.10; B. H. Black, age 22, 14.4; J. L. Farrell, age 2G, 13.11; G. R. Beamish, age 25, 16.4; Ivor Jones, age 27, 13.9. New Zealand. Full-back. — G. Nepia, age 25, weight : 13.3. Three-quarters.—G. F. Hart, age 25; weight 11.7; A. E. Cooke, age 2S, 10.12; Li". W. Lucas, age 28, 11.7. Five-eighths.—H. T. Lilburne,. age 22, weight 11.10; W. A. Strang, age 23, 12.1. Half-back. —M. Corner, age 21, weight, 9.7. Wing-forward.—C. G. Porter, age 30, 13.3. Forwards. — J. Horc, age 22, weight 13.0; A. Cottrell, age 23, 12.12; E. R. Stecrc, age 22, 14.7; R. G. McWilliams, age 28, 14.0; H. F. McLean, age 22, 14.0; W. Batty, age 27, 13.1; W. E. Hazlett, age 24, 15.0. Britain won the toss and took the advantage of the light breeze. Porter set tho ball in motion, and seizing a rebound from O'Neill, found the line near mid-field. The British backs were quick to snatch tho ball up, and play went right through to New Zealand's twenty-five. Batty broke through the line-out and cleared again to neutral ground. Britain Wins First Scrum. The first scruni went down, Britain secured smartly, and tho backs got away with a jump. Spong cut both Cooke and Lucas out beautifully, and Hazlett saved only just in time. The play went back to New Zealand's side at centreway. Strang kicked high to Bassett, and tho full-back returned the ball to mid-field. Steere led a sjdendid rush right through to the opposing twentyfive, but McLean overran the ball, and Britain was awarded a penalty. After iivc minutes' play the ball was kicked into dead area. Following tho dropout, Nepia was given a free kick, but he gained little ground. Corner brought New Zealand back to half-way by "working the blind" and finding touch. From the line-out tho i New Zealand forwards started a splendid rally and swept irresistibly through the blues. Porter, quick to see an opportunity, whipped over the line, half-way J between the post and the corner flag. The.cheers were deafening, and subsided but little even when Nepia missed the kick. New Zealand 3 Britain 0 Only eight minutes had gone when the first score was registered, and New Zealand's hopes ran high. Score Soon Evened. Following resumption of play Spong skipped beautifully through the opposing backs, but Bowcott was collared with the ball. In the ensuing scrum New Zealand was penalised and Parker kicked a splendid goal. New Zealand 3' Britain , ... 3 In an international game six points had been added in not many more than the same number of minutes. Exciting football seemed to be fairly well assured. The crowd 'had expected it and they were ,not disappointed.

Britain continued to secure the ball from the scrum, and Spong became dangerous until a free kick enabled Nepia to shift the play to the other twenty-five.

New Zealand Attacking. There New Zealand got going in their first real passing fash. The hall went from the half right out to Hart, who "passed infield again to Porter, but Porter ran into touch. Corner worked another attack with Hart and Batty, but Batty was also thrown out of the field of play. New Zealand did not let up, however, and a score seemed imminent, until Beamish brought sorely-needed relief to Britain and put the bailout of the danger zone. Again the New Zealand backs fanned out, Cooke running in. The ball went out to Lucas, who was thrown into touch just 10 yards short of the line. Another ipassing rush was spoiled by Lilburne, who sent on a shocking pass. A moment plater Lilburne had an -unsuccessful "pot," and Novis threw himself on the ball just in time. Then Britain changed the complexion of tilings with a lightning rearguard attack. Each man handled the ball faultlessly, and there was only Nepia between the post and a score. The full-back, however, intercepted, and found touch just beyond the New Zealand twenty-five. From the line-out Spong snapped up the ball from the feet of the New Zealand forwards and went solo, but ho was very solidly grasscd. Porter next broke away and passed to Corner} but the half-back passed off-side to Lilburne, and a great opportunity went begging. Chances Missed. Then Ivor Jones retaliated spectacularly. He broke clear, and a score j seemed certain, but his pass, too, went forward, and things were evened up— a lost opportunity each. Then Porter got off-side, and Parker was given another and somewhat easier shot. It missed, much to the relief of New Zealand's supporters, and Nepia forced. Unfair putting into the scrum gave New Zealand a penalty and the ball was kicked to the line within twelve yards of the opposing goal. A line-out followed and things looked promising for New Zealand, but a magnificent line .kick by Ivor Jonee raised the siege. Nothing daunted, New Zealand remained on the offensive, and. from the next scrum Corner-sent his backs away again. The rush wae fruitless, and play was held up for a few minutes through an injury to Farrell. It proved not eerious. Up to this stage Porter had been in everything and there had been great duels between him and Ivor Jones. Forwards Great Struggle. A lucky bounce saw the scene shifted to the British line, where only two short stab kicks by Spong relieved pressure. Ivor Jones and Rew broke through, the former shifting play back to New Zealand's twenty-five. Back again swept the local vanguard to reverse the position, and there followed a mighty struggle between the two pacta?. Strang Scores. From the melee Corner whipped the leather out to Lilburne, who cut in, but was pounced on by Spong. Strang followed up fast, picked up the ball, and just got over as Bassett dived at him. Both hit the ground together, but Strang was over the line. Strang's kick was poor in comparison with his try. New Zealand 6 Britain 3 Tho outcome of mixed work near halfway was a gallop down the line by Hart, and Britain Avere again on' the defensive. The New Zealand pack were on the scene to back up, but one of them laid on the ball, and Britain was conceded a free kick. The New Zealand backs were playing a most enterprising game, and from a typical movement Cooke spoiled by fumbling his pass. Again they swept through, but again the British pack were too solid. Britain's Turn. Then it was Britain's turn. Their backs counter-attacked with better penetration, and things looked nasty until Novis missed his pass. The game continued to be phenomenally fast. In saving a dangerous attack Bassett jumped into a crowd of boys on the sideline, much to the excitement and amusement of the multitude. Evidently the referee was watching carefully the way the ball was being put into the scrum. For an infringement of this rule several penalties had been given and an offence by Murray gave occasion for another. Nepia made a splendid but unsuccessful attempt to kick a goal. Britain swept back to New Zealand's territory and were aided by a miskick by Cooke. From a scrum Britain heeled cleanly, and Murray shot oil', and when his backs failed in tho first attempt lie was there to be the instigator of another. At this point the New Zealand rearguard reasserted itself. A flying tackle caught Bassett in possession. The game now rested awhile on the British twenty-five, where, from a line-out, Corner and Lucas tried to do things on the blind. A terrific forward struggle was being fought, in which the New Zealand pack forced the opposition grimly back, step by step, to within eight yards of the line. Every British supporter breathed again when the referc gave the Britishers a free. Mr. Sutherland warned Porter for something, not observable by the announcer. With four minutes to lemon time both packs kept tigering "hard. Corner sent the ball to Lilburne and the backs were away once again Bassett 'had all his work cut out to stop the rush. Eight

near the line- Corner terriered round the blind side and just failed to wriggle over. The visitors forced. It was a very close call for Britain. Had Corner only passed put New Zealand would have been three up. The local rearguard were now a good deal more in the picture and only great tackling by the British staved off attack which succeeded attack.

Just in front of the posts Corner and Strang worked combination and almost got over, hut Beamish, dived in from

somewhere and the game was taken out to the > twenty -five, but only to the twenty-five. Shortly after half time sounded, and 40 minutes of Rugby as exciting as it was strenuous and fast, had ended. New Zealand 6 Britain 3 The Second Spell.

When Britain kicked off again there was the lightest of winds and no sun. The weather was still threatening, but was fine.

Britain immediately rushed to the. attack, but Batty sent them back with a line line kick For a while play hung on the touchline and it was difficult to tell whether the ball was in or out. Then Murray, with his backs strung out beyond him, started off, and things looked unhealthy for New Zealand. The movement stopped at the back, Lilburne marking. Batty again made a dash, but Beamish threw him into touch, ball and all.

From a British infringment following a, serum, Nepia had an? unsuccessful drop kick. The nthe New Zealand backs swung away in a passing rush characteristic of their day's play. Hart went away with a great dash but was soundly tackled by Reeve. Cooke was not out of the picture, and following up very fast beat both Bassett and Bowcott, and scored an electrifying try. It was characteristic of the old-time Cooke. The kick was unsuccessful. New Zealand 9 Britain 3

Stung by this serious reverse, the visiting pack hurtled back to the attack in a "splendid concerted rush, but a minor infringement spoiled a chance for them. Play remained in New Zealand territory and Parker dribbled through, and when he overran, Murray was there to pick up cleanly and break through. He sent the ball on to Spong, Bowcott and Novis, and No-vis scored right between the posts. Black made light of the shot, and with nine minutes of the second spell gone the score was: . . New Zealand 9 Britain 8 Nepia Hurt. In this attack Nepia was hurt and the game was temporarily stopped. The full-back appeared to have Buffered an injury to one of his ribs. He carried on, but it was evident he was in pain. New Zealand rushed the play to the opposing twenty-five, where Corner sent the ball out to Lucas. Lucas crosskicked and Bassett fumbled. Cooke swooped through like a hawk, snapped up the ball and again scored. Strang converted. .^ New Zealand 14 Britain 8

Once again an injury to one of the players held- up the game. Murray attended to an injury to Spong's hand. McLean, Hazlett, Black and O'Neill had a lively but cheerful donnybrook, from which Welsh emerged in possession of the ball and carried the play to New Zealand's twenty-five. Again Spong was injured as the result of a hard tackle. At first it looked serious, but the halfback got to his feet and plugged on. With a finely-judged punt Corner sent New Zealand on another jaunt, but Strang overran the ball and Aarvold found relief in the touch-line. Porter Worrying Spong. Britain secured from the next serum, but in a flash Porter was on top of Murray and* smothered him. Spong kicked across to- send Reeve away, but the winger was beaten by the bounce. Murray punted high and followed fast and the New Zealand defence was swept over the line, and only a force saved them. From a scrum in New Zealand's twenty-five Britain hooked cleanly, and away flashed Murray and Aarvold to- ; aether, but the latter's short kick was just too hard and New Zealand again managed to force. New Zealand Lucky. In the past five minutes New Zealand had been subjected to a severe strain, and nothing but luck had saved them. The white backs essayed a clearing movement, but Cooke kicked instead of passing, and a moment later.was down injured. His injury looked serious— a kick on the head. However, he played on, though dazed. The play went to the blues' twenty-five. From ragged play Corner received the. ball and sent it out to Lilburne, who swung it on to Cooke, and tho last-named made an opening for Lucas. Lucas streaked up the line, and Cooke was there beside him. When blocked, he in-passed to Cooke again, but the pass went away. Nothing daunting, the white rearguard fannd out again, and Cooke took a short "pot." It failed. Porter Again. Britain dropped out, but they found the combination of Strang, Lucas and Cooke ready to receive them. The pace was astounding and the New Zealand backs were literally on their toes. Only the efforts of Black and Beamish saved the visitors, the pair taking the game beyond their twenty-five. Strang snapped up the ball and short punted back, finding the line within five yards of the British goal. Again there was a stoppage, while Farrell received attention. New Zealand took a serum, and from. the ensuing tight play Ivor Tones and Beamish made a magnificent struggle and again saved their side. Corner again sent his backs away. He came round the scrum and Porter went across for a try marked by extraordinary dash. Strang goalcd. New Zealand 10 Britain S Undeterred, the visiting pack swept upfield in phalanx formation and Lucas tackled a forward offside. From the resultant free kick Parker took a shot from beyond half way. It was a-great effort, but the ball went just outside the posts. Cooko took no chances and forced. Black broke through and New Zealand \ were again defending. Novis received his ■ pass, but instead of sending it on he "potted." Lucas was as careful as Cooke had been previously. Following tight play Ivor Jones broke through with characteristic da'sh and again tho British vanguard fanned out to,the line. A live yards scrum was ordered and New Zealand cleared, but the attack of the British backs continued brilliantly, and with almost unbelievable pace considering there was but a minute or two to go. Thrilling Struggle. Corner snaked through twice to gain ground, but Beamish swept him aside I and battled through right to Nepia. He

kicked, but Porter was there to save, and, taking a chance, the backs slashed away to the , other twenty-five. Scarcely had the hall beeen there a minute when tho position was again reversed. Ivor Jones received from Murray and then Murray r;ent Reeve away at top. Cooke came right across, chased Reeve and dived just in time. Britain was once again on the attack. Spong made a heroic dash through, but was held, Lucas being knocked out in the attempt. He, too, carried on, but was very groggy.

Still flashing out in passing efforts, tho blue backs maintained the pace, but though pretty their play gained little territorially. For an offside—which all Athletic Park considered debatable— Porter was penalised.

Bas3ett took the return kick and with play unusual to him ran up to bring his three-quarter line into action. Still they made no progress, and hard kicking drove them back. Then followed mighty work by both packs, until Corner received the ball from the tight and sent it out to Lucas, who was limping badly. Lucas, however, gave it a go, and then in-passed to Batty, who scored brilliantly. Strang missed with the kick. New Zealand 22 Britain 8

What the crowd thought of the game now was fairly evident, as there became noticeable a trend towards the gates. The issue was absolutely beyond doubt. There, were 25,000 spectators on the western terrace and the work of the police to handle the jam was difficult. The crowd began to encroach on the field and only repeated warnings kept the field of play clear. The New Zealand backs delivered a fina passing movement and Cooke, as brilliant as ever, was within an ace of being across. Bassett punted to safety, but the ball found touch within his own half. Murray attempted to Bend Spong on, but the latter dropped his pass and that was practically coincident with the final whistle. • i New Zealand 22 Britain 8

McWilliams was fortunate in securing the coveted ball. A tremendous ovation wae accorded the New Zealand team as it forced its way through a cheering, seething throng. Fortunately the crowd was orderly and moved off quietly as the players disappeared. They had witnsssed one of the fastest exhibitions in the annals of New Zealand Rugby history and all to a man seemed satisfied with the result.