LAST-MINUTE WIN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 232, 27 June 1932, Page 11

LAST-MINUTE WIN

Radio Description of Saturday’s Match OUTSTANDING PLAYERS A description of Rugby football saved from mediocrity by hard, ding-dong going and an exciting finish, was conveyed by the announcer on Saturday afternoon when New Zealand YA stations rebroadcast a running description of the match, All Blacks v. New South Wales. Except for one patch ■of atmospherics, which muffled 2YA’s share of the transmission, conditions were reasonably good. The match began at about 4.30 p.m. (New Zealand time), when a strong westerly wind was blowing across the ground. A crowd of 30,000 had assembled, and a band played “Advance Australia Fair” as the teams took the field. The New Zealanders won the toss-

“They are giving their haka,’ said the announcer as the voices of the AU Blacks were heard in warlike chorus. When the game began the names of the visiting players came readily from the announcer’s tongue except during several hectic moments when he coined the name “Kilburne,” and used It repeatedly. Obviously the references were to the New Zealand five-eighth, H. T. Lilbume.

During the match the New Zealanders most frequently "In the news” were F. D. Kilby, the half-back, who played a consistently solid game; A. Colins, the full-back, who, though caught napping on one conspicuous occasion, was a sturdy last line of defence 1 and A-_ E. Cottrell, who appeared to be working like a Trojan among the forwards. E. R. G. Steere, G. A. Bullock-Douglas, 0. T. Lilbume, and, occasionally, H. F. McLean, also were singled out for special praise. Rival Captains’ Comments. The match was summed up in a few words when, at the close, the rival skippers and the manager of the AU Blacks stepped to the microphone and spoke to the trans-Tasman audience. Their comments were:— Mr. F. D. Kilby, captain of the Au Blacks (breathlessly): “It was a very hard fight, and we are delighted to win. I think that we were just a bit fortunate. , . ’ Mr. W. J. Wallace, manager (cheerily) ; “Hullo, New Zealand. Well, we won just on the call of time. I think that the team is going to improve. Mr. Malcolm, captain of the New. South Wales fifteen (rapidly): “New Zealand played a wonderful game. . . . Deserved to win,.... One of the hardest games I have ever been in. ■. . . . They are to be congratulated.” From the kick-off the AU Blacks attacked vigorously, taking the ball to within 10 yards of the New South Wales line, where KUby and H. R. Pollock began a passing movement. It failed, and the defenders cleared, • but a few moments later B. P. Palmer and E. A. Jessep had the ball at their toes. From a free kick taken by Kilby LUburne found the line. The line-out was followed by rapid passing from Kilby to Lilburne, to Pollock, who short-kick-ed across the field. Offside play gave New South Wales a free kick. Not long after Kilby took a free kick for New Zealand, but Ross (New .South Wales) returned it to halfway.

“Kilby is picking up smartly, and setting his backs going on every possible occasion,” said the announcer. “New Zealand at the moment are smarter on their toes.. . . The Blacks are gaining ground in this scrum, but the Blues have got the ba11.... They’re away.,,. No, a beautiful save.” Pot-pourri of Incidents. ■

Incidents in. the next, fifteen minutes included good work by G. Purdue and T. Metcalfe in the scrums, which were being “worked nicely” by the New Zealanders; a passing movement smashed when Pollock was brought down hard; a smart save by McLean; a New South Wales interception caused by Lilburne losing touch with the ball; New Zealand pushing hard in a'scrum which was ordered to reform; hearty butting by the New South Wales forwards; McLean and Solomon’s dribbling rush frustrated when/King (New South Wales), “put his toe into it”; Collins receiving attention by the ambulance men. Now New Zealand was battling desperately, yet with what the announcer described as beautiful defence. “But,” ho added, “New South Wales is certainly giving them a very rough time.” The pressure was maintaihed until Campbell scored for New South Wales at 3.42 (Australian time).

Ross’s kick having failed, Lilburne set the game going again. A New South Wales forward “got a lovely dump.” Kilby put his toe to the ball, and a fast followup found the home side in trouble until Ross, with a tremendous punt, cleared. Struggle on the Line. In the second spell New; South Wales had a slight wind advantage when Lilburne kicked off at 3.56 p.m. Steere received a knock on the eye, but after repairs, carried on. Playing determined fs-iball, New Zealand broke through. The ball went over fi ; om Lilburne’s kick. But King (New South •Wales) went down on it. Soon the Ail Black forwards were back again, Purdue and Jessep in the picture. They wore held up almost on the line. Another rush and another hold-up. The struggle went on hotly; The ball shot to Bullock-Doug-lai; on the other wing, but he was brought down. From a line-out King (New South Wales) secured and cleared, but the 111 Blacks, refusing to be denied, worked back and hammered away, with T. Metcalfe in the van. Bullock-Douglas tried to force his way over. At last Cottrell managed it. Collins failed to convert. New South Wales did not take long to alter the complexion of the game, a try by Loudon, plus a conversion by Ross, leaving the scores S—KI. A free-kick gave New Zealand "a sqwrting chance from a centre position, and the crowd laughed as Collins, with painstaking effort, kicked and pounded the hard ground on tho crickt pitch to make a place for the ball. It was a solid kick, but went wide. The name of “Kilburne” was now frequently on the air. and the AU Blacks as a team were playing well. Purdue. McLean, and Solomon were praised. Malcolm, the New South Wales skipper, was massaged for a knock on the arm. New South Wales were forced back on defence, their line being in danger repeatedly. N. Ball looked likely, but was pulled down. Then Solomon got across, an infringement preventing a score. Flay surged back toward the centre of the field, where BullockDouglas. taking a pass, made a great effort. His run, one of the brilliant incidents of the day, had the crowd on its toes, but he was bumped into touch when close to the line. Next BaU took a pass from Lilburne. but again he was foiled. It remained for Bullock-Dongles to score the try by bursting through. Pollock converted, and the totals were level again. Next the New South Wales score was increased to 11 by a beautiful kick from a handy position by Ross. About 60 seconds were left when the announcer screamed the news that Cottrell was over. “And the AU Blacks certainly deserved it,” he added. Pollock converted, after which the final bell sounded.