NEW ZEALAND WIN

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 39, 15 August 1921, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND WIN

SPRINGBOKS AHEAD IN OPENING SPELL

« BUT BEATEN BY 13 TO 5 AT

THE FINISH

ALL BLACKS BETTER TEAM

ON THE DAY.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

(FROM THE POST'S SPECIAL REPORTER.)

DUNEDIN, 13th August. The first Test match has been played and won, and New Zealand breathes, again. Her representatives, beaten in the first spell, recovered in the second, and won by a margin that leaves no doubt as to the better team on the day's playi Three tries (two converted) to one try (converted), 13 points to 5, is a comfortable win, and accurately represents the game. If New Zealand's first try was a little doubtful, many believing the ball was forced first; the two other tries were unmistakable. The Springboks are prepared to admit that the better team won, and intend to store. up the lessons and improve on their display in the second Test at Auckland. Their form was not quite up to the standard, while New Zealand played a fine all-round game, stout and solid, with flashes of brilliancy. The weather was- beauviful—a warm spring afternoon, full of sunshine and practically calm. The Carisbrook .ground was softest on top, but the turf, was good. The attendance. was about the maximum the ground would hold—well over 20,000 —and many thousands witnessed the game from the railway .embankment and the natural slopes above.' New Zealand football, past and present, was well represented at the match. The game was hard and fast, but quite clean, and there was but one incident that drew disapproval ircyn the crowd, who were pleased not only with the win, but with the football too.