The Match Against Blackheath

Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 118, 14 December 1905, Page 2

The Match Against Blackheath

A Great Game (Per Mail Steamer.) London, Nov 6. Great is the " mana " of the New Zealanders. Their reputation for invincibility on the football field has captured the imagination of the British public from Lands End to John o' Groats, from Dover to Donegal. Their triumph over Blaekneath on Saturday waß a brilliant climax to a long and unbroken aeries of victories. England's senior club with its strongest fifteen in the field wa9 hopelessly outclassed, and the display given by the New Zealandera will live long in the memories as a wonderful exposition of the Rugby game. It is no exaggeration to say that they played magnificently. What a match it was ! Those who were privileged to watch it need never wish to see a better display of Rugby football. Indeed I doubt whether it would be possible. First Spell. The story of the match is soon told. New Zealand scored within the first three minutes, McGregor on the left wing kicking across field to Wallace, who picked up and easily outpaced the opposing three-quarters and full-back. Wallace added the goal, making the score five points to nil. The Blackheath forwards re. spondcd with a strong rush, but the visitors forced them back, and after some fairly even play a free-kick to New Zealand for off side play by a Blackheath half resulted in Wallace adding a penalty goal to the score. This made 8 points to ml. Soon after Roberts set the backs in motion, and Smith gave Wallace an easy run in. The Wellington sprinter finished up behind the posts this time. It was an easy kick at goal, but the score read 11-0. The third try was gained in just the same fashion, and again the speedy Wallace waa the scorer, touching down near the corner. Gillet negotiated the difficult angle with a fine kick, making the score 16—0. The blacks continued to keep the upper hand, and it was only a matter of minutes before another of their fiery onslaughts let McGregor — "The Flying Scotchman "—secure a try, Gillett's attempt at goal was unsuc* cessful, so the score stood 19—0. Second Spell. With this handsome lead the New Zealanders began in the second spell. Blackheath played a better game in the second part, and had. more of the play than before. Once or twice their' backs came away at a good pace, but sound tackling and lack of support told their inevitable tale. Not only did the Blackheath backs fail to put sufficient dash into their attacks, but they had to reckon with a team whioh seemed to have a perfect genius for rising to the occasion. The tighter the pinoh the better did the all-blacks seemed to play. Their defence was severely tested now and and then* but they showed them* selves as sound in this department as they were brilliant in the attack, and the way they would develop a counter-attack, out of their defensive work was a treat to witness. GJas« gow scored the fifth try after some dashing play by Hunter, and Wallace placed a beautiful goal, bringing the> total to 24 points. McGregor accounted for try number six, thanks to his pace and a fine opening made by Smith, who was playing .a masterly game as centre threequarter. The score read 27—0. The last fifteen minutes were as eiciting as any in the game. The Blackheath forwards were playing with splendid grit, and even the lojs of their wing forward Rogers, through twisting his knee, failed to dishearten them. Though the " heathens "broke through at intervals, the New Zealanders kept them hard-pressed most of the time. Amongst the orowd the excitement grew apace a3 the end drew nigh. In the New Zealand stand everyone was anxious to see another score go up, and at intervals a band of excited young Colonials would send up a shout which could be heard all over the field—-" We want 80 1" " You won't get 'em," shouted back the English crowd, but they did get them after all, thanks to a fine dash by Smith, and the invaluable following op o£ Stead. The latter was able to score the- seventh and last try of the day. As the ball was placed for Wallace to take a kick there went up another mighty shout from the New Zealand stand, '« We want 82 !" and they got them too. Wallace sent the ball over the crossbar, and when time was called a moment or two later* even the New Zealandera were well content with the score. Weil they might be, for their team had put up, % display whioh, for all round brilliancy, has never been surpassed* md some say never been equalled.