FIRST MATCH WON

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1924, Page 5

FIRST MATCH WON

ALL BLACKS 11— DEVON 0.

FORWARDS TAKE CHARGE.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, September 13.

The All Black team oi Kugoy footballers to-day opened their tour, with a match against Devon, on the Rectory ground, at Djevonport. The New Zealanders wpn by. llpts to nil. The All Blacks had a tremendous reception from the crowd, numbering 16,000, which taxed the ground to its, utmost capacity. The turf was in an excellent state, and all the conditions were favourable l for a first-class game. Devon won the toss. The All. blacks immediately opened up an attack, but the form displayed on both sides was very ragged. This was to some extent the result of over-keenness by the players, which led them into mistakes. The Devon men made a surprisingly fine stand, and, to the general surprise, they held their adversaries in the scrummages. They really made tremendous efforts against such redoubtable opponents, but, in actual truth, there was little finesse or method on either side. Half-an-hour of hard, rough play passed before the {first score came, during which the All Blacks were mostly in the county men’s quarters. Some fine passing then put Svenson over, but it was close to the corner, and Nepia. failed with the kick at goal. New. Zealand 3, Devon 0. ' > Shortly after, Hanley almost potted a goal, for Devon. The inside New Zealand backs then got to work, and a bout of good passing from the scrum eventually gave Cooke an opening. Cooke went over, and this time Nepia succeeded with his kick at goal. New Zealand 8, Devon 0. This reverse did not discourage the home side, but seemed to harden them, and the All Blacks were forced down twice in rapid succession. The first spell then ended with the scores unchanged. The New Zealanders had under-esti-mated the strength of the forward opposition, but after the interval they showed increasing cohesion and clever play. Svenson, following up his own kick, passed inward to Brown, and the Taranaki rep. dashed across the line. Nepia did not convert. New Zealand 11, Devon 0. From this on there was no further score, the game ending in a. win for the All Blacks by 11 to nil.

The forwards more or less took charge of the game, and there were continual scrummages and loose scrambles, which seemed to induce rough play on both sides. The passing of the New Zealanders was not up to their usual standard, although they were generally successful in gaining possession of the ball from the scrummages. Frequent knocks-on .spoiled their movements, and prevented them from bringing their passing bouts to a successful issue. The Devon players had their turn now and then ‘and twice they came near scoring, but the defence held good, and sure collaring stopped their bursts. There was frequent use of the .side-line by the Devon backs. This appreciably slowed down the game, and prevented the visitors from giving a spectacular exhibition. The general concensus of opinion is that the New Zealand team is considerably over-rated. Cooke and Svenson to-day were the best of the backs, and Richardson and M. Brownlee were the best of the forwards. The New Zealanders' had the advantage in weight, but their play was not convincing. The Colonials present were surprised at the fine showing jpade by Devon, but they regarded tne All Blacks’ form as hardly in index of the future. PRESS COMMENTS. LONDON, Sept. 14. The “Sunday News” says: “The New Zealanders, on a hard ground, will be difficult to heat, but it will be surprising jf they even approach the record of their predecessors.”

The “News of the "World” gives a similar verdict, and expresses the opinion that “Dailey and Cooke are likely to distinguish themselves.” It states that Porter’s mission as extra half, wing forward, or rover, does not appeal to English footballers, for most of the time he is merely _an obstructionist. This style is not wanted Were.” The “Observer” states: “The New Zealanders, on. this showing, are not as powerful as the previous team. Their forwards were not a whit in advance of Devon, but they have a decided pull outside.” The “Sunday Express” states: — “Some of the New Zealanders’ ways in the scrums displeased the spectators, the crowd at one time demanding that two should be sent off. The team is amazingly fast.”