RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1925, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ALL BLACKS WIN..

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEWCASTLE, June 27. After a lapse of many years, a New Zealand Rugby Union team was again seen ill action at Newcastle on Saturday, when the All Blacks played a New South Wales fifteen, which contained several local stars, the team being chosen by Thorn. The game was witnessed by seven thousand enthusiastic spectators, and resulted in a win for the All Blanks by twenty to thirteen. Generally, the play of the Keiv Zealanders showed a decided improvement over their previous matches. They were quite up to New Zealand’s best standard. Doubtless, the beautiful weather prevailing had much to do with this, though the ground was bumpy and rough in places, with slush in some parts. New Zealand for the greater part had the better of the game, but they were at times sorely pressed. Thanks, however, to the fine play of Wise, Harris, Wright Johnson, and Blake in the back division, and of Walters, Finlayson, Knight, Dickson and Lomas in the vanguard, New Zealand managed to maintain the lead. Donald was not up to his usual form. Watson replaced Elvey in the New Zealand team.

Towards the close of the second spell, Donald received a kick on the leg, and had to leave the field. He was replaced by Thomas. Shortly afterwards Nothling.took Smith’s place in the New South Wales team. The first half was mainly in favour of the visitors, who gained the majority of scrums and lineouts. Their backs also combined in some splendid passing movements. The New South Wales attack lacked finish. The play was mostly in their half, and their backs showed a marked disinclination to go down to the ball before the All Black forward rushes. A. pleasing feature of this spell was the absence of penalties against the All Blacks. Their play was scrupulously fair, and the offside proclivities which were so prominent a feature in their earlier matches were entirely absent. AV alters was the best player on the ground. The score at half time was 17 to 5 in the visitors’ favour. The game in the second spell was more even, though it was marred by some illegalities on both sides than the first half. New South Wales worked several good passing movements by, the forwards gaining the ball from the lineouts, and passing to their backs, but Anderson was a weak spot. The full backs Harris and Ross, were again towers of strength to their respective sides. Their sure handling and excellent

Alien ft lilt? llctuuinig anu. line kicking several times extricated their sides from difficulties. In the final stages, New South Wales, playing with great dash and determination, somewhat disorganised the New Zealand backs’ cohesion. The game also became very willing. The most sensational try of the day was one scored by Reid. Smith intercepted a pass in his own twenty-f’ve and transferred to Reid, who ran fifty yards, closely followed by Lomas, and he scored under the posts Tries for New Zealand were obtained by Knight (2), Walters. Blake, Wise, and Wright, of which on? was converted by Dickson. For New South Wales, Erby and Reid scored trios, both being converted by Ross, while Morrissey kicked a goal from a penalty. BROWNLIE INCIDENT. LONDON, June 27. At a meeting of the English Rugby Union, a report from New Zealand was read expressing regret for the Brownlie incident on January 3- The matter has been officially closed. CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS (Special to “Star.”)’ CHRISTCHURCH, June 27. To-day’s Senior Rugby results were: — Christchurch 22, Linwood 0. Old Boys 17, North Canterbury 3. , ’Varsity 3, Albion 0. SOCCER CODE.

ENGLAND WINS TEST. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) BRISBANE, June 27. .In tbe Association football match, England beat Australia by five goals to one. The weather was fine, and the attendance was 25,000. The ground was in good order, though it was slippery in places. England scored in the first half, the Australians being outplayed. Batter got the first goal five minutes after the start. Seven minutes later, the winger, Hannaford, who was playing superbly, sent the ball to Simms who headed «it into the net. Simms goaled again ten minutes later, having received the ball from Seymour, the left-winger. Australia now attacked strongly, but the English right back, Charlton, was a stalwart in defence, and the Australians were repulsed. Just before halftime, Australia again invaded the visitors’ territory, only to be beaten off. The second spell saw a rattling pace set- When the play had only been going fifur minutes, Leonard, getting the ball from the left wing, goaled for Australia. The speed of the game was now weakening the English combination. The play went backwards and forwards, but finally the Englishmen’s cleverness told, and their persistence ended in Seymour, the left winger, centreing the ball for Simms to push it into the- net. With two minutes to go, Hannaford sent a long pass to Batten, who goaled, the game thus ending : England five, Australia one. CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 27. Polio,wing were to-day’s soccer sults:--Rangers 4 beat Western 2. * Nomads 3 beat Thistle 1. Lyttelton 2 beat Sunnyside 0.