UNOFFICIAL GAME ENDS IN DRAWALL BLACKS PLAY THRILLING RUGBY IN FINAL MATCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1949, Page 5

UNOFFICIAL GAME ENDS IN DRAWALL BLACKS PLAY THRILLING RUGBY IN FINAL MATCH

[From

CLAUDE KING,

N.Z.P.A. Correspondent

with the AU- Blacks]

CAPE TOWN, September 21 (Rec. 10 a.m.).—Far from their four test defeats as well as the long Rugby season having caused any slackening of interest, the Ail Blacks today drew a 'Crowd of more than 20,000 for the unofficial match at Newlands against a team representing ( the Cape Town town clubs, which included 10 Western Province representatives. This match produced some of the most thrilling Rugby of the tour. Both sides threw the ball about with the utmost abandon, but also some recklessness at times, and a draw, 11-all, provided ia fitting result. The AH Blacks had the better of the first spell and the Town Clubs were stronger after the change-over. Gudsell In form A pleasing feature from the All Blacks 1 ’ viewpoint was the excellent form of Gudsell, who* was taking part in his sixth game of the tour. The All Black team was as previously announced, with Gudsell at second fiveeighth and Allen at centre. Crowley scored two tries. One was converted by J. W. Goddard and Kearney kicked a field goal. The combined team's points came from three tries, one converted. The teams were.:— New Zealand Full-back: J. W. Goddard. Three-quarters: W. A. Meater 1 , F. R. Allen, M. P. Goddard. Five-eighths: K. A. Gudsell, J. C. Kearney. Half-back: W. J. Conrad. Front row: J. G. Simpson, E. H. Catley, K.. L.. Skinner. Middle row: P. A. Johnstone, L. R. Harvey, C. W. Willocks, P. J. Crowley. Back of scrum: M. J. McHugh. Town Clubs

Full-back: Le Grange. Three-auarters: Jacobs, Steyn, Boyes, Ochse. Halves: Hablutzel, Wahl. Front row: Horn, Cornelissen,- Bisogno.. Middle row: .Morkel, Koch, Lombard, Fry. Back row: Le Roux.

The referee was Mr Ralph Burmeister, who controlled the second and fourth tests.

The Town Clubs kicked off against a strong wind. Almost immediately the ball was given plenty of air. One excellent All Black rush from a scrum went right out to M. P. Goddard for a gain of 40 yards. Delighted The Crowd Two equally attractive Town Clubs’ movements delighted the crowd, but within six minutes the All Blacks opened the scoring when Conrad sent the ball from a scrum to Kearney, who potted a goal. .Then Allen broke past Steyn and sent to Meates, who beat two opponents but was caught from behind on the Town Clubs’ twenty-five. Clever reverse passing between M. P. Goddard and Kearney saw the All Blacks almost over and then Gudsell went through at great speed to score but knocked on in the process! A grand movement initiated by Wahl saw the Town Clubs even the scores. He passed to Boyes to Steyn, who cut through and passed to Fry, who scored an unconverted fry. Just before half-time Conrad made a good break from a scrum. He sent the ball infield to Simpson, -who bullocked past two opponents and passed to Crowley, who scored wide out. A great kick by J. W. Goddard hit the posts and bounced infield to make the scores 6-3. Early in the second spell the Town Clubs were penalised, but Goddard’s kick swerved outside the posts. Then Jacobs scored a try, which Fry converted with a great kick from the sideline to give them the lead, 8-6. Kearney retired at this stage. The teams had mutually agreed on replacements, and there was a great cheer when Scott took the field. A Glorious Game The Town Clubs continued to have the better of a glorious game. In a quick passing rush Steyn kicked for a gap and Ochse raced up to dive on the ball for a try, which Fry could not convert. Town Clubs 11, All a. ■ <

The All Elacks swept right through frojn, the kick-off and (Crowley scored, Goddard converting to even the scores. Goddard was cheered for his kick, which was from well out against a strong wind. The crowd surged on to the field to congratulate noth sides.