THE ALL BLACKS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 October 1924, Page 7

THE ALL BLACKS

THE MIDLANDS CONTEST. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAY. FAULTY PLACE-KICKING. GOOD WORK FROM SCRUMS. EY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received October 9, 2.30 p.m LONDON, Oct. 8. lire New Zealand team against North Midlands at Birmingham was as follows : Full-back. —Nepia. Three-quarters.—Svenson, Cooke and Steele. . Five-eighths.—McGregor and Baddeiey. Half-back.—Dailey. Forwards.—Parker, McLeary, Donald, Masters, Richardson, Stewart, C. Brownlee and White. The match was played on the 'famous Aston Villa grounds before an attendance of 18,000 people. After ten minutes’ stubborn attacking Parker scored the New Zealanders’ first try. Nepia converted. AU Blacks 5 Midlands 0 Before the interval Parker scored again, also Cooke and Donald, but none were converted, owing to faulty place-kicking. All Blacks 14 Midlands 0 After the interval the New Zealanders’ superior weight in the scrummages gave them the ball most of the time. The back division began numerous promising . movements, but many were spoilt by knock-ons, over-lengthy kicking and the needless use of the" touchline. Parker, playing the best game on the whole ground, added three tries, and C. Brownlie, Cooke and Stewart one each, Nepia converting five. The Midlands, in the first part, defended well, hut the visitors’ fast, Heavy work wore them down completely. Just before" the interval, Nepia’s failure to force down rapidly enough enabled the Midlands to score their only try, amidst much applause. The Midlander.s’ backs made ijre.qu.ent rallies, but their passing movements failed for want of speed and laboured passing. The most singular feature of the game was that despite the visitors' large score the Midlanders attacked more persistently than any of their previous oppenents. Baddeley played indifferently, and was shifted to wing three-quarter. Parker, owing to a minor leg iniury, was forced to leave the field. "His speed had carried him into almost every movement.' , ■ Viewed critically, the play lacked merit, and it is considered the New Zealanders will, need to graft more certitude on to their present haphazard style. Final score—- • All Blacks 40 Midlands -" 3