ALL BLACKS WIN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 June 1928, Page 5

ALL BLACKS WIN

FREE STATE BEATEN BY 20 TO NIL

TEAM’S REVERSAL TO FORM

GIVE BEST EXHIBTION OF TOUR

(Special to Press Association.) <S- Received 10.15 a.m. to-day. KROONSTAD, June 13. The All Blacks played the best all-round football of the tour so far when they beat Orange Free State by four converted tries to nil at Krocnstad to-day. The local side was supposed to be representative of country clubs, but had been considerably strengthened. The team was given an ovation on leaving the field. The game was played on a dirt ground which had been furrowed ten days previously and watered before the match. The attendance numbered 5000. It was a beautiful day and there was not a breath of wind.

AN EARLY 'SCORE. Wit hin two minutes of t lie start, Mic New Zealand (forwards bustled their opponents. There was a lineout near the latter’s line and from loose play that followed, Dallev dived over at t'he corner. Lindsay converted with a very fine kick. All .Blacks 5 Orange Free State 0 Play then travelled up and downfield twice, New Zealanders having, easily the best of things. At this stage the ball was heeled out from a scrum and Dallev sent his backs away, the

ball being handled in turn bv McGregor, Strang, Lindsay, and Grcnsido. the last named finally running over and Lindsay converted. All Blacks 10 Orange Free State 0 At half-way Grenside again got possession and set sail far the line with Lindsay and Strang on the inside. They the ball behind the posts. Lindsay again converted. All Blacks L 3 Orange Free State 0 It was an easy matter for the New Zealanders now- the forwards were dribbling well and the backs opening out in pretty mbvementsj. When halftime came the All Blacks were still hot on the atta’ck.

FREE .STATE ’.S EFFORT. Free State started the second spell with .a great, effort to retrieve the position. The forwards iplayed with more dash and started to get possession from, the scrums. Their backs were given (*very 'chance, but mulled their passes badly. The New Zealanders were defending for about ten minutes, Free State forwards storming their line and rallying in fine style. When this burst had spent its force, the New Zealand forwards, carried all before them and drove their opponents to their twenty-five. A hot offensive was kept up, the backs throwing the ball about in telling style, but the defence was strong and their 'movements just failed to get home. Again Free State, with a fine combined movement, carried .play to the All .Blacks ’ line, but by sound work .Strang and Dailey cleared, and with a brilliant forward movement, led by Brownlie, McWilliams, Swain, and Aliev, New Zealand swept down the field. From a scrum in the Free State's twenty-five, Dailey sent Strang away, the five-eighth cut in and scored a fine try under the posts, which Lindsay had no trouble in converting. All Blames 20 Orange Free State 0 Lilburne now changed places with Lindsay. The next passing movement saw Grenside thrown out at the corner. Play hovered in Free State’s twentyfive for 'a time. The New Zealand backs puzzled their opponents by a series of quick thrusts. The* State made one more praiseworthy, 'but ineffective effort and the game ended with the All Blacks still going stronglv. .

■COMMENTS ON THE GAME. The latter gave easily their best display* during the tour. The forwards put more weight into the scrums and obtained possession. Their scrum work was a big .improvement on Saturday•'« exhibition. In the line-'out New Zealand dominated play, the pack exhibiting bettor combination and understanding. Brownlie, .McWilliams and Swain stood out and Alley was invaluable in line outs.The backs from the start combined well, Dailey feeding them generously. Although McGregor received a nasty injury to 'his back early in the game, he was valuable in attacking' movements. Strang, who played 'first fiveeighths, when McGregor was hurt, showed excellent football, varying his play* nicely. The three .quarters were in good form, their pace being too much for their opponents. The team is delighted with their reversal to form,,but realised fairly that they were meeting weak opponents. It is now certain that they* will keep the 222 formation in the scrum.