ALL BLACKS WIN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 July 1928, Page 5

ALL BLACKS WIN

PRETORIA. BEATEN BY 13 TO 6 ONE OF STRONGEST TEAMS DEFEATED VISITORS’ SPLENDID DEFENCE WORK Received 11 a.m. to-day. (Special to Press Association) PRETORIA, July 25. Overwhelmed in the first spell by the New Zealanders’ backs and forwards, Pretoria came to light with a complete reversal of form in the second half in the match played at Pretoria to-day. The display of the All Blacks in the first spell, when they dominated the scrums, was brilliant and the best exhibition of the tour. In the second spell the New Zealand forwards slackened up and the game deteriorated. The New Zealanders should have won by more than 13 to 6. A large crowd watched the match, which was played on parched turf ground. Sir William Solomon was introduced to the New Zealand team, who delighted the crowd with its faimous haka.

The match opened with a passing rush from a line-out by Pretoria backs, 'but the inovenfent broke down among the three-quarters. The New Zealand forwards breaking through, Dailey whipped' the ball away from the ruck oh the blind side to Grensido, who raced down to the touchline with a shattering swerving run and sicore'd far out. Lindsay’s kick just, missed. All Blacks 3 Pretoria 4 0 From the line-out- following the kick off Chapman sent the Pretoria backs away. K'otzc punted beautifully and the backs kicked over the line and in a race for the ball Kotzc boat Lindsay and scored. The kick at goal missed. All Blacks 3 Pretoria 3 The New Zealanders were on their toes to-day, throwing the ball about in the open in a telling fashion, and making the game fast and open, while their backs combined in pretty movements.

Swain next started a dribbling rush from the liuo-out. McWilliams carried on, and picking up, got over, Lindsay goaling. All Blacks 8 Pretoria 3 A succession of runs by New Zealand backs had the Pretoria backs puzzled, but their tackling was sound and they managed to keep the attackers at bav. In attempting to clear a rush the full-back miskicked into the hands of Grenside, who passed to Swain and the forward scored an easy try under the posts, which Lind Say converted. All Blacks 13 Pretoria 3 Ko'tze and Liebcn'burg had the crowd on their feet with a beautiful in and out movement down the line. Liebonburg kicked past Lindsay and -the position looked dangerous, but 'Carlton came hard aieross and saved. Away went the New Zealand forwards again in a fast attack With McWilliams, Horc and .Swain in the lead. They combined in several interesting movements before half-time and were twice almost over, but Pretoria forwards, led .byKruger, Van Dru-ten and Nykanvp eventually worked play down-field. PLAY MORE EVEN. From the kick-off in the second spell Pretoria backs got going in a passing rush but Ddbie stumbled and Lindsay cleared with a great kick .pas't halfway. Play was more even than in the first spell, the local forwards holding their own. They set about the big task of recovery with a vengeance, but the All Blacks’ defence, as usual, was sound. The New Zealand forwards then got moving again, and McWilliams and ■Swain went ra'eing down the line in a brilliant in and out passing rush -

from a line out, but a forward pass at the critical moment spoiled a moral try. Pretoria backs gained a lot of ground from a serum at half-why, and the forwards made a determined effort to got over, Hammering away at the New Zealand line for a few minutes till Ward shot out with the Wall at his feet and went away on a beautiful solo effort. The Pretoria forwards next started a fine attack in which the backs joined in. -It was a pretty movement, which ended hi Geyser scoring at. the corner. Gush "missed with the kick. All Blacks 13 Pretoria 6 Pretoria was getting the ball from the sci'ums at this stage and the backs throw the ball about in movements which were 'consistently smashed by the New Zealand backs. There was a spell of scrappy play until the New Zealanders started a hot attack which went from half-way to the corner where an infringement spoilt a royal chance.

Pretoria cleared, their quarters. Shoot, ing the ball a Way from a scrum, Chapman started them away. Dobie short punted and Carleton and Lindsay between them pulled their side out of a dangerous position. The last few .minutes of the game still saw Pretoria, making desperate efforts to win and the final whistle came with the New Zealand backs still lidding up a lively attack.

NOTES ON THE GAME. Winning the ball from the scrums IS to 18, in the first spell, the New Zea. landers were all over Pretoria backs, showing 'excellent form. ‘The only thing that saved a larger score was the fine defence of the home side, which in the second spell would not have been recognised as the same players. The New Zealand forwards slackened up and Pretoria got the same percentage of -the ball from the scrums as their opponents did in the first spell and their backs were continuously on the attack. Dobie, Kotzc and Chapman standing out. All their efforts, however, were effectively and consistently spoiled. All the New Zealand backs played a fine game; Nich-olls, Carleton, and Dailey at times being brilliant. Grenside got more of the ball than Luicas, but the Aucklander made most of every chance. Lindsay’s kicking and defence were first-class. McWilliams, Swain and Ward were easily the best of the forwards. Kruger, Van Druten, Nykamp and Goero were the outstanding Pretoria forwards. It was a fine triumph for the New Zealanders, for Pretoria was regarded as one of the hardest .matches of the taur, and was looked upon as a minor test.