FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1919, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

GREATEST RUGBY MATCH OF THE SEASON.

HOW THE ALL BLACKS WON

(Special report by F. J. Sellicks.) Inverleith, April 6 There have been few more impressive moments in the history of sport than when “ God Save the King ” was played before the great game at Inverleith to-day. Fifteen thousand spectators were in their places, soldiers at the salute, civilians bare-headed, in silent tribute of loyalty. And not a few thought of that last historic struggle at Inverleith in 19x4, when Scotland’s wonderful rally only just failed to bring her the victory, and ol the many gallant gentlemen playing that day who have since tallen on a sterner field. Very soon, however, a roar of welcome from the hundreds of New Zealand soldiers who had made the long journey north greeted the All Black fifteen, led on by Ryan, who captained the side; while L- G. Brown, in command of the Army, t was received* with even greater enthusiasm. 1 Play began at a great pace, and 1 for the first few minutes the New , Zealanders had the better of the struggle. The Army were kept in , their own twenty-five, defending ! desperately. A fine kick by Sloan drove the New Zealanders back, but only for a moment. From a line-out their forwards rushed down on the Army line, and there was another fierce struggle to prevent them scoring. Gradually the Army forwards settled down, and a perfectly irresistible rush, with Usher in the van, cleared their lines. From this point the Army were at least as good as their opponents ; they had got over their bad time without being scored against, ard so well were they playing that they had a distinct chance of victory. Brown and Usher led the forwards in great style, and they began to get the ball out to Pym. C. Lewis put in a clever run, ending with a line kick, which put the Army on the attack, but the New Zealanders

broke away with a strong rush, only to be sent back bv a free kick for off-side. The Army again had a splendid chance to score. Pi 11 man kicking to touch when he might apparently, have passed out to hi-tliree-quarteis. More Army passing was followed by C. Lewis having a creditable but unsuccessful drop at goal, from which the New Zealan lers saved, as they had to do again a inimt'e later, a r ter a dash for the line by 1) iv. IRREPRESSIBLE ALL BLACKS.

The All Blacks raised the sieg- , and though Cumberlege, who was kicking beautifully, drove them back mere than once, they would not be denied and again bore down on the Army line. Mere there was a fierce struggle for a minute or two, and then about a dozen players of both sides went over in a heap. Most people expected a five yards scrum, but the referee credited Beilis with a try, which was not converted. In no way dismayed, the Army caiue away at once, Pickles being conspicuous for several excellent pieces of work. Just as a score seemed bound to come Storey intercepted a pass outside his own “twenty-five” aiitl dashed away for the Army line, His great pace and a clever swerve took him past Cumberlege, and though Sloan from the opposite wing made a great effort he could not save the try. Stohr again failed to convert, and the New Zealanders crossed over with a 6 points lead. deadly tackling.

For some mimites after the resumption play hung about the Army “ twenty-five,” but suddenly llie forwards broke away with one of their thrilling rushes and set up a prolonged attack on the New Zealand line. The All H'acks hung tenaciously to their lead, and their tackling was deadly, but nothing could stop the Army, and wild cheering greeted Pillman’s dash over the line. The referee, however, ruled that the New Zealanders had saved, and they were compelled to do so twice more in quick succession, for there was no doubt tlnu the Army had gained the upper hand for the time. They were soon rewarded, for a clever piece of work by Lewis gave Pickles a chance, and he put Day in at the corner, no goal resulting. The drop-out did not clear the New Zealand lines for long, the Army was soon back again, pressing hard and making the most strenuous efforts to equalise. Only defence of the highest class could have kept them out; for ten minutes at least a try seemed likely at any moment. Now and again the All Black forwards broke away, but Cumberledge twice sent them back in great style with long, raking kicks into touch. Cullen tried to drop a goal, and only missed by a foot or two. and Sioan on one occasion was within a yard of the line. Then the delenders managed to clear, and the end of the great game arrived with the ball in neutral territory.

COMMENTS. The New Zealanders thus won by two tries to one, and no one will grudge them their victory. They were the first to admit that, barring the injury to Ryan, they had had a little the best of the luck, but it must not be forgotten that it was their stern defence that pul’ed them through, and there is no luck about that. If the Army did not score more than once, it was because thenopponents would not let them, and the game is decided by points obtained and not by considerations of good or evil fortune. Yet if the match were to be replayed next week not many of the Inverleifh spectators would make the All Blacks as strong favourites as they

were on Saturday. They are an exceptionally wellbalanced team, strong fore and alt, with no weak points. Pace and dash are their chief characteristics, and opportunism is their god. They are ever ready to profit by the mistakes of the other side, and just as clever in covering up their own. O’Brien was as sale as ever as full-back, and the third line, while having very little organised attacking to do,

defended magnificently. They are all fast, and essentially sound, and they were handicapped by Ryan’s injury. The forwards played as they always do, young men in a hurry from start to finish, but for quite half the game the Army pack were their masters. Singe, the wing forward, was out by himself in more ways than one. He is a great player, and impressed everybody.