THIRD TEST

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2715, 24 June 1925, Page 7

THIRD TEST

Hard Forward Game Ends 11-3 LAW SCORE'S FIRST TRY OP MATCH. [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Auat. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Tuesday, 8.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 23. Conditions ruling for tho third test between New Zealand and New South Wales were anything but suitable for good football. Rain fell right up to the commencement of the match and again during the second half. Earlier games had cut up the ground considerably and in places it was a regular quagmire. The game, as a result, was mainly a forward one, wherein the All Blacks for the most part predominated.

All worked hard, Finlayson, Knight and Righton being outstanding figures Donald also played well, but was many times penalised for being offside. The forwards kept the ball at their locs and several times carried it right to the New South Wales- lino, only to be pulled up for an infringement of the rules.

The ball was very greasy, but the backs of both teams gave some nice exhibitions of passing. The blacks more than held their own in the serums and line-outs and kc,pt the ball tight. New South Wales made several dangerous attacks, mainly as the result of mishandling by the New Zealand backs, but they were inclined to kick too hard. The full-backs both played at the top of their form and repeatedly relieved the pressure by sure handling and line-kicking. Matson was replaced by Corkill and McCormack played instead of Lomas in the New Zealand team. The attendance was two thousand. The blacks kicked off and commenced an attack, but offside play drove them back. Johnson had a shot at goal but the ball went just outside. It was a good kickj considering the state of the ball. Faulty handling from the scrum let New South Wales away, but Law sent the ball into touch at the twenty-five. The blue backs fumbled. Wise made a great attempt, but was hauled down close to the line. Then a passing rush on the other side saw Law pushed out at the corner by George. In another black rush, Blake passed too soon and tiie .ball went) across to Crossman, who made a good run down the line, then kicked, but Harris saved. The blacks were penalised in their own twenty-five, but Morrissey’s kick at goal failed. The blues continued to press, but off-side play relieved flic blacks. A mark by Morrissey set him blues attacking, but Donald marked in return and eased the position. Donald then commenced a forward rush and from the scrum near halfway, the ball passed through all the backs’ hands to Law, who scored ait the corner. Johnson’s kick failed. — New Zealand, 3—o.

The blacks again attacked. Blake mishandled the ball which went out. Then Wise was pushed out at the corner. From the ensuing line-out. New South Wales forced. The black forwards continued tp cxer.t pressure and there were several line-outs and serums near the New South Wales lino, but Ross was sure and saved repeatedly. Reid made a great individual dash down-field and kicked and Harris had to put the ball out in his own twenty-five. Crossman here had to leave the field and was replaced by Jamieson.

The New Zealand forwards again took the ball to New South Wales territory, whore scrum after scrum kept the forwards busy till the blues relieved and the spell ended with the score at 3—o.

A free kick early in the second half put New South Wales in an attacking position, Morrissey finding the line well up, but off-side play saved the blacks. New South Wales pressed hard. Donald led a sortie which placed the blue line in danger, but again the blue forwards came back to the New Zealand half. The New South Wales’ forwards hammered away at the New Zealand line for a quarter of an hour, but th e defence was sound.

A free kick for the home side gave Ross his chance* and he piloted the ball over the bar, equalising the score's. Spurred on by this reverse, the black forwards set up a strong attack on the blues' line, which Jamieson relieved by a line kick. A good back movement saw Wise nearly over, but he was pulled down by Morrissey and from a scramble, New South Wales forced. Offside play by the blacks again saved the blue line, then Corkill secured and passed to Wise, who dashed in. Wh3n pulled down, he transferred to Walters who plunged over. Dickson failed with the kick.—New Zealand 6—3.

A mark put New South Wales in a good position, but the shot at goal failed. The All Blacks again attacked, but the blues forced their wayback. After some give-and-take play at half-way, a black attack was stopped by off-side play. Tho blacks, however, came on once more and from the ruck, Wright set the backs in motion, and Wise dashed round and scored in a good position, Johnson’s kick was successful and the final whistle blew a few minutes later leaving the score:— New Zealand .. .. .. 11 New South Wales .... .., 3 [This is the first time since 1920 that New Zealand has won all three tests against New South Wales. In 1922, the blues won the rubber and in 1924, tho team that subsequently went Home lost the first Test at Sydney by 20—16.—“Ponty.”.] DUNEDIN’S GREAT MATCH. ’VARSITY GOBS DOWN TO PIRATES. Mr B. J. Jacobs, of Palmerston North, was a spectator of tho PiratesOtago University A match, at Dune-

din, on Saturday. Pirates won by 11 to S, the winners scoring all their points in the first spell and the losers in the second. What luck; there was in the game went 'Varsity’s way, as its scores were not to be compared with Pirates. In addition, of three men who had to retire hurt, two were opponents. And ’Varsity was beaten where it -was thought it was stronger, forward.