SURPRISE VICTORY

Northern Advocate, 18 June 1925, Page 5

SURPRISE VICTORY

AGAINST ALL BLACKS

A WET GROUND MATCH.

BUT FULL OP INTEREST,

(Received 9 a.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day.

The All Blacks made their second appearance in Sydney yesterday afternoon against a team chosen from the metropolitan and country districts. There were 2500 spectators. The local team's victory by 18 points to 16 came as a general surprise. . The ground was soft, with a big puddle in the centre, and the greasy ball prevented accurate handling. The game throughout was very even, the advantage in the seaond half being with the home side. Although New Zealand did not make such a good showing, it was a much more interesting game than on Saturday. The teams were as follows: New South Wales—Full-back, Ross; three-quarters, Cressman, Reid, Morrissey, Smith; halves, George, Snell; forwards, Thorn, Laycock, Rigney, Baber, Fox, Erby, Tarleton, Ritchie. New Zealand—Full-back, Harris; tUree-quarters, Elvey, Johnston, Law; five-eighths, Lawson, Johnson; half, Corkhill; forwards, Donald (wing), Lomas, Kirkpatrick, Righton, Finlayson, Walters, Thomas, Dickson. AN EARLY SCORE. The New Zealanders' serum work showed considerable improvement compared with Saturday's. They gained the ball frequently. The line-out play also was much better.

New South Wales drew first blood a few minutes after the opening, Reid diving over and Crossman converting.

N.S.W. 5, N.Z. 0. Lomas, Kirkpatrick and Finlayson were prominent in dribbling rushes, which gained much ground and kept New South Wales on the defensive for tke greater • part •of the spell The home team was incomparably, stronger than Saturday's side. Thorn again was a tower of strength and was ably supported by Ross, Reid and Morrissey, who shone, especially in the second half. The New Zealanders showed better combination than the New South Welshmen, and some brilliant passing movements were witnessed. FORWARD SUCCESSES. New Zealand's tries in' the firs.t half were due mainly to forward work. Finlayson secured the ball at half-way and passed to Dickson at the twenty-five. -The latter pushed his way over. Then Walters crossed. • The same player started a movement which resulted in Elvey scoring at the corner. Johnston converted two of these tries, and the score at ; half-time was: itf.Z. 13, N.S.W. 5. — "TAIL DOWN" New South Wales had the better of the second half. The Blacks were heavily pressed, and towards the end they seemed to get their tail down. On opening, New Zealand were compelled to force. A few minutes later Elvey strained the ligaments of his foot arid had to retire. He was replaced by Matson. HOME TEAM'S MISTAKES. Thorn made several individual dashes, but he was not supported. The New South Wales forwards were inclined to speculate and kick hard instead of dribbling, and several promising movements were spoiled by trying to pick up the ball when it could have been dribbled over. The Blacks were continually 6n the defensive. From a' passing rush, which commenced. at half-way Reid dived over and Crossman converted.

N.Z. 13, N.S.W. 10. The Blue forwards then overran the Blacks, and a few minutes later New Zealand had to force. Then Barber secured from the ruck, and after the ball had passed through several players' hands Crossman scored wide out, and failed to convert his own try. N.Z. 13, N.S.W. 13. A STRENUOUS STRUGGLE New South Wales attacked again and Reid dashed over under the posts. Crossman added the major points. N.S.W. 18, N.Z. 13. New Zealand bucked up a little after this, although they . were still kept defending the line.. , Play was transferred occasionally to the Blues' half, only to quickly return. The New South Wales backs were indulging in ahort Ivickß just over the Blacks' heads, and quick . following up put tliem in a good position, , Harris was playing vvery soundly and was called on' continuously to save his side. Morrissey, wlio is a big man, used his weight to advantage and played clev» erly. THE LAST TRY. Just on time Donald broke through and Finlayson finished oft a nice movement by scoring at the corner, Johnston's kick failed, and the game ended: New South Wales 18, New Zealand 16. —A. and N.Z.

METROPOLITAN MATCHES,

DOMINION'S FIRST DEFEAT,

In the past six New Zealand teams during Australian tours have played matches against the Metropolitan Union of New South Wales, which comprises Sydney clubs. New Zealand has always beaten the Metropolitan Union, though on two occasions the

home team put up a great fight, in 1914 and again early in the 1920 tour. Two matches were played against Metropolitan in 1920, and on the second occasion New Zealand put up the cricket score of 79 to 5. For yesterday's match the Metropolitan team apparently was strengthened by the inclusion of certain country players, and the result must have been very satisfactory to the New South Wales people. Including yesterday's match, the record of meetings between New Zealand and the Metropolitan Union is as follows:— 1903— N.Z. 33, Metropolitan 3. 1905.— N.Z. 22, Metropolitan 3. 1914— N.Z. 11, Metropolitan 6. 1920— N.Z. 20, Metropolitan 11. 1920— N.Z. 79, Metropolitan 5. 1922— N.Z. 24, Metropolitan 6. 1924— N.Z. 38, Metropolitan 5. 1925—Metropolitan 18, N.Z. 16.