ALL BLACKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 15 June 1925, Page 5

ALL BLACKS

GOOD WIN AT SYDNEY IN FIRST TEST MATCH 26 POINTS TO 3 (By Electric Telegrapn.—Copyright., \ itsiralian A N.Z. Cable Associate ‘ SYDNEY. June 13. Fifteen thousand witnessed the firsttest between the All Blacks and New South Wales. Tim weather was dull and threatening ami the ground on tinsoft side as a result of the recent rains. Bryant replaced Ford in the New South Wales team. In the first half New South Wales had the advantage of Unwind and made good use of it. but all efforts to kick goals failed. Play was mostly in the Black's territory during the first half, but they managed to keep the homo team out. The Blacks proved a fast and nippy set of players, who with practice will improve considerably. Their combination was good, but their passing rushes are apt to break down on account of over-keenness. New South Wales were much superior in this respect. The handling of the ball by both sides was not of the best, but there were some notable exceptions. Tlie game was a splendid -exhibition of wing play. Elvey was easily the best back on the ground with Blake and Wise prominent. New South Wales were heavier in the scrum and obtained the bn!! more than their opponents and were usually superior on the line outs.. The line kicking was also a feature of the play. Boss, New South Wales' full back, played an excellent game, his long line kicks, especially in the. second half, frequently saving his side from trouble.

At half time the score was 3 all, and gives a fair indication of the merits of the teams, but in the latter part, of the second half New South Wales went to pieces and Now Zealand had things all their own wav.

New South Wales commenced to attack from the outset. Bowers took the ball down the line, but Righton marked and relieved the pressure. The attack was, however, maintained. Harris marked on the line and then play shifted back to half-way, but a long fine kick by Ross again brought the New Zealand line into danger. Matson smartly intercepted a pass and a certain score by the Blue backs was spoiled by a knock on. The Blacks were several times penalised in their own territory, but New South Wales, like the New Zealanders, lacked good goal kickers, all attempts going wide. Bowers retired after 20 minutes and was replaced by Mulligan. Greatorex knocked on near the Blacks line. From the resulting scrum the same player pushed his way over, but-Crossman failed to convert. A few minutes later Wright started the backs going and in a. scramble in the corner Kirkpatrick crossed, but Dickson's kick fell short. The Blacks continued the attack and Johnson was forced out close to the New South Wales line. Faulty handling by the Black hacks raised the hopes of New South Wales supporters, but the forwards retrieved the position. Greatorex who was the most prominent among the New South Wales forwards, commenced a likely movement, hut. his pass was intercepted and the danger was averted.

The Blues continued the attack in the second half, hut a Black passing movement. saw Wise pulled down at the NewSouth Wales 25, after which, except for sporadic rushes, the game remained in the Blue/s half. A New Zealand forward rush took the hall to the line where a scrum from a knock on favoured New South Wales, the ball being sent into touch. Offside play by the Blacks spoiled a promising piece of play. The ball went, to Crossman, who made a speedy run past half way and Wise, in diving to collar him, succeeded, but was temporarily laid out. A brilliant hack passing rush from the line out resulted in Elvey getting over at the corner. Harris’s kick failed.

Elvey again made a great- dash down the line, but, was pushed out. Wright, behind the scrum, was responsible for much good work. He was setting his backs moving ’well. From a piece of offside play by Greatorex, Dickson had a kick at goal and the hall hit the post and bounced over. Line kicking by Ross enabled the Blues to invade tlie Now Zealand half, but the Blacks were equal to the occasion and play went hack to the Blues’ line, where Humphreys picked the hall out of the serum. Harris's kirk fell just outside the post-. Wise, from half wav made a. good run down the lino, hut Rainbow intercepted his pass and kicked the hall, which came into Elvey’s hands. He again distinguished himself by a groat run, crossing at the corner. Johnson’s kick failed. The New South Wales hacks were unablo to profit by the forwards' efforts and in the last ten minutes the whole side seemed to lose heart, New Zealand being allowed to score thrice in quick succession. First, Wise made a- dash down the lino and then passed to Lomas, who crossed. Then clever work by Blake saw Righton over, and Wise was again prominent in taking the ball in front of the posts, cutting in and scoring. Dickson converted the latter try, but the other kicks failed. Just on time Wise again got over at the corner and Johnson’s kick was unsuccessful and the game ended.

New Zealand New South Wales