FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17177, 3 June 1919, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

NEW ZEALAND V. SOUTH AFRICA.

A GREAT MATCH.

[KROJI ore owy corbespoxdent.]

LONDON, April 1.

In the inter-services tournament New Zealand won its third victory—against South Africa, at Twickenham—and thus qualified to meet the Mother Country at Inverloith. From first to Inst the 10,000 spectators taw a brilliant Rugby match, and all through South Africa stuck to their game. When all was lost they played hard to "no side.' But the Not? Z-eAKind side, with its pace and compactness,, dominated. The result was a goal f.ndithiee fries to a goal—lJ points to 5, Tho New Zealand team consisted of:— 3, O'Brien, ,T. Ford, J. Stohr, P. Storey, W. Fea, J. Ryan, C. Brown, R. Seilars, A. Wilson, E. Hasaell. E. Bellis, J. Kissick, R. Fogarty, L. Ccekrofl, A. Singe. The South Africans were:— V. Windcll, Captain S. W. Harris, Lieutenant D. V. Seally, Captain 11. A. Mills, Lieutenant W. J. Mills, Bombardier V. St. Leger, Corporal W. Townsend, Lieutenant D. Duncan, Corporal F. A. Bennctto, Lieutenant F. Hellish, Captain A. 0. Brownlee, Cadet Wolfe. Private J. J. Schwarz, Gunner E. Riordan, Captain W. H. Morkel.

The game was a keen forward fight in the loose, characterised oy intense tackling, but tho New Zea.anders seomed to have tho whip tond when it came to punting for tho followup. In tho first hail tho South Africans had tho bottsr of the gamo; their passing was neat a.nd every man was always in the right) position. Fifteen minutes from the start New 'Zealand took tho lead, P. Storey regis-1 tering a rattier lucky try. It seems that a misunderstanding between F. Windell and a thrceriuarter as to the taking of a curly punt i let through the New 'Zealand forwards in j midCeid. They kicked hard and followed up, j and in a general scramble for the bill near the corner flag Storey just got there first. ' Very soon, however, South Atrica retaliated , with the prettiest try of the match. Save for one brief period tho game until the end of j the first half was in New Zealand territory, ' but in this period New Zealand scored through J. Ford, and at half-time Led by 6 points to 5. On resumption the game took a turn in favour of the New Zealander3. They had the wind behind them, and their backs knew how to use it. The South African forwards, though always playing hard, were over-weigh:cd. As surely as they dribbled freo of their twenty-five so surely was the ball punted back by O'Brien or Stohr to the neighbourhood of a corner flag. These clover 'tactics bore fruit. The South African forwards wero unable to aid their backs in, repelling the attacks of the New Zealand threequarters, but they manfully defended their back lines. Though they kept out the New Zealand backs they could not keep out \ th» forwards. " Most of tho New Zealand forwards." re-1 marks the Times, " are mot only men of weight, but pace, and some of them, especi- I ally the Pacific Islander Wilson and Siogo, the wing-forward, handle the ball like backs, | Their dribbling is not good, but they are I very clever in picking up and breaking through in the loose. These hurricane > methods are especially useful near the line, and gave tho New Zealanders two tries, one apparently by Hazsll and another by Bellis, Stohr converting the second. Notes on the Game. The Athletic News states:—" Victory in the (end had gono to the cleverer, the more adaptable, and the better bide. They had got to fight for part of the first half, but they did not allow it to affect thoir nerves tor long. One of the best scrumnwgsrs of ' the day was Bellis. He is very fact on his feet, as also is the wing man, Singe; while I Bellis, Raze!l, and Seilars pleased me greatly. Wilson is an astute leader and handy. Fo-i's collection of the ball was wonderful; fast rolling balls, half-volleys, and full catches j all came alike to this fine player. All, thrc-eqiiarlors wort spry and clever. The pick ' of the back division was O'Brien—a fullback Quite out of the common, a grand fielder and fine kicker, and a beautiful tackier." ; The Sporting Life writes:—"The game was a bard, clean fight from beginning to end, and afforded in excellent afternoon's spurt i to a large and enthusiastic crowd." The Morning Post: 'In the second half I it did not lake one long to make out that : the All Blacks were going to win. Their for- ! wards wero better together and were playing i with that extra ' go' that always smacks..of victory. As nuick followersun they are unsurpassed, ,ir.d in their splendid opportunism they continually looked liko scorers." A Match at Cardiff. No scores at all resulted in a match played I at Cardiff, but, despite this, tlio game was I always interesting. The New Zealanders, on the run of play, wore somewhat [unlucky in ' not securing si win, especial'y as the Cardiff forwards did very badly mi the first half. It i.= remarked that, had the colonial backs only shown a glimmer of the accurate handling. and timing of passes which has marked tho work of former New Ze'iland teams in Wales, Cardiff would have had to fate a substantial adverse score. Tho passing of tho New Zealand side was too mechanical, and on two occasions there were inexcusable kjiock-on!, which meant the loss of two tries. I Two Sides from Sutton Coldfield. At Sutton the New Zealanders at iho Command Depot beat Old Edwardians by | l~mo dropped goal and eight tries (28 points) ; to 0. Tho Old Boys wero a young and iwi- j perienced lot, the war having played hivoc | with their resources. Tho military players j were much heavier and also fleeter, and he understanding the whole sido had was altogether too much for the Old Boys. Another New Zealand fifteen from Sutton had n* difficulty in smashing up Qio New XcalTider,* from Brockton, the former "wTnninfr by two goals and four tries (22 points) to 0. In the opening half Cray, O'Kane. Russell, and Kirwan scored, ncne of the tries beim; converted. Later, Pinkham and Russell scored and Gray converted both. Southern Command Rugby. In tlm final of the Southern Command Rugby championship the North Island team. N»w Zea'»'nd Command IVvjt. Codford, beat Otago detachment N.Z.E.F., Sling, by 8 points to 0. Tho match was played before a lair crowd at Salisbury, and, considering the snow-covered ground, a keen game resn'tcd, the Otago forwards p'aying a* fine game, but the combination of the depot team rpvvlod in the end. At 'ho contusion Lieutenant-Genoral Sir 11. Sclafar. K.C.8., G.O C, South"rn Command, presented tho cup and medals.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

Y.M.C.A. BOYS' LEAGUE.

The following will take part in the knockout competition to-day at the Domain: —

JUNIOR DIVISION.

Swifts: 0. Sicbert, E. Bell, H. Norton, 11. Martin, G. Shearer, E. Gyde, P. Meredith, C. Sparling, R. Christmas. L. Bek, W. Collins. Rovers: S. Allen, P". Noble, D. Fox, P. Lynch, A. Spinas, R. Witten, L. Winthrop, A. Simpson. C. Campbell. J. Mitchell. Celts: R. Crewther, E. Crowther, K. Aldorton, L. Johnston, E. Flanagan, E. Thompson, G. Brown, J. Reed, F. Joy, W. Anderson, E. Barnes, W. Heath. Rivals: E. Truman, S. Gardiner, W. Heerdegen, A. Gladding, I. Way, J. Stokes, I. Duncan, C. Battley, L. Strange, N. McGeachan, G. Graham. Spurs: S. Macßobie, H. Matheson, W. Fitzpatrick, I. Rawnslcy, L. Wilkinson, A. Crawford, V. Daiton, W. Trcdrea, J. Geddos, E. Hughes, G. Ebert. Rangers: N. Kemp, 0. Kemp, G. Swinfon, J. Blakey, E. Stotter, K. Pacey, J. Richardson, A. Clarke. a. Hutchinson, D. Bruce, J. Linclberg, F. Goodacre.. INTERMEDIATE B DIVISION. Rivals: R. Mackenzie, S. Miller. J. Emanuel, J. Bell, N. Smith, B. Cutler, K. Entwistle, G. Cole, F. Love, A. North, A. King, A. Patterson, G. Leonard. Rovers: A. Yeoman, J. Nicolson, A. McGougan, B. Pitkethley. R. Barker, C. Paliridge. H. Ronaync. V. Blott, J. Madden, N. Gallagher, A. Tredrea. Swifts: M. Siobert, L. Nicklin. W. Martin, L. Sheffield, H. Christmas, T. Sinel, S. Morath. E. Dyason, V. Cunnold, W. Thompson, E. Cooper. Ransers: A. L. Lucas, A. Clowes, A. Moir, L. Hall, J. Jlisgott. I. Brookcr, L Langham, A. Foster, G. Tailby, R. Field, A. Mazzolcni. INTERMEDIATE A DIVISION. Celts: G. Catlow. R. Walker. A. Boggis, R. Galbraith. 11. Hope, u Topliss, J. lopliss H.. Sheffield, J. Woodhead, C. Otter, T 'Ritals! P ß. Bach, H. Glenn, E. Thompson, J Patterson. S. Johnston. G. McCtUloch, fa. Bell. K. Bell, J. Graham, G. Comes, J. Spurs: S. Marshall. S. Copas, T. Beard, F. Moran, W. Reid, A. Blankley, L. Small, B Clark, K. Burgoyno, T. Wakehani, C. Eisby, R. Thorburn. . Rangers: R. Kemp, F. Marriage. W. ?Sk Wylie. J. White. C. White.. L. Taklo, N. Gtockley, G. Latham, E. time, E. Donovan. SENIOR DIVISION. Spurs: W. Lewis, B. Braithwaite, A. Lewis, G. Coltman, M. Goldstine, D. Jury, R. Wrjcatcroft, T. Kenderdine, A. Taylor, 0. Dorriugton, T. Jensen. Swifts: T. Lambert, C. Lineer, A. BodJcy, C Elder, A. Austin. L. Bavin. G. Bceston, S." Ashby, A. Nyberg, D. Thompson, R. Martin. _ „_ , Rivals: D. Peebles. N. Avery, C. Moir, L. Katterfeldt, C. Ellis, N. McKenzie, J. Comes, 11. Lawson, H. Stewart, E. Holmes, A. Ovcnden. . „ „ Rangers: W. Woods, A. Mundy, W. Gee, J. O'Malley, W. Richards, C. Smith. N. Baas, A. Garlick, H. Burrai'c, ]£» ArmsiiquCj. 3. Scarborouiib* i

Rovers: B. Coltmsn, A. Graltan. P. Clark, T. Bennett, ; B;-Wiolski..'H. Batle-l H: SawtelL R. Blott, D. Bucbon, 11. Newel* D. Strongman. ..■,._ , _ _.„ .. Celts: W. KMSing, P. Keeking, J. O'JwV R. Turnbull, L. Kendall, H. Lange, P. Egerton, W. Bonnclley, W. MeXibbon. A. Burgoyno, V. Ramsay.

SENIOR DIVISION V. VT.Y.M.I. W.Y.M.1.: Piirdie, Mud, Peebles, Sadprove. Rosier, Lincoln, Clarke, Baton, Cater, Howard, Scott.

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION V. TECHNICAL.

Technical: G. George. McMiclicn, Jameson, Beachmann. Bryaon, Burgess, I'oUcs, Hanklns, Tanner, Clement, Wheatloy; reserves, Carlylo and Frith..