SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17269, 19 September 1919, Page 9

SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS.

30MINI0N V. FREE STATE. WIN BY 16 POINTS TO 5. GOOD AND FAST GAME. [KROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PIETERMARITZBURG, Aus. 8. The New Zealanders' fifth mat. h in south Africa was played at Bloemfontein yesterday against the Five State. Thr oral team has played a pood garm throughout this season, and with loyai sublic support Rugby is booming at pro sent in the Orange Free State. The Ramblers' Ground at Bloemfontein is bare of grass, and the visitors had their first experience in South Africa, of a real hard field. The terms were: New Zealand: Fullback, J. G. O'Bri-n . threequarters. Storey, Robert.-, and Ford, five-eighths, J. Ryan. McNaught, Henry. Sandman, and Singh: forward?. Ha/ell West. Bellis, Brine. Stfjiv>n, Kissitk. and Fogarty. Free Stat* : Fullback. Mentz: threequarters. McHardy. P. Dijson, Osterioh. and Serfontein; halves. Human tind Schalkwyk; forwards. A. M. Horak, Kohler, A. .J. Horak, R. Wall. Hattingb. Kriek, Manniekerk, and Hugo. The " All Blacks : ' received a great welcome. The sun. shining across the ground, gave no advantage to either side The opening was sensational. The horre team tried passing, Ryan, intercept-in;:. went through, and a rush led almost .0 a score, Mentz saving. The local te;m then replied, Horak leading the park and a dangerous movement was spoilt by a knock-on. Play settled in the military quarters. The of the visitors was slow. Consequently their backs were overrun by Free State, and the visiting side cleared with difficulty. The home men were forcing a great pace. Footwork, however, enabled the '" All Blacks'' to rush the Free State, lines, almost scor ing. Sensational Incident. The pace was apparently terrific and play ranged up and down the field, the New Zealand forwards excelling, whilst the local backs were almost superior. Play settled down in the Free State line.-, and sound kicking kept every movement in check. Gradually the " All Blacks " were assuming controj. of the game. Then McHardy streaked through with a sixty yard run, but was bundled into touch. Ryan threw out a brilliant long ball to Ford, but Osterioh tackled in masterly fashion. The New Zealand forwards' at tack had its determination rewarded at last, when Sandman started a passing rash between Ryan. McNaught, Roberts, and Ford, and the last-named scored in the cornerthe best try of the tour. Hazell failed with his kick at goal. The visitor? kept up the pressure, and West, leading the " All Blacks," notched another try at the corner. Ryan's kick struck the cross-bar. Play resumed sensationally, as in loose play Dixon gathered and broke away in brilliant style. The " All Blacks " were caught napping, and Serfontein, taking a good pass from a beautiful movement, scored. Mentz converted, leaving the visitors one point ahead. Then Roberts and Storey absolutely outplayed the Free State, and scored behind the posts. At the interval New Zealand led by 11 points to 5. Free State in the second half adopted close dribbling, and worked their way into i the visitors' quarters, but were held. A smart rush by the visitors' forward- was followed by Roberts attempting a drop for goal. Play settled in mid field, and tackling was deadly. The game was of a close character for five minutes. Then Sandman tried the open side, and State were at tacked heavily. A lot of scrumming ensued in the home quarters, but the backs cleared creditably time and time again. The New Zealanders essayed to open up, but McHardy. seizing his chance, dribbled through, with the enemy in pursuit. In snapping up in front of the posts, Roberts caught him. and brought off a wonderful tackle. Unfortunately Roberts' knee gave way, and he had to be carried off the field. Brilliant Passing Bashes. Reduced to a pack of six, the misfortune of the visitors was taken advantage of by the Free State men, who forced the pace. The local backs came into action. but four in turn were bowled over by the unerring tackling of the New Zealanders. who were soon once again in the home half. The brilliant McNaught saw another deadly attack on the local base, but Ford was brought down on the line. Free State pressed again, passing with brilliance, but the centres, running too far out, ran the wing to touch. Dixor. and Osterloh got away, but the tackling was too , formidable, and headway was blocked , The New Zealanders again attacked, but I by long kicking the homesters managed to get down, and th« New Zealanders had to [ go all out to defend. i Free State by a great effort smothered s the visitors, but Ford managed to clear. and saved the position. Ryan, getting an opportunity, ran down the field and save to West, who scored a brilliant try, and crowned a fine surprise movement by converting it, amidst general applause. A hard fought match ended with the scores: New Zealand . . . . . . IS Orange Free State . . . . 5