WIN FOR SPRINGBOKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17872, 29 August 1921, Page 6

WIN FOR SPRINGBOKS.

JTHE SECOND TEST MATCH.

CLOSELY-CONTESTED GAME.

SCORE: 1 9 POINTS TO 5.

MARGIN OF POTTED GOAL.

The second test match between the South African team and the All Blacks was played at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a very large attendance of the public. The South Africans won by 9 points—a converted try and a potted goal—to a converted try by New Zealand. W- Sendin scored for South Africa, G. Morkel converting, and the latter potted the goal from the feld. McLean registered New Zealand's try, which Nicholls converted. The attendance at the match was estimated by an official of the Auckland Rugby Union, who had charge of the arrangements for accommodating the public, to bo 40,000, but this was based upon a calculation of four persons to the square yard in that part of the ground where no seating accommodation was provided. The crowd was greater by thousands than that which witnessed the Springboks' match against Auckland on the previous Saturday, but it is doubtful if the number reached 34,000. From shortly after 9 a.m. buses, motor-cars, and improvised motor conveyances, and tram-i-.ars loaded with passengers commenced running to Eden Park, and this continued until well on toward 2 p.m., when the traffic slackened considerably. By this time the terrace on the north side of the playing area was black with people from the park boundaiy fence to the railings around the field. Those who arrived on the scene early in the day took advantage of the higher portion of the terrace, and consequently had an excellent view of the game, but hundreds below on the flat ground at the foot of the terrace and at the western end of the park did not get a good view. The more provident ones bought benzine Voxes and others climbed on top of motor-cars, buses and any other place which wouid Kive them a clear view of the proceedings, but this only tended to make the ordeal of the less fortunate section of the public the more trying^ Teams Witness a Preliminary Game.

A great many people were accommodated inside the playing field fence several yards back from the touchline. The stands were packed, and on the ground at the end of each building every particle of standing room was occupied. Many people witnessed the game from points of vantage other than those to do secured in Eden Park. For instance, the roof 3of houses overlooking the park made convenient grandstands for a good • number. In one case three or four women were seen perched upon the ridge of a roof, and in several women found accommodation in the dip of a double hip-roofed dwelling. Fences, back gardens, and any place affording a free view of the game were used. As on the previous Saturday the " early birds" provided themselves with trie necessary coats, cushions, periodicals and newspapers, as well as with refreshment. The literature was not used to any extent tor the reason that football matches were -in progress from 10 a.m. up' until after 4.30 p.m The Springboks and the All | Blacks arrived on-the ground - shortly after 1.30 p.m;, just- as the senior cup final between Grafton and Grammar Old Boys began. They were given a fitting reception by we ■ large gathering ■ as they took the seats provided for them in front' of the public stands. The visitors were most interested in the match, mainly because it was played under the amended Rugby rules, which make for fast open play, shorn, of monotonous line-jkicking. This game was a good one from a spectacular standpoint,, and the crowd showed its appreciation of _. the play of both teams from time to time by cheering first' one side and,; then the other. Shortly before this game ended the test teams left the ground njj prepare lor their contest, and "were again cheered. . After/a few minutes' wait the All Blacks came Ming out, and then at a slight interval / the Springboks followed. Both teams / cosed for the photographers, and cheerss having been exchanged they took their/places on the field, the All Blacks defending the eastern goal. The weather was/ideal, being calm and fine. The grou/nd was in excellent condition, and quit/a suitable for a fast contest. Superb Line-kicking by Visitors. The game from start to finish was Wenly contested, the vanguard divisions of each side engaging in a titanic struggle from bell to bell. The Springboks' for wards played the close game, ever on the look-out to get the ball away to their /backs. These latter were never slow to /take advantage of the slightest opening, / and time and again they would turn de- / fence into attack. Their line-kicking / was superb, if montonous to Aucklanders, who have become accustomed to the new style of play, when the ball is kept in play as much as possible. The crowd was wonderfully impartial, •and duly recognised the merit of any outstanding play, irrespective of side. At times when the struggle was at its height those occupying seats around the ground would, in the excitement of the moment, jump up, and then those behind them, whose view of the proceedings was temporarily obstructed, would hurl all manner of caustic remarks at the offenders. On one occasion, when the All Blacks were attacking close to the Springboks' line, and a score seemed imminent and a view of the play was impossible, someone yelled, " Where is the a-Ray?" and another called out, " Some of you fellows will he run ovjjr by a baby!" On another occasion a photographer manipulating a film camera happened to be in the line of vision of a rather excitable individual, who called out, " Here, you take that Lewis gun out of that!" These and similar goodnatured expressions were frequently heard from various quarters of the ground during the match,*but no comment was made on the play, the huge crowd realising that it was a good hard fight, with honours pretty well even. Where the Springboks scored well was in their tackling. They brought their ofsponenls down every time. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed during the two spells, and even when it became apparent that probably the All Blacks would on this occasion have to lower their colours to the Springboks the crowd was loyal to the wearers of the fem leaf. They sought to encourage them • to greater effort by such remarks as " Up and under, New Zealand," " Open it up," and so on. Within a few minutes of the call of time the piping voice of a little child cculd bo heard, " Go on, New Zealand, you ars not done yet," but though they strove hard to open up the game, they were unable to overtake their opponents' score, although they wpnf. nerilously close to it on several occasions. the Springboks were cheered to the echo as they left the field, and the All Blacks came in for a liberal measure of applause for their exhibition.

MEDALS FOB BEST PLAYERS. THE HONOURS DIVIDED. The medals presented by the New Zealand Rugby Union for the best players in the test match on Saturday were awarded as follows j-rßest back, G. Morkel (South kndj forward > E. Beliis (New Zeabes &£3 t6st matih the medal for the Michau Tl W o S - aW ? rdcd to " B aby" on? £?*£s• , S Pnngbok team, and the ??! w ~ besfc baol ' to H. K Nichols «» New Zeaknd