NORTHUMBERLAND BEATEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18862, 10 November 1924, Page 9

NORTHUMBERLAND BEATEN.

ALL BLACKS AT NEWCASTLE

27 POINTS TO FOUR.

MILL KICKS THREE GOALS.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Received 5.5 p.m.) 'A. and N.Z. LONDON. Nov. 8. The All Blacks won the 16th match of'their tour to-day, when they defeated Northumberland by 27 points to 4. The homo side, which included three international players, Catheside, Wallace, and "Wbiteley, offered a very stout resistance in the first half of the game, and 'though the visitors had much the better of the play Northumberland's stubborn defence, coupled with the failure of the New Zealand back division to produce its- usual form, kept the home team's line intact nntil just before the int-erval, when Hart scored the first try of the day. This was the only score before half-time. However, when play was resumed, the Now Zealanders soon put the issue beyond doubt. Their backs made amends for their indifferent display in the early stages, showing good combination, handling the ball well, and executing excellent attacking movements. In the closing stages the superior weight and pace of the All Blacks told the tale and Northumberland were overwhelmed. The home team rarely looked dangerous, although Catheside was frequently in the limelight and dropped a fine goal from the field. Ine New Zealand place-kicking was not impressive. Mill was the most successful in this department, converting three tries. He also scored twice. Ram fell before the match, and in consequence the ground was heavy. The content attracted an' attendance of 16,000. .•-,,', i The New Zealand fifteen included several players who have not played for sortie time, among them being Brown and McCleary. The team was as follows :— Fullback: Nepia. Threequarters: Hart, Brown, Steel. Five-eighths: Cooke, McGregor. Haliback: Mill. Wingforward: Parker. Forwards: McCleary, Donald, Masters, C. Brownlie, Richardson Cupples, West.

Good Tackling by Both Sides. The New Zeaianders took the offensive from the outset and rushed play into their opponents' territory, the home team bemg compelled to force within three minutes from the start of the game. The northerners retaliated in fine spirit and went to the attack, but brilliant tackling held them well in check. The All Blacks back machinery, however, was not working tip to its usual standard, several of the players showing disinclination to go down against the ugly forward rushes launched bv the home team, and McGregor at five-eighths hanging on too much. As the game progressed the handling by the New Zeaianders improved, but their efforts were countered by ,the grim, effective tackling by the Northumberland players. Steel, the West Coast wingthreequarter. twice made a strong run but could not get past Catheside, who brought him down brilliantly. Both sides were playing a spoiling game, and the Northumberland forwards gave a dashing display in the loose, but their rushes were not well controlled. The visitors continued to be aggressive, but the local defence survived a prolonged period of severe pressure -until 37 minutes from the commencement of the game. Hart then crossed the line after a brilliant combined passing movement in which West,. Cooke, and Parker participated. Nepia failed to convert, and half-time came with the scores: —

All Blacks ..: ( *« ir. 3 I Northumberland i. . ; r». 0 I Improvement In Back Play.

During the firsrt half the New Zealand ! backs were distinctly below par, but they showed a considerable improvement on resumption. From a scrum near the Northumberland line the ball was kicked over, giving Cooke a chance. He flashed across; and touched down. This time. Mill was entrusted with the kick and made no mistake.

All- Blacks .« k.i h. 8 Northumberland .. *. 0

Exciting, fluctuating play followed. Catheside -was always prominent. One of his efforts, when he ran through half the visiting team, was particularly brilliant. Almost immediately afterwards he dropped a beautiful field goal.

All Blacks Northumberland

I'M 8 ~* 4

The New Zealanders, however, quickly returned to the attack and soon had Northumberland In difficulties. Mill dived over the line under the posts, but his attempt to convert was unsuccessful. The-AD Blacks' backs were now showing excellent form, and the score quickly mounted. Brown scored as the result of a fine passing movement amone the backs.» Nepia failed to convert. Shortly afterwards Cooke put in a splendid run, and then passed in to Mill, who scored his second try. He took the kick himself and added the major points, making the scores:

All Blacks ..- ~.; i.. 19 Northumberland ~* •• 4 All Blacks Increase Their Score.

The visitors dominated the closing stages. Richardson was tho next scorer, touching down between the posts for Mill to convert. A little later Steel ran round the opposition and notched the last try of the game, Nepia again failing to convert. The match ended with the scores:

All Blacks ..: K .i b. 27 Northumberland ..• .-. 4

The New Zealanders, who- were penalised nine times, had the advantage in the Fcrums, from the majority of which they gained possession of the balL The team as a whole, and particularly as regards -the back division, retrieved themselves in the second spell after their indifferent beginning. Parker, Richardson. Masters, and Brownlie were the most prominent of tho forwards, while Mill, Cooke, and Brown were the best of the backs.

Members of the New Zealand team were the guests of the Newcastle Rotary Club at luncheon yesterday, and also Inspected the Parsons Turbine Works. After the match to-day they will be entertained at dinner and the theatre as guests of the Lord Mayor! They leave Newcastle to-morrow for London, where they remain for ten days.

The results of the 16 matches played by the present team to date and the record of the All Blacks of 1905 for corresponding games are as follow, the New Zealand (scores being given first in each instance :—

The All Blacks play Cambridge on Wednesday.

1924. 1905. Devon . 11—0 55—4 Cornwall M . 29—0 41—0 Somerset M . 6—0 23—0 Gloucester M . 6—0 44—0 Swansea 39—3 4—3 Newport .. 13—10 6—3 Leicester .. 27- >0 28—0 N. Midlands . 40—3 21—5 Cheshire 18—5 34—0 Durham 43—7 16—3 Yorkshire *. 42—4 40—0 Lancashire .. 23—0 — Cumberland . 41—0 — Ireland .. 6—0 15—0 Ulster .. 28—6 — N'thumberland 27—4 31—0 Totals .. 399—42 358—18