WITH "THE ALL BLACKS," 1907-08.

Otago Witness, Issue 2804, 11 December 1907, Page 62

WITH "THE ALL BLACKS," 1907-08.

Bt A. H. Baskerville.

NEW ZEALAND 20, BROUGHTON RANGERS 14.

"STAMINA WINS A STRENUOUS CONTEST."

The " All Blacks' " first <.est is over, and they breath© complacently for % while. Broughton Rangers were defeated on Saturday, and we are now "hall-marked." What is more, we came through the ord<?ai ipith flying colours. Both pre=s and public yere delighted with our display, ami we tvere in return made happy by the attendance of ihat public. The attendance was estimated to be nearly 25,000, and tho gate amounted to approximately £1100. We had a great welcome at the station, and a magnificent reception at the ground. Never in recent years ha« co much interest been taken in a Northern Union fixture m Lancashire. At 3 o'clock the stands were packed, and the ground -was full. There still seemed thousands outside awaiting their turn to press through the turnstiles. They all pressed in, however.

Broughton has stood for many years as one of the finest and most accomplished teams in the Northern Union. Their record is excellent. They play open, attractive football, of a kind which it was predicted we would find it difficult to cope with successfully. Combination is their strong point, owinpt to their possession of a tricky pair of half backs, and a steady, reliable set of three-quarters. They gave a very good exhibition, but were actually beaten at their own game, and, it is pleasing to relate, even their own supporters admitted that tho margin should have been greater between the scores. We have not yet thoroughly mastered the rules, and it was the Blacks' ignorance in this direction which practically led to all their scores. The New Zealamiers weTO keyed up to a high pitch of oxcifcement by the importance of the match. It meant life or death to a certain extent to the future 6uccess of the tour. Thus the over-eagerness of certain members ib excusable, and was not surprising.

The first half of the game produced splendid football. The brilliant and bewildering

passing rushes of the " All Black* " went straight to the hearts of the crowd. They could not help being impartial. Lancashire people like the passing game in the same degree as the forward game is appreciated in Yorkshire. They were given an opportunity of seeing both, because in the second spell the New Zealand forwards were the controlling factor.

I fancy the Dominion public would have preferred the second period of the game. The occasional enthralling flashes in the first half would have caused much excitement no doubt, but give me the second epell, when the spectators were continually "on edge." The magnificent forward rushes, the keenness of the " tight " battles on each goal-line, and the deadly tackling kept one in a state of suspense. A vivid flash o£ lightning which played over ihe ground in. the closing scenes of the game did not seem at all out of place. It was a fitting accompaniment to the strenuous contest.

New Zealand- won the toss, and chose to play with a slight breeze favouring them. The ground — one of the finest in the United Kingdom — was in perfect condition.

Broughton's kick-off was well returned by Turtill. and marked, owing to tfie BJack forwards following up briskly. Their kiofc was in turn then marked' by Turtill on the; halfway line. Messenger tried to kick » goal, but the ball, though propelled quite far enough, was a few feet wide of the mark. Broughton forced down. Wrigley _ secured the ball from the kick-out, taxi dashed down the line. A serum.' took place near their twenty-five iine. Newr Zealand obtained possession, and R. Wynyard made an opening. He passed to Todd\ who in turn handed on to W. WynvardThe latter was tackled when almost over. Again a scrum took place, this time nearer their line. W. Wynyard scoured the ball after a similar evolution, and made no mistake on this occasion. He scored a. ' few minutes after the game had started, and Messenger kicked an unmistakable goal. Wrigley returned their kick-off well, but the Broughton forwards worked the play into midfield. They secured from a scrum, started a passing rush, and ciaes-kioked. Smith made a capital mark. This and s free kick, given for off-side play, relieved the Blacks. Todd found the touch-lino at the halfway flag. The resulting scrum saw New Zealand again in possession, bat the defence was too stream-. Loose play saw the ball carried to the Broughton line. A passing rush, in which several backs were concerned, enabled Todd to receive the ball with a dear ran in, bui the referee ruled one of the passes to ba forward. A few minutes later Todd was again almost over. This time he wae pulled down a few yards away. New Zealand were seen ai their best about this time. Another brilliant passing rush, participated in. by neacly all th« backs, was just settled by a Brooghton man kicking into touch. They secured from the scrum, and took the. opportunity to invade our territory. Then followed come hot work on we Blacks' line. Broughton almost got over by a passing rush. One of them passed the ball off the ground', and was penalised. The free kick found the touch-line at halfway, and relieved our side. A scrum at length saw R. Wynywrtf, Todd, and Messenger racing for the goalposts. The latter was downed — none too soon. Another scramble, and away went the New Zealand backs again. They made the spectators gasp. The ball vas flashed about by both forwards and backs so quickly that the passers could not be recorded. It wae also bewildering to our opponents who saved with difßcuTtv. They worked hard, and came back to the "Alt Black " ond.

New Zealand secured in a scrum and screwed it advantageously. Cross and* Johnston dribbled some distance. Todd gained more ground by finding the lino after a scrum. In a scrum Broaghtoa were penalised for " lifting," and Wrigley with a huge kick found touch at- halfway. New Zealand secured from tb» scrum, and away went the backs •gain. Todd, who had been playing- brilliantly both on attack and defence-, got the ball and sailed for the line, but was tackled, and, not '' playing the hall " nwperry, gave them a free kick. This placed the Blacks on ihe defensive. Their backs tried a hand at passing. Wrigley — too ambitious, as usual — tri«d to box three of them, but missed the tot. Turtill tackled his man surely, but he fell forward, and reaching out. grounded the ball just over the line. The try *ac unconverted.

After this success Broughton seemed to get their nerve, which before appeared shattered. Loose play took place near tha centre of the field after the kick-off. A Broughton back made a. brilliant .ran for the- corner. Finding his progress barred there he did the unexpected— that is, pawed the ball blindly in-field. By sheer luck one of his forwards happened to be there, and had a clear run \n. The try being converted, left the scores— Broughton 8, New Zealand 5. The "All Blacks" then roused themselves, and pitched into the game with * will. Cross and others roefied play to the centre. Smith and others started * parsing bout, and tho ball must have passed through quite 10 pairs of hands before the last receiver was downed near the goal poets. What aroused the spectators to such a state of excitement *as the fact that nearly all the players in this fine movement were- forwards. Byrne made another dash, and a Borufrhton forward saved the situation by "botching" the ball. A scrum was awarded. New Zealand secured and RWvnyard started the fun. A series of passes and repaeses saw the same player score a try one yard from the touch-line. Messenger kicked a marvellous goal rom it. and gave us the lead once more. Even play near the centre .«sultcd for a while, each act of forwards fighting " hammer and tongs" for the maeteryv Down came the "All Black" fowrarda, Cross and Johnston dribbling In the van. Their full back saved on his own line by lying on the ball. PLay was worked hack to Jaifway. RWynyard secured after a scrum, and punted high. Todd raced after the kick, and tackled the catcher, and the New Zealand forwards 6 warmed down on him also. They rushed tho ball along, and the übiquitous R. Wynyard. always at hand, darted over and scored well out. Messenger failed to convert fiom a difficult angle. Broughton forced tho pace with thft kick-off, and threatened the Black line, until Wriglcy relieved with a huge unefinding punt Trevarthen carried play further with a Gno dribble. Broughton worked back to our line, fighting every inch of the way. Thej secured from *

•cram, and a dangerous passing rush was only 'nullified by a pass forward. R. Wynyard secured from the eerum, . and punted high. Messenger followed up fast, and got control of the ball. He - dribbled it superbly down the field. Unluckily it went out near the corner, and Broughton secured, to kick it well back again. * Again R. Wynyard punted high, and Todd reached his man with the advent of , the ball, -tackled him surely, and secured himself. Ho made a fine opening, und passed to Johnston. The big Otago man jtnade an excellent dash. *nd literally dived over, to score the finest try of the day. Messenger converted it, and raised the score to 18 — 5. The whistle sounded immediately after for half-time. No lover of Rugby football could cavil at the display given in the first half of the game. Both sides played good, bright, open football of a sort that would send a New Zealand audience crazy with delight. Soccer enthusiasts are never very keen on giving the Rugby game praise, particularly about Manchester. But a knot of them, I am told, openly expressed their delight at the exhibition, and gave out that they would attend every one of out matches in the neighbourhood.. They were amazed at the way our men snapped- up the ball — going full «peed,-r-and passed so accurately. . Wright started the ball rolling for New Zealand in th* second . spell, now . against the breeze.- Theft began & not encounter. They rushed the ball well down, but a forward got off-side, and Broughton, with a fine iree kick And the wind, sent the ball over our dead-ball line. This again occurred when the kick-out was returned by Broughton. Once -more they came down with-tfie wind, "bnt Wrigley saved by finding touch -at the 25yds line. They worked down to the New Zealand line, where a ecrum was ordered. It appears they hooked the ball, and Messenger and RWynyard, anxious to nip in the bud any passing wodt, sprang forward, but were promptly penalised for being off-side before the ball left the serum. Broughton put the free kick over the bar. New Zealand livened up a bit again. They secured in a scrum, and screwed lovely. -Johnston and Byrne came away, and gained ground with a fine dribble, but the home team worked play back again to our twenty-five. Smith relieved witM * fine *ashy run to halfway. New Zealand, by offside play, soon lost the advantage gained. They kickedsjnto touch at our _twjenty-five. , New Zealand opened up the game, and tried a passing rush, but did not gain much ground against the wind Smith scoured about halfway, and by a brilliant individual effort got within striking distance. An accidental pass into touch spoiled a promising situation. From a scrum a few minutes later the Dell was handed on to Wrigley,. who "was just pushed into touch in a good position. On play being worked back tol*ew Zealand territory,. Broughton were given a free kick lor an infringement, by us in the scrum, and easily landed a goal with the wind. This made the score New Zealand 18, Broughton 12. Messenger was next very conspicuous. He made a fine run and opening. This was a forerunner to a brilliant piece of work About naif of the "All Black" teamforwards and backs— took part in it, passing and reposing the ball many times, until a pass -forward suspended operations. Broughton reKevad by looking high. TurtiU fielded badly, and let play come back. A free look brought relief, Messenger finding the fine at halfway. New Zealand secured from ibe scrum and swept down wftb * patting rash. Messenger punted high, and Todd got to the receiver, fie tackled him on, the line, but Broughlon relieved the situation with a flukv kick- W. Wynyard then punted nigh, followed 'up quickly and spotted "the return. This led to a scrum., from which B. Wynyard secured, and, running -to the blind side, he handed on to Smith. The speedy Auoklander was almost , over ,beforo you -could say knife. Another scrum, and New Zealand secured the ball. B. Wynyard made ' an opening and passed to Johnston, -who had withdrawn from the pack Id break through the defence. H-e •was, "However, unsuccessful, too. The de- ' fence, though solid, did not relish our tactics. They had many^" lives " just then. Next lime -Smith secured to potted at goal. ' The -drop kick fell a few feet Bhort of the bar. He was obstructed from following his kjck, and the "Blacks" were given a free kick' in consequence. Messenger kicked- an - easy 'goat. New Zealand 20, Broughton 12. Up and dovn the play surged until New Zealand .get offside -again Broughton then kicked a penalty goal, and made the - scores - Jifew Zealand 20, Broughton 14. Thus it -remained until the end. Wind and rain — a thunderstorm, by the lightning flashr-intecfesed with an exciting finish. Both forward 'team* fought it out to a -finish. Wrigley, Smith, .and Messenger each made ■ exciting individual runs in the eemi-dark-nees but the scores remained unaltered. Thus ended one o* the most brilliant games, according to Northern, Unionist statement*, that i*s ever been -played trader their rules. Individually — and' collectively, for that matter— the New Zealanders played the game of 'their lives. All are certain it was the fastest game they ever played in. "Very few .mistakes were made during -the day. Though Wriarley is blamed by critics for Broughton's tries, he did well otherwise. His kicking was a 'treat, Turtill played another fine gtcme — in fact, his best so far. Only once was he at fault slightly, and on that occasion he recovered well. Smith played brilliantly throughout. Hard luck - robbed him of two or more tries. Messenger played up to his usual standard in all departments. Like Smith, his chances were not scoring ones. Todd played as he never did before. He improves with 'every game. His tackling, speed, and general trickiness were superb. W. Wynyard is proving himself , one of the best wing three-quarters of the team. His smart dashes and pace caught the eye very frequently. R. Wynyard makes a clever, nippy half-back. He is eminently suitable for a Northern Union player in that ' position. To our forwards' grit and tenacity i€ due -. the victory. Their game fipht against odds in the second . epell really saved the match. Johnston was "on it" from start to finish. On hie own admission -ho never played better before. It would have required a verj solid phalanx of Broughton men to resist him when he dived for his magnificent try. Cross was usually a good seconder to his efforts. All the other forwards— Wright, Byrn<», Gilohrist, and Trevarthen— played excellent games. Both teams were entertained at dinner fefter the match, at the Grosvenor Hotel.

Both at that function and away from it a desire was expressed that we should meet Broughton again, co that if a supplementary programme is arranged no doubt the contest at Manchester will be fought over again. Judging by the visible signs of satisfaction observable everywhere the . public will attend again, too.