AUSTRALIANS WIN THIRD TEST

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 71, 29 July 1929, Page 5

AUSTRALIANS WIN THIRD TEST

DEFEAT OF ALL BLACKS EPIC STRUGGLE UNUSUAL TENSENESS IN PLAYERS. SYDNEY, July 27. Australia won the linal o£ the Rugby tost series against New Zealand by 15 points to 13 1 - The match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and provided an epic struggle.

New unique position of fighting to win a single test as against Australia’s ambition to secure an unprecedented victory in all three, produced an unusual tenseness in the players of both sides, who were specially primed flor the event. The weather was perfect —sunny and without wind—while ihe ground was hard in the central area. A section of Boy Scouts, guest s of the Rugby Union, gave their war cry prior to the big match. The attendance was 29,000. Carleton replaced Oliver in the New Zealand team, the latter being unable to play owing to a face injury received in Queensland, and at the last moment Leys replaced Dailey. Following Lawton’s kick-off from the south end of the ground the Australians a loose dribbling attack. The pressure ,was relieved by a penalty kick to the centre. Then, by good combined play, New Zealand invaded the home team’s territory. Australia replied by carrying the game to midfield, but the All Blacks again pressed and from a penalty Lil-( burne missed the goal narrowly. Leys and Stringfiellow essayed dropkicks, but the attempts were unsuccessful. New Zealand wlorked close to the right-hand corner of the goalline. There Cotterell swiftly passed infield to McWilliam, who scored within eight minutes of the start. Lilburne failed to goal. ALL BLACKS’ FORM. The All Blacks were showing sparkling form. Jfour) minutes later an Australian pass was intercepted beautifully by Strin-gfellow, who ran clean through, scoring under the posts. Lilburne converted, making the score eight to nil. Australia, stung by New Zealand’s unexpected brilliancy on attack, replied with some fine concerted play headed by J. Ford. Play in a good position by a fine centring kick by McGhie they worked down the field to the New Zealand twenty-five, where the Ail Blacks wei’e penalised and Lawton kicked a splendid goal which was hailed with enthusiasm by the crowd. Play then waged hot and strong in the centre of the field, hot’n sides putting on the pressure. Lawton was conspicuous in a fine attacking movement which, however, was spoiled by bad handling by Findlay. Australia were frequently penalised, mostly for offside play. After thirty minutes of give and take, from another penalty well infield, Lawton registered his second goal and the score was eight i.o six. A SUPERB EFFORT. New Zealand responded immediately with a good rucking movement, and when near the posts Lilburne gained possession. He made u magnificent long and accurate transfer outfield to 'Strfngfelljjw, the hall going to Westfield and then to Grenside, who alved across at the corner. Lilburne with a superb effort goaled.

Following iv tremendolsTy hot Australian rally over the New Zealand line Tuck forced. Great excitement prevailed just before half-time, when Towers, in field,, dropped a great penalty goal and the spell etuledl with the scores. New Zealand 13 Australia 9 FAST BUT RAGGED. After the interval, following Porter’s kick-off, play became very fast but was somewhat ragged. It hovered in the centre of the field for a. time, hut gradually began to verge towards Zealand’ s_ end, a'f'd the. Alii Blacks marked three times in quick succession to relievo tiie pressure. The next feature of the game was a beautifully engineered rearguard movement by Australia, all the, hacks

handling the hall till the effort was nullified by a mullodi pass.

Th 0 All Blacks immediately responded with a good combined rush, and from. 30 yards out Lilburne narrowly missed the goal from a penalty. A leg injury to McWilliam suspended activities momentarily and the crowd became somewhat impatient, but on resuming play became exhilarating and the finest movement of the day was staged. Towers made a brilliant doctey run and his pass sent the hall through eight pairs of hands to J. Ford, who forced his way over at the comer flag amidst tremendous, applause. Lawton failed to goal, hut it was a close shave. The scores were New Zealand 13, Australia 13.