THE PLAY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13481, 22 July 1907, Page 5

THE PLAY.

The New Zealandeis were 'successful in the spin of the coin, and c*hose the northern goal. There was a slight breeze blowing across the ground, which gave no advantage to, either side.' From the very outset the All Blacks showed that the torpor which had characterised their previous efforts had disappeared, and their alertness and clocklike movement was a delight to witness/ Within the first three minutes of the game the visitors had registered their first score, and their determination to retrieve Wednesday's defeat was soon apparent. - 1 The Australians kicked off. The New Zealanders quickly swarmed into the home territory, where Francis started a smart rush, and, ably assisted by the other forwards, had their opponents penned down on the line. Seeling-got possession, and bustled over, drawing first blood. Wallace was given the kick at goal, but just failed. New Zealand... 3 Australia 0 From the kick-off some exciting play followed in neutral zone. Djx. was prominent for his excellent line-kicking. Gradually the scene of operations was removed into the visitors' > quarters chiefly by the aid of the local forwards, who were working the scrums rather better at this time than their adversaries. While in their opponents' territory the home team were awarded a penalty kick, and Carmichael had a shot at goal, but the leather fell a trifle short. Mitchinson resumed the play, the ball going into the centre of the field, where play became very strenuous. The All Blacks had several penalties recorded against them. Foot by foot the Australians again advanced towards New Zealand's goal amid cheers from the multitude, and Carmichael, from a free kick, had another unsuccessful try at goal. The ball was returned outside the 25, and from the line-out the visitors secured, and an exciting rush followed. For a time it appeared as if another score waa certain, -as Carmichael, the local full-back, missed the ball ; but McKivatt whipped back and snapped up just in time td save his side. Give-and-take play ensued in the centre of the field for a time. Then Mitchinson, from the half distance, got possession, and with a beautiful, dpdgy run completely fooled the opposing backs and crossed the line. Wallace kicked an easy goal, and the board read — New Zealand 8 Australia * 0 When the ball was in play again there, was a lot of tussling in the centre of the ground without much material advan- ' tage to either side: Here Rosewell,,one of the local men, received an injury to his leg; and his place in the field was taken by Graves. Cafjmichael went vp v from full-back to three-quarters, relieving Dix, who took charge of the goal. For a long interval the game was confined within the home team's lines. Dix saved on several occasions. Eventually the Australians were relieved by a free kick given against the All Blacks, and play was taken to their end. * It was here, during a hot struggle, that Colman received a nasty kick on the head, which necessitated his leaving the field, and J. Spencer, of Wellington, took his place on the wing. The game' was not allowed lo remain long in the

New Zealanders' half. Wallace shifted the scene by a good run and a pass on to Fryer, the ball eventually going out. There was another brief interval;' one of the home team sustaining an injury. Barnett ricked his ankle, and Richards, of Queensland, was put on in his place. The Australians were being sorely pres- 1 sed by, the visitors, but-, they obtained occasional relief in free kic^s. • A little" later on the visitors set- hi another rush, 1 and Roberts passed to ; Mynott. The ball went on to Hunter, mitchinson, and. Wallace, whoina_fw. seconds passed it ba.ck' to Mitchinson almost, on the touch-line. -' It was a magnificent 1 j^iede 'of passing/ afnß'lHfifehirison lost ncj time in streaking for the goal line, which he reached. Wallace I added the major points, and then the whistle sounded half-time with the score reading— ... New Zealand .....:... 13 ' Australia^ ". 0 SECOND SPELL. As the second spell opened, the light began to fail. The New Zealanders soon had their on the agaw^ *teu^omce moreT^^reir tn^IoB&l' team'rjblteve*byT I |;hJß a^o,of '& frejs* kief. Foretime Tney tfrilmaged' "to" get jsjajp out of dangerous quarte^rs, Surely, howerep, 4s^!*wjntt<fisbl&SeU back" 'fnto I their own.^rounjLpjx's kicking- Jkept the enemy., jtn cneck^ ]$ &J& J as y ei 7 hard, and fr.ee kicks plentiful, chiefly against the/.«&l| Bracks. Jl fine ruslfr by this, visitin^fjorwards^vho^ere^p^tting great hetitt'* intcr*tfibir worKT^ carried New t Zealamd^d<mn; toJ^R #i*at*aliajis' line, and a 5"a 5 " penaKyjgave Wajlaceji sliot at goal. r ~*Fws bW^enT^Me'.^ *""* Time and again the Australians endeavoured - ffeSjiS-fctf^ty . reach New Zealand's line,' *bu4?- the" letter's back play and- fine disposed of them. Another'firte rt(slst was started by the visitors, and? Carmichael, making a bad mistake, enabled Hughes to pick up the ball and run tin. • Wallace placed/ a goal comfortably/ making the score — New Zealand.. <.«*:./.. \.. ....... 4$ Australia K1.Ajifj.j.i?... ........ 0 , •The kjekr^pt, was followed by' an interval of imiirbereStmg play, of which neither T&ds had itfuch advantage.. The Australians "were rushing down 'repeatedly,. b\lt^ the New Zeaand backs were contend Vrfch taking marks, and sending? -the vjaail . qo£ near the centre, i The local #igP;*BP*iared to be sluggish in their movements, but this may brave . been more apparent tha^i real and merely by comparison with the rapidity of tbeir opponents... ?* '', „" , - .-•.X 'j For a while tfre-New^Zeaiand backs-l were content to quietly stave off their ! opponents. Carmichael got a chance of a free kick, and, placing a goal, .drew j blood for Australia, which made the score read — / , New Zealand: 18 Australia •> 3 This score caused the visitors to change their tactips, and they at once shifted play into the home team's 25, and from a long line-out New Zealand got the Australians up against their back line and compelled them to force down. - „ \ * The ball was no sooner in play than New Zealand had it back again. The strain was relieved by the Australians, getting on a smart dribbling rush that looked dangerous, but the opposing forwards broke it up, and tools the ball at foot back into home territory, and narrowly missed a score. , The" Australiansrallied, and with another rush had the Blacks on the defensive. From a great struggle in the New Zealand quarters the local men obtained a mark, and Carmichael again piloted the ball between the posts by a brilliant kick from just, inside the Half-way flag. This second score of the home team brought forth a terrific outburst of cheering. The board showed — New Zealand , 18 Australia i , fi Immediately the game resumed, New Zealand invaded their opponents' quarters, and here the .finest try of the day, was obtained. Mitchinson got possession of the ball, and made a long pass in front of Australia's goal posts. Roberts snapped up the leather, and whipped it on to Hunter. Mitchinson in the meantime had dashed across the ground and got round in time to accept a pass from Hunter, and dashed over the line. Wallace was again successful in registering" a goal, and the sheet showed — New Zealand 23 < Australia »..'... 6 Australia at this stage -was in a^ad way, and, though they fought on gamely; they were hopelessly out of the hunt.' The ball was not long in play when the scene of operations was again in Australia's quarters, where Francis secured possession, and, dodging through, scored the sixth try for the visitors. -R vas a difficult angle, and Wallace failed 1 at goal. The score read — New Zealand 26 Australia 6 Towards the finish the Australians pressed the All Blacks into their own 25, afnd worked like Trojans to get a further score, but the defence was too good. When the whistle sounded "no side" the game stood — New Zealand 26 Australia 6 The Australians failed to cross the visitors'^, linej-vjtheir score being made from a penalty, kick and from a mark. On the Owes hand, New Zealand prossed theiriopbonents' line on no less; than six occasions, tries being obtained by Mitchinson $J), Seeling, .Hughes, and Francis. >On ejach occasion Wallace was entrusted wit^f the kick at goal, scoring from the ' trie| by Mitchinson and Hughes. x •■»■ \ j ii 1