A GAME OF THRILLS.

Wairarapa Age, 28 July 1930, Page 5

A GAME OF THRILLS.

CONTEST IN DOUBT UNTIL FINISH. RECORD ATTENDANCE OF 40,000. ■ AUCKLAND, July 26. New Zealand defeated Britain by 15 points to 10 in the third Rugby test match, played at Eden Park this afternoon. It was a game packed with incident and one which will be remembered for thrilling play. It was announced that a crowd of 40,000 people was -r present, which is a record attendance for a football match in New Zealand. By nine o’clock there were 500 people at the Park, and two hours later the number increased to 28,000. The special trains were packed and motor cars were by thousands in the streets the ground. of the game was in doubt until the finish, and although it was evident that there would be a great rush for home scarcely a person left the ground before the end of the game, so tense was the excitement. The British team played a vastly different game from that against Auckland last Saturday, and the score was a fair indication of the merits of the team. New -’Zealand certainly gained a well-deserv-ed win, for after the first half hour, during which Britain held the advantage, both back and forward, except in the line-outs, the team settled down to a game which was worthy of an All Black side. Eaeh side ehanged its tactics and .'j this respect the advantage generally lay with New Zealand. SPONG SHINES.

The inclusion of Spong made a wonderful difference to the British rearfl guard’s method of attack. Poole got the ball away very fast and Spong was quick to make the most of every opportunity. He was without doubt the outstanding player of the British side. Britain had the better of the first half territorially but there was a noticeable improvement in the play of the Al! Blacks in the second spell. The lighter All Black pack more than held their own, especially in the loose and there was no easing up in the play of either vanguard.

COOKE A TOWER OF STRENGTH. The experience of Cooke, Porter, Nicholls and Lucas was a big factor in New Zealand’s success, Cooke showing much of his true form. He was dangerous in every attacking movement and was a tower of strength in defence. Niehoils and Lucas were both among the best players on the field. Nepia was not called upon to do much work, but carried out his duties well. Basother hand, had a busy afternoon and played a creditable game. Corner was not so successful as in the two previous games against the British, largely because he was closely watched and because in the first spell he was inclined to do too much on his own. In the second spell he settled down to a sound game. N.Z. BACKS IN ACTION. New Zealand kicked off against the wind and sun, the first incident being a good attempt by Spong to goal from a penalty just inside half way. The New Zealand backs were quickly seen in action, carrying play to Britain’s 25. Their advantage was short-lived and a few minutes later, Black attempted a penalty goal, which fell short. The first movement of the British backs ended in a spirited dash up the side line by Reeve, who short-punted beyond the dead ball line. Play hovered about halfway until Britain was given a penalty well within New Zealand territory, Black’s kick going a little wide. Britain continued to hold the advantage and from a loose scrum the ball was whipped out to Aarvold. Lucas saved a dangerous situation, intercepting Aarvold’s in-pass to Spong. Led by Beamish, the British forwards __ forced play within a few yards of the "v New Zealand line.

A CLEVER MOVEMENT. From a set scrum only a few yards out, Spong cut in neatly, giving Boweott a clear run for a try between the posts. It was a elever movement and the enthusiasm of the crowd was thoroughly roused. Ivor Jones converted. Britain, 5; New Zealand, 0. New Zealand penetrated to Britain’s 25 in a movement between Strang and Hart, on the blind side, but Britain was not long retaliating. Poole, found the line within the New Zealand 25 and Ivor Jones narrowly missed goaling from a penalty kick. Britain continued to hold the advantage, throwing the ball about in a manner which thrilled the spectators. New Zealand improved its position when Corner 1 sent jrStrang and Hart away in a bright •Trib’vement on the blind side. Hart inpassed to Cooke, who centred. Bassett relieved the position with a good line kick.

PORTER DANGEROUS. The situation again looked dangerous for Britain when Porter broke through in a great dash, passing to Steere. Lucas was in a handy position but the pass went astray. Two scrums followed in Britain’s 25. Corner first tried the blind side but was blocked. Securing the second time, Corner sent the New Zealand backs away on the other side. Cooke cut in at top speed and Hart dashed for the line. The crowd rose to its feet, but Hart lost possession a few yards from the line. Play fluctuated between the two 25’s until a good penalty kick by Nepia gave New Zealand a temporary advantage. COOKE SAVES. Then Ivor Jones, backed up by Hodgson and Aarvold, broke through, and Cooke was again called upon to save the position with a line kick. Britain continued to press, Porter kicking through from the loose and Bassett took a difficult ball on the bounce and returned to Nepia, who kicked over the line, Britain forcing. A good back movement, in which Cooke and Hart .'•were prominent, took play within a few <Vards of Britain’s line. Securing from the sjrums which followed, New Zealand made desperate efforts to score, only to be forced back.

NEW ZEALAND DEFEAT BRITAIN IN THIRD TEST.

A BRILLIANT MOVEMENT. Then came a brilliant movement in which New Zealand equalised the scores. Niehoils moved in to first fiveeights and Corner sent the ball out smartly from a scrum in Britain’s 25. Nicholls kicked across the field to Lucas, who gathered the ball beautifully and with the British backs caught out of position was able to score near the posts. It was a great piece of strategic play on the part of Nicholls. Strang converted. Britain, 5; New Zeaand, 5. From a penalty at half way, Parker attempted a goal, the ball striking the post just under the bar. Strang relieved with a good line kick, and half-time came shortly afterwards with the score, Britain, 5; New Zealand, 5. THRILL EARLY IN SECOND HALF.

During the greater part of the first half the sun had been obscured by clouds, but in the second spell it appeared again fitfully. The crowd was given a thrill early in the spell. Corner was caught in possession and Britain were given a penalty, Black’s kick against the wind and sun missing narrowly. Britain continued to receive a fair share of the ball from the scrums and the backs were always dangerous. Cooke returned a penalty kiek by Parker and in a splendid forward rush by the New Zealand forwards Bassett’s return was smothered, Steere forcing his way over. Strang failed to convert from some distance out. New Zealand, 8; Britain, 5. BRITAIN PRESS HARD.

Play followed near halfway, until Aarvold made a great burst for the line past Lucas. He was caught and the New Zealand forwards rallied round, Batty relieving the position temporarily with a good line kick. Britain continued to press hard near the corner flag, Nicholls clearing finally. From a scrum. Porter secured possession from Spong at half way and broke through, Hart carrying the movement to Britain’s 25 line. A GREAT GOAL.

Receiving the ball smartly from the scrum, Nicholls coolly drop-kicked a great goal. New; Zealand, 12; Britain, 5. Strenuous forward play followed, until Spong beat both the New Zealand forwards and backs in a dashing run. He passed to Morley who short-punted down the line. How-over, Cooke was backing up, and was able to clCaf. The British forwards continued to press hard and there were several moments of suspense. Batty then broke through and dropping the ball to his feet, reversed the advantage. In a great effort Hart cross-kicked, but Bassett was safe and found,.the line with a good kick. Cooke retaliated, finding the line in Britain’s 25. CORNER CROSSES.

Corner ran over near the corner. Nicholls’s kick fell short. New Zealand, 15; Britain, 5. Spong was prominent in every movement and again made a determined effort, which Cooke frustrated. Porter was watching Spong carefully. The New Zealand forwards were sent back repeatedly by penalty kicks, but returned in a great loose rush and crossed Britain’s line, only to be recalled. With only a few minutes before time, light rain began and there was one heavy shower. Aarvold and Morley broke away with a great burst of speed, Morley being forced out by Nepia. THE FINAL SCORE.

Following loose play at half-way Cooke was tackled without the ball, allowing Ivor Jones and Aarvold to eome through, the latter scoring behind the posts. Black converted. New Zealand, 15; Britain, 10. The excitement was now intense, the game ending a minute or two later with play in midfield. Mr. L. Hollander (Christchurch) was the referee.—(P.A.) NORTH AUCKLAND TEAM. MATCH \GAINST BRITISHERS. WHANGAREI, July 26. The following will represent North Auckland in a match against the British Rugby team, at Whangarei, next Wednosdav:—Full-back, Kerr (Whangaroi); three-quarters, Barrich (Rodney), Mullins (Whangarei), Sellars (Kaipara): five-cichtl Davies (Northern Wairo: T; an (Whangarei); half, McDonal ! IWI -.ngarei); rover, Wells (Northern Wairoa); front row, M. Morrisey, M. Sherriff (Whangarei); lock, W. Rika (Whangarei); back row, Fletcher (Kaipara), Thomas (Bay of Islands). The Britishers are due to arrive in Whangarei on Monday afternoon by the express from Auckland. On Tuesday night they will be the guests at a tourney under he auspices of the Whangarei Box : ng Association, when Lieut. Beamish, of the visiting Rugby team, will act in an official capacity. On Wednesday night, the visitors are invited to attend a grand ball in the Town Hall.—(P.A*)