THE ALL BLACKS

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue 23, 7 November 1924, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE ALL BLACKS

THIRD MATCH. ALL BLACKS’ FIXE ,SPEED. BESOLUTE SOMERSET DEFENDERS KEEP THE SCORE DOWN. The New Zealanders, having defeated Devon and Cornwall, on Saturday (September 20) tried conclusions with Somerset in the third mutch of the tour at Weston-super-Mare. Intense interest was evinced in the match, both in Gloucestershire and the home county, an«l the enclosure, which does D »t lend itself to the accommodation of a huge crowd, was packed. There were 10,000 anxious, but not all able, to see the game. Atrocious conditions prevailed. Rain had fallen heavily all morning ind rendered the ground a swamp, pools of water lying about in places, while the ball was most difficult to handle under these renditions. Good football was a sheer impossibility, and as far as the backs were concerned, especially those of Somer •ct. they were compelled to act the part of spectators, at least in attack, did the Colonial backs shine in this department, passing runs being few and fair between. At the same time what they did showed the men behind the scrummage to be possesed of both speed ami,ability. TWO FINE PACKS. It may be imagined, however, umler the existing circumstances, the gime resolved itself into a struggle between two fine packs. It may be said at once that Somerset's representatives n<qii:tted themselves in a manner worthy cf all pra se, and both surprised and delighted their supporters, and perhap3 their opponents. In the light scrummages the Xcw Zealanders showed to advantage, their wedge-like formation at times taking them right through their opponents, but they did not have matters all their own way. and in the loose Somerset, more particularly in the second ifalf, held their own well, bringing off a noniber of great rushes in which Rose, Wake, and Wordsworth played a groat part. It was a thrilling -struggle. The visitors were very quick at breaking up, but they were met with a splendid fence which, sorely as it was taxed, -lid not haul down its flag till within ten minutes of time, when Cooke got :: try through a purely individual effort, Ne* pin failing with the kick. FEATHER IN COUNTY'S CAP. The second try came almost in ihe Inst minute, Mill doging over from a scrummage close to the Somerset line, but again Nepia failed to add points. To hold out against the desperate and cleverly-conceived attacks for so long was a bright feather in Somer- t.*s Mip, and no one deserved more credit for this achievement than Cons Vine. who at centre three-quarter played a truly great game, as also did born wings. Quick and Gibbs, while Thom ,«on at back pulled up the opponents' rushes time after time in splendid fashion. Hi-3 general work compared very favourably with that of X: pin, extremely good as the latter was. Chnddoek. the Batli forward, was given the post of rover, and web did he perform his task, frequently nip ping in the bud tlie attempts of P. ker to open out. Of the New Zealand iut.lides, thn shining light was Cook • at five-eighths. So fast and clever vv: s he that lie often beat the defence, but his passes were not always taken, so g. msv was the ball. Sven son the left-wing showed "-on t pace till he was lamed before halftime, nml he was of little service afterwards. FORWARDS FAIL TO IMPRESS. Parker and Mill at half-back ’.ere very quick, but there was little ram bined play. Of the forwards Brownlie, Munro, and Richardson were the pick. Generally speaking, however, their per formance did not greatly impress. The Somerset pack played a typical game, and under the conditions it. paid. Taking the game a-a a whole. New Zealand did l»y far the more attacking and should have won by a greater mar gin of points. Conditions were all against them, however, and the best of them will not be seen till the ground and hail are drv.

Their chief attributes were speed and clever backing up of each other's efforts, which against a less resolute de fence must have brought more tries. Great vigour was displayed by the v siting forwards at times, but play genet ally was of a sporting character which greatly delighted the spectators.