FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 June 1930, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE FIRST TEST.

BOLT FROM THE BLUE. PIEBALDS BEATEN. Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Saturday. A sensational last-minute try by the speedy little British three-quarter, Morley, converted a certain draw in the first Test match between Britain and New Zealand into a well-deserved and popular win for the visitors by six points to three. The game was played under conditions that did not make for the best exhibition of the game. Despite the fact that for an hour preceding the commencement of the game there was an unprecedented fall of snow which left the surrounding hills with a mantle of white to an extraordinarily low level, there were about 27,000 people present. By the time the big match was begun, the ground was very slippery and heavy, and it was a matter of only a few minutes before the ball became disconcertingly greasy. The contest resolved itself into a struggle between two well-matched packs of forwards. It was a great game, in spite of everything, and the crowd recognised early in the match that the New Zealanders, who, it must be admitted, were firm favourites, had the hardest part to do to win. The British forwards, led by Ivor Jones, Hodgson and Beamish, were super in both tight and loose, and in the first spell were consistently on the offensive. In the latter stages of the game, without overwhelming their opponents, the New Zealand vanguard held their own. The All Blacks’ inside backs failed dismally, and it must be confessed that the iLilburne-Cooke combination at fiveeighths cannot be expected to be effective against the skill of the Englishmen. Mill was far from impressive. He was slow behind the scrum, and far too many of his passes were aimed at the feet. The crowd did not like this in such an experienced player. Lilburne’s transfers to Cooke were scarcely any better. Cooke was the life and soul of the backs, but that is a doubtful compliment, in that the New Zealand backs lacked life and initiative. Perhaps one of the niost regrettable features of the game from the New Zealand point of view was the starving of the wing three-quarters, neither of whom had half the opportunities they might have had. Hart had one good chance, which he used to excellent effect, scoring one of the prettiest tries of the afternoon. Oliver, too, had one which he missed badly, dropping the ball through his hands when he was a few yards from the line, with nothing to beat. Nepia, at full-back, delighted

the crowd. He was sure in defence, and his line-kicking was excellent. ■ His ono mistake was when he refused to go down to a forward rush. He tried to stop the ball with liis foot and was swept along with the ball. Only Cooke’S surprising anticipation saved trouble on that occasion. The- day was a bad one for goal-kicking, and Nepia had few chances in that direction. Anyhow, the forwards accomplished very much less than was expected of them. Porter was everywhere and did a lot of good hard work, but somehow lacked finish. He was continually off-side, and although he attracted the referee’s attention often, he got away with too much, in the opinion of the crowd, who resorted several times to the expedient of urging in chorus that he should get back on side. Finlayson was the hero of the day as far as the forwards were concerned, and Steere was generally in the picture, but the former was brilliant. He broke through time and again, and could always be seen hard at work in both defence and offence. Batty was prominent frequently, and earned some applause, but the crowd had few laurels to spare after they had recognised the preformances of Cooke, Finlayson and Nepia. Hazlett proved to some extent the justice of the charge of shining that has been levelled against him lately, and most of the others did nothing more than was asked of them.

The British team played ail inspiring game. It was a ease of "Even the ranks of Tuscany could scarce forbear to cheer.” The crowd simply had to cheer the work of both backs and forwards. Spong, Murray, Bowcott, AarvqUl, Becve and Morley were a delight throughout. Both halves exhibited rare resource, and the wings made the best use of their opportunities. Bassett, at full-back, distinguished himself. Though a shade on the slow side ho was sure and certain always. The backs played sparkling football of a kind that seemed foreign to the All Blacks. Playing behind hard-working forwards, they were encouraged to open up the game, and they did it. They outclassed New Zealand, of whom Cooke alone could teach them anything. Ilis uncanny knack of anticipating in defence was remarkably demonstrated this afternoon. Becve’s first try for Britain was a great effort. Hart’s score brought the crowd to its feet enthusiastically, but Morley’s exciting run of 50 yards, finishing off a movement that began in the British 25, sent the crowd into raptures. It is a tribute to the sporting spirit of the crowd that they cheered the winning team to the echo, appreciating the fact that to defeat the All Blacks on a heavy ground was a notable achievement.

The teams were as telegraphed, and the referee was Mr S. Hollander, of Christchurch. Porter led New Zealand out to the accompaniment of vociferous applause, and the homo team kicked off. After a scrum at half-way, Finlayson led a forward rush to the British 25. Play remained in mid-field for a time. The British backs handled in a promising movement, but Aarvold was grassed in possession. A free kick to each side saw little change in the play. Tile British backs were then sent away by Murray, who achieved a smart back pass to Spong, who cross-kicked

to Reeve. The fast winger accepted the chance and outran Hart, to score at the corner after seven minutes’ play. Black’s kick failed. —Britain 3, New Zealand 0.

Spong headed another British offensive, but the attack was repulsed. Ovside play by Britain in front of the goal gave New Zealand a free kick, but Nepia’s effort was poor. The ball •failed to rise. The British forwards came away again, led by Beamish and Hodgson, but Irvine found touch with a lucky speculator. The visitors kept up a strong attack, carrying play right to the New Zealand line. The New Zealand forwards bullocked their way through, however, but their progress was stopped when penalised. Black’s kick fell short. As play continued the weather cleared. The British team was now well adapted to the conditions. Murray sent Spong and Bowcott away, the last-named cutting in cleverly, but Lilburne was in the right place at the right time. Nepia was fielding cleanly and kicking without mistake, saving his side twice in almost as many minutes. Porter was caught badly off-side, and Black found touch well in the New Zealand 25. Another penalty against New Zealand followed, and again the ball went out near the stand corner. The White forwards put in some good work in the tight and carried play to the 25 line. Britain was winning moro set scrums than New Zealand, and was slightly superior in line-outs. The New Zealand backs handled, Cooke kicking through to Bassett, who fielded well and found touch in the New Zealand 25. Murray secured and sent, his backs away, Aarvold dummying Porter cleverly, and passing on to Morlev, who was brought down bv Oliver. The crowd was heckling Porter for off-side play, but the referee was not looking. Mill secured from a scrum and handed on to Lilburne, who kicked through to Bassett. The English full-back made no mistake with his kick for the line. Cooke, with the ball at toe, went right through the British forwards, but Bowcott saved well. Bassett fielded well at top speed and kicked through to Oliver, who found touch in the British 25. Cooke was playing a magnificent game, but the defence was as sound as a rock, the Britsliers having the best of the game territorially, and at the same time making all the play. Lilburne started a passing movement, but Cooke dropped his pass, though he carried on with the ball at his toes. After the New Zea-

landers had gained ground with a free kick, play came back to their 25. Finlayson broke through and passed to Cooke, who was brought down ten yards from the line. A free kick to Britain saved aii awkward ( situation. Mill secured from a scrum and sent the backs away. One of the most promising movements of the game on Zealand side collapsed when Lucas was caught in possession. Britain was easily on top in the set scrums, but the line-outs, by half-time, were slightly in New Zealand’s favour. New Zealand was going much better. When the whistle sounded for half-time, the New Zealand team left the field fvithout leaving the ground, but the British remained on the field of play. . Finlayson broke through from the first scrum in the second spell, and from the ruck Porter secured, dashing up to be pushed out at the corner. Mill secured from a scrum and passed to Lilburne, who sent on to Cooke, who kicked over the line, Britain forcing. From the next scrum, Mill sent the backs away again, Lilburne, Cooke and Lucas handling before the last-named transferred to Hart, who dashed across at the corner, beating both Reeve and Bassett. Within five minutes of resumption New Zealand had equalised the score, Nepia’s kick hitting the post. —New Zealand 3, Britain 3. The New Zealand forwards were now battling to good effect, but Bassett, at full-back, was playing superlatively. £»ilburne passed out to Cooke, who cross-kicked to Olliver, but the winger failed to connect. Batty and Porter led a forward rush to the British -25, but Bassett again saved. Mill sent out to Lilburne, who gave Cooke a bad pass, the latter kicking, and a minute late the same thing occurred, Bassett finding the line with a hasty kick. Faulty passing b'y the New Zealand inside backs was spoiling some good efforts.

New Zealand had all the better of the game now, and only Bassett’s sure defence was preventing a try. A free kick to Britain saw play transferred to New Zealand territory for the first tine in the spell, but the advantage was only momentary, Mill returning play with a well-judged kick. Ncpia fielded on the run and penetrated to the British 25 before he was pulled down, Porter getting possession and kicking over the line, where Morley came up and forced. Britain, by hard tactics, removed the sphere of action to the New Zealand 25, where an infringement by one of the British forwards gave Ncpia a chance to find touch well down with a magnificent kick. Bassett was caught in possession five yards froVn the line, but passed back in time for Aarvold to find the line. Spong picked’ up in a handy position and passed to Morley, who moved right up to Nepia. Ilis pass to Ivor Jones went astray, and the movement broke away. Murray sent the backs away again, Spong passing to Becve, who was well taken by Hart on the touchline. Nepia then gained 30 yards with a good kick.

Porter was irrepressible, and although frequently off-side, was getting away with a lot.

Now Zealand, with the spell half gone, still held the upper hand, although unable to pierce the defene'e. A three minutes’ stoppage occurred as a result of an injury to McWilliams, who was eventually taken off. Lilburne went down to a British forward rush, but it was only a temporary check, and the heavy pack moved on, sweeping Nepia right off his feet. Cooke, however, came across in time to save. McWilliams’ return at this stage was the cause of tumultuous applause. A minute later Hodgson went down for a couole of minutes. Bow and Farrell went off with the ball at toe and met

Nepia’s crouching rush without turning a hair, but the full-back’s boot caught the ball and sent it out. Lilburne, Cooke and Lucas handled. Then Hart secured and gained 30 yards before being pushed out. The British returned to the attack and looked dangerous until Nepia took a mark ten yards from the line, finding touch at half-way. A minute later he found the line ten yards from the British line. Mill, Lilburne, Cooke and Lucas set out in a nice passing bout, but Hart dropped his pass. Hazlett broko through with the ball at his toes and reached Bassett, who picked up cleverly to kick into touch at half-way. A free kick to New Zealand was taken by Por.ter, who tried the dangerous experiment of up and under, Cooke retrieving what proved to be a blunder by picking up from the toes of the advancing British vanguard. From a serum, Mill sent a bad pass to Lilburne, who, however, picked up and sent Cooke away to the touchline, where Bassett, securing, threw the ball

out. Nepia’s kick at goal failed. A minute later Nepia found the line from a free kick, and a struggle ensued five yards from the British line. Mill tried to get over on his own and failed, and a second time just missed again. Porter dived round the back of the scrum, but Bassett cleared. A few minutes later Cooke got away, to be pulled down after a good run. Then Hart cut through and passed to Lucas, who kicked out of bounds just before he was taken by Reeve. Lucas charged down a kick by Aarvold, and New Zealand looked like scoring until Olliver let the ball fall through his hands. New Zealand were still pressing hard when the end came with sensational suddenness.

•'\What appeared to be a certain draw was suddenly converted into a decisive victory by the redoubtable Ivor Jones, who secured possession in his own 25 and set out for the line, 75 yards away. He reached the half-way line before he was seriously challenged, and in the nick of time he transferred to Morley, who had come up fast. The little winger then set out for the line, with Coolce in hot pursuit. Morley outpaced Cooke by about a yard, the pair finisiiing up on the grass a yard from the corner and just across the line, the winger scoring the most sensationally unexpected try that has been seen on Carisbrook since Steele made his never-to-be-forgotten run against the Springboks ten years ago.

The stand, the tiers outside, and every part of the ground was in an uproar at the unexpected termination to the game. When Jones picked up there was less than half a minute to go, and Black’s unsuccessful attempt at goal was made after time had expired. Round after round of tumultuous applause echoed around the ground. The Britishers had snatched a drawn game from the fire in a manner that could not but appeal to every sporting instinct of the crowd. The try was of the kind that is seen seldom, and the visitors deserved to win for the remarkable opportunism displayed in that effort. The opening was there, and, quick as a flash, Jones jumped into the breach. Morley followed up in perfect style. There was scarcely a yard between him and his pursuer, but the Briton was just too fast, and at the end of a great run had the satisfaction of knowing that he had won the game for his side. The final score was, therefore: Britain 6, New Zealand 3.

WAIRARAPA GAMES,

iSENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

OLD BOYS v. RED STAR,

Tlit Old Boys and Bed Stars met at the Cameron Memorial Park on Saturday before a small attendance of spectators. The Old Boys can consider themselves lucky that they left the field unbeaten. In the second half Bed Star, after having fought against the sun and wind in the first spell, had the wind at the back of them but the sun had gone down behind the clouds. Though Old Boys led by 12 to 3 at half time the Whites had only slightly the better of play. Where Old Boys failed was in not taking more advantage of the wind and sun. In the second half the Star forwards made things merry and got all over the heavier Old Boys’ pack. The young Star backs handled well and it was only the sure tackling of Boacli, Le Qucsne, Clemett and Faulkner which brought many of their movements to an end. The Old Boys’ backs broke away many times in passing rushes but with them sure collaring was the stumbling block. In the second half the quick smothering of the Stars prevented the Old Boys’ backs from getting far'. In the last quarter of an hour the Stars had matters pretty well their own way and rattled on ten points. At on stage of the second spell Old Boys led by fifteen points to three but the Stars added thirteen points to tlieir score while Old Boys only put on three more points. Tommy Gorkill gave the best

back exhibition on the ground and played his game with skill and judgment, kicking with considerable'foresight and often gaining fifty yards by line kicks. In the first spell he dodged and dummied his way for fifty yards through the Old Boys, and when he had drawn the opposition he passed to Baldy Clarke who ran over near the goalposts to score. Boacli played a particularly fine game among the Old Boys’ backs. His defence was of the utmost service to his team when Stars were attacking with great vim, his collaring and kicking being exceptionally good. -Some of his efforts were brilliant at times. Jack Le Quesne played with his usual dash. In attack he was always dangerous and in defence he was like a Bock of Gibraltar. He gave everything a go, and took a powerful lot of stopping. He is certainly the most versatile player in the Old Boys. Bon Faulkner played a sound game on the wing, kicking and running well and nipping many dangerous Star rushes in the bud by his clever work. His potted goal was a particularly fine effort, showing cool judgment on his

part. A particularly pleasing display was given by Ford, who made many tine runs, and who often cut in smartly to baffle the opposition. If lie continues to improve the day _ will not be far-distant when he will gain his rep. cap. “Baldy” Clarke played well in the Star-backs as did Peterson who was always on the alert for opportunities. Fred Clarke was sure at full back and liis two conversions, one from the sideline, were excellent efforts. Whall collared with deadly precision and nothing big or little got past him that was within reach. Finlay did his work behind the serum satisfactorily. Clemett handled the ball well and kicked with sound judgment. He got the Old Boys out of a tight corner more than once by his good play. Jim Wyber overshadowed the Old Boys’ wingforward and played splendid football.

S. Willoughby and Devine Brothers also -were always in the thick of the fight, ably assisted by the rest of the willing but light pack. The Old Boys’ forward division was a heavy one, each member of which played a hard gameall the time and all of whom shone up particularly well in the loose rushes. In ability they were an even lot. In the first spell Faulkner opened the scoring by potting a beautiful goal for Old Boys. Then came Corkill’s great run for fifty yards, “Baldy” Clarke scoring from the pass, the kick at goal failing. From an exceptionally smart passing rush Faulkner scored, and Clemett converted with a splendid kick. Towards the close of the spell Moore iscored, but the try was not converted, and Old Boys led by 12 to 3 at half time.

In the second spell Bolton added three more points to Old Boys’ score by a try, and the Whites led by 15 to 3. From this onwards Stars had much the better of play. Corkill kicked a penalty goal for Stars, and Wyber scored a try which F. Clarke converted, bringing the score to 15—11. Then Fraser Smith got over for Old Boys, and then from a fine piece of passing, from Corkill, who made a good opening, to Ford to B. Clarke the latter scored in the corner for F. C. Clarke to convert with a great kick. The score "was now 18 —16 and Stars repeatedly had the Old Boys penned near their goal-line, but there was no further score. Mr S. Munn had the whistle.

GLADSTONE V. JMASTERTON. At Carterton Masterton put up a splendid fight. They dominated play for a great part of the game. Masterton’s scoring account was opened by .T. Whiteman with a splendid try, which Richmond converted. Masterton attacked vigorously until just before half-time when a determined Gladstone rush culminated in F. Booth scoring. The half-time score was: Masterton 5, Gladstone 3.

In the second spell Biddell scored a try and Henderson converted. Shortly afterwards, Beside scored from a forward rush and G. Booth converted, making the scores: Gladstone 13, Masterton 5. Masterton attacked in the closing stages and finally Uru crossed for a particularly fine try. Gladstone 13, Masterton 8. Mr A. Taylor controlled the game.

GE BYT OWN v. CARTERTON,

These teams met at Greytown. Greytown attacked early, but were repulsed by solid play on the part of the Carterton forwards. Carterton were the first to score fifteen cminutes after the game commenced. Denby securing from a line-out in the Greytown 25, cut right through to touch down. Nikorima converted with a splendid kick. Give and take play was the order for the rhmainder of the spell. Greytown attacked strongly in the second spell, their backs combining splendidly. F. Fuller marked and kicked a goal. Carterton took a turn at attack, but Greytown repulsed the onset and were awarded a penalty and F. Fuller raised Greytown’s score 3 points. With barely five minutes to go and only one point between the scores, excitement was intense. Bight on the call of time P. Jury scored. F. Fuller failed with the kick. Greytown 9, Carterton 5. Mr W. Grantham was referee.

JUNIOR. Martinborough 9, Mauricevillo 7. THIRD CLASS. Carterton 19, Bed Star G. FOURTH GRADE. Carterton S, Masterton 3. Technical School G, Bed Star 5. SIXTH GRADE. Fcatherston 21, Carterton 6. Masterton 11, Bed Star 0. IN OTHER CENTRES. WELLINGTON. Berhampore beath Athletic, S/7; Poncke beat Oriental, fi/0; Varsity drew with Marist, 9 all; Eastbourne beat Hutt, 14/9; Petone beat Old Boys, G/3. AUCKLAND. Ponronby beat Technical Old Boys, 13/12; University beat City Rifles, 11/6; Marist beat College Rifles, 17/13; Grammar beat Grafton, 9/5; Manukau beat Training College, S/3. CHRISTCHURCH. Merivale beat Albion, S/3; Old Boys beat Technical Old Boys, 30/0; Varsity beat Lin wood, 15/4; Christchurch beat West Old Boys, 49/3. PAHIATUA. Manawatu defeated the Bush juniors by 9 points to 3. Tries for Manawatu were scored by Youle, Wright and Holden. Svkes scored for Bush.