Don’t compare them to Originals

The All Blacks’ third match, against Somerset at Weston, was won only by the narrow margin of 6 points to nil. The New Zealand team was composed of Nepia, Robilliard, Lucas, Svenson, Cooke, Paewai, Mill, Parker, Munro, Irvine, M. Brownlie, Harvey, Richardson, Cupples and White. Unfortunately for the visitors the fine weather did not hold. Heavy rain fell, leaving pools of water about the ground, and making the turf slushy and slippery. On the other hand there was no wind to interfere with the play. Notwithstanding the wet state of the ground, which, of course, had  a tendency to level the play, the game was chockful of incident, and is held to be a vivid illustration of the general improvement in the play of the English Rugby clubs. The game was a most gruelling one from beginning to end. Their inability to take the wet ball with certainty robbed the visitors of their best mode of attack, but their failure to run straight, want of variety in attack, and want of more resolute methods of stopping rushes were largely responsible for the New Zealanders’ failure to take full advantage of their opportunities. Cooke and Nepia were conspicuous throughout. It has to be admitted, however, that Somerset showed form that was quite unexpected. 

On the day they were considered to be almost on a par with England’s best side. They used the side line continuously, and that helped to save them from a more severe defeat. The New Zealanders have not yet reached the form they showed in their later matches in Australia. Their greatest defect was uncertainty and fumbling of passes, partly attributable to the greasy ball. The football authorities consider that the Welsh clubs are likely to give them still harder games and check their unbeaten record. There was tremendous enthusiasm at the finish, the crowd being greatly pleased at the fine defence put up by the Englishmen. There were 12,090 spectators, but the ground was totally inadequate to accommodate them, and players were often thrown on to the people in close proximity to the playing area. One result of the comparatively small scores put up by the All Blacks is that increasing interest is being taken in the tour everywhere. Despite minor injuries, all the team are in sound condition. At a dinner following to-day’s match, Mr Donne (president of the Rugby Union) strongly deprecated continual comparisons between the present team and that of 1905. He considered it unfair to this young team, who would yet justify themselves.

Pigroot bridge danger

The secretary of the Otago Motor Club has received advice from the engineer of the Maniototo County Council that one of the small bridges on the Palmerston-Clyde road is dangerous for fast driving, a notice to that effect being displayed at each end of the bridge. The bridge in question is the one immediately before the Swinburn, on the road to Clyde.

Jolly Boy averages 56kmh

The Dunedin Homing Pigeon Club flew a flock race from Christchurch last Saturday — an airline distance of 199 miles. The birds put up a good fly against a head wind. Mr H.D. Lowry (stationmaster) liberated 102 birds, representing 16 lofts, at 10am, the winning bird timing in at 3.34pm, making its time 5hr 34min for the journey. Result in yards per minute: A. Fraser’s Jolly Boy, 1033, 1; P. Jones’s Cypher, 1027, 2; G. Coutts’s Lucky Ned 1026, 3. — ODT, 22.9.1924

Compiled by Peter Dowden