ENGLAND WINS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 71, 6 January 1936, Page 6

ENGLAND WINS

THIRTEEN POINTS TO NIL. SUPERIORITY OVER ALL BLACKS, OBOLENSKY SCORES TWO TRIES. United Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, January 4. England beat the All Blacks by 13 points to 0, after leading 6-0 at halftime. The Prince of Wales attended, and players were presented to him prior to the match. Seventy thousand spectators roared a welcome to the teams as they filed on to the field at Twickenham. The Grenadier Guards' Band played the National Anthem, The sun was shining, and the ground appeared in good order, in spite of the recent rains. The teams were: - England. Full-hack: H. G. Owen-Smith (St. Mary's Hospital). Three-quarters: Prince Obolensky (Oxford University), P. Cranmer (Richmond), R. A. Garrard (Bath) and H. S. Sever (Sale). Half-backs: B. C. Gadney (Leicester) and L. Candler (St. Bartholomew's Hospital). Forwards: D. A. Kendrew (Army), E. S. Nicholson (Leicester), R. J. Longland (Northampton), 0. Webb iNavy), A. Clarke (Coventry), E. Hamilton-Hill (Harlequins), P. E. Dunkley (Harlequins), W. H. Weston (Northampton). All Blacks. Full-back: Gilbert. Three-quarters: Ball, Oliver, Mitchell. Five-eighths: Caughey and Tindill. Half-back: Corner. Forwards: Lambourn, Hadley, Hore, Manchester King, Reid, McLean, Mahoney. England immediately attacked from a scrum, and Gadney, from a line-out, passed to the three-quarters, but Obolensky dropped his pass. Later Obolensky kicked strongly, taking play to the New Zealand half, but Corner with a fine kick regained many yards. Gadney, kicking to touch, put England in an attacking position, but feet up in a scrum let in the New Zealanders, who attacked strongly. Owen - Smith relieved with a strong kick to touch. Candler, from a midfield scrum, accepted an awkward pass from Gadney, and then burst through, but Sever was overwhelmed. The All Black forwards had so far won the majority of scrums, but the English forwards broke up so quickly that the New Zealand backs were unable to make headway. Gilbert fielded a short punt and ran downfield, but was pushed into touch. .New Zealand seized an opportunity when the ball came to Tindill from a scrum. He sent on to Caughey, whose cross-kick enabled Mitchell and Oliver to carry on until checked. Owen-Smith finrflly saved with a magnificent kick to halfway. The English forwards secured the ball, and Gadney, with a thrilling breakaway, had the All Black defence in a tangle. Gerrard and Obolensky came up in support and the ball reached Obolensky, who was almost over when a terrific tackle prevented an apparently certain try. The All Blacks, with dribbling rushes, forced play back, after which Oliver' and Caughey attempted to force their way through, but were pulled down. Sever picked up and left Gilbert standing, but slipped on the treacherous turf. After a series of midfield mauls, the English forwards heeled, and the ball passed along the line of three-quarters to Obolensky, whose speed enabled a wonderful try in an easy position. Dunkley hit the crossbar with the kick. England ... 3 New Zealand 0

New Zealand rallied magnificently in an attempt to equalise, and attacked continuously. Oliver once crashed into the corner flag, and Caughey and Tindill were pulled down when dangerous. Then Cranmer hurst through and passed to Gerrard, who sent on to Obolensky, who raced over for a try. The kick failed. England 6 New Zealand 0 England's fierce tackling had so far somewhat subdued the All Blacks. Moreover, the New Zealanders' advantage in the scrums was offset by Gadney's quick breaking through, and Owen-Smith's cleverness. Obolensky's tries showed astounding speed. Ho beat both the New Zealand wings. For the second try he came up in support of Gerrard, the opposite wing. The half-time score was: England G New Zealand 0 The New Zealand forwards opened the second half scrummaging strenuously and obtained a foothold in England's twenty-five, but the backs were beaten on both wings. Mitchell twisted and turned in a great cross-field run-. Then England charged down a kick, and Cranmer, Candler, and Sever opened the way for what might have been another try, but the last-named kicked ahead instead of erossfield when Gilbert approached. Cranmer, amid delirious cheering, increased England's lead by potting a left-foot goal when the three-quarters were checked. The All Blacks were now bustled and, lacking their previous fire, looked beaten. . The heavy English forwards crashed into the opposing outside backs before they could gain ground and forced the All Blacks to kick, but Owen-Smith, whose hands were wonderfully safe, fielded most of the kicks, and repeatedly found touch with long kicks.

England's superiority on attack was so marked that they took scrums instead of line-outs continually. Heeling from one scrum, Cranmer made a fine break-away and paved the way for Sever, who, in a, 30-yard dash, out-

paced the defence to score. Dunkley did not convert. England 13 New Zealand 0 New Zealand attacked desperately, invading England's territory, and the defence was repeatedly forced to kick to touch. Owen-Smith'was once only yards from the goal line when he kicked as throe opponents dashed up. There was no further score and the game ended: England • i 3 New Zealand ° Thus England surprisingly but deservedly defeated New Zealand for the first time.

THE VISITORS OUTCLASSED.

A DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY. LONDON, Jan. 4. The special correspondent of the United Press Association says New Zealanders present at Twickenham will remember January 4, 1936 as one of the darkest days, in the history ot the Dominion's Rugby. They saw England completely outclass the All Blacks, inflicting one of the most convincing defeats possible. New Zealand against Wales, although defeated, made a grand showing, and fought to the bitter end. The same cannot be said of to-day's match. England' appeared to have the upper hand 10 minutes after the start, while the longer the game continued the more superior they looked. All that can be said is that the New Zealanders did thenbest, but it was a poor best Both English and New Zealand enthusiasts were disappointed with their display. Not once throughout the game did the New Zealand backs stage a real breakaway. "Indeed, they found it impossible to pierce the opposition. England like Wales, showed the visitors rnanv points of fine phases of forward and "back play. The score should have been 17 to 0, Dunkley's first attempt to convert being very unlucky. The ball struck the crossbar and bounced infield. Another kick shaved an upright. The game again proved—not that proof was needed—that British Rugby has improved out of all knowledge, and that the New Zealand side sadly lacks a brilliant five-eighths. Moreover, one of the biggest faults of former English teams has been reckless passing, but the backs to-day gave the tourists a lesson in passing and handling which aws almost perfect throughout. The English backs never passed needlessly. Not a single man in the English back line was afraid to be tackled when he found himself unsupported.

Obolensky the "Hero." Wales, against New Zealand, produced a hero in WooTler. England, too, produced a hero in Obolensky, who before the game was named England's Russian hope. The All Blacks have never once during the tour encountered his equal for speed. Obolensky was apparently faster than Haft, the All Blacks' speediest winger. The Russian left the xill Blacks standing on both occasions he scored. Once he turned, chased and caught Ball from behind when the New Zealander was in full pace. The New Zealanders were in position both times Obolensky scored. Obolensky, on the first occasion, secured a pass from Cranmer, raced round Ball, and boat Gilbert just as easily. The full-back was completely baffled by the Russian's change of pace, and went for a tackle, but was left clutching the air. Well-de-served and thunderous applause greeted Obolensky's great effort, men and women standing up and, cheering. It was probably one of the most enthusiastic demonstrations seen at Twickenham*, where crowds seldom register feelings. Obolensky's second try again showed pace too great for the opposition. Cranmer made the opening, giving a perfectly timed pass to Gerrard, who sent on to Obolensky. The "atter ran diagonally crossfiekl, heading for the corner flag. Mitchell, sensing the move, raced across to intercept. He had a shorter distance to travel, 1 but could not reach the spot before the Russian. Great English Backs. Moreover, Obolensky was not the only great back in the English fifteen. Excepting Candler, who was a very orthodox and mechanical five-eighths, all the others were superior to the New Zealanders. Gadney has a very prominent share in the victory. His bullet-like passes from the scrums were a poy to watch. Neither Corner nor Sadler compares with him in this. Gadney was able to send the ball a surprising distance, and passed so quickly that Tindall was unable to reach him in time. Cranmer and, Gerrard were thus able to get moving before the tourists' backs could got up to them.

England's all-round display confounds the critics, most of whom anticipated that the All Blacks would win. Some believed that the visitors would win by a handsome margin. Commentators before the match expressed the opinion that the English pack was likely to be unwieldy and slow, although it should win the ball from the scrum. The exact opposite happened. The All Blacks won 31 scrums to 21, while the line-outs were even. Nevertheless, the scrum was the only department in the forward's in which the Englishmen were beaten. Their rucking and tackling were definitely superior. They more than held their own in the 1/ose and also lasted out better than the All Blacks' forwards, who were hard pressed in the concluding stages. One reason was that King was practically a passenger for most of the second half. 'He received a bad knock on the head soon after half-time. He then sustained a badly injured shoulder and, unable to pack in the middle of the scrum, took Manchester's place, simply leaning against the pack. * The Three-quarters. Critics were also wrong regarding the method of scoring. The majority anticipated that England's tries would come from scrambles on the line, with the "tank" 'type of forwards pushing ever, but the tries came from fine three-quarter movements, the ball going out to the wingers by good chain passing. It wag also thought that Tin-

dill would win the game with field goals, but he' made only one attempt, from a difficult position, and the ball did not go near the posts. Nobody expected Cranmer's dropped goal. It was magnificent. . Tindill, Oliver and Caughey, seeing both Ball and Mitchell opposed by swift runners and good tacklers, repeatedly attempted to burst through, but ineffectually. If one English back missed a man, another would dash round and save the situation. Apparently they had learned this from the All Blacks, whose covering work on defence has been one of the features of the tour. Obviously, as against Wales, many of the tourists were stale, but that was not the chief reason for the defeat. The trouble is that the New Zealanders have a weakness, particularly in penetrative ability and defence by the inside five-eighths, which it was found impossible to remedy. Something must be done about this if the All Blacks are to have a chance against the South Africans next year. The decision to play Caughey was made a few hours before the game. Caughey earlier in the day said his log was stiff, but he was sure it would worn* off. Had Caughey dropped out it was intended to play Griffiths, but it is doubtful whether it would have made much difference, although he could not have been poorer than Caughey, who played the worst game of all the visiting backs. Caughey on several occasions was beaten by Cranmer and Gerrard, and was partly to blame for two of the English tries. He was also of small value on attack, and kicked poorly, except at the start, when he made several long lino kicks. Nevertheless, Caughey tried to make openings, but was not given room by Cranmer and Gerrard, who generally managed to tackle him in such a manner as to prevent his passing. This type of tackling also upset Tindill and Oliver, resulting in most of the New Zealand attacks breaking down before the ball reached the wingers. The English forwards were quick to rush up when the All Blacks' backs were tackled in this manner, and started rushes by swift heeling when the New Zealanders were out of position.

No New Zealand back played to best form. Corner worked hard throughout and defended magnificently, but was outclassed tty Gadney. Tindfti was included because it was thought he would make openings, but one reason for his non-success was that the English wingforwards, fearing his goal-kicking ability, watched him very closely.

The South African. Owen-Smith, was more brilliant and sound than Gilbert. Owen-Smith is the most unorthodox full-back the tourists have met throughout the tour. He played risky football, and was not afraid to try to beat a man before kicking. He almost let in the All Blacks' forwards en several occasions through failure to go down to the ball, but luck generally enabled him to get out of tight places. Gilbert bad several bad patches, failing to take the ball cleanly and knocking on. Constant playing is telling its tale in his case.

Hadley, Reid, Mahoney, Manchester and Hore were the best AH Black forwards. Mahoney was a champion in the line-cuts, and used every ounce of his weight in the scrums. Reid made many solitary dashes, and twice was within an ace of scoring. The Englishmen found him very difficult to pull down in full stride. Hadley did his share, out-hooking Nicholson. He was also prominent in the tight. The English wing-forwards, Hamilton-Hill and Weston, were invaluable, holding ujj the All Blacks' three-quarters. Dunkley and Clarke were two of the best forwards on the field. Gilbert in the final stages came up to the three-quarter line, in the hope of making an opening, but the All Blacks were unable to pierce the defence.

The game was played in the best spirit, although once or twice the English forwards were guilty of late tackling through over-keenness. COMMENT IN THE PRESS. ENGLAND'S NOTABLE STEP. The newspapers emphasise that England made history in defeating New Zealand. The "Sunday Times" admits that changes in the All Black side may not have produced the best, and may not have been wise, but England played such superb football that the team would have beaten any the All Blacks cculd have fielded. The New Zealanders' defence was not particularly good at the best of times, but it is doubtful whether even if it had been better it would have stopped the three great tries scored against them. The paper adds that the team was 'not as good as its predecessors, "but the members arc grand fellows, off and on the field. They pleased us immensely with the spirit with which they played, which should partially compensate them for the defeats." j The "Observer" expresses the opinion that England made a. notable step by abandoning the "nothing venture, defence first" play, which ruined its chances in international matches in recent years. The All Blacks' worst luck was in Sadler going stale. Corner, although he played well, was unable to get the "ball away sufficiently fast. The "Sunday Dispatch" says England played with understanding not exhibited for many a day. The critics especially praise Obolensky, the "flying prince," and Gadney for his play and captaincy. The "Sunday Graphic" says lie kept two defenders occupied by his individual brilliance, greatly assisting the English three-quarters. RESULTS OF THE TOUR. Results of the All Black tour of the Home countries -are as follow:

Points Points For. Against V. Devon-Cormvall . 35 6 V. Midland Counties 9 3 V. Y ork-Cumberl and 14 3 V. Abertillery 31 G V. Swansea 3 11 V. Glos-tr.-Somerset 23 3 V. Lancs.-Clieshire . 21 8 V. Northbd .-Durham 10 G V. South of Scotland 11 8 V. Glasgow-Edinburgh 9 8 V. Combined Services 6 5 V. Llanelly 1G 8 V. Cardiff 20 5 V. Newport 17 5 V. London Counties 11 0 V. Oxford Univ’ty . 10 9 V. Hamp.-Sussex .. 14 8 V. Camb. Univ’ty . 25 5

V. Lcic.-E. Midlands 10 3 V. Scotland IS 8 V. N. of Scotland 12 G V. Ulster 3 3 V. Ireland 17 9 V. Mid Districts .... 31 10 V. Neath-Aberavon . 13 3 V. Wales 12 13 V. London Counties 24 r> V. England 0 13 431 180 Won 24, Lost 3, Drawn 1.