GILBERT SHINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 126, 30 May 1935, Page 20

GILBERT SHINES.

FINE FULL-BACK GAME. ALL BLACK TRIAL AT NELSON. BULLER-COAST VICTORIOUS. (l!y Telegraph.—Press Association.) NELSON, this clay. Two teams selected from the Scddon Shield districts appeared before the four I New Zealand Rugby selectors on WednesI day ill an. All Black trial match. The | Buller-West Coast side beat Nelson-Marl-i borough-Golden Bay by 18 points to 14, ] each team scoring four tries in an even > game. Continuous rain during the morning made conditions unfavourable, but the handling was remarkably good and numerous movements among the backs proved spectacular. The Coast forwards were more effective in loose play, but the northerners gained possession of the ball from the majority of scrums, especially in the second half, and thus the Northern backs were able to show themselves as far the better combination. AH tries for the winners resulted from more or less individual efforts against four concerted movements by the Northern side. An outstanding exhibition of full-back play was given by Gilbert, whose tackling, handling and kicking were almost faultless. In spite of the conditions he kicked three good goals and saved his side uiany points oy great defence. Davidson, the Coast half-baek, was a tower of strength both on attack and defence. Ilis attractive game was topped olf by a splendid solo try. Lane and Lunn were the best livceighths, the former, playing in the inside position, making .splendid openings. Holder tBullei") and Busch (Nelson,) were the best wing-three-quarters. The former suffered by lack of opportunity, but on one occasion when a sudden change in the direction of play gave him a chance he shoiv.d great dash. Busch lived up to his reputation, invariably being dangerous and providing some of the highlights of the game with determined running. Watson, the ex-Maori All Black, overshadowed the Coast's centre. He scored under the posts from a lino effort at the end of a back movement. All the forwards were of the rugged type. For Coast King was outstanding, the next best being Harding, Robertson and McNeight. For the -Northern team McLean played with distinction. He was in the front of practically every attack and was always in support when others failed. Max and Lovcll were the next most prominent forwards, while Dando proved the better hooker.