BACKS LEADERLESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1935, Page 15

BACKS LEADERLESS.

* OLIVER SADLY MISSED. HOME FORWARDS TERRIERS. LONDON", October 13. The special correspondent of . the United Press Association states that the great reception accorded the All Blacks on Saturday indicated that the Scots were glad to welcome their return after 30 years. Hawick Park, .a famous Scottish Rugby centre, was crowded, and pipers played for an hour before the start of the match and piped the All Blacks on. to the field. The weather- was cloudy, with rain threatening, and the ground was holding. The homo forwards were of the terrier type, which was chiefly credited for South of Scotland's scoreless draw with tho Springboks in 1031. A Scottish international who witnessed several All Black matches in England advised the borderers of the right tactics to adopt to upset the New Zealand attack.

Even some of the All Blacks were surprised at Mr. Meredith's selection of the back division, which appeared lcaderless owing to the absence of Oliver, who was much missed, as he occupies a key position. The opening stages favoured the South of Scotland, the All Black forwards being pushed off the ball in several rucks and scrums. 'Jfhe home team's first try was well earned. Gilbert was cheered for picking up the hall in the face of a forward rush. A minute after McKie's try Mitchell saved another through determined tackling. Only Hart's pace could have scored the All Blacks' opening try. Vorrath was prominent in two rushes in the loose, once dummying an opponent. Versatile Vorrath. Gilbert saved well, but his kicks did not gain much ground. After a long period of exchanging of kicks, with advantage to South of Scotland, Gilbert dashed through, hurling himself against opponents and gaining 40 yards. Solomon's grand dash down the centre of the field beat five men, but his pass to King was not taken. Vorrath played half-back on the occasions when Sadler was caught in the rucks. The South of Scotland forwards, playing grandly, were easily the best pack encountered on the tour. In spite of the fact that they had less weight than the New Zealanders, they pushed them off the ball many times in the second half, the eight men. playing as one, whereas some of the All Black forwards were inclined to hang out of the rucks. The game developed into a great battle for supremacy among the forwards, wherein South of Scotland gave the All Blacks a lesson in quick heeling from the scrums. There was a period when the home forwards took control, bustling Sadler,. whose forwards did not shield him. Scots' Grim Tackling. The crowd was delighted with the home team's efforts. Beattie, Shaw and Cottington in the forwards and Dorward, Brsckenridge, Fairbairn and McKie among the backs made unceasing attempts t-o secure an attacking position. Gilbert just failed with a penalty kick from the side-line at half-way. Although sounder and surer than pre-, viously, Solomon was often content to kick to the line after receiving. Ball had good and bad patches, sometimes punting well and handling finely, and at others knocking on. Ho showed poor positional play.

Sadler's play was hard rather than spectacular, but it was always interesting. Hart made desperate attempts to score, and was only kept out by grim tackling. Gilbert No. 2. The South of Scotland backs fought tigci ishly to retain their slender lead, but the All Blacks changed their formation, Griffiths going to firit live-eighth and Gilbert to second five-eighth. This move proved more effective. flic All Blacks were certainly somewhat lucky to have a lead at tho final whistle. Tho South of Scotland gave the side a great shock. Hart, Sadler, Vorrath, King and McKcnzie were the best New Zcalanders. t-olomon and Mitchell did not rise to the occasion. The tackling generally was not convincing, and the tourists will have to nnpiove greatly in the future as a team, as they will probably meet far better Scottish backs against Glasgow and Edinburgh next Wednesday, when it is expected the home team will include eight internationals. EIGHT WINS, ONE LOSS. Tho All Blacks havo now won eight out of a total of nine games played, their only loss being at the hands of Swansea by 11 points to 3. The team has scored 157 points to 54. Results:— Devon and Cornwall—Won, 35—0. Midland Counties.—Won, 9—3. Yorkshire and Cumberland.—Won 1-I—3. Abertillery and Cross Keys—Won 31—0. Swansea.—Lost, 3—ll. Gloucester and Somerset.—Won, 23—3. Lancashire and Cheshire.—Won, 21—3. Northumberland and Durham.—Won, 10—0. South of. Scotland.—Won, 11—8. The 1905 All Blacks won 32 games and- lost one, scoring SOS points to 47. The 1924 side won all its 30 matches; points 721 to 112. The next match will be against a Glasgow and Edinburgh team at Glasgow on Wednesday. The team will next play the Combined Services fifteen at Aldershot next Saturday and will then return to Wales for three successive matches. The first will be against Llanelly at Llanelly to-morrow week, followed by Cardiff and Newport. The first test match will bo played against Scotland, at Edinburgh, on November 23. Ireland will be met 011 December 7, Wales on December 21 and England on January 4.