SPEED, SKILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 245, 16 October 1935, Page 18

SPEED, SKILL.

AUDACIOUS PLAY. FIRST WELSH MATCH. SPARKLING EXHIBITION. ABERTILLERY BEATEN. (By S. G. NICHOL/TjS, "Star" Special Correspondent with the All Blacks.) (Special.—By Air Mall.) ABERTILLERY, September 25. The All Blacks made good in their first Welsh encounter in no uncertain manner. They certainly pleased the crowd of 30,000 that attended the most picturesque of all Rugby grounds—tlie Abertiilery Park, an attractive amphitheatre. They greatly impressed the Welsh critics, the most critical of all Rugbyites, who declnrc, in one breath, that the All Blacks must be treated with the very greatest possible respect. Indeed, they are most enthusiastic. The game was as sparkling and exhilarating an exhibition as one could wish for. The All Blacks' open fast and audacious play thrilled the crowd, and although the Abertillery-Crosskeys combination were given a real Rugby lesson, they remained to the end and heartily cheered the All Blacks off the field. The conditions were nearly perfect. The ground was in wonderful order, this being the first game played on it this season. The afternoon was quite summery, and wlien the game commenced at 4 p.m. the ground was bathed in glorious sunshine. Every man of the All Blacks played up well, and from the scrum to the fullback not one player could be faulted. Even the &-4-1 pack got down and shoved in proper workmanlike fashion; and held their own in set scrums for the first time of the tour. At half-time the All Blacks, who had played with the aid of a downfield breeze, had notched ,21 points to ml, and It appeared as if they would finish up with a score round about the half century, but the Welshmen did not give up the ghost, and playing .with rare spirit and gameness, they stuck hard. The second spell ended with them scoring six points, whilst the All Blacks added eleven points to their score. The final result was 31 to 0 (seven tries, five converted to two penalties). Caughey Outstanding.

Caughey was the most outstanding player. In fa.ct his play to-day makes him a star and puts him in the best class. He cut in skilfully, ran strongly, and passed beautifully. He hardly made a mistake all day. Besides scoring two tries, he was the keynote of every hack movement. Little Sadler also emerged with great honours, and already Wales to a man is acclaiming him. His work from the scrum was excellent, and he stood up to a rare battering.

Tindali's game was distinctly pleasing, and he was a thorough link in an effective chain, combining well with Sadler and Caughey and using splendid judgment. Oliver; with any amount of dash, played up well to his wings, and his defence was sound and praiseworthy. He also converted three goals • and acted as captain in the absence of Manchester, Brown made a splendid first appearance, and dashed about earnestly, scoring two fine tries, with a touch of determination that warrants full marks.

Hart, in the first half, was 100 per cent, and gave a. magnificent display of winging, but unfortunately lie became lame and had to fall back, to the fullback position, where'he hung on ganjely to the end. I ithifik he woiild have been wiser to have.gone off the field. Gilbert's display at full-back- was not his best, but when-he; took-up Hart's wing position, he showed us what a thorough all-rounded he. is. His play here bore the stamp of enterprise and character. Forwards Play Well. The forwards : to a' man all played solidly. They packed "quite successfully and for the major part'7'of the game carried the majority of the set scrums, but in t'he latter stages' the Welshmen camo into the and dominated the play. The All Blacks line-out play is also improving and in another couple of games. they will have settled down and moulded into a' fine sturdy pack.

Lambourn, who has' played in all four games to date, impresses as developing into a first-class forward. The improvement in his play is remarkable and he is thriving on hard work. Both Pepper and Adkins supported -him well in this match. McKenzie again impressed and ho. and Collins were seen to advantage, whilst they put their shoulders to the wheel and packed efficiently. King's solid and consistent play also- stamps him as one of the best forwards. Wynyard played his first game and came through with credit. His pace is a valuable asset and in the line-out he stands out prominently. McLean playojl an honest -game and packed solidly. He was singularly successful in loose play, in which he lias no peer.

Welshmen Outclassed. The Welshmen, to put it mildly, were outclassed. Time and again 131dy were hurled aside like chaff before the wind and on no occasion did they Idok like penetrating the All Blacks' defence, Jones? Ward and Brown in the forwards and George, Richardson and Tliornbury of the backs were the pick of the side, but none of them could compare with the All Blacks. They failed in attack and never at any time looked like a scoring side. Inaccurate , passing and handling lost tlieni mrtriy opportunities. The rcferebiiig of Mr. Fauld, of Swansea, was consistent and thoroughly satisfactory. The All Blacks made their mark in Wales and left an indelible impression, as: to their , ability as a Rugby combination. -

The All Blacks are being handicapped by still rhore injuries. Caughey, Hart and Dalton remained at Newport, whilst Page and Mahoney are still at Bradford. Caughey tare a thigh , muscle at Abertillery, Hart bruised »hi§: hip in the same game and' Dalton torG fl. leg muscle in his collision with Harris at Coventry. Mahoney sprained an ankle walking down the steptv ~at the. Midland Hotel, Bradford, and page yrill be out of it for another three weeks. Hore is now better and Hadley rejoined tli'e side, but will not be. available for anothermonth. Hart's and Caughey's injuries can be regarded as .slight and they should soon be available "{or play. The manager /is still limping and his leg .will not be fight for another four weeks or so.