RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19819, 6 January 1930, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AN OXFORD VICTORY. OPPONENTS OUTPLAYED. i.rnou our own cokrksi'okdext.' LONDON, November 26. W. E. Henley (Otago and New College) was at forward in the Rugby match Oxford University v. R. V. Stanley's XV., played at Oxford on November 21st. The 'Varsity gained an unexpected victory by 4 goals and 2 tries to a goal and a try. Tho same side is to meet Cambridge at Tottenham in December, Colonel Philip Trevor says that irom almost the beginning of the game the losers were routed—routed not because of any obvious shortcomings of their own, but because the winners gave a magnificent display. The match ranks as a semi-official international trial, and Major Stanley's XV. contained seven international players, two men who had played in an international trial, and a Blue. Fortunately, the Oxford captain was able to put into the field what was appreciably the best fifteen. The England Selection Committeo mustered in force to watch the match, ViceAdmiral Percy Royds, Mr Adrian Stoop, rtnd Mr John "Daniell being keen observers of it.

"Seldom," continues Colonel Trevor, "has victory been more thoroughly deserved. I have often tried to stress the supreme value of good pass-giving and accurate pass-taking; and if such passing is effected in the centre of a three-quarter line that line must Income an incessant danger to the enemy. "We got a delightfully refreshing example of that kind of passing, for rare was the occasion on which a pass was missed in the Oxford back division. Rousseau was little short of superb, and even so Robson continued to catch the eye most favourably. As the wing-men rejoiced in the chances that came their way in consequence, it was not surprising that Major Stanley's XV. were never allowed to look like anything but a scratch team. It was the Oxford forwards who made it possible for the men in the rear of them to give such :t remarkable display. They were well led by their captain, T. W. Gubb (South Africa and University). The half-backs, too, did their job in great style. Russell never forgot what is the first duty of a serum half-back, and Roberts comes high in the honours list in which Rousseau and Kobsoii must bo placed. Rousseau is a great footballer. Many brilliant movements were made by the Oxford backs. Try succeeded try, each being the outcome of ingenious combination; in each case the clever thing done was effected without loss of pace." Oxford found themselves at the very start of the game, and they never lost ground. The players were:— Oxford University—J. A. Adamson (Durham and Keble); C. F. Cardalo ("Durham and St. Edmund Hall), L. M. Robson (Hefiots and Balliol), C. F. Rousseau (South Africa and Brasenose), T. W. King (Uppingham and Trinity), W. Roberts (Cardiff High School and Brasenose), 11. Kussell (South Africa and University), T. W. Gubb (South Africa and University), W. W. Lindsay (Clifton and Brasenose), W. A. PL Dreuth (Edinburgh Academy and Oriel), B. H. Black (South Africa and Brasenose), W. E. Henley (Otago and New College), J, V. Rowlev (South Africa and Trinity). P. D. Howard (Mill Hill and Wadham), A. G. Cridlan (Uppingham and Worcester). Major R. V. Stanley's XV.—H. Boughton (Gloucester), J. S. R. Reeve (Harlequins), A. L. Novis (Blackheath), R. G. Hopkins (Blackheath), H. M. Holman (Richmond), R, S. Spong (Old Millhillian), A. Key (Old Cranleighans), D. A. Kendren (Woodford), H. Rew (Exeter), A. E. Prescott (Harlequins), G. B. Coglan (Harlequins), E. H. Fouraker (Harlequins), E. Coley (Northampton), W. E. Tucker (Blackheath) (Captain), D. Turquand Young (Richmond).

AN IMPERIAL ASSET.

NEED FOR BOARD. (raoii or* owjr roßßispoirDiitr) LONDON, November 28. Rugby Football as an Imperial asset is the subject dealt with by Mr Frank Mitchell in the December number of the "Empire Review." He refers to the wonderful development of the game in the Dominions. "When I mention the fact that in New Zealand rivers and lakes," he writes, "trout grow up to 301b in weight, that the red deer originally sent out there from Scotland by the late Prince Consort have multiplied to such an extent that serious measures have to be taken to keep them down, and that they are twice as large as are their kinsmen in Scotland, it can easily be imagined that the human race also has improved in physique owing to the surroundings. Generally speaking, our cousins are of better stature and proportions than are our town-bred boys. Theirs is an openair life; they are moderate in their habits —the very best material on which to work as regards all athleticism pure and simple. They are bound together by strong natural ties; they take great pride in their prowess, having the support of the whole country behind them." An Imperial Board. The writer deals with the subject of Dominion representation on the controlling body. "I come to the bare fact that the Dominions are knocking at our door. There are many questions cropping up from time to time about the game which have to be settled by a central authority. That the time is ripe for some board to be formed is, I am convinced, quite certain, and the right of each of our Dominions to a seat on such a board is evident. Moreover, in the face of their great ability, their desire to fit in, their thorough sincerity in trying to keep this great game as clean as it is possible, they have every right to expect that they will be admitted into such Councils as may be formed on even terms. Personally, nothing more nor less would I grant them. They should rank equally with any of the other Unions of the Empire in voting" power. They have proved their worth both in play and war—no one can ever forget the magnificent help they gave us when we had our backs to the wall. 'The last man and the last shilling' was the motto up to which they played; so it is only reasonable, in view of the strength of their claims, that they should all row in the same boat as ourselves. It is a fact, moreover, in support of my suggestion, that all these Dominion Unions have far more clubs as members than at least two of those who now have seats on the International Board. I would go so far as to abolish the International Board and substitute an Imperial Board; then we should get the game properly together; there could be no more petty disputes jibout small things that matter not at all." The British Tour. Kei'erring finally to the tour of the British team next year, Mr Mitchell says: — "Much will be expected of the results of this tour. Given ordinary luck, a really well-selected team from Home should be able to hold, and perhaps beat, our opponents on their own

ground. There will bo some Homeric struggles, it is true, but we should liaxc every chance if only we can overcome the initial difficulties on this side. I hat is the most serious part of the question. Be the outcome what it may, we can look forward to strengthening the relations between those particular Dominions and ourselves, for in Mr J"'»* ,h Baxter, who will be in charge of tinside, we have a confessed Imperialist. His object will certainly be to enquire into and smooth over any difficulties there mav be between them and our selves, ft goes without saying that whatever side we send the very best traditions of the game will be upheld: win or lose, our men will play y\*' game and will be met in the same spirit exactly bv those on the other side.

RUGBY LEAGUE

NEW ZEALAND'S APPEAL.

SYMPATHETIC COMMENT. rKROM OL'* OWN CORRESPONDENT.,' LONDON, November '-'( J. Mr C. \V. Pacßtord, in his column in "Sporting Life" refers to-day at length to the appeal made by the New Zealand Rugby Football League to the clubs m England. The New Zealand League asks that the clubs should not in future offer inducements to Dominion players to remain behind utter ;i tour m this country. "Mv sympathies are entirely with the New "Zealand League," writes Mr i'ackford, "for although I have the utmost respect for the Rugby League, which is an excellently conducted and sporting authority, I believe tho acquisition of overseas players by Eng hsh clubs is altogether wrong, and a policy that trends in the direction of rank uad sportsmanship, as well as being iistiuctlv unfair to the Dominions. ,T Tt must be recognised, however, "hat the Rugby League clubs are not the originators of a regrettable system which, by some means or other, must be ended. We saw this happen years ago when Middlesex secured the services of several Australian cricketers : we have seen it since in the case of Lancashire, who 'captured' McDonald, who, with Jack Gregory, was the prime cause of the overwhelming deteat of England in the 1921 Test matches; and we have seen it in the case of Constantine from the West Indies.

Principle Altogether Wrong. ■'Then, a tew seasons ago, after a visit of the South African 'Soccer' players, two of the leading members ot the side—if I remember rightly, tho goalkeeper and a forward—were signed on by an English League club as professionals, and so were lost to their own country which for many years liad been striving their utmost to improve the standard of the game in cneir midst. The principle is altogether wrong. "We will suppose that a New Zealand team arrived over here, and swamped everyone they met, a* did their Rugby Union representatives in li>24. In "tho present circumstances there is nothing to prevent the whole ot the members of that team from being signed on by EnHish clubs —a disaster from which it would take them vears to recover, if ever they did. • f Tn the case of the New Zealand Uiaguc, I believe they will not appeal in vain to the English clubs. Tt will surprise mo if they do, for 1 hav.' met manv of the leaders of what we once knew as the Northern Union, and they have impressed mo with their sportsmanship."