ALL BLACKS BEAT MID-DISTRICTS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21656, 14 December 1935, Page 25

ALL BLACKS BEAT MID-DISTRICTS

LITTLE DIFFICULTY AT ABERDARE TWO PLAYERS SLIGHTLY INJURED GILBERT REACHES “CENTURY” LONDON, December 12. The special correspondent of the United Press Association, commenting on the match between the All Blacks and Mid-Districts at Aberdare, which was won by the All Blacks by 31 points to 10, states that thousands lined the streets to welcome the All Blacks. Dalton was tried out as a hooker. The Mid-Districts team is notably the smallest the New Zealanders have encountered, four or live of the players being barely over five feet tall. Play was ragged for the first 10 minutes, although Tindill’s line-kicks enabled the tourists to attack several times. The New Zealand forwards gained ground whenever they used their weight, but bad handling upset a number of promising New Zealand movements. The All Blacks began to sparkle near half-time. Caughey, Oliver, and Tindill making magnificent runs. The visitors now had the measure of their opponents, although the forwards lacked the keenness and dash which was noticeable against Ireland. The home backs several times looked dangerous, but vigorous tackling kept them out. The home halves were two of the finest the All Blacks have encountered, Tucker often collecting wild passes with one hand. The Mid-Districts backs’ fine handling continued in the second half, and often saved the local side, but the forwards tired. “Treated as a Picnic” Oliver injured a knee, and Caughey. who was limping, apparently having injured a thigh, went to full-back, Gilbert playing at centre. The All Blacks, towards the end, did as they pleased and treated the game as a picnic. The match was a triumph for Corner, Tindill, Brown, Best, Vorrath, Dalton. and Pepper. Of these players Brown has not played better on the tour. His last try was the highlight of the match. He left the home backs standing with his swerve. Caughey was a passenger towards the end, but his injury is not thought to be serious. and it is hoped that he will be available for the match against Wales. The home team started promisingly, and there should have been an early score from a good passing movement, but Mitchell dashed across and saved. The attackers apparently were overexcited when on the eve of a try. Gilbert’s 100 Points Mid-Districts continued to play surprisingly well and were keeping the All Blacks' defence busy, although the visitors apparently were taking things casually. Gilbert kicked a penally goal from the neighbourhood of halfway. Tindill went through from a scrum and sent King in for an easy try, Gilbert converting. Gilbert has scored 100 points during the tour. Popper scored after Best had dribbled through. The half-time score was: — New Zealand 11. Mid-Districts 0. Oliver was limping, but nevertheless he played an excellent game and scored one of the best tries of the tour. He secured the bail at halfway and beat four or five opponents to touch down between the posts. Corner goaled. Tindill dropped a goal from the twenty-five line, after which Phillips dodged down the line and passed to James, who scored. Clare converted. Phillips dived on the ball when he dribbled through. Caughey was unable to intervene owing to an injured thigh. Clare converted. Mitchell scored a try and Brown scored two, the second from a run from halfway. Gilbert converted Mitchell’s try. Tho game ended: New Zealand 31 Mid-Districts 10

CRUSADERS IN CAUSE OF RUGBY TRIBUTES TO THE ALL BLACKS SADLER AGREED TO BE BEST HALF YET SENT (Received December 13, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 12. “The Times” pays a tribute to the All Blacks for playing the part of crusaders in the excellent cause of Rugby in one of the few South Wales towns with soccer traditions. It emphasises the All Blacks’ spectacular tries and passing movements. The “Daily Telegraph” says that during a luncheon before the Oxford and Cambridge match, an argument developed about the merits of the New Zealanders. A Scottish international expressed the opinion that Griffiths was the best of the All Blacks. Another thought Oliver the best, and others favoured Hart. Ail were agreed that Sadler was the best scrum-half New Zealand had sent, although the "Daily Telegraph’s” gossip writer expresses the opinion that none of the present team is equal to Mark Nicholls. The newspapers welcome the arrival of Nepia, who hopes to play against Wigan on Saturday, when he will be opposed to Sullivan. Nepia says: “Neither of us has seen the other play, so it should be an exciting game.”

TEAM TO MEET NEATH AND ABERAVON LONDON, December 12. The All Blacks’ team to play the combined Neath and Aberavon side at Aberavon on December 14 is as follows: Full-back —G. Gilbert. Three-quarters—N. J. Ball, C. J. Oliver, N. A. Mitchell. Five-eighths—J. L. Griffiths, E. W. Tindill. Half-back—M. Corner or B. S. Sadler. Forwards —A. Lamboum, W. E. Hadley, G. T. Adkins, H. F. Mac-Lean, T. Reid, R. R. King, R. M. Mackenzie, A. Mahoney. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY BEATEN LONDON, /December 12. At Rugby, Newport beat Cambridge University by 22 points to 9.