Clarke Starts With 13 Points

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30271, 25 October 1963, Page 16

Clarke Starts With 13 Points

{From A. R. VEYSEY, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent] OXFORD, October 24.

Oxford presented a grey face for the opening of the fifth All Blacks tour. The heavily-grassed Iffley road ground was full of moisture, which made its own problem with the intensely water resistant English Rugby balls.

Rather than soaking into the leather, the water lies on top, making precise handling a problem.

Oxford kicked off, D. B. Clarke claimed a mark, and returned play back to halfway. Oxford returned on attack, catching Herewini in

possession, and the scrumhalf. A. J. A. Lewin, drove the ball back up the line. New Zealand looked dangerous when Herewini dummied through and kicked for the wing, but Oxford’s New Zealand-born full-back. J. T. Reid, relieved. From a short penalty Whineray and C. E. Meads came away splendidly but were halted by a forward pass. Then Whineray. Gray and Stewart went through to the Oxford line but again Reid found touch. Iffie Oxford backs stood very shallow and bustled through on to the All Blacks. Meads, Tremain and Lochore made a spectacular burst with the ball at their feet following a scrum and inside the Oxford twenty-five a defender was penalised. D. B. Clarke’s first penalty attempt in England was high and handsome, but was sliced just outside. Penalty Awarded

Almost immediately the Oxford backs' penchant for nudging the advantage line cost them dearly. M. S. Cunningham was off-side in front of the posts on the 25. and after 19 minutes Clarke kicked the goal. New Zealand 3, Oxford 0.

The Oxford forwards surged back to the New Zealand 25 but Reid was unable to kick

a penalty from wide out. Again it was Herewini who set things alight for New Zealand, this time following a nice break by Briscoe. The ball went from Walsh and Little to Caulton, but Reid was again there. Clarke tried a tremendous place kick at goal from a mark near half-way and wide out It dropped just under the bar. Reid failed to get to a high kick by Briscoe and Tremain bustled through. Dick scooped up the ball, outdistanced his marker in a 40yard dash to score under the bar. Clarke converted. New Zealand 8, Oxford 0

Within a minute Clarke landed another easy penalty, and at half-time New Zealand led, 11-0. Morgan's Fault

Oxford resumed brightly when the w-ing, A. K. Morgan, broke swiftly and lobbed a dangerous kick behind Clarke. The crowd reacted vociferously when Morgan, following up, ran into Clarke, but it was Morgan’s own fault.

Then came a magnificent university try. From a scrum near touch on half-way the ball travelled through the backs to D. K. Jones, who half broke and gave the ball to E. L. Rudd, the wing. He beat his man and then Clarke with beautiful footwork -and change of pace, outflanked the cover defence and scored in the corner after running more than 50 yards.

After 23 minutes of the spell Herewini found touch seven yards from the Oxford line and following the lineout Tremain scored a try. Clarke goaled superbly. New Zealand 16, Oxford 3

Oxford was penalised in a line-out after 31 minutes and Clarke kicked a good goal from wide out, to give New Zealand victory by 19-3.