Confusing Score

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30367, 17 February 1964, Page 12

Confusing Score

But the score at haff-time was only 6-3 to the All Blacks and the benefit of the wind they were now to have by no means promised certain victory. What brought that victory about was first an acutely intelligent try by Graham and second a try by Nathan which was a gift only because of his alertness and speed to the ball The first occurred at a scrum on the Barbarians’ goal line only two minutes after the start of the second haff. S. J. Clarke, the English half, put the ball in and Dawson, the Irish hooker, heeled it. As the ball travelled through the scrum, beyond the goal line and emerged beyond the feet of the second row—the distance could only be measured in millimetres— Graham pounced. It was an exact replica of a try scored by P. J. B. Crowley which defeated the 1950 Lions in the second test in Christchurch.

A fine old how-do-you-do immediately developed for the scoreboard showed it a penalty goal (even though the Barbarians charged Clarke's converting kick at goal) while a good many thousands were also puzzled. At any rate, it was a try and a shrewd blow to the Barbarians* hopes. Three minutes later S. J. Clarke fumbled his pass back in the in-goal area and the ball pitched in front of Sharp and bounced most awkwardly. Nathan pounced and scored, and when Clarke placed the goal to his try, the All Blacks

had proceeded to a lead of 16-3, too far ahead ever to be in any danger of defeat What then followed, all the glorious moves and counterattacks—in many of which the Barbarians played a pretty fair part—was in effect a logical development of the encouragement these two goals represented. In the face of such a victory criticism must be stifled. Meads did concede rather more penalties than he needed, Sharp bad so unfortunate a game, perhaps the last of his considerable career, that he was actually booed by the crowd for not showing a keener spirit But for the rest the New Zealanders were a team to dream about. Uncommonly fine were Whineray, Stewart and the loose forward trio of Graham, Tremain and Nathan. Uncommonly good, too, was Laidlaw, while Dick and Caulton made many fine runs and D. B. Clarke hefted the ball enormous distances down the touch-line. Everyone of the rest, not forgetting Young with his four heels against the head. Gray with his play at No. 3 in the lineout, Meads at No. 7 where he kept an eye on Pask, while Tremain cheerfully battled away at No. 2, and Watt, Arnold and Little all had their moments.

Altogether it was an intoxicating day, and as the years fall by gentlemen of New Zealand still ahead may wen have cause to curse or regret that they were not there to see it.