MATCH EASILY WON

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 69, 14 December 1935, Page 11

MATCH EASILY WON

All Blacks’ Defeat Of Mid-District THIRTY-ONE TO TEN Gilbert’s Century Of Points By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, December 12. An easy victory by 31 points to 10 was gained by the New Zealand Rugby football team in its match with a team from tlie Mid-District, played at Abcrdare. Owing to a belief that tlie Mid-Dis-trict team, representative as it was of second-class Glamorgan Valley clubs, would not give the All Blacks a game, tlie Welsh Rugby Union came iu for some criticism for including such a fixture on tlie programme. The New Zealand team led by 11-0 at half-time. Eight thousand people attended the match. The teams were:— NEW ZEALAND. Full-back: Gilbert. Three-quarters: Brown. Oliver. Mitchell. Five-eighths: Caughey. Tindill. Half-back: Corner. Front-row forwards: Lambourn, Dalton. Pepper. Other forwards: Manchester, King, McKenzie, Best and Vorra th. MID-DISTRICT. Full-back: Tom Williams. Three-quarters: Edgar Phillips, Glam Jones, T. Le Clare, T. Keegan. Halves: Luther Davies, E. Tucker. Forwards: Ben Davies, S. Francis, E. Carter, R. Leyshon, A. Thomas, T. E. James, F. Harding, and L. Rees. The Mid-District players looked small by comparison with the All Blacks. Nevertheless, they started promisingly and should have registered a score early in the game from a good passing movement, Mitchell, however, dashed across and saved, the attackers apparently being over-excited when within reach of a try. Mid-District continued to play surprisingly well, keeping the All Blacks’ defence busy, although the visitors apparently were taking things casually. Gilbert kicked a penalty goal from the neighbourhood of half-way. 3-0. Tindill went through from a scrum and sent King in for an easy try. Gilbert goaled. 8-0. By converting this try Gilbert reached his century of points for the tour. Pepper scored after Best had dribbled through. 11-0. Oliver and Caughey Hurt. Oliver was limping, but nevertheless played an excellent game. He scored one of the best tries of the tour. He secured the ball at half-way, and, beating four or five opponents, touched down between the posts. Corner converted. ' 16-0. Subsequently Tindill dropped a goal from the twenty-five. 20-0, Phillips dodged down the line and passed to James, who scored, Clare converting. 20-5. Later Phillips dived on the ball when it had been dribbled through Caughey, who was unable to intervene owing to an injury. Clare converted. 20-10. Mitchell scored one try and Brown two. Brown’s second was from a run from half-way. Gilbert converted Mitchell’s try. The game i I New Zealand 31 Mid-District 10 TREATED AS PICNIC Big Men v. Little Men Aberdare, December 12. There was great local interest in the Rugby match between the All Blacks and Mid-District. Thousands lined the streets to welcome the visitors, and the school children were given a halfholiday in order to attend the game. In this engagement Dalton was tried out as hooker. The Mid-District team was notable iu being the smallest the New Zealanders had encountered on the tour, four or five of the players being barely over five feet in height. Play was ragged during the first ten 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 tourists began to sparkle near half-time, Caughey, Oliver and Tindill making magnificent runs. The non-playing tourists cheered Gilbert’s century and several of the players shook hands with Gilbert. The tourists now had the measure of their opponents, although the forwards lacked the keenness and dash noticeable in Ireland. The home backs several times looked dangerous, but vigorous tackling kept them out. Two Fine Halves. The Mid-District halves were two of the finest the All Blacks had encountered, Tucker often collecting wild passes with one hand. The fine handling and picking up by the backs continued during the second half and often saved the locals, but the forwards tired. Oliver injured a knee, and Caughev, who was limping, apparently injured a thigh. Caughey went to full-back and Gilbert to centre. The tourists toward the end did as they pleased, treating'the game as a picnic match. It was a triumph for Corner, Tindill, Brown, Best, Vorrath. Dalton and Pepper. Brown had not played better on the tour. His last try was the highlight of the match. He left the opposing half standing with a swerve. Caughey was a passenger toward the end. His injury is not thought to be serious, and it is hoped he will be available against Wales. CAUSE OF “RUGGER” Team as Crusaders London, December 12. “The Times” pays tribute to the New Zealanders as playing tlie part of crusaders in the excellent cause of Rugger In one of the few South Wales towns with a Soccer football tradition. Critics emphasise the spectacular nature of the

All Blacks’ tries and passing movements.

The “Daily Telegraph” says that during a luncheon before the University match an argument developed as to.the merits of the New Zealanders. A Scottish international expressed the opinion that Griffiths is the best and others voted for Oliver. Others plumped for Hart. All agreed that Sadler is the best scrummage half New Zealand has sent Home, although the “Telegraph’s” writer expresses the view that none of the present team is equal to Mark Nicholls.

TO-DAY’S FIXTURE New Zealand Fifteen London, December 12. The team to represent New Zealand in Mie Rugby football match with Neath and Aberavon, to be played at Abera von on Saturday, is announced as follows:— Full-back: Gilbert. Three-quarters: Ball. Oliver. Mitchell. Five-eighths: Griffiths, Tindill. Half-back: Corner or Sadler. Front row forwards: Lambourn, Hadley, Adkins. Other forwards: McLean. King, Reid, McKenzie, Mahoney. Sadler will be playing if an eye injury, sustained in the Test with Ireland, has healed by Saturday. Caughey pulled a tihigh muscle in the match with Mid-District. CAMBRIDGE DEFEATED BY NEWPORT London, December 12. In a Rugby football match Newport defeated Cambridge University by 22 points to 9. NEPIA ARRIVES Welcome in England London, December 12 Newspapers welcome the arrival of George Nepia. who hopes to play against Wigan on December 11. when he will be opposed by Sullivan. Nepia said: “Neither of us has seen the other play, so it. should be an exciting game.”