DRAWN GAME N.Z. V. ULSTER FAST ULSTER PACK

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 133, 2 December 1935, Page 15

DRAWN GAME

N.Z. V. ULSTER

FAST ULSTER PACK

WEATHER HANDICAP

GROUND HEAVY, PLAY DULL

United J'rcss .Association—By Electric Tele

tn-aph—Copyright.

BELFAST, November 30.

The New Zealand Rugby fifteen met the Ulster fifteen today, and the result was a draw, 3-3. There was no score in the second spell.

The New Zealanders looked grim as they took the field, after both teams had been presented to the Governor, the Duke of Abercorn, in the presence of 9000 people. They expected to be up against things as the heavy going suited the UJstermen. They were also handicapped by the loss of Page and Oliver owing to injuries. Tindill replaced the former and Mitchell replaced Oliver, Ball filling Mitchell's place on the wing. The New Zealanders speedily tasted Irish forward play,' the Ulstermen wheeling a scrum and forcing the visitors back. Cold affected the handling of the ball and play was dull. There were too many scrums due to infringements by both sides. The advantage rather lay with the Ulster forwards, who were giving the visitors few chances. ■. Eventually Tindill kicked over the full-back's head and Hart scored. .Gilbert made a poor attempt at goal. New Zealand '... 3 Ulster .....'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 0 The Ulster forwards retorted, carrying play to the New Zealand line in vigorous Irish fashion. They kept up the pressure, and Gunn scored; Alexander missed the goal. New Zealand 3 Ulster ; 3 At half-time the score was unaltered. The Ulstermen played with great devil in the second half and the New Zealanders were often obliged to find the line. Gilbert missed an easy penalty kick. Both teams fought strenuously to gain the lead, but the Ulster forwards were repeatedly dominant, hammering away at the All Black line. Tindill attempted to drop a goal. The ball apparently went over the bar, but a goal was not awarded.

"LESSON IN SCRUMMING"

BELFAST, November 30. The special correspondent of the United Press Association, commenting on the match, says that the New Zealanders expected to be fully tested in view of meeting a new type of forwards, who are notably strong and vigorous. Moreover, the tourists had a high opinion of Kendrew, and Ross, whom they had previously encountered. They also had doubts about their reconstructed.back line/while several players had colds, although they are not serious. The All Blacks had not previously played ori such a cold day which, with rain, affected the backs, while the heavy going favoured the Ulster forwards. S. Neill replaced Kennedy in the Ulster forwards The Duke of Abercorn, who is a keen follower of Rugby, remarked that the New Zealanders looked a capable and athletic lot.

The game was dull .for the first »nT V mmuies' beifig mostly scrums pvl ru*s fo^ard, with . honours even. The New Zealanders were heel-

nf th ? Was sU Shtly in favour :of Ulster whose forwards took advantage of a downfield wind. In the last fiiteen minutes .they were going at top speed, swarming over Sadler, who was often unable to pass Caughey and Tindill were closely watched and well tackled, although Tindill on several occasions broke tnrough.

INTERESTING FORWARD CONTEST. The game was resumed at a fast pace and developed into an intensely interesting struggle between the two packs. Ulster adopted tear-away tactics which repeatedly resulted in their dashing through their opponents, whose well-judged line-kicking averted trouble.

With twenty minutes to go a draw seemed certain. The visitors appeared incapable of breaking through owing ■to the forwards, except rarely, being unable to master the Ulster pack which throughout the second half played remarkably well, and were too good for their opponents in practically all departments. They taught the New Zealanders a lesson in scrumming, wheeling, and dribbling, and gave the New Zealand backs no quarter.

There was one stage when it seemed that Ulster would take complete control, but towards the finish New Zealand woke up.

No blame attaches to Tindill, who was one Of the safest of the visiting backs. Mitchell and Hart made desperate efforts to score in the last ten i minutes, but the New Zealanders -were up against the" best pack yet encountered. They must do much better to hold Ireland, which will field far stronger backs.

The New Zealanders were amazed at the referee not awarding Tindill's field goal from in front of the posts. The ball appeared from the touch-line to pass over the bar. The New Zealanders . behind Tindill jumped with glee, indicating a successful kick.

Vorrath was one of the outstanding forwards on the field. He played an intelligent game, stopping many dangerous rushes.

The crowd was delighted at the unexpectedly good showing of the Ulster boys, and rushed the field at the final whistle, attempting to chair the players, whose white jerseys with the famous Red Hand of Ulster were unrecognisable owing to the mud.