"NARROW ESCAPE"

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 139, 9 December 1935, Page 14

"NARROW ESCAPE"

NEWSPAPER COMMENT

LONDON, December 8.

The newspapers emphasise New Zealand's narrow escape of defeat at the hands of a superior pack in the second half, but admit that the Irish backs were outclassed.

The "Sunday Times" says probably never in the history of international matches have the New Zealanders experienced such a worrying time. It was only by daring, defensive, panicky touch-kicking that the All Blacks stemmed the Irishmen, repeatedly saving the line by hook or by crook. Moreover, the New Zealanders when properly and thoroughly quelled in the second half never initiated a single back movement, whereas in the first half they had been throwing the ball about bewilderingly. Had the Irish three-quarters been worth their salt they would surely have won.

The "Observer" says the Irish overlate began to watch Caughey, whose strong, straight running enabled him to get a flying start which ensured vicr tory.

The "Sunday Graphic" says: "The All Blacks' luck is becoming a betting certainty. Siggins's try should certainly have been awarded. He touched down well before the All Black arrived, but the referee was downfield, and did not see the incident. Moreover, the score greatly flatters the winners, who were, nothing like eight points better. The New Zealand pack will never be nearer being truly beaten." ■