RUGBY TEST RUBBER TO WALES

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 151, 23 December 1935, Page 14

RUGBY TEST RUBBER TO WALES

ALL BLACKS LOSE NARROWLY AT CARDIFF

INTENSELY EXCITING ENCOUNTER

(Cniled Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

«,Y , - , ' " LONDON, December 21. Wales defeated New Zealand by 13 points to 12 in the Ru<rby ioolball international match at Cardiff today. At half-time New Zealand led 3-0, as a result of an unconverted try scored by Ball just before the interval. Tries by Cliff Jones and Rees Jones, both ol which were converted by Jenkins, gave Wales a 10-3 lead early in the second spell, but a magnificent field goal by, Gilbert and another try by Ball, which Gilbert converted, enabled New Zealand to regain the lead ten minutes from the end. Three minutes from time an unconverted try by Rees Jones decided the issue in Wales's iavour. The win is regarded as having decided the Test rubber between the two countries, Wales winning 3-0 in 1905 and 13-12 in L9ds, and New Zealand winning 19-0 in 1924. The match was played in fine weather before a huge attendance and was intensely exciting. After lengthy consideration it was decided- to include Sadler and McLean in the New Zealand team in preference to Corner and McKenzie, while the inability of Cau<*hey to play was responsible for Oliver being shifted from his customary place at centre to second five-eighths, with Ball coming in asa win-three-quarter. Mitchell was moved to centre. The new arrangement did not bring the best of results, New Zealand missing Caukey's dash on attack. The Welsh backs were superior on the day, though the New Zealand forwards secured the major share of the ball lnough the winning margin was small Wales fully deserved their sIXCCCSS*

The teams were:— Wales.—V. D. Jenkins/ Rees Jones Idwal Rees, W. Wooller, Claude Davey Cliff Jones, H. Tanner, D. J. Tarr, t! Rees, H. Payne, E. Watkins, T. Williams, Glynn Prosser, Jim Lang A M. Rees. New Zealand.—Gilbert, Hart, Mitehell, Ball, Oliver, Griffiths, Sadler Lambourn, Hadley, Dalton, McLean, Reid, King, Manchester, Mahoney. The absence of Caughey owing to injuries was regarded as most unfortunate. Despite a heavy overnight frost, conditions at Cardiff were perfect. The ground had been protected by a heavy covering of hay. Fifty thousand were present. New Zealand kicked off against a light breeze. The ground was apparently slippery, both full-backs falling as they gathered and kicked. Wales won the first line-out and A. M. Rees dribbled smartly, but was off-side. Davey punting ahead, enabled Wales to reach New Zealand territory, but the All Blacks' resolute tackling drove back l the attack. Wales regained ground, but were penalised, and Gilbert's long kick at goal was only inches low. ALL BLACKS ATTACKING. Oliver and Hart combined magnificently, but Jenkins brought off a fine flying tackle on the line, forcing Hart into touch. The All Blacks generally had a territorial advantage, getting plenty of opportunities from the scrums. Sadler once sent, the ball to Griffiths, starting a fine passing bout, but Davey intercepted and dribbled almost to his opponents' twenty-five before he was pulled up. Immediately afterwards the Welsh forwards. dribbled to the line, and Glynn Prosser fell on the ball. The Welsh claimed a try, but the referee ordered a scrum. Wales heeled the ball, and Cliff Jones, receiving perfectly from Tanner, worked his way through brilliantly, but was pulled down a-yard from the line. The, tourists again attacked, Oliver and Sadler causing the defence much anxiety. Play continued fast ' and exciting. Wales dribbled down several times, but Griffiths defended strongly, finding touch cleverly in the face of Welsh rushes. \ New -Zealand resumed their attacks with a series of judicious kicks to touch1, putting them on top of the Welsh line, but Jenkins again came to the rescue. After 35 minutes Griffiths made a splendid opening, which Ball carried on, securing a try near the touch-line. ■ Gilbert- did not convert, the spell ending New Zealand 3 Wales 0 WALES GAINS LEAD. The second half opened excitingly. Wales heeled from the first scrum, and the Welsh backs handled briefly before Cliff Jones, the Cambridge University half, brilliantly tricked four or five New Zealanders, punted ahead, gathered the ball, and outpaced . Gilbert in a thrilling 25 yards' dash for the line and placed the ball between the posts. Jenkins converted. Wa1e5............... 5 New Zealand .3 Within five minutes . Wpoller, the Cambridge University three-quarter, picked up from the loose in midfield, put in a great sprint, punted over Gilbert's head, and beat the All Black for the.ball. Gilbert tackled him, but Wooller .passed- to Rees Jones (Oxford University),' who scored an easy try, which Jerikins converted. Wales 10 New Zealand 3 Wales were now playing like demons', the forwards having the best of it in the loose and securing a fair share of the ball in the scrums. ' Rees Jones once nearly had' a try, but Gilbert pulled him down. Nevertheless, the All Blacks were not beaten. Fine handling saw Hart within an ace of scoring. Jenkins cleared, but did* not find touch. Gilbert picked up inside his own half and practically on the touchline, and drop-kicked a magnificent goal. A few minutes later he missed a fairly easy penalty. Wales ■. .10 New Zealand 7 DRAMATIC CHANGE. The trend of the game dramatically and suddenly changed ten minutes from'the end when Rees Jones failed to 'gather a punt by Ball, who speedily followed up, picked up, and scored between the posts, Gilbert converting. New Zealand 12 Wales 10 , With their opponents two points iti the lead Wales exhibited their finesi fighting qualities. Wooller, three minutes from time, started a movemeni which spread across the field before Rees Jones scored a try almost ir the corner. Jenkins did not convert. Wales 13 New Zealand ............. 12 Wales was the better side all round and won chiefly owing to Cliff Jones showing the value of individual enter prise after which the backs were almost irresistible.'