SPEED AND SKILL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12752, 7 January 1936, Page 5

SPEED AND SKILL

WILY ALL BLACKS WERE BEATEN. EXCELLED ONLY IN QUICK HEELING. COMMENTS ON THE GAME. (UP.A. by Elec. Tel, Copyright). LONDON, Jan, b. Mr Howard Marshall, writing in tho Daily Telegraph,, says that the All Blacks must. have been painfully surprised at the brilliance of Prince Obolensky, the Russian who played j on the wing for England in yesterday’s match against the All Blacks, though they encountered him on a wet clay at Oxford. “The crowd ,will never forget iiow Gilbert raised his hand heplessly, with a look of almost, comic resignation, as Obolensky raced round him to score the first try,” continues Mr Marshall. “This has been a rich season. Wo must he grateful to the New Zealanders for the stimulus they have given our game. They ran up against England when the side was at top form. That is all.” The News-Chronicle says: “All things must come to an end, even the superiority of the New Zealanders at Rugby. They suffered tho heaviest defeat and New Zealand side has experienced in these islands. In all the finer arts of Rugby, save only in quick heeling horn the scrummages, t England surpassed her rivals, whose attempts to batter through the middle of the English defence wpre frusj trated. They seemed to have no al- [ ternative method of attack. They had nobody to match speed with Obj olensky or skill with Gaclney or Crammer.” | The New Zealand Rugby Union has cabled to the Rugby Union of I England stating: “The New Zealand Union extends hearty congratulations in your Victory in the final test. ”

“It is difficult for me io believe 1 am anything hut an Englishman. As one I simply did my best at Twickenham. I will play again for Eng- • land if selected.” says Prince Obolj ensky, who expects shortly to receive ; naturalisation papers, lie is the son of a former officer in the late Tsar’s Imperial Horse Guards. He will re-

turn to Oxford next term and will continue to play there, where he is lito first Russian to win a Rugby blue. None of the congratulations was more appreciated than those of the All Blacks. M.C.C. TEAM PLEASED. BUT RESULT RATHER A SURPRISE. fPress Association ) INVERCARGILL, dam 6. “We arc naturally pleased at England’s win in the Rugby test oti Saturday, though it was rather a surprise lo .me personally,” said Holmes, captain of the M.G. cricket febam this evening. Speaking of Prince Oblonsky's scoring, Holmes said that the Russian Prince had jumped .into prominence all of a sudden, as it was his first big game, apart from Varsity games and matches where lie represented Oxford. The M.C.C. had had a high opinion of Prince Oblonsky's ability and his success in the match was not altogether a surprise to them. A few of the Englishmen were among the listeners-in in the small hours of Sunday.

VERY SATISFACTORY TOUR

TEAM POPULAR- ON AND OFF FIELD. (Press AssgcJumod.i WELLINGTON, Jan. G. .Mi‘. F. T. Glasgow, who is acting chairman of the Now Zealand Rugby Union’s management committee, commenting on the All Plucks’ tour, said• “1 consider that the tour has been very satisfactory, although the match record has not been quite so good as that of former tours. From private advice; we learn that Lire- team has been most popular both on aiul off' the field, and nothing hut praise for the members has been heard from all quarters. They have created a most favorable impression, and their behaviour throughout has been most exemplary.”

AN ALL-ROUNDER

RUGBY. CRICKET. BONING

H. G. O wcn-Smith, who played at full-back- for England in the Rugby test against the All Blacks, is a splendid cricketer and has also gained, prominence as a boxer. It wall be recollected that lie played in the English eleven’s match against South Africa at Folkstonc in September and lie added 41 runs to the poor score of 55 which the rest of the team had made. Owen-Smith is a South African and wdien he was only 20 years old lie represented South Africa at cricket. He toured England with- the Springbole eleven in 1929, and in the second innings of the third test, which was played at Leeds, lie settled down to clean, discriminating hitting and when the next wicket fell the South African total stood at 172. “Sandy” Bell was the last man in and he joined Owen-Smith to make the last partnership. Bell afforded his young teammate such support that the pair of them were able to add 103 runs in just over an hour. Owen-Smith’s total stood at 129 wdien the innings closed. There were two sixes and 15 fours in that total. Owen-Smith is a double “blue,” having represented Oxford at botli cricket .and Rugby, playing against Cambridge.

ALL BLACKS’ FINAL MATCH" • V , (To the Editor.) , Sir, —The final match was a splendid ending to the All Blacks’ tour. Two test matches won—Scotland and Ireland—and two lost—Wales, and' England. That makes ‘matters even. The tour will put New Zealand again on. the map and business should result to the benefit of all.—l am, yours, etc., “CLAPTON! AN,”