ALL BLACK TEAM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 231, 16 September 1935, Page 5

ALL BLACK TEAM

WIN IN OPENING MATCH Devon and Cornwall Beaten MR. MEREDITH SATISFIED By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. LONDON, Sept. 14. In the opening match of the tour at Devonport, the All Blacks defeated Devon and Cornwall by 35 points to six. Despite a wet ball, especially in the second half, the New Zealand backs handled well and were always dangerous. Gilbert, at full-back, played a fine game and saved his team on a number of occasions. He had the distinction of registering the first points of the tour with a penalty goal. A heavy shower prior to the start of the game did not affect the playing field. The rectory ground was packed and many were unable to gain admittance. The crowd was estimated at 15,000. The New Zealanders did not give a haka, despite the crowd’s request.

Devon won the first scrum, New Zealand packing a three-four formation with McLean the loose head. Devon pressed at the outset, but New Zealand were first to score, Gilbert kicking a penalty goal from the half-way line. Gilbert scored again 10 minutes later with a neat field goal. The New Zealanders were on their toes, but for a period their handling was faulty. Following a battle on the New Zealand lire Matthews scored for Devon. FINE BACK MOVEMENT. Towards the end of the first half the New Zealand backs functioned in a movement which resulted in a magnificent try by Hart. Caughey, in his new position, appeared to be thoroughly at home. Gilbert made no mistakes and saved his side several times. At halftime New Zealand led by 18 points to jix. New Zealand then had the measure of their opponents and seemed set for a big scoie. In the forwards New Zealand had no great advantage in weight. Devon won the ball mostly in the first half. McLean put the ball in the scrum for New Zealand and stood as extra five-eighth when Devon put the ball in. It was raining when play was resumed after the interval. The backing up of the New Zealand forwards nonplussed their opponents. Despite the wet bail, New Zealand had no difficulty in handling and they took every op portunity of opening up play. The scrum formation was changed in the second spell. Corner put the ball in the scrum and McLean packed in the scrum. The New Zealand backs, whose passing was speedy and accurate, were always dangerous. They were too speedy for their opponents. New Zealand showed marked superiority and dominated play, except for the first 10 minutes. The Devon backs were often caught in possession. The forwards fought hard. Gilbert, Corner, Caughey, Oliver, McLean, Manchester, Reid and King were outstanding. Oliver often cut in to beat two or three opponents. McLean handled finely and made many good runs. Bone the Devon half-back, received a kick on the head near the finish and was carried off on a stretcher. THE SCORERS. The scorers for the All Blacks were King (West Coast), Hart and Manchester (Canterbury), Caughey (Auckland), Ball (Wellington) and Reid (Hawke’s Bay), while Gilbert kicked three penalty goals, a field goal and converted two tries. He thus scored 17 of the 35 points. Devon and Cornwall’s points were from an unconverted try and a penalty. Gilbert’s handling was extremely accurate and his line-kicking excellent.

A doctor was called to examine Hadley after the game. He was kicked on the head and collapsed on reaching Plymouth. His face is partially paralysed. It is feared that he' suffered concussion.

Mr V. R. Meredith is satisfied with the team’s showing. He believes that the team will mould into a good combination.

Critics express varying opinions. Some give the opinion that the team will not go through undefeated. They are impressed with the handling of the backs and the backing up of the forwards, and the team work. Gilbert, they declare, is a magnificent full-back. COMMENTS OF THE CRITICS. All Sunday critics encouragingly point out that Devon speedily found a hole in the All Blacks’ defence. The visiting pack invariably yielded yards in the scrums and did not greatly preponderate in the line-outs. One critic says that the forwards’ tactics are loose, and they will be b worry to English sides. All agree upon the AU Blacks’ versatility and opportunism and praise the brilliance of their passing movements. Home critics lavishly praise Gilbert’s craft and kicking, the dash of Caughey. and the resource of Corner, who is bound to worry the opposing sides.