ALL BLACK TRIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22119, 27 May 1935, Page 7

ALL BLACK TRIAL

CONTEST AT DUNEDIN COMBINED TEAMS MATCH CANTERBURY SIDE SUCCESSFUL THE OUTSTANDING PLAYERS [BT TELEOBAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN. Sunday Thirty aspirants for All Black honours were on their mettle at Carisbrook yesterday, when the first of a Beries of trial games for the selection of the New Zealand team to tour Great Britain this year was played between teams representing Otago-Southland-North Otago, and Canterbury-South Canterbury-Ashburton. Conditions for football were ideal, and the ground was in first-class order. The New Zealand selectors, Messrs. Meredith, McKenzie, Pearson and Adams, were present to watch the play. The result of the game, a win for the Canterbury combined team, was a fair index of the merits of the respective sides. The forwards of the Otago combined team proved by far the more effective combination, gaining the major possession throughout the game and generally being superior, but the backs did not combine well on attack. On the other hand, the backs of the opposing team were a far happier combination, linking up fairly well and handling better. For a trial match the standard of play was fairly good, as too much could hardly be expected of players brought together for the first time. Due to lack of combination, there was little sparkle in the play of the first spell, but once the teams settled down the game improved considerably, and toward the end there were some really bright movements by both teams.

The Canterbury side held a lead of 5 points to 0 at half-time, and this was increased to 10 shortly after the start of the second spell. A try for the south team reduced the lead, and Taylor further improved his side's position with two good penalty goals, the game resulting in a win for the Canterbury side by 10 points to 9. For Canterbury Hart scored a try which Deavoll converted, and later C. Oliver was awarded a penalty try for obstruction by Gillies, Deavoll again converting. For Otago Hore scored a try and Taylor kicked two penalty goals. Manchester was the best forward on the visiting side until he retired injured, and Oliver was easily the best of the inside backs. Hart showed all his old-time speed. Hore and Vorrath wero the pick oi : the southern forwards. Simon gave v. fine all-round display at halfback, bub Trevathan, second five-eighths, and Mitchell, centre, proved exceedingly weak links, resulting in the two fas; wingers, Watt and D. Olliver, getting practically no chances. Watt, however, showed fine defenoe and put in soma strong dashes. With more opportunities he would probably have shown to greatadvantage.