Oxford v Cambridge

NZ Truth, Issue 1001, 31 January 1925, Page 11

Oxford v Cambridge

THROUGH COLONIAL EYES,

[By E. E. Booth— Special "N.Z.T.") LONDON, December 13.

Special Colonial interest had been manifested m this meeting, of the Blues owing to ,the number of Colonial scholars taking part, and also to, the fact ; that both teams had extended the visiting All Black team. Personally, I favored Oxford's chances, as there were more possibilities m their play. There was more variety, more latent strength, and so improved. •The, large, and representative gathering of 38,000 was largely composed of ladies. It was a record attendance for the event. Both teams were- ex-ceptionally-keen on winning. The play was hard, but never willing.

The Cambridge team „ were . badly balanced., The" forwards were superb, holding most territorial advantage right through the game, but their backs lacked finish and piercing qualities, especially m the centres, both wings being starved for want of made openings.. Their pack gained most possession, wheeled and screwed, gaining much by fine close rushes. Time after time they were right on Oxford's lines, but lack of finish, variety of attack, arid seemingly the element of luck were all against them. Even their place-kicking was "all but! 1

As .Cambridge's strength lay m ' the vanguard, so with Oxford it was primarily m the backs. This superiority they exploited to the fullest. It enabled their forwards to play very freely and with confidence m the loose and at every opportunity the ball was whisked back.

Oxford's backs showed better aptitude m going down m proper fashion to check Cambridge's rushes. Raymond, their back, played brilliantly, often assisting his three-quarters and making fine lengthy 'line kicks. He. was a stone-wall of defence. •• The inside Oxford backs, especially McPherson and Aitken, were allowed too much latitude by their vis-a-vis. Then they missed many chances through faulty handling. . \ The passing of both sides was mostly haphazard, often reaching the. stage of l-ecklessness. Further, the players take the ball .wrong, especially a wet ball such as this was. They catch far too much with their fingers instead of their arms and body, it was a game of lost chances, the play never reaching that brilliancy one would expect at <such a "classic"; of the. season.

The footwork of both packs was one of the best features. , It was excellent • : dribbling,, with -a well-controlled ball: Had Cambridge had backs with dash and finish the issue would not have been m doubt long. ,

Wallace's try was most self-made, and was' a fine piece of clever running.

Almost all the inside backs showed a lack of variety m their, methods. None showed any proficiency for jinking- or. dodging or making good opening's. McPherson was probably the best m these attempts. Their short punting overhead was usually faulty, too high or too far, and their attempts at giving the dummy and reverse passes were weak to a degree.

„ The game was line to watch, being of a clean, open nature, but as an exposition of real high-grade standard it was lacking m many respects. All the Colonials playing acquitted themselves well. Young was most: conspicuous for Cambridge, but often was too tardy , 'in feeding his outside supports, due probably to their faulty methods when he did feed them. ,

There was no attempt made to change the. ball at half-time, although it had become, heavy and . somewhat greasy. Only one ball was used and the number of line-outs only a few yards m length were amazing to a Colonial. This, of course, meant "line hugging."

Another, thing that struck me as ridiculous was the fact that twice play was totally suspended whilst players with torn .jerseys had to run off the field into the, pavilion to change attire. Three stoppages m all were made this way. '.>...■'..

The cut of the pants of both sides appeared a bit exaggerated. Oxford came out iri shorts much too wide and long, whilst those of the Cambridge men, of a rounded bottle shape, suggested to my : mind an artilleryman's pants cut. short, , -

* I think that any well-established Colonial club side m full playing form would fully extend, if not actually beat, either of these teams, unless the latter made a special effort m training, m which feature to some extent both teams seemed to be somewhat lacking.