RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20918, 7 January 1930, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AN OXFORD VICTORY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 26. W. E. Henley (Otago and New College) was at forward in the Rugby match Oxford University v. R. V, Stanley's XV, played at Oxford on November 21. The University gained an unexpected victory by four goals and two tries to a goal and a try. The same side is to meet Cambridge at Tottenham in December.

Colonel Philip Trevo'r says that from almost the beginning of the game the losers were routed—routed not because of any obvious shortcomings of their own, but because the winners gave a magnificent display. The match ranks as a semiofficial international trial, and Major Stanley’s XV contained seven international players, two men who had played in an international trial, and a blue. Fortunately, the Oxford captain was able to put into the field what was appreciably 'the best fifteen. The England Selection Committee mustered in force to watch the match. Vice-admiral Percy Royds, Mr Adrian Stoop, and Mr John Daniell beinc keen observers of it. “ Seldom.” continues Colonel Trevor. “ has victory been more thoroughly deserved. I have often tried to stress the supreme value of good pass-giving and accurate pass-taking; and if such passing is effected in the centre of a three-quarter line that line must become an incessant danger to the enemy. “We pot a refreshing example of that kind of passing, for rare was the occasion on which a pass was missed in the Oxford back division. Rousseau was little short of superb, and aven so Robson continued to catch the eye most favourably. As the wing men rejoiced in the chances tlvat came their way in consequence, it was not surprising that Major Stanley’s XV were never allowed to look like anything but a scratch team. It was the Oxford forwards who made it possible for the men in rear of them to give such a remarkable display. Thev were well led by their captain, T. W Gubb (South Africa and University). The half-backs, too, did their job in great style. Russell never forgot what is the first duty of a scrum half-back, and Roberts comes high in the honours list, in which Rousseau and Robson must be placed. Rousseau is a great footballer. Many brilliant movements were made by the Oxford backs. Try succeeded try, each being the outcome of ingenious combination; in each case the clever thing done was effected without loss of pace.” Oxford found themselves at the very start of the game, and they never lost ground. The players were:— ,_P x £ or d University; J. A. Adamson (Durham and Keble), C. F. Cardale (Durham and St. Edmund HalD. L. M. Robson (Heriots and Balliol), C. F. Rousseau (South Africa and Brasenose), T. W. King (Uppingham and Trinitv), W. Roberts (Cardiff High School and Erasenose), H. Russell (South Africa and Uniyersity), T. W. Gnbb (South Africa and University), W. W. Lindsay (Clifton and Brasenose), W. A. H. Drenth (Edinburgh Academy and Oriel), B. H. Black (South Africa and Brasenose), W. E. Henley (Otago and New College). J. V. Rowley (South Africa and Trinity), P. D. Howard (Mill Hill and Wadham), A. G Cndlan (Uppingham and Worcester). Major R. V. Stanley’s XV: H. Boughton (Gloucester). J. S. R. Reeve (Harlequins), A. L. Novis (Blackheath), R. 6. Hopkins (Blackheath). H. M. Holman (Richmond) R. S. Spong (Old Milihilhan), A. Key (Old Cranleighans). D. A- Kendreu (Woodford), H. Rew (Exeter). A. E. Prescott (Harlequins), G B. Coglan (Harlequins), E. H. Fouraker (Harlequins), E. Coley (Northampton), W. E. Tucker (Blackheath), captain, D, Turquand Young (Richmond).