THE ALL BLACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22713, 28 October 1935, Page 9

THE ALL BLACKS

CARDIFF DEFEATED TWENTY POINTS TO FIVE A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, October 20. (Received Oct. 27, at 6.30 p.m.) The All Blacks defeated Cardiff by 20 points to 5 after leading by 15 points to nil at half time. Thirty thousand spectators watched the game. Gilbert kicked off, and the New Zealanders, packing lower than previously, hooked the ball from the first scrum, enabling them to score within a minute. Caughcy kicked high and went over from a scramble on the line, but Gilbert failed to convert from an easy position. New Zealand .. • ■ • • 3 Cardiff 9 Caughcy, cutting through and running 30 yards, enabled a spectacular try to be scored by Mitchell, who raced round the opposition. Gilbert did not convert. New Zealand .. . ■ . • 6 Cardiff .. .. 0 J. Bowcott and Jones were responsible for fine individual efforts, but they were fruitless. The All Blacks continued to give a spectacular display, the forwards forcing the game. Ball finely side-

stepped his opponents and ran 40 yards. The New Zealanders were awarded a penalty, but Gilbert failed with the kick. Then-Caughcy and Ball raced through, and the former scored after a great run. Gilbert converted. New Zealand H Cardiff 9 Later Gilbert kicked a fine field goal from near halfway. New Zealand 15 Cardiff •* 9 The All Blacks were now thoroughly in their stride and were greatly applauded on resumption after Half time for pretty reverse passing and backing up. Cardiff generally was poor. H. Bowcott and Edwards dropped n any passes, but Boon initiated a fine movement, in which the forwards handled and sent on to Osmond, who touched down. Boon converted. New Zealand 15 Cardiff .. • • 5 Thereafter Cardiff improved and more severely tested the visitors. Jones was prominent in many fine runs which pierced the defence. The last try came when Reid secured from the loose and went over, Gilbert converting. The final scores were: — New Zealand 20 Cardiff ~. 5 IMPROVED SCRUMMAGING FORWARDS PACK LOWER OLIVER THE BRAINS OF BACKS LONDON, October 26. (Received Oct. 27, at 6.30 p.m.) The special correspondent of the United Press Association, commenting on the game, says: — The attendance at the famous Cardiff Arms Park ground indicated that, despite some poor displays, the All Blacks were still a great attraction. The spectators included hundreds of enthusiasts who saw the 1905 and 1924 sides, and also several who played against Gallaher’s men. Most of the best-known London critics also attended.

The tourists yesterday strenuously practised scrummaging, pushing so hard that they scratched up the turf at one end of the ground. They concentrated on learning to pack lower and to use more weight towards the centre of the scrum. It was generally anticipated that Cardiff, although it had defeated and drawn with Swansea and trained seriously for the match, would provide an easy victory for the New Zealanders, probably by from 10 to 15 points. Ron Boon was brought from Scotland to play. The weather was dull and the ground heavy as a result of four days’ continuous Vain. Cardiff Arms is one of the finest grounds in Great Britain, and the magnificent new double-decker stand was packed. The entire attendance sang the customary Welsh national airs before the start. The AH Blacks opened brilliantly with quick passes, the forwards packing very low, as they had practised. Hadley won the ball from the first scrum. It came out like a flash, and Caughey scored the opening try amid wild excitement of the crowd. The tourists’ second scoring movement was due to Caughey and Mitchell, who, moving grandly, left the opposition standing. The first quarter of an hour saw some of the most spectacular football of the tour. There was plenty of

hot work among the forwards, fierce rucking and exciting play a H over field. Mahoney, playing in the centre of the line out, was taking the ball cleanly. Ball was prominent for some great attacking, and he and Caughey were the heroes of the first half. Ihey combined magnificently when Caughey scored his second try, completely beating their opponents with'their pace. Griffiths, as was the case against Llanelly, kicked very surely and found the line accurately. . The Cardiff backs dropped their passes with great regularity, and Oliver, Caughey, and Ball snapped up opportunities. Nevertheless, the AH Blacks’ backs sometimes had lapses in handling, but the quick recoveries and other resourcefulness in the first halt produced one of the finest displays o the tour and made their opponents appear second-raters. Gilbert gave an excellent display, and was often cheered for the mannei in which he dived at the feet of the forwards and snatched up the ball. During the interval Hadley and Adkins had their backs massaged in the centre of the field by their trainers. A wag commented: “They do not if they were suffering from lumbago. The crowd did not appreciate some of the referee’s rulings, although he often penalised New Zealand, -but they were delighted with the fast, open play in the second half. When Osmond scored it was the first time the New Zealand defence had really been beaten. Cardiff at this stage greatly improved. The players took many risks, and the plav changed from one end of the held to "the other amid the spectators’ wild excitement. Boon, J. Bowcott, Watkins, Harry Rees and Gwyn Williams were all working finely. Jones several times outpaced Mitchell and once was unlucky not to score. It was a wonder that the players could keep up the terrific pace, but the standard declined somewhat towards the end and several players on both sides looked very tired. The All Blacks’ scrum work showed continued improvement throughout the match. Never during the tour has the ball come out. so quickly. Sadler was given plenty of opportunities to feed Ins backs which be did well. He is in great form and has developed a most deceptive run. Three or four times he shot round the scrum like a hare. Griffiths’s one blemish was when he kicked to the line when he had a chance to pass to Caughey and Oliver, who were playing well and beating their opponents. The play was once held up while Stone was treated, apparently for an injury to the ribs received in tackling Mitchell from behind when the latter was through the defence, having swerved past the full-back. . ~ The scores justly indicate the All Blacks’ superiority. They were unlucky not to score more points, but the side lacks a reliable place-kicker. Gilbert is sometimes splendid, but at other times he misses the easiest kicks. Reid’s score was at the same spot as the famous incident of R. G. Deans s try in the match between Wales and New Zealand in 1905. The New Zealand backs were excellent, Mitchell and Ball bringing off many fine runs. Oliver was again the brains of the backs, being what Mark Nicholls was in the 1924 team. It is hard to discriminate among tne forwards. Manchester led his team well, working hard and gaining ground with dribbling. Hadley, Lambourn, King and Mahoney were always in the thick of the fray. M'Lean played a great loose game, but has still to reproduce his home form. ~ . The Scottish Union, following the international match against the All Blacks, is arranging a dinner, entertaining in addition to the teams the survivors of the Scottish team which played against New Zealand in 1905, numbering They include Mr P. Munro, M.P.,. and a former Governor of Khartoum, Sir Louis Grcig. TEAM ENTERTAINED IMPROVED PLAY COMMENDED LONDON, October 27. (Received Oct. 27, at. 10 p.m.) The All Blacks were the guests of honour last night at a mayoral banquet in the Cardiff Municipal Buildings, which were floodlit in honour of the occasion. The team received many messages of congratulation on its improvement. . . Llanelly and Cardiff critics agree on the New Zealanders’ unmistakable supremacy. . t The Observer declares that their finish and judgment were superior to that pieviously exhibited. The Sunday Times says that the All Blacks’ brilliance bewildered their opponents. The Dispatch compliments Caughey and Griffiths, whose unorthodox play often bluffed a way through the Cardiff pack. . STRICT TRAINING PLAYERS REDUCING WEIGHT LONDON, October 25. Several of the All Blacks are making an effort to reduce their weight, which is preventing them from striking formTbey are undergoing strict diet, cutting out 1 beer, pastry, potatoes and sweets. Collins is now over 1(5 stone, Mahoney is a stone overweight, and many are unable to wear the shirts and collars they brought from New Zealand.