LANCASHIRE MATCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22721, 6 November 1935, Page 9

LANCASHIRE MATCH

NEW ZEALAND FORWARDS REVOLUTION IN FORM From Our Special Correspondent. (By Air Mail.) BIRKENHEAD, October 15. A great thing about the match against Lancashire-Cheshire from the New Zealand point of view was not the margin of victory, but the revolution in the form of the forwards and the inability of the opposing backs, including an all but international three-quarer line, to score more than once. The LancashireCheshire side contained five inter-nationals-I—J. 1 —J. Heaton, R. Leyiand, H. A. Pry (England), Watcyn Thomas and Claude Davey (Wales) —and six international trial • players—H. S. Sever. J. Bowker, J. C. C. Cooper, H. B. Toft, C. J. P. Vallance and J. Mycock. Better still, the players had had the benefit of a great deal of match practice together. Here was a side potentially almost as formidable as the side which the All Blacks may expect to meet at Twickenham, since England, even after two trial games, cannot expect to field a team with much experience together. Last year's form was too moderate to permit of that. Prom the kick-off the New Zealand forwards seemed to play with more vim, as if they were at last beginning to overcome the troubles of acclimatisation, and were thoroughly enjoying the game, ft was a new team so far as the forwards were concerned. The spirit of the 1934 North-South match at Auckland, missed at Bristol, was present in full measure. Though the 34 —1 scrum formation was adhered to, there was more attempt at real pushing, and a very large share of success attended the hooking.

The play of the übiquitous Sadler in defence and attack was one of the high lights of the game." Gilbert performed acrobatic feats with the slippery ball, and was loudly cheered for his brilliant touch finding. Hart was in good form on the wing. Once Sadler came round on the blind side of a loose scrum and passed to Hart, who was only a foot or so from the side line. As quick as thought he had sidestepped one opponent and was darting toward the goal posts. King was up to take a good pass, and Adkins finished the movement with a great try between the posts. This was a try in keeping with the best traditions of New Zealand Rugby. Reid played a tireless game from the side of the scrum, and Griffiths ai.d Oliver were good on both attack and defence. The backs staged some pretty movements, one of the best being in the heavy rain when Sadler opened play out to Griffiths and Oliver, who gave the ball to Brown at the light moment. The winger went full out for the corner with a thrilling dash, and then, steadying himself, gave the ball to Oliver, who had come round outside him and took a beautifully timed pass to score a perfect try.