DECISIVE WIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22730, 16 November 1935, Page 14

DECISIVE WIN

THE ALL BLACKS CAMBRIDGE DEFEATED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, November 14. The All Blacks defeated Cambridge by 25 points to 5 after leading by 14 to nil at half time. Mahoney replaced M'Lean. Seven thousand spectators were present. The All Blacks pressed early. Wooller, making an effort to relieve the situation, kicked poorly, and King, following up fast, secured possession and scored. Gilbert failed to convert. New Zealand 8 Cambridge 0 . The All Black forwards were playing magnificently, frequently obtaining the ball from the scrums and line outs. Griffiths, "dummying" round the scrum, passed to Mitchell, who scored a try at. the corner. Gilbert kicked a fine goal. New Zealand 8 Cambridge 0 Laborde, a Cantab forward, twisted his ankle after 20 minutes' play, and retired. Fyfe made a magnificent run, beating several opponents, but was pulled down from behind. Wooller, missed a chance by kicking when Fyfe was unmarked. A University mistake enabled Mitchell to pick up a wild pass and dive over at the corner. Gilbert's kick missed. New Zealand H Cambridge 0 A minute later Caughey, taking advantage of another opponent's error, picked up and sent Hart in for a try. Gilbert's bick failed. New Zealand 14 Cambridge 0 New Zealand was giving the best exhibition of scrummaging of the tour, and continued to win almost every scrum, leaving Fyfe, Wooller, and Cliff Jones, University's crack trio, waiting chances. Meanwhile Oliver, securing from Caughey, went over at the corner, Gilbert's kick again failing. New Zealand 17 Cambridge 0 Sadler had a day out, scoring twice in quick succession. Once he scored after dummying from a scrum and again when he received from Caughey.. Gilbert converted one of the tries. New Zealand 25 Cambridge .. .. .. •• 0 In the latter stages Low picked up from a scrum and went over for a try. Fyfe goaled. Final score: New Zealand 25 Cambridge 5 HOME SIDE'S POOR SHOWING HEATED WORK IN SCRUMS LONDON, November 14. Impressed by Cambridge's abilities, especially tha three-quarters, Mr Meredith fielded almost a full-strength team from those players available. It was the tourists' first meeting with Wooller, Cliff Jones, and Fyfe, the Cambridge captain, who is notable for his skill and cleverness throughout Britain. The critics gave Cambridge an even chance of victory, believing the trio would find holes in the New Zealand defence. There is little doubt that the New Zealand backs will be the same against Scotland. Ball is unlikely to be §t for the match at Murrayfield. Hadley, Hore, King, Reid, Manchester, and M'Kenzie are all likely to win places against Scotland. Oliver, although his leg injury was thought to be a broken blood vessel of the thigh, was persuaded to play as he felt his side would be handicapped by his absence. It is doubtful whether the risk was worth while against Cambridge. Many think Oliver should have rested until the match at Murrayfield. The weather was fine, but dull. The game provided a link with Cambridge versus New Zealand in 1924, when Dr David Macmyn led a great University pack. Sadler was in his stride immediately, and gained ground with several fast bursts, dummying his opponents. The All Blacks dominated the first 20 minutes and closely watched Wooller, Jones, and Fyfe, who were getting little of the ball. Light rain began before half time, but did not affect the tourists' handling. Griffiths handled and kicked exceptionally well, and also, with Oliver and Caughey, repeatedly made efforts to get the ball to the three-quarters, whom hard tackling held up. Fyfe showed class when he went into the five-eighths position. He took a difficult pass and evaded three of his opponents. It was one of the few occasions in the first half when the Cambridge backs looked dangerous. The fierce tourist pack outmatched their opponents, particularly in loose play, Gilbert is always the best wet-day player. He was repelling the forward rushes and picking up finely, bringing off long line kicks. It was difficult to judge the real form of the Cambridge international backs, as they were getting few chances. The All Blacks were winning 90 per cent, of the scrums and 75 per cent, of the line-outs. Jones, when he had an opportunity, was very speedy and fast off the mark. He had a knack of wriggling out of tackles. New Zealand effectively worked the reverse pass, Griffiths passing back to the forwards, who were generally waiting in a line. Cambridge made many mistakes by faulty kicking and wild passing. After resumption Hart received a nasty knock on the face, but continued to play. The crowd was disappointed at Cambridge's poor showing, and often laughed at the backs' blunders in kicking and passing. There was heated work in the scrums, blows twice being exchanged. Jones, in attempting to dodge through the opposition, was tackled by four New Zealand forwards. He emerged unscathed, but Hore and King collided, their heads meeting, and they were laid out. The game was delayed several minutes while they recovered. Oliver, sliding over to score, crashed forcefully against a wooden seat, but was not injured. Oliver scored by sheer pace, outstripping Wooller and Rawlence, the speedy 'Varsity winger. The pace of the tourists' backs surprised even their own supporters. They had seldom been so great. Jones and Low, the Varsity halves, did not compare with Tanner and Davies, the Swansea combination.

Sadler's tries were greatly applauded, which was also a recognition of his outstanding game. Once he ran right through the defence, selling a "dummy" right and left.

Wooller in the final stages repeatedly urged his forwards to get the ball, shouting, " Come on, we must have it," but j their eagerness did not prevent the visitors continuing to enjoy a feast of the ball. The All Blacks in the last quarter of an hour did practically as they liked, successfully experimenting with various movements. The spectators were greatly impressed with their exhibition. Sadler was the most outstanding player on the field, and must now be classed as the star of the tourists. It was impossible to find fault with any department of the team's display, which was one of the best of the tour and

augurs favourably for its prospects against Scotland. Oliver's leg stood the test well, and he was also prominent. Caughey was better than recently. Hart and Mitchell were often dangerous. The uninjured players from the viewpoint of condition have now reached the peak of their form. The forwards have apparently at last settled down thoroughly to understand the British methods, packing low and often getting their opponents on the run. Manchester played a great game, and was well supported. Mahoney was prominent on line-outs. Reid and King were fine in the rucks and in the loose. Dalton, who has not yet reached the top of his form, played hard. TRIBUTES TO SADLER LONDON, November 14. The Times describes Sadler as the smallest but the greatest of the All Blacks, whom no Cantah was capable of marking down. Howard Marshall, in the Telegraph, says: "I have never seen the AH Blacks play better. They showed the extra quickness on man and ball which is the unmistakable sign of quality. I doubt, even if Laborde had not been injured, whether Cambridge would have had a chance against this thoroughly roused and most determined team. Sadler is as good a scrum half as I have seen. He must be uncommonly strong—only the most comprehensive smother tackles will stop him. When he breaks from the scrum he bucks, bobs, bounces, and flashes into his stride, when he is'irresistible and constantly menacing." The Chronicle says: "The All Blacks' forwards are becoming a most menacing division. They overawed the Cantabs." The Mail pays a tribute to Sadler's grand display. Griffiths tore an arm muscle to-day, and is at present in great pain. It is believed that he will be on the injured list for at least 10 days. He and Page are remaining at Cambridge for treatment. They will rejoin the team at Peebles, where the All Blacks will spend the week before the Scottish international, in which it is now most probable that New Zealand will be without the services of both Griffiths and Page. FURTHER CASUALTIES LONDON, November 15. (Received Nov. 16, at 0.30 a.m.) The "All Blacks have suffered further casualties. M'Lean has strained his back, Reid has a swollen arm, Collins severe influenza, and Ball an injured leg. The specialist hopes that Griffiths will be fit for the Scottish international match. The players are disappointed over the cancellation of the visit to California and the abandonment of the proposed match against the Barbarians to assist the Prince of Wales's Jubilee Fund.