RUGBY IN BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27568, 9 December 1950, Page 9

RUGBY IN BRITAIN

International Trial Games

NZPA Special Correspondent Rec. 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 8. With the Oxford-Cambridge University match at Twickenham and the trial for international sides, the Rugby season is now in full swing. Oxford was undoubtedly a better side than Cambridge and deserved its win in a game which was largely a forward battle. lan Botting, the former Otago and All Black player, played on the right wing and also for short periods at full-back when Murray Hofmeyr. the South African, was injured in a late tackle. Botting, who is a sound player although not as fast as some would like a winger, expects to play little more first-class Rugby this season for he has to devote his time to his studies. He is no longer eligible for selection for the England side—the result of a controversy which occurred last year over Dominion players being internationals for two countries. Botting is accompanying the Oxford team on a tour of France next week. The second English trial match will be at Taunton next week. One point which is interesting British critics is that Ivor Preece is to play for the Probables at centre, moving out from his usual position at stand-off.