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Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 9

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ALL BLACKS JUST WIN OXFORD UNLUCKY TEAM GILBERT’S WINNING GOAL GREAT TOUCHLINE KICK FORWARDS SHOW FORM By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright London, Nov. 7. The All Black defeated Oxford University by 10 points to 9 after leading 5-4 at half-time. The 1924 All Blacks beat Oxford 33 to 15 and the 1905 team had an overwhelming victory by 47 to nil. The All Blacks’ forwards were 50 per cent, better during the first half than at Twickenham. Playing together, with Hadley in the lead, they often overwhelmed Oxford with dribbling rushes. The visitors were not used to the English climate, and it was noted that steam was rising from the backs of the players when they packed down in the scrums, due to the coldness of the atmosphere. The All Black pack in the' opening stages adopted rushing tactics, showing devil. Packing low, the forwards often pushed Oxford. The backs’ clean handling in an early movement was notable, and the All Blacks stormed the Oxford line for a long period. The ball was very greasy owing to the rain. Considering the conditions the handling was satisfactory. . , Caughey was off his game. Oliver has played better, but he held the backs together. Gilbert received a knock on the head but continued. The Oxford forwards played the right game, kicking through the rucks. McShane, Oxford’s clever Australian haff, knows the New Zealand game and played excellent football. Grieve similarly was a tower of strength. He was a stout defender and seldom failed to find the line .when he kicked. FORWARDS COMING INTO OWN. Critics agree that Oxford was unlucky to lose. The Daily Telegraph says: “The New Zealand forwards are coming into their own and will on the remainder of the tour carry the team to any victories achieved.” / The News-Chronicle says: “Gilbert’s fine display pulled the New Zealanders through.” The Sketch says: “The New Zealanders were better in the line-outs and the loose, but the 3-4-1 scrummage was inefficient. The tourists’. backs compared unfavourably with the live Oxford threequarters.” - It was predicted before the game that the All Blacks would not have matters all their own way against Oxford. Some judges who were not impressed with the tourists at Twickenham expressed. the opinion that Oxford would win. The Iffley Road ground was crowded and tickets were sold out two hours after they were available, Oxford lost the season’s opening match, but won the next four with an aggregate of 82 points for and 14 against. The New Zealanders were not sanguine of winning, fearing that the London hospitality would affect their play. Cooper, the Oxford captain, was introduced to the All Blacks before the game. He knew several, including Mahoney, McLean, Hadley and Caughey. Cooper laughingly apologised for playing against New Zealand, adding:' “I am still out to do my best for Oxford.” The All Blacks were given a great reception when they came out, giving evidence of appreciation of the fact that they always try to play bright football. The teams were:— ALL BLACKS. Full-back: Gilbert. Three-quarters: Ball, Oliver, Mitchell. Five-eighths: Caughey, Griffiths. Half-back: Sadler. Forwards: Lamboum, Hadley, Pepper, Reid, McKenzie, Best, Vorrath, Mahoney. OXFORD. Full-back: Stuart. Three-quarters: Watson, A.\ Obolensky, M. Walford, R. Harding. Stand-off half: Rees-Jones. Scrum half: C. Grieve. Forwards: J. M. McShane, L. Brett, N. McGrath, J. Pienaar, G. Read, G. Roos, M. G. G. Cooper, G. Bloxam, H. Davies. Best replaced McLean in the All the latter suffering from an injury. Within a few minutes of the start the All Blacks were moving, Mitchell looki ing dangerous until he was brought down. Gilbert then narrowly missed a penalty kick, after which he had to go hard to haul down Obblensky, who made a great 50-yard dash after snapping up the ball from a? dropped pass. Heavy rain throughout the first half caused Oxford to drop passes. Cooper, the New Zealander who captained Oxford, failed with a penalty kick, after which the All Blacks had a chance of a try, but Ball knocked on a pass from Oliver. The game was even, but the All Blades were getting the ball repeatedly from the scrums. Then Grievq cleverly dropkicked a goal, after which McKenzie scored from a forward rush, although he was apparently off-side. Gilbert converted. Gilbert had previously missed an easy penalty. Oxford scored a sensational try after resumption. Walford and Harding, securing from the scrum, pierced the defence and passed to Prince Obolensky, whose pace enabled him to score a try beneath the posts. Brett converted. McShane was playing a great game, often dummying through and opening -up the game, but a blow on the head forced him to retire, and he returned with his head bandaged after 15 minutes, during which the teams fought strenuously. •• Finally, Sadler, who was persistently working the blind side of the scrum, dived over at the comer, and Gilbert converted with a magnificent kick, making the final score:— All Blacks 10 Oxford 9