SADLER HERO OF GAME

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 9

SADLER HERO OF GAME

SOLO TRY SAVES TEAM EXCITING FINISH TO STRUGGLE. DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO SCORE. OXFORD LEADS TILL NEAR END. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright London, Nov. 7. -B. S. Sadler, the young Wellington half-back, saved the All Blacks against Oxford, scoring a solo try in the last few minutes of the game for-Gilbert to kick the goal from the sideline that gave New Zealand a point lead. Sadler is improving with every game and is developing into a half-back of the highest class. His try was an appropriate finale to an exciting match. New Zealand’s win was no fluke but a draw might have been a fairer indication of the trend of play. Grieve’s field goal for Oxford, which opened the scoring, precisely imitated Tindill’s at Newport, the ball passing straight from the scrum to the kicker. The early lead heartened the Oxford forwards, who although outweighed were not outmatched. Oxford was fortunate that on a number of occasions the All Blacks over-ran the ball when there was a chance of opening up the game. The tackling on both sides was very keen and the Oxford inside backs kept a very close watch on Sadler and Griffiths. The All Blacks’ forwards, developed a fine movement leading to McKenzie’s try. Keeping shoulder to shoulder they took the ball at toe through the defence for over 30 yards, which has seldom been done during the tow. ANYBODY’S GAME. It looked anyone’s game after the resumption, as the Oxford backs were clever and always likely to score. Nevertheless, the AU Blacks deserved their half-time lead, as territorially and in play generally they were superior, showing more combination between backs and forwards than Oxford. The AH Blacks’ defence was riddled when Obolensky scored. McShane found loopholes In the AU Blacks’ defence and the Oxford backs were always willing to take risks, even in their own territory, throwing the ball about in their eagerness to increase the lead. The AU Black forwards were often offside and were also penalised for forward passes. They continued to hold their own in the scrums and tight rucks. Oliver and Caughey desperately attempted to make openings, but Grieve, Walford and Harding with fierce, swift tackling defeated them. McShane’s retirement with the top of his head bleeding necessitated the withdrawing of, Hughes from Ute pack, resulting in Oxford concentrating on line-kicking, in which the backs were effective. With the minutes slipping away the tourists tried every device to score, but the defence held. The excitement, which had been high throughout the match, was now terrific. Sadler once burst through, but was puUed down. Caugey dropped a pass when Oxford was penned on the line. Here scrum followed scrum until finally Sadler in his sixth attempt dashed round the scrum and,scored.