GILBERT’S BOOT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 280, 29 November 1935, Page 7

GILBERT’S BOOT

MATCH-WINNING POINTS ALL BLACKS AT ABERDEEN MARGIN OF SIX POINTS [By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright] Received Nov. 28, 10 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 27. The New Zealand Rugby football team defeated North of Scotland at Aberdeen by 12 points to 6. At halftime the score was 6—all. The match was played in fine but cold weather before a disappointing attendance of 4000. The reappearance of Page in the All Black team and the fact that 11. Lind who played opposite him, was considered by many to be a justifiable choice for last week’s international mat»ch, gave added interest to the fixture, though the New Zealand team lacked several of its star players. The teams were:— New Zealand. —G. Gilbert; N. Ball, C. J. Oliver, H. M. Brown ; D. Solomon. J. R.. Page; M. M. N. Corner; C. Pepper, W. ITadiey, G. T Adkins, J. G. Wynyard, S. T. Reid, F. H. Vorrath, H. F. McLean, A. Mahoney. North of Ccotland. —J. A. Innes; C. Brown, J. Hunter, R. Lind, R. Boon; TL Lind, A. Dickie; R. Bain, J. Bald, G. Ritchie, J. Hall, J. Morrice, P. Morris. J. Ness, G. Stroud. The Scottish forwards at first swarmed over the New Zealanders, hut Gilbert provided the first score by kicking a penalty goal from just past the twenty-five line. New Zealand 3, North of Scotland 0. In the subsequent play, fine work by H. Lind helped to keep the All Blacks pinned in their own territory for a long period. 11. Lind, at stand-' off half, was playing magnificently, and made an opening which led to North of Scotland’s first try. He cut through between Page and Solomon before passing to his brother. He was the brains of the movement, whi'eh produced a try by Bain in the corner. Bain failed to convert. New Zealand 3, North of Scotland 3. Gilbert was responsible for stopping H. Lind, after a brilliant interception and Gilbert then sent New Zealand ahead with another penalty goal. New Zealand 6, North of Scotland 3. North of Scotland levelled the scores through a forward, Stroud, dashing down the line and brushing several tacklers aside before passing to a threequarter, Hunter, who forced his way over. Hunter failed to convert. New Zealand 6, North of Scotland 6. After this score the All Blacks pressed again, but the score was unchanged at half-time. After the interval, 11. Lind, who so far had been the hero of the game, just missed in attempting to drop-kick a goal. New Zealand 9, North of Scotland 6. The New Zealand forwards were now beginning to show superiority, some of the Scotsmen being too loose. The All Blacks also won the ball from the 1 serums, which, was fortunate, as the northern backs looked dangerous when they gov possession. Oliver, who had few chances, put New Zealand further ahead when he went through a. big gap in the defence and scored. Gilbert missed the kick. The try rewarded a great tactical move. New Zealand 12, North of Scotland 6. Page was showing all his cleverness, and twice cut round the scrum to make openings. Now Zealand now had the upper hand, the fom-ards winning the bail from nearly every scrum. H. Lind was still outstanding in the home team. The final seoje was:— New Zealand 32 North of Scotland ........ G NEW SET OF BACKS COMBINATION LACKING PAGE AS TEST PROSPECT LONDON, Nov. 27. The special correspondent of the United Press Association, commenting on the match, says that what might be described as the tourists’ second fifteen took the field against North of Scotland at Pittodrie Park, an Association football ground. Mr Meredith was playing men who had missed many games. Page marked 11. Lind, who is reputed to be one of the greatest tacklers in Britain. Pepper, McLean, and Page were fighting for places in the internalvnal side. Prior to the game doubt existed as to whether the new All Black back line would function. IL Lind, though a veteran, was the most prominent player during the first ten minutes, showing nice anticipation and kicking for the line accurately. Territorially, North of Scotland were having the advantage and were winning the ball from the scrums. 11. Lind and Hunter broke through several times, and H. Lind continued to beat the defence. He left Page and Solo- , mon, standing in making the opening ' which led to North of Scotland’s first ■ try. The tourists’ forwards began to ir fuse life into their play, McLean, Vorrath, and Mahoney doing good things in the loose. Considering his long spell Page was quite good and was handling well. He once cut right through bur the visitors’ defence was again found wanting when North of Scotland scored their second try, several of the forwards and backs being guilty of hanging off the man with the ball. Just before half-time the tourists began to show more combination. The forwards were packing down quickly and started to beat North of Scotland for possession in the set sCrums. In the first half the tourists had no decided advantage in any department of the game. North of Scotland were making a great fight and it looked to be anyone ’s game. Backing-up tactics were missing from the tourists’ play but this was because the back division was practically new. Oliver was forcibly hurled to the ground on a number of occasions, but the tackling was notlunfair. Solomon, though he was kicking in grand style, was giving Oliver poor passes, several falling at the vice-yaptain’s feet. The ball seldom went cleanly to Oliver who found an opponent nearly always on top of him when he received a pass. Brown halted attacks on a number of occasions through knoek-ons. The

crowd became excited, thinking that North of Scotland had a chance of victory. H. Lind was the outstanding player of the match. He was great on attack and solid on defence, and provided a real test for Page who, despite manyhard tackles, was going well at the finish, making many penetrating runs. He still has a chance of finding a place in the international side. Corner was good, but Brown and Solomon were unimpressive. Oliver again held the backs together and Gilbert played another grand game. McLean, Vorrath, Reid, Pepper, and Hadley were the best of the forwards. , It was one of the few occasions on

which McLean reproduced his New Zealand form. Injuries have prevented him from reaching his best condition. Page was the only one of the new who held out prospects of being selected for international matches. Pepper will be a worthy substitute for Hore.