A CLOSE VICTORY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 241, 18 October 1935, Page 6

A CLOSE VICTORY

ALL BLACKS IN SCOTLAND WERE LUCKY TO WIN \ _____ By Telegraph—Copyright—Press Assn. LONDON, Oct. 16. The All Blacks, who defeated Glasgow and Edinburgh by nine points to eight led by six-three at halftime. At one stage in the second half Glasgow and Edinburgh led by eight points to six, but a penalty goal by the New Zealanders gave them the lead, which they held till the end of the game. The Scotsmen were unlucky to lose. Hill repaced Burnett in the home side. The All Black forwards started off with a rush, gaining 20 yards. Gilbert tried a penalty from half-way, but kicked poorly. He tried again a minute later, however, from 30 yards out, and the ball went straight over. Thus New Zealand was three points up in three minutes. Glasgow and Edinburgh lost a certain score through Murdoch’s failing to pass at the right time. A few seconds later he tried a reverse pass, but Mitchell intercepted and staged a great passing rush z.’ith Solomon, who took the last pass and scored. Gilbert's attempt to convert was a poor one.

The home, team’s backs were brilliant, but failed at critical moments, their passes going wild. Murdoch kicked a fine penalty goal, but the home side deserved more points. It was entertaining football.

A high wind favoured Glasgow and Edinburgh in the second half, but the New Zealand forwards burst through. The home forwards dribbled the ball nearly the length of the field, when they should have scored. Murdoch missed an easy penalty. Shaw then received the ball from a scrum and went clean through the defence, beating three men before scoring under the posts. Nothing better has been seen during the tour. The try was converted by Murdoch. Glasgow and Edinburgh did not retain the lead long, as Gilbert kicked a fine penalty against the wind. Further Details The special correspondent of the United Press Association states that the crowd assembled at Old Anniesland in high spirits, . confident of victory over the New Zealanders, who theoretically were not strong, especially as Griffiths and Solomon were off form in recent games. The ground was in good condition despite recent heavy rain. New Zealand packed down and used weight in the first scrum, apparently as the result of a long talk behind closed doors by Mr Meredith yesterday. Griffiths played first fiveeighth. The All Blacks showed more fire and dash in the opening stages, the forwards concentrating on Shaw. The New Zealand attempts to find the touchline were poor, and frequent scrums spoiled the game as a spectacle.

Shaw was dangerous; he was off the mark like a flash, gaining ground with well-controlled kicks. There followed a period of brilliant attacks by both teams culminating in Solomon’s try. Play went from one end of the field to the other and became really’ sparkling. Shaw was very clever and had good partners in Murdoch and Hunter. The home team’s forwards were flagrantly offside in a number of scrums, and were often penalised. The New Zealand backs were a happier combination, though there were lapses in defence. The home team was taking scrums instead of line-outs. Shaw’ Plays Great Game The play was furious in the second half. Shaw went twice through the defence and was playing grandly. The crowd, thinking that he was meeting with interference, hooted the New Zealanders for causing play to be held up. McLean was treated for an injured shoulder. The crowd went wild with enthusiasm when the referee awarded the home team a penalty, believing that the backs were suffering obstruction and interference. Both teams used all possible weight in the scrums. The New Zealanders did not meet the home team by throwing the ball about to the same extent as the Scotsmen, whbse backs were not afraid to take risks. The home team missed several opportunities to score. There were only 20 minutes left when Shaw scored a try to give the home team the lead.

Solomon did fine work especially in attack, but he was not sound on defence. Brown was weak, occasionally missed tackles and handled badly. The change in the scrum. McLean

packing at the side and Mahoney at ■the back, proved successful. New Zealand was getting a lot of the ball in the scrums. Towards the finish the New Zealanders were backing up better than they had in many previous games.

The Scotsmen were really good. It is doubtful whether New Zealand will encounter a better team outside the Internationals. The referee was keen and did not miss the slightest breaches.

“The Times” says: “The New Zealand forwards displayed not only a change in personnel but a change of heart. The weakness in scrummaging was remedied to some extent behind closed doors. The return of McLean to his earlier form seemed to encourage the others to show a greater liveliness in breaking up and supporting the backs. Though often beaten for the ball, their harassing tactics largely contributed to hold an attack which was as combative as their own. The Scots also displayed a keener sense of offensive back play. The New Zealanders are born interceptors and their try provided another object lesson of the folly of blind passing,”