ENGLAND WINS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19805, 8 February 1936, Page 4

ENGLAND WINS

i ALL BLACKS GO DOWN. j OBOLENSKY STAR OF MATCH. I j NEW ZEALANDERS LACK LIFE. (By Air Mail.—Times Correspondent). England Rugby lives again, this is the Old Country’s first triumph at Home over a representative New Zealand team, and was an astonishing performance, not so muoh for Its decisive character, but beoause of the vindication of the Home players, some of whom It was thought had olosed their International careers. The optimists who had predloted an England triumph more out of patriotism than hope were wreathed in smiles, writes W. R. Sinclair, the Sunday Chronlole Rugby critic. The pessimists were confounded, but they, too, Joined In the cheers that greeted this second overthrow of the All Blacks In their International engagements. The Tourists were thrown off their game by the unexpected reassertion of England’s foroes In general, and In particular by Obolensky’s baffling pace and unorthodox positioning. The losers certainly gave the suggestion that they were feeling the effects of their labours. Instead of the confident, purposeful combination of the Scottish and Irish matohes, they were now revealed as a slow, haphazard, and uncertain side. Still, a soundly organised touring team, no matter how strenuous a time they may have had, should always command a certain advantage. That they failed to utilise this reflected immensely to England’s credit. The mastery of the winners, indeed, astonished friend and foe alike. It was as though the winners were the wellknit combination with long acquaintance of each other’s play, and the All Blacks as a scratch side of so many visits. England were magnlfloent. Every man shared In a memorable matoh, though the oourse of the game naturally brought certain players Into greater prominence. But when other incidents are forgotten, the memory of Obolensky’s flashing pace and swerve will remain vivid. His first-half tries gave England their first glimpse of victory, just as Cranmer’s dropped goal and Severs’ try finally sealed the Tourists’ fate. Seasoned campaigners and newcomers alike played their part. Oblensky made an amazing International debut, but Cranmer was the mainspring behind the majority of the attacking moves, and the much-criticised Gerrard made a most successful comeback, particularly 'in _ defence. / Owen-Smith, surviving a few slips at the start, was the complete fullback. 3 What of New Zealand? What oan we say of New Zealand? Even allowing for the tremendous strain of the tour they were grievous-

ly disappointing. They lacked 'life, thrust, and nippiness. Caughey was collared time and again. Even Gilbert could claim no superiority over Owen-Smith, and all round the game was as Black an affair for the Tourists as their Jerseys. And now for the story of play. Caughey cleared from England’s starting kick, the Tourists having the advantage of the wind. From the first line out, Gadney broke down the centre, but was smothered by Oliver, and there was nobody up in support when the ball oame loose. The initiative lay with England for some minutes, thanks to Nicholson’s hooking from two successive scrums, but it was left to Obolensky to supply the first real thrill when his pace enabled him to keep the I>all in play from Cranmer’s cross kiok, and Gilbert was glad to scramble the ball into touch. Play remained In the New Zealand half for some minutes, but without the possibility of an England score, though once Sever got away only to pass forward to Chandler. In the All Blacks counter-raid, Ball brushed off Obolensky’s tackle, but nothing came of the wingman’s efforts, which finally ended in Owen-Smith Clearing from Mahoney. So far the game had been more strenuous than sparkling, but Gilbert livened things up by taking

a forward kick of Gerrard in his stride, and In combination with Reid, actually reached the England “25” where, however, he was tackled. Then came a burst by Gadney, and after Candler had Intervened a possible scoring chance to Obolensky, whose fractional hesitancy, however, gave Ball the chance to tackle him and so save a certain try. Frantlo Crowd. Gerrard next tackled Caughey magnificently, and three minutes later the vast crowd went frantic over the spectacle of an England try. The soore certainly Justified the applause, even though it was largely a “oneman” affair. From a straight forward passing movement Gerrard delayed his final pass to Obolensky long enough to get the “wrong foot,” and the Oxford flyer, plunging into his full stride, had only 'Gilbert between him and the Hue. The full-back galloped across in an endeavour to cut off the wingman’s path, but 100 late! Obolensky slipped past him adroitly, and the rest was easy. A superb try. and Dunkley’s attempt to convert deserved a better fate than the ball to strike the angle of the bar and post and rebound into play. This, after an hour, and seven minutes later England went further ahead. Again Obolensky was the wrecker of the All Black hopes though chief credit for the score must go to Cranmer, who broke down the middle beautifully. Candler took up the movement, and Obolensky, who had cut inside, finding liis way barred to the right, cut diagonally across and finally touched down on Sever's wing. Gerrard made a poor attempt to convert The delighted crowd gasped and > cheered. : Tindill was almost over in the first minute, and Mitchell produoed the first Individual All Black effort of the ’ game so far, but was finally hauled down by the vigilant Owfen-Smith, and i Ihe Tourists’ effort died out in an un--1 successful drop at goal by Gilbert. ’ This dropped goal art is supposed to bo a New Zealand strong point, but , Cranmer showed the Tourists that England players know a thing or two about it by “popping one over” in perfect style from outside the All Blacks “25," to put the Old Country 10 points (Continued in next coluinu.)

up with the second-half five minutes old/ For some minutes, they appeared unable to raise a counter raid. Even ‘Gilbert lost his customary composure, and once fumbled badly. England, determined to keep their lead, found touch at every opportunity, and were constantly handling- 'before Cranmer sent Sever speeding away for England’s third try which Dunkley could not convert, although the position was an antv «ue.