Universities Superior In Lineouts And Scrummaging

Chronicle (Levin), 1 June 1949, Page 5

Universities Superior In Lineouts And Scrummaging

SCOTT WAS HERO OF FIRST MATCH Received Wednesday, 11.10 a.m. ■ CAPETOWN, May 31. Runhing up 11 points to nil within 20 miniites of the first spell, the All Blacks looked like opening their S'outh African tour with- an impressive wih ovef Western Province Universities at Newlands today. Thereatfter the superior fitness of their opponents, coupled With their rtiore efficient scrummaging and lineout play, which gave them an overwhelming advantage in possession, swung the game in the Universities' favour, and the All Blacks Were lucky to emerge the winners bv 11 points to nine.

The half-time score was 11—3 in favour of the All .Blacks, tries br Henderson and Thornton-, ahd ? conversion and penaltv goal bv Scott, +o a penalty goU by Buti«*r In the secorfd snell the" s+udent? with almost a mOnopoly rf the b?l\ had some insoired moments and only a magnificent defensive samf bv Scott saved the day for the AF Blacks. The Universities added a trv and a penalty goal to their score. Their try was typical of University footbaP, the ball being swent ou,f tn one fiank and fhen a long infieY pass caught the All Blacks completeiy out of position, the try resulting on the opposite wing after fully 12 p7ayers had handled - ir bofh movements. Tr^mendous Welcome. ■Conditions werc ideal and a record crowd of 36.000 gave the AF Blacks a tremendous welcome. Reahsing how much was expected of them, and that their everv rrtove was imfler the rugby microscone, the All Blacks began with such vim bv the forwards- and swiftly-executed passing by the backs that for a period the spectators sat back in wonder. The' Universities are rated as a particularly good side. However, just when the New Zealand backs were tearing great gaps in the defence Allen had a recurrence of his thigh iniurv. which first manifested itself during training at Hermanus. and he was unable to exploit these onnortunities in the manner of which he is usually capable. In addition. the Universities after their shakv start, began to s how marked suneriority in thr scrummages and lineouts.. which thev maintained till the fina"1 whistle. The princibal lesson of the motch was that the All Blacks are still a long way short of being oroner'y fit. This was not surorising since today's was the first match for the players for nearlv eight months. and their onnonents are probably the fittest side the team will encounter in the early part of the tour. At the same time, the All B7acks were disappointed at their failure in the scrums and lineouts. They had an advantaee of nearW two stone per man in the scrums, vet the Universities gained possession in 32 scrums to 18, and in 20 lineouts to 22. Scott Made Crowd Gasp. Scott was unquestionablv the greatest plaver on the field and all the South African Press are high in their praise of his fieiding. lor>° clearances, sure tackling and accurate goal kicking. His perfect positional pay enabled him to effect clearances with almost ridiculous ease at times, and some of his touch-finders were of great length. He drew gasps from the crowd when he attempted a field goai from half-way and it fell under the posfs, while a shot at goal from a pena7ty from 60 yards out also dropped by the nosts. Elvidge was the most thrustful back and the Universities, in the second spell, concentrated two men. including the backrow forward, in i his vicinitv. I