ALL BLACK TRIAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20051, 25 September 1939, Page 9

ALL BLACK TRIAL

TAYLOR STAR FULL-BACK PROMISING WINGER PERFORMANCES REVIEWED (P«r Pr«Kt» AfcsociAttou.i WELLINGTON, this day. The first All Black trial match, which preceded the North-South game, provided some bright football, but it was not up to the standard of the main game. It served mainly to show that Taylor is still the best fullback in New Zealand, that North Auckland is likely to supply at least one future AH Black in Cunningham, a wing-lhreequarter of promise, that Catley, Waikato, is a capable hooker, and that Tcdd, the big Wellington forward, has few superiors in line-out play in the Dominion. Taylor was coolness personified, and there was hardly a flaw in his display. His kicking generally was superior to that if his vis-a-vis, Hare, Auckland, who nevertheless gained big stretches of ground but did not find the mark as consistently as Taylor. It was Hare’s failure to find the line- from a free kick under the goal posts that enabled Taylor to drop-kick a magnificent field goal Hare tried for too much distance and Taylor fielded the ball near half-way, poised, and hoisted four points with one of the greatest field goals seen at Athletic Park. A feature of Cunningham’s game was that he repeatedly had straightened up attacks. There was a marked tendency among the inside backs of both sides to bore across the field. Quick to appreciate that he could easily be pushed into touch if he attempted to go round an opponent after many back rushes, Cunningham always looked for a chance to go infield. His pace off the mark helped him and he scored one excellent try, as well as paving the way for anotehr. Success In the Scrums Catley was supported by a better scrum than McKenzie, Ashburton, and won the ball on 22 occasions to nine. In addition, he did his share in the loose. Todd was the outstanding line-out forward and was one of the few players who took the ball cleanly. He repeatedly passed it back to Codling or put it at the feet for a quick heel. The value of Todd's game was shown mainly in scoring. His team saw much less of the ball in the set scrums and had to make its opportunities from the rucks and line-outs. He was ably supported by Davidson, Wanganui, and Herman, Canterbury, both of whom were associated in some clever dribbling rushes, and by McLean, Taranaki. In the opposing pack, Mason, Buller, impressed as a front ranker likely to attain higher honours. McPhail, Canterbury, Warrender, Waikato, and Mills, South Canterbury, were also a first-class trio.

Backs who impressed were Gibson, North Auckland, and Murray, Otago. The former was opposed by Crossman, King’ Country, who commenced brilliantly and generally played serviceable game, but Gibson was more incisive.

Both the halves. Moss, Hawke’s Bay, and Codling, North Auckland, opened up the play smartly, but. could hardly be described as in the class of Tindill or Saxton. The result of the match was a win by the Black team, led by D. G. Barton, Wanganui, by 20 points to 11 from the White j.eam, led by Crossman.

For the Blacks, Gibson scored three tries. Taylor converted one, potted a held goal, and kicked a penalty goal. For the Whites, Crossman, Cunningham and Mills scored, Hare converting one try.