THE ALL BLACKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2814, 22 November 1924, Page 2

THE ALL BLACKS.

LARGE SCORES IN OXFORD MATCH. London, November 20. The AH Blacks to-day met Oxford, which is regarded ns one of the strongest sides in England and contained in its ranks a number of overseas players. After a spirited game, the New Zealanders emerged victorious by 33 points to 15{ and tints have pul their total score well ahead of the last two overseas teams whieh visited England. The conditions were excellent ns the weather was line, though dull, and there was no wind. The ground was soft. Oxford abandoned the usual dark bine .jerseys to avoid confusion and played in all white.

Jacob secured the first try which Berkeley converted, making Oxford s—-New5 —-New Zealand 0. Nieholls promptly retaliated by dropping, a goal, thus leaving New Zealand one point hi hind. The All Blacks soon pulled themselves together and put in some effective passing. Brownlie, Nieholls and White took a hand in one bout, and the last-named went over the line. Nieholls converted the try. N.Z. 9, Oxford 5. Keeping up the pace and flinging tlie ball about freely, Cooke ran aver as the result of another spell of brilliant passing and again Nieholls added a goal. N.Z. 14, Oxford f>. Oxford then had another look in. Nepia, for once, was caught in two minds. He failed to take the ball and let McPherson in to score an easy Iry. Berkeley was again successful in converting and half time ended with the score: N.Z. 14, Oxford 10. THRILLING SECOND SPELL. Upon resuming the All Blacks continued their aggressive play and swept down on ’Varsity’s goal with an irresistible rush that carried them over and enabled Brownlie to score under the posts. Nieholls had no difficulty in converting. N.Z. 19, Oxford 10. The visitors kept up their attacks, but- many of them failed through mistakes in passing at the right moment. The Oxford three-quarters put up a gallant defence and amid deafening cheers, Wordsworth and Wallace made a splendid effort. The latter ran to half way and then passed to Wordsworth, who ran through all the opposition and scored, the try being converted by Berkeley. N.Z. 19, Oxford 15. This, however, was ’Varsity’s last success. Though the Varsity backs were continuing well, and their forwards often gained possession, tire New Zealanders broke through and Steel scored under the posts. Nichplls easily added a goal. N.Z. 24, i\Turd 15. Short I v afterwards Steel dropped .i goal. Kobilliard scored a further try, which Nieholls converted, mating the final score: New Zealand Oxford 35. Nieholls was the hero of the match, converting every try and dropping two goals. Capples. Brownlie, White ami Masters were the best of the forwards.