TEAM WORK WAS LACKING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 102, 3 May 1938, Page 16

TEAM WORK WAS LACKING.

MAIN RUGBY GAME. ANDERSON BEST FORWARD. SENIOR COMPETITION REVIEW Even for the first game of the season, Saturday's main Rugby encounter between Ponaonby and Grafton, won by Grafton by 12 points to 11, produced disappointing buck play. It was soon evident that the crowd would not see the traditional Ponsonby attacks, which spread fan-iikc across the Held and sweep all before, them. Instead, the forwards failed to shield their halt-back. Broad, who was continually .smothered by the fast-breaking Grafton forwards, and had great difficulty in feeding the . line outside him. His most strenuous efforts went unrewarded, for even when lie did set them in action the backs lacked the sting to carry on the attacks, which occasionally became straight-out scrambles, unconnected and lacking in penetration.

The most enterprising man in the Ponsonby bnrkline. l>. .Solomon, held the ball too long, and thus spoiled many of the best movements lie had started. Donaldson, the o'utside man. followed his erratic runs remarkably well, and frequently appeared from nowhere to take his pass and continue the attack.

Grafton\s backline was no better. Prentice played brightly, fielding cleanly, opening the way for his wings, ami never holding on too long. Pearman and Handera were a steady, if unimpressive, five-eighths combination. Moore outplaved Broad.at half.

Killeen played full-back for Grafton and kept his team out of serious trouble. His handling and taakliug were satisfactory, but Ins kicking was poor. He showed his old Wellington form in making for gaps in the Ponsonby defence and made effective use of the '•dummy," which the Ponsonby backs and forwards took- time after time. On the day, Killeen was outplayed by kelson, Ponsonby's young recruit from Hastings, who kicked and tackled cleanly and joined frequently in the back attacks. He ranged with Donaldson as the soundest Ponsonby back.

With the forwards, it was a different tale. Both sides packed low and pushed hard in the set scrums, jumped high in the hne-outs, attempted to feed their backs and followed up fast in the broken field. Star of both pucks was R. Anderson, who proved a tireless leader for the Grafton forwards. His passes from the ruck to the first and second five-eighths were a delight to watch, and resulted in at least one outstanding try. Had it not been for his and McLean's efforts it is likely that lonsonby forwards would have"broken through several times. Other prominent men in the packs were Passmore, Roddick and Hull (Grafton), and Carson, Bond and Knight (Ponsonby). Roddick and Hull kept in the tight, where their presence was obviously felt; Carson showed surprising speed in following-up, and BomUand Knight stood out as hard-working forwards in an essentially forward game. The other members of both packs played sound football. Evidently the findings of the Rugby Union's All Black committee regarding "shining" have been taken to heart.

Rapier and Broadsword. Grammar Old Boys' lead of eight pointe in the first 20 minutes of their game against Manukau turned the scale in their favour. These were gained with a nice penalty goal by Turner, and an equally good conversion when smart work by Swain and Lockington had enabled Spittal to score a try. From this point Manukau backs and forwards kept right on top of their opponents and the game became very hotly contested, with the Grammar backs giving their opponents, a frantic run around when things went well with them and Grammar being driven to spasms of desperate defence when Manukau's heavy tackling and footwork forced them into errors.

On the whole it was the better polish and system of Grammar which gave them a winning advantage against a side matching them in scrum, line-out and heavy rucking. Manukau played a robust, bustling game, but at critical moments there was lacking the finish and fast thinking shown by several of the Grammar players. Lacking Littlejohn at full-back, who played a game which was not only faultless but was characterised by sound initiative, Manukau would have been very badly beaten.

King was a sound full-back for Grammar, Turner a substitute centre (for Finlayson), whose place-kicking and general play was a distinct asset to the attack, and Flett and Spittal wings always a shade above the opposition. Freakes, last year a third grade rep., showed ability and a quick eye for an opening at five-eighth, as also did Wagstaffe, while Swain gave a well-varied and accurate display behind the scrum. They should settle down into a strong attacking combination. On Saturday they were a little too pacy for Manukau. Severely tested by shock tactice in scrum, line and ruck, Grammar's forwards showed ability to "take it" without wilting, and Lockington and A. Brown did clever work in the open play. Moore at times exploited the dive pass, but generally was not smart enough in getting the ball away, and Manukau's backs as a whole, bar Littlejohn. fumbled away their chances, although their tackling was fast and resolute. Exactly the eame qualities of being effectively heavyhanded in defence, but unable to" provide the light touch for carrying attack to successful issue was shown by the forwards. Godfrey provided old-timer« with one of the highlights of the game by the excellent single-handed dribbling " bout from which he scored. With his first and last place-kicks Way put on points for Manukau. and had his place-kicking efforts in between been of eonal standard Manukau might have luckily pulled the game OU v of the fire from a faster and more polished side. For an opening game it showed an unusually fine standard of play. Hare's 13 Points. Marist's full-back W. Hare was in fine kicking form and 13 of hie side's 28 points came from his boot. He converted aU of their five tries and capped off hie performance with a penalty from 45 yards out. Understanding between the five-eightke Cooney and Curtayne made the Marist rearguard a continual worry to Otahulm. The home supporters' disappointment at the sound beating was tempered by the brightness of the winners' play.

Otaliulni did not present themselves in their best light and a little rearrangement should work a vast improvement. Ably coached, and well led by D. M. Whillane, North Shore showed further *i;ins of making matters interesting for the leading teams by their defeat of University. It was not until the second spell, however, that their better team work and condition told its tale. R. Marshall, whose second year it is with Shore, is proving the leading pointHftter. He is elusive and speedy on the winjr. In thp trial same againnt Marist he scored 10 points and mi Saturday lie .iihled two mo! e tries to his tally. Hartnett. formerly u Thames representative, shows promise in the forwards.