Scoring Restricted By Resolute Tackling

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 17

Scoring Restricted By Resolute Tackling

For the first 20 minutes the game stuttered along. Neither half-back was able to clear the ball quickly and even when passes were thrown out the outside backs either dropped them or had to kick hurriedly. Even the forwards did not really come to grips. In fact, if it had been a boxing match, it probably would have been declared a no contest there and then. The combined team’s backs looked faster than the Australians. but they suffered from the hesitant service from Sommerville, while outside him Orme did not play confidently. Leary Scores Try A penalty by Crombie gained some retaliation and a swift passing movement out to weenink, who beat his man and then in-passed to Leary brought the first try.

The Australians, mainly through the expert jumping of Crittle, were winning the lineouts, but the backs were

affected with the same malaise as the combined team —bad handling and passing. Some good driving by the combined team’s forwards drove the Australians back and Leary kicked a good goal to make the score 8-3 at halftime. The combined team performed far better in the second half. Its forwards were more vigorous. and although they never dominated the Australians, they won far more of the Tucks. But even with all the possession the combined team, except when Leary came into -the back-line or Hutchinson was in possession, did not' look dangerous. But the tries obviously were going to come and it was Hutchinson who scored all of them. Two came when he took In-passes from Thompson and the third, a very good one, came after he sped 30 yards through the defence. It was only resolute, tackling

>by the Australians, particularly Clarke and Rosenblum,, and tenacious cover-defence that kept the combined team’s score to a reasonable total. Australia’s first try was a deserved one. For the first time the Australian backs and forwards combined in the crisp passing that is expected from them and Grace finished off a' superb movement by scoring in the corner. Leary, played soundly at fullback- and also ran" quite well,' although his handling often broke down movements. Weenink and Thompson had some good runs and Hutchinson was an alert centre. Prestidge and Orme too often squandered possession by kicking and Orme's liking for the inside break did not help the line to function smoothly. Vigorous In Loose • Lee, Moynihari, and -Eggleton were vigorous loose forwards, although Eggleton showed a very haphazard knowledge of the off-side rule. Hockley and Meikle worked hard In the tight and Creighton was lively in the loose. The outstanding Australian forward was Crittle, and with Culka, Abrahams, and Annlng more than matched the combined forwards. But the Australian backs were disappointing. ’ They lacked penetration but deserved full marks for their tackling.. Trivett was a. neat -first fiveeighths, and Harris a dependable full-back. Referee: Mr A. R. Taylor.