RUGBY AT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 67, 19 March 1924, Page 9

RUGBY AT HOME

INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS

AITKEN PLAYS FOR SCOTLAND

SHOWS -ALMOST EMBARRASSING

BRILLIANCE."

The news that George Aitken, the exWellington and New Zealand representative, who captained the Dominion's side against the Springboks, has gained international honours at Home will be gratifying to all followers of the game in New Zealand. After his arrival in England, Aitken received a set-back through certain actions in questioning the status of Rugby footballers from the Dominions, and that must, have had an-'ef-fect upon his play. When the Lawton case was being considered, suggestions were made that the status of Aitken should be inquired into, but, thanks to the efforts of .Mr. C. Wray, the New Zealand representative on the English Rugby Union Committee, the unfair tactics were broken down. Aitken subsequently entered into the game to do his best and win honours not only for himself but for his country. The best of success did not come his" way, though he won his Blue at Oxford. 'On occasions he played conspicuously, but generally the reports from the Old Country wpre of anything but a glowing nature regarding the New Zealand Rhodes scholar; Aitken has never let up, however, a nd, in spite of the criticism often levelled against his play, he at length obtained his real chance to show that ho was a footballer of class. This came at the beginning of last month, when he was given a place in Scotland's team against Wales, and by his play in that match George Aitken was able" to fulfil the duty which he recognised would be his when ho was sent forward to new Rugby fields. On the occasion of the farewell given to him by the Wellington Rugby Union Management Committee, Aitken remarked that his duty, as a footballer, would be to uphold the traditions and prestige of New Zealand football.

In the trials for the purpose of choosing Scotland's team, Aitken was included in the Rest of Scotland team, but, evidently, his play was not impressive enough to gain him a place in the team to meet Wales. He was on a weak side, as the opposing team was composed mainly of players who had already gained international honours at Home. The three-quarters chosen to represent Scotland against Wales were: I. S. Smith (Oxford University). AT L. Gracje (Harlequins), G. P. Macpherson (Oxford University), and A. C. Wallace (Oxford University). That -was reckoned to be a splendid line of three-quarters, although there had been a report that Gracio was weak on defence. Before the day of the international match, Gracie was injured and was unable to take his place. George Aitken then received his chance. He was chosen to fill the vacancy, and that he distinguished himself is plainly evident from the following extract from one report .of the International match: "Fears that the absence of Gracie, who had to cry off owing to an injury, might be disastrous for Scotland were not realised, for Aitken, his deputy, fitted in so well that the whole line played with splendid understanding, and were completely successful." Scotland won handsomely by i 5 points to 10, and, from the various reports to hand, George Aitken was one of the principal contributors to the notable success.

It was the heaviest reverse that the Welshmen had suffered for very many years, and the score in no way exaggerated the superiority of tho Scotsmen. Within eight minutes of the call of time Scothuid were leading by 35 points to nil, and they then eased up, whereupon Wales registered two tries, both of which were converted. "The Times" says that "the Welsh forwards were as hopelessly out-scrummaged as the backs were outrun, and it was this unexpected failure that made tho disaster complete." The same paper also records the fact that Aitken filled Gracie's place at centre with an almost embarrassing brilliance. Other items of interest from reports of the game, which was played at Inverjeith, are as follow:—The "Observer": "The game was proceeding without much incident in the vicinity of midfield when the Scots' forwards wheeled and broke cleverly. The ball went on to Aitken, who passed at the right moment to send Wallace in. . . Now 25 points ahead, Scotland were in an unassailable position, especially a s Jones, now back again, was limping, so that he was virtually a passenger, and when Aitken gave the dummy and cut on to finally pass to Mac-, pherson, who scored between tho posts, tlin game looked like becoming a rout "' The "Sunday Times" : "Smith, with liis greater pace, was harder to stop than Wallace on the loft. In the centre, Aitken and Macphercon were an ideal pair m the way they .nursed and fed their partners, and on several occasions the handling reached a standard entirely unexpected." The same paper details the scoring of the most brilliant try of the afternoon as follows: "Bryce started the movement with a terrific pass, Waddell carrying it on, and Macpherson sendin" Aitken away. The last-named cut through and there wiis presented the spectacle ot Wallace, Aitken, and iMacpherson in line with only Male to beat Aitken gave to Macphersoai, who scored " Aitken has been playing for London Scottish. Recent doings by him with the team are related in "The' Times" as fql* lows: Although the London Scottish scored three tries (against Richmond) and m.ght. have had a foarth had not the touch judge gl ven Aitken in touch when he made a fine run down the wine and was several inches insride the line they did not deserve so many. . The London Scottish gained. two of their .tries by long punts'ahead from midfield, one by Wallace and the other by Mackin tosh, Gardiner on both occasions getting the touch-down by good following up Aitken scored the other try by a sSdden burst across the line. . . It f s h ard to understand how Mackintosh found his way into the Scottish fifteen at Paris' On Saturday he was not worth his place in the London Scottish team. Gardiner again was clumsy and ineffective, and Aitken got very few chances."