BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 122, 26 May 1930, Page 11

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

VICTORY OVER TARANAKI

BRIGHT PASSING BOUTS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. An'exceptionally cold morning gave place to beautiful sunshine on Saturday, afternoon, and Pukckura Park probably never previously heia a larger ov more representative Taranaki crowd. The big occasion was the Kugby football match between the British team and Tara-. naki. The gay colours worn by the ladies mingled with the sombre attire of the men presented a kaleidoscopic picture with the green playing area as a contrast. 'A marked alteration in the British team from that which played at Wanganui provided much speculation respecting the merits of the players._ It ' was a totally different combination which met Taranaki, and, with the exception of one- or two players, Britain's full Eugby strength did battlo for mastery. . Proceedings started with exhilarating forward play by Taranaki, who made a whirlwind advance. It was an opening reminiscent of Taranaki teams of the 'nineties, with the absence of the Baileys, the Goods, and Humphries to. add lustre to the thrusts. Over-eagerness spoilt several chances to score, in spite 'of the fact .that the defence was solid. TARANAKI START WELL. The visitors had 10 minutes of anxiety whilst iaranaki stormea their citadel. Infringements gave the British players breathing time, and some of these the Spectators misunderstood, voicing their disapproval. Hunt intensified excitement by attempting a field goal, which missed by inches. It was a great effort. . The line-kicking by both sides under perfect conditions was above reproach. Battling hard near Britain's line the ball was shot out to Brown, who created a. sensation by sending it over the bar. The spell had been in Taranaki's favour, with one exception when Morley and Aarvold were associated in a concerted action. Tearing downfield, these players indulged in reverse passing, but when within striking distance an infringement nullified a certain try. THE PACE HOT. Evidently playing to instructions, Taranaki kept the play amongst the forwards, who nipped evoxy attempt of the opponents to open up the game. The pace was a cracker. But could it last? The visitors were content to stem the •strenuous onslaughts and reserve their efforts, and strength and condition won. Onco the Taranaki forwards lacked vigour their backs as a combination proved ■unsound, although in the first half they did yeoman service. The actual playing time in the first spell was 31 minutes, instead of 40, due to one ball being used. A notable feature was'the manner in which the visitors nianoeurcd the scrums. A forward dropped out and Beamish dribbled *' c ball round the side. The advantage, however, was iiot apparent, as tho ball went to the opposing break-away forwards. VISITORS IMPRESSIVE. When the second half had been in progress a few minf tes it was hard to conceive that it was the same British team in the field, so .vido was the gulf, of tactics. The Tarauaki forwards tired, and the backs declined the mantle of honour. The real qualities of the visitors' rear division became abundantly manifest, making those of the opposition appear extremely weak. Spong was outstanding. He started practically every movement, swerved, side-stepped, passed, and kicked with splendid football judgment. His was the brain that resulted in tho visitors' initial try. And what & magnificent display of Eugby Murray and Wilkinson gave in bringing it to fruition! FORWARDS SUPPORT BACKS. Tactics were displayed in the final half well worthy of remembering. Although, not new, they have been selaom seen in operation in New Zealand of late years. When a passing rush was in progress amongst the British backs, the forwards • raced down the centre of the field in anticipation of a cross-kick from the line, and on two occasions this method was successful, the opposition being negligiblo with the backs out of place. Another feat-ure—-an impressive one—was the way the British backs accepted passes—at their toes, high in the air, breast high, ■or at the knees. The oaU was seldom missed when in their stride. The touchHue was not often crowded, reverse passing being indulged in with precision. These tactics had been learnt from the All Blacks and almost perfected. ... Tho goal-kicking by Black was meritorious, acute angles presenting no difficulty, but that by Taranaki's players was1 distinctly x>oor. It has been said that a British forward takes little part in open play, but at New Plymouth tho forwards were much in evidence during passing rushes, giving and accepting the ball in' a manner that gave promise of many surprises before the tour is completed. SCRUMMAGING- TJNSATISt FACTORY. Tho weakness of tho game was in the scrummaging. There was not one prorjerly-formed scrum, and the infringements that took place wore distressing. Those who witnessed the Wanganui fixture would find their judgment awry should the merits of the tourists be standardised on that display. The capabilities of the team are on a, higher plane, and the exhibition given at New Plymouth suggests that the best that New Zealand can produce will find men worthy of their steel, especially in the rear division. < VERSATILE COMBINATION. Territorially Taranaki held their own, but were hopelessly beatec in making the best use of opportunities, and lacked will and determination to carry tho thrust to a successful conclusion. In starting passing movements from their own goal-line the visitors may court disaster, but they had secured victory before indulging s)i this somewhat unusual practice. It was a thrilling 'exhibition of Eugby, and stamped the visitors as a versatile, capable, and splendid combination.