N.Z. TEAM BEATS HOROWHENUA IN TRIAL MATCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1949, Page 4 (Supplement)

N.Z. TEAM BEATS HOROWHENUA IN TRIAL MATCH

LEVIN, September 1 (P.A.) .—Four magnificent tries and three conversions by J. W. Kelly marked the trial game at Levin this afternoon between Horowhenua and the New Zealand team to play Australia in the first test at Wellington on Saturday. The speed and fitness shown by all the New Zealand players makes them a formidable side. They outplayed the home fifteen to win bv, 31 points (seven tries, five converted) to ‘8 <two tries, one converted) .' Horowhenua provided good opposition and was particularly strong in the forwards. It was the first time a New Zealand team had played at Levin, and .there was a record crowd of about 2500. The weather was fine and the ground was in ideal condition. Kelly In Form W. Argus, the Canterbury wing three-quarter, showed fine judgment, and frequently switched the direction of an attack. Most of the play, however, went to Kelly’s wing and gave him more opportunities, which he was quick to capitalise. Although listed as a reserve, Kelly played from the start because of the absence, through a family illness, of J. K. McLean (Auckland) .

The Otago full-back, G. J. Moore, was not outstanding. His line-kicking had length, but his defence was below expectations. Powerful and penetrating runs were made by the ‘centre. J. B. Smith. He was in top form. In the later stages be and Kelly developed a good working partnership, the results of which thrilled the crowd:

R. Dobson, second five-eighths, stored a fine try with a tricky side-step end a strong fend, which took him past seven opponents. He was obviously resting today, but gave glimpses of his capabilities.' Although carrying a little tco much condition, B. Couch showed he could be dangerous at first fiveeighths. His cover-defence was sound. His passing at times was erratic. Bevan Plays Well

From line-outs and scrums, V. Levant passes were crisp and of - good length and the backs had numerous opportunities in consequence. His elusiveness frequently had the opposition at sea. and, outside Kelly, he was

the most prominent player on the field. He was replaced at half-time by J. McKenzie, whose display was not quite as good. The disappointing feature of the for-** ward play was that, although New Zealand outclassed Horowhenua in the scrums, the. pack was often beaten in the line-outs. This was because the forwards did not jump for the ball. The forwards were all very fit and showed plenty of dash, with A. Blake, •R. Stuart, R. White, and R. Bryers always up with the game. Fast and clean hooking by A. M. Hughes gave his backs a big advantage. The scrum work and cover defence of D. Carlton impressed. W. Mumm, H. Wilson, and W. Lunn were not conspicuous but worked hard in the tight, j There was a crop of minor injuries in the New Zealand team. Argus suffered a knock to his left ankle, whic his badly swollen. It may keep him out of Sat- ( urday’s game. The match had served a very good purpose, commented one of the three selectors, Mr N. McKenzie, at the conclusion of play. Horowhenua had provided useful and enterprising opposi -‘ tion. Orr Called In The Otago full-back, Rex Orr, was intercepted by a New Zealand selector, Mr H. Strang, in Wellington this evening. Orr was waiting to board th? Lyttelton ferry with other members of the touring Otago team when Mr Strang asked him to stay in Welling- ( ton. 'Orr remained while the rest of the team sailed for its game against 1 Canterbury. |