THRUST IN BACKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22669, 21 June 1948, Page 3

THRUST IN BACKS

FIRST FIFTEEN

GISBORNE PENETRATION

WAIKOHU SHADED

Tn the principal Rugby encounter on the Gisborne Oval on Saturday, the Gisborne (1) players, who with the reserves included 13 P.B. reps, (one ot whom was also a Maori All Black) besides an East Coast rep, of last season, held the advantage in experience, resource and speed over the Waikohu representatives who, however, kept the fast pace with credit and played with dash to the final whistle. Gisborne registered 20 points as a result of six tries, one converted, against the 11 scored by Waikohu with two tries, one converted, and a penalty goal. The tennis were: — Gisborne (1), Scarlet.—-I. James; W. Edwards, R McKinley, R Barbour; R Clay, R. McGregor; S. Lee; K. Bullivant: B. Birrell. W. Carrington, I. Shaw leapt.), G. Elliott; J Ferguson, T. Donovan, N. Summersby. After the interval Barbour and Birrell did not lake the field. Edwards changed uvei from the left wing to replace Barbour on the right; G. Harris came on to the left wing and L. Gibson replaced Birrell. Waikohu. Red and Black. —A. Mitchell; IT. Bridge, ,J Graham, B. Hollis; B, Brown, ,T. Charteris; M. Morrell; \V. Pevreal; S Wi Rangi. L. Kimber, H Trafford, A Wills; R. Allison, R. Baty. IT. Newton leapt.) Retiring injured during the first spell, Charteris was replaced at first five-eighth by E. Bayley and for the second half R. Greatbatch replaced Bridge on the left wing.. The deciding factor was the superior pace and initiative in both attack and defence of the Gisborne backs, who were well served with the ball. The Waikohu forwards combined impressively in rushes and packed consistently, but were shaded in the set scrums and outplayed in the lines-out. Of the scrums which gave definite possession of the ball, Giborne won 14 and Waikohu 9. Of the lines-out 28 pave possession to Gisborne and 10 to Waikohu, while 17 were indecisive. Gisborne infringed the off-side and obstruction laws the more _ frequently, Waikohu being awarded eight penalty kicks and having to cede only three to the home side. At full-back James was the best seen in the day’s three games. His anticipation of the play was usually riot, in's fielding was sure and ' e punted with a fair degree of accuracy, but hesitation in making use of the efficient tackle of which he is capable on one occasion meant three points to the other side. Ton Back of Day

At centre McKinley was the top b..ck of the day. Edwards was a determined as well as a heady wing and twice went across for tries. Scores were registered also by Barbour and Harris, both of whom earned distinction above their opposite numbers, though overeagerness on Barbour's part sometimes placed him too close to the line of his centre and too far infield to give the maximum opportunity to his ability as a try-getter.

Though he shaded the two who played opposite him in the position McGregor was not as attractive at first five-eighth os he has been at second and did not exploit the quickness oil the mark essential to a class display. Clay, who dropped to second five-eighth for the game, gave the impression that he would have been more effective in his customary place closest to the half. Lee's play behind the scrum was in advance of the other half-backs in the three games. His passes were rapid and rush-stopping reliable. He showed outstanding ability to accelerate rapidly from'the standstill position and he appeared one of the fittest players of tne day. Forward Leader The captain, Shaw, was a resourceful pack leader in both tight and loose plav and was the most consistent pivot in the line-out. His best supports in the light were Ferguson and Carrington. The try secured by Feguson, who was given the ball by Shaw in a line-out and went round the head, was a good example of planned tactics. Summersoy also toiled consistently, while Birrell and Elliott showed form in the loose. Donovan was the successful hooker in the first spell though in the second the honours were even Brown at second five-eighth, Hollis on ihe wing and Graham at centre were the outstanding Waikohu backs. In his comparatively brief appearance Charteris was an impressive partner with Brown and it was unfortunate that the association was not given, longer opportunity to compare with the opposing n~mTie-bncks. TToWs and Graham were particularly prominent in the Waikohu defence. At half-back Morrell was not disgraced in being overshadowed by Lee. Waikohu Vanguard The veteran, Newton, who was among the day’s best forwards and Baty were the pick of the Waikohu vanguard. Wills and Kimber were other useiul units and TrafTord possessed pace in the loose. Gisborne scored within three minutes of the start, the full line of backs handling the ball in an over-lapping movemem which put Barbour over in good position for McKinley to convert. Before another three minutes had j elapsed the Waikohu forwards a successful reply, 'he pack penetratI ing the twenty-five where Charteris I came in ro send Brown across for a i good try which Graham failed to convert. When half-time wa f called the score was 11-3 in favour ot Gisborne, two tries having been adeted by Edwards as n result of movements started by the forwards in lines-out on the other wing. McKinley and James were unsuccessful with the kicks. Waikohu scored first in the second spell, the forwards succeeding in a close-cjunrler rush capped with a try in good position by Wills. The goal was added by Graham. After Ferguson's try in the corner, which James was unable to convert, Graham replied with a penalty goat and again only three points separated the totals which then read 14-11 in favour of Gisborne. Tries wide out by Bullivant following a line-out and by Harris after a short dash when Lee booted the ball from a ruck, were added for Gisborne, McGregor being unsuccessful with both kicks and no side sounded with the scores 20-11 in favour of Gisborne. Mr. P. Ritchie was the referee.