SATURDAY’S RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 June 1926, Page 6

SATURDAY’S RUGBY.

v_.UiVlAliijXlS ON THJfi PLAY. THE TRIAL MATCH. Owing lo the unfavourable condition of the \ urtona A'ark ground at- Stratford on Saturday, the game .North v. South was played on the sliow grounds, lieautifui weather conditions ruled, but tlie ground was lendei'ed iieavy as the result of the recent rains. This, however, did not prove a serious handicap, a fast pace being maintained from tlie kick-off till 110-side sounded —a pace sustained in a surprising manner during the concluding stages when, in rapid succession, the venue changed front end to end. The Northern backs showed more favourably than their opponents. With the Ail Black Handley Brown as the central figure, t-hev maintained better cohesion, and afforded the more pleasing exhibition of the passing game and rear division tactics as understood by Rugby followers. At centre, Brown was the best back on the ground, his fielding and punting being practically faultless and his tackling -sure, while he constantly showed his appreciation of the main principle of play in the position by effecting the opening before transferring to his wing. Bourke, the Southern centre, showed as a sound player, but was not the equal of his redoubtable opponent.

Falwasser, on the right wing, showed glimpses of the attacking form which made him noted im the present champion province; but in defence he was not the equal of Coulton on the ...,cr wing, nor of C. Paterson, w no played opposite the tatter. Paterson was also a determined attacker, and in i;w second spell Hokaia was much in -..-j mnelight, rendering it difficult to announce these players in order of merit. Elevens played a heady game at first five-eighth, and among the middle backs ranked second to Johnston, the Southern captain, as the most resourceful player. Julian, beiiind the Northern scrum, delivered his passes promptly, and showed no serious defects except that, as compared with his vis-a-vis, Lynskey, lie required screening. Lynskey, on the other hand, was at all times sturdy and fearless in stemming the onslaughts of the opposing vanguards. Neither of the two full-backs was up to provincial form. While, as the more experienced exponent and on the day’s play, Petty was given pride of place in popular otiinion, the Southern last defence, Lay, showed better leg driving power, and with further practice will probably develop a better standard of full-back play. Of the two wing forwards, Guy showed as the more aggressive spoiler, and was seldom far from the ball. While individual honours among the 14 forwards were annexed by Kivell and Walter, both of the Northern pack,*, the Southern vanguard was the more even combination, and in concerted action, both in the tight and loese phases, showed superiority over the Northern seven.

Robinson, one of the South, hookers, may be classed as the third forward on the field, and the try he annexed in the closing stages was the just reward of the forward who keeps constantly on the ball. The veteran “Dick” Paterson, who held the Southern scrum, also showed as the willing type of forward who is invaluable when play in strenuous. The manner in which he sustained the willing pace which marked the final quarter of an hour, and was actually in the van when the final try was secured, shows that he i.s by no means a back number among the forwards of the province. J UNIORS. KAPONGA v. ELTHAM. • The game played by Kaponga juniors at Eltham on Saturday last suffered by comparison with that of their opponents. The latter were much the heavier back and forward, and should have run out victors by more than B—3. Eltham forwards secured possession in the great majority of scrums, and in many instances, with the ball coming out clear and smartly to the half, the white backs had every chance of making a fast, open game. Faulty passing, however, frequently nullified the good work of those in front, and movements which should have resulted in tries ended in the uninteresting scrum. The inside backs were inclined t-o kick when, by straight running and cutting, a great deal of up and down work by their forwards would have been saved. Of a fair junior hack division, Keddell, at second five-eighth, and Moore, centre, were easily the most useful. Moore’s opening try for Eltham was the result of a second thought on his par-t, as on securing possession he was put off his balance by a half-hearted tackle, and an evident intention to find the line was turned into a brilliant run from half-way and the best try of the match. McDonald and Hickey were conspicuous in the forwards, their tackling, footwork and following up going a long wav* towards putting Eltham in the leading position. The Kaponga boys were a disappointment, individually and collectively, and their demonstration of Rugby was not by any means a compliment to their enthusiastic manager and coach. Mr J. A. Dawson. “Jim” has entered

■ heart and soul into the task of educating the junior and fourth teams of the club, and concentration on his methods and advice by tnese players must eventually reward his efforts. By not gaining possession in the scrums the forwards parted with their most important sphere of usefulness. They made atonement, however, by playing their best in open order and line-outs; many of their rushes not only cleared the clack line, but were also a- .source of uneasiness to Eitliain, o.ii several occasions being carried well into striking distance. Infringements invariably pulled them up. There was little, if any, difference between the two .sets of forwards in the line-out. Aroa and Tyack were pernaps the nest of the black vanguard. The Kaponga backs were guilty of their least creditable exhibition of the season, their defending and attacking powers being a lot below normal. High, ineffective collaring, and passing which rarely reached its objective, were features. Far too much kicking was indulged in, considering the condition of the ball and ground. They should remember in future that field and line kicks do not count on the j score sheet, and the surest way to victory lies in following the precept laid down by that wizard of Rugby knowledge and abiltiy, “Off-side” McKenzie: Condition, combination, and common sense. (By the way, he might have added “cunning”—-hei had enough of the quality himself.) Mercer, in the half-back position, was Kaponga ’& star. There was no fear or hesitation about his defensive game—he fearlessly went down to anything and, moreover, did his level best to open up the game. Jim Free was tlie next in merit, his defence and attack being of a higher order than thsft of the remaining backs. Kaponga’s only score was a “lucky bag” try scored by Myhill, who must have been as much surprised as the spectators were when Referee Hurley gave his decision regarding a scramble behind the Eltham line.