RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 15 May 1930, Page 8

RUGBY

COMPETITION PLAY.

WAIMATE v. ELTHAM

The supporters of both teams w;ere disappointed with the displays of the Waimate and Eltham senior fifteens whoif pitted' against each other at M* lhanii -in the Taranaki competition fixture on Saturday last, ..... In view: of the really good exhibitions given by -each combination on the two preceding: Saturdays, the sudden drop to mediocrity is difficult to explain. It was not as though the opposiug: forward and back divisions were equal in merit as regards attacking and defensive powers,’ for, as a matter of fact, til© Waimate backs were individually' much superior to those o£ the Elthain team, and for the greater part of the second spell the Eltham forwards completely shaded their immediate opponents. Yet the game was devoid of sparkle.

With one exception, the wholo of the tries (5 in a total scoi;o of 21 points to nil) registered by Waimafe were tlio outcome of individual efforts' and theie was an. almost absolute lack of combination among the winners’ hacks. K'U tham’s most noticeable weakness was a want of finish to otherwise fairly good movements —the extra dash within sooiing distance- which makes- all the- dineienoe between -a, try and a. breakdown. In Saturday’s game it was- ipdortimate for Waimato that Mercer (centre threo-quarter) was disabled in the early stages and was practically useless tor the remainder of the match. This no. doubt affected combination in the rear division and possibly accounted for a preponderance of individual effort. Still, such happenings- arei liable to occur in any match and hacks classed as seniors should’ cultivate the habit yol throwing the ball about with precision in any circumstances. The disablement of a competent inside back would then not hold the terrors so often apparent when disaster overtakes a team. A good deal of the passing indulged in by both sets of backs was amateurish in the extreme, many of the- transfers being out -of reach; of the intended recipient. What little combination there was shown in the game must be credited to Whalen. Wineera and R-ei for Waimate and to Casey, Townsend and Cooper for Eltham. It. Bourke: was sound in defence as full-back for Eltham and his kicking, despite am injured ankle, was effective. D. Kmickev (ring wing) showed proinfo© of ciovxilopnicnt; his sturdy build and nippy movements- will be an asset when he becomes accustomed to senior grade opponents. The forwards worked well, particularly in the second half, ynd should have received better support from their backs. D. Shaw creditably filled the fullback position for the winners and was possibly the best line finder on the ground. The- blue and black forwards palpably tired in the second spell and it was lucky for them- that the Eltham men did not have the necessary “finish’’ to their repeated surges in the direction of the goal line.