A POOR TEST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 152, 14 June 1935, Page 6

A POOR TEST

TRIAL AT WELLINGTON Problem of Five-Eighths LE QUESNE’S SOUND DEFENCE (By Telegraph—Special to "Tribune.”) WELLINGTON, June 13. To-day’s trial, played under ideal conditions, was remarkable only for the wonderful recovery of the Possibles, who overtook the 22 points lead of the Probables after half-time. The game did nothing to solve the first five-eightha problem, which now becomes a mystery. Langdon (Wellington), for Possibles, was but a link in a passing chain. D. Solomon (Auckland), although commencing in lively fashion, threw passes without looking where they were going. Oliver’s (Canterbury) last-minute defection from the Poesibles was due to influenza. Carlson (Waikato) was depressing. Throughout the first spell the latter was weak in tackling, thus allowing Caughey (Auckland) prominence that was easily earned. In the second half Mitchell (Southland) came in to centre and Caughey thereafter was subdued, due to a combination of Mitchell and the complete failure of the Probables to hook the ball. Langdon was hurt in the concluding minutes of the game, Tindafl (Wellington) replacing and in the short time he was on the field, he imparted orginality to the Possibles’ attack, incidentally potting a goal to win the game for his side after a shaky start. Gilbert (West Coast) improved above Collins (Taranaki) but neither impr *.sed as All Blacks. Le Quesne (Hawke’s Bay) was the best defensive five-eighth, but failed to impart thrust to attack. On one occasion he gg,ve chase to Nelson Ball (Wellington), tackling him in spectacular fashion in the corner. The failure of constructive effort on the part of the Poesibles’ rearguard left Rolls (Hawke’s Bay) at a loose end he failing to repeat performances shown against Bush and Wairarapa. Hadley (Auckland) hooked' unfailingly in the second half but even then, Simon (Otago), at half, was unimpressive. His opponent, Sadler (Wellington), with limited opportunity, gave a much faster service and displayed greater initiative. All four wing-threequartere were patchy, none, except Holder (Buller) getting the opportunity that players in this position expect. The chances of ultimate selection of Deavoll (Canterbury) were enhanced. Besides scoring two tries ho gave an excellent exhibition of goal-kicking. He played his first game of Rugby in 1934 and beyond goal-kicking in competition games obtains no practice. Hore (Otago) did not play equal to his reputation but Vorrath (Otago) was excellent. Hattensley (Canterbury) was prominent in the loose but gave no assistance to Orman (Buller) in the scrums. Other good forwards were Best (Marlborough), Giddings (South Canterbury), King (West Coast), Mahoney (Bush) and Clarke (Taranaki), but as a test the game was most disappointing.

LARGE CROWD ATTENDS Individualism Among Forwards By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 13. Form in the Possibles v. Probables trial game, which was played in perfect conditions at Athletic Park to-day, was disappointing. The Possibles won 23—22 in the last minute, when Tindiß, who replaced Langdon in the last quarter of an hour, kicked a magnificent field goal. The forwards on both sides played solid, bullocking rather than constructive football, and shone as individuals. Line-out play was poor, only King and Clarke showing worth-while form in this phase of the play. In the loose Deavoll, Niven, King, George and Hattersley showed up, while King, Clarke, Best and Hore did fine work in the tight. King was the outstanding forward on the ground. Hadley secured a greater percentage of the ball than Orman, who, however, showed talent as a hooker. Had he been assisted by Hore, as Hadley was, Orman would have made good. In the backs Sadler, though subdued, was better than Simon. Langdon showed a complete lapse of form as first five-eighth and lost all chance of final selection. Le Quesne impressed as a second five-eighth with possibilities, while Solomon defended soundly, but showed little enterprise when he had the chance of a lifetime. Caughey did well in the first spell, but was subdued by Mitchell, who may yet win his colours, as he played excellently in the second spell as centre. Holder was the best wing three-quarter, while Gilbert was better of the two average fullbacks, whose only claims to distinction were ability to kick well. As a trial the form did not assist the selectors a great deal, and much will depend upon Saturday’s game. The weakness still appears to be in the fiveeighths line, where Tindill to-day revealed form full of promise in the fifteen minutes he was on the field and so impressed the selectors that they decided to play him in that position on | Saturday. Tindill has never previously played ns a five-eighth. He was one of the Wellington representative halfbacks of last year.