NORTH ISLAND TRIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 142, 15 May 1930, Page 2

NORTH ISLAND TRIAL

SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY. ABSENCE OF REARGUARD WORK. COOKE’S GREAT DISPLAY IN SECOND SPELL. With the British team due to open its tour at Wanganui next Wednesday, the North Island trial prior to the finalising of the side to wear the All Black jersey in the initial test — the South Island trials being set down for Wedneeday next at Christchurch — was held in Palmerston North yesterday afternoon in the presence of a crowd of some 5000 people. Conditions made for fast, open football, but the game itself fell far below expectations for, although the forward work was good, rearguard action was mostly very indifferent, it only being in the second spell when Cooke gave a taste of his real quality that the onlookers were treated to anything like what “fans” have grown to expect in high class football. While the Possibles ran up the substantial total of 42 points to six, the game was not as one-sided as the score would indicate, the lo6ers taking a fair share of the play, but thev lacked finish in both departments although Thomas, Kilby, Knight and Solomon, in particular, performed very creditably as Individuals. Whereas the Possibles had to be content with six points from penalty shots at goal by Fuller, the opposition pierced the defence on no less than nine occasions, and Heazlewood furnished 15 points with his unerring boot —12 of the points coming from conversions. The Probables were unfortunate enough to enter upon activities minus M. Nicholls and Minns, whereas, the Possibles fielded their original side, the rival forces as they filed out on to the field o,f play at eight minutes afterthe appointed hour being as under: Possibles (black). Heazlewood (Wq.), Elvy (Wg.), Mackay (Wg.), Lucas (A.), Cooke (Wai.), McKenzie (Wg.), Corner (A.), Porter (Wg.), Reid (Wai.), Couleton (Wg.), bteere (H. 8.), Finlayson (N.A.), Campbell (H. 8.), Mahoney (Bush), McLean (white). —Thomas (Waikato), Fuller (Wai.) Ball (Wg.), Ruru (T. 8.). Stringfellow (Wai.), L. Johnson (Wg.), Kilby (Wg.), Solomon (A.), Irvine (Wai.), Palmer (A.), Harvey (Wai.), McWilliams (Waikato), A. Knight (A.), Batty (A.), McKay (H. 8.). To mnke matters worse tor tne Probables they lost Irvine early and thereafter they did not secure the same percentage of ball from the scrums with Jessop partnering Palmer. , t At the interval Elvy, who was .suffering from a twisted leg, retired, the local speed merchant, Stra-nge, substituting him, and, to the delight of Palmerstonians he contributed a try and ran Cooke into position for another. ... ~ The North Auckland giant, “Bunny Finlayson, who had been a commanding figure in the ranks of the xoseibles, gave way to Gerrard, of Bush, while half way through the spell McKay (Hawke’s Bay) retired and burly Tama Parata, of Horowhenua, took up his position in the white P -The free use of the side line, which has been introduced in view of the reversion to inter-national rules when opposing the Britishers, was not altogether appreciated by the crowd, although it furnished the J opportunity for the line finders to have, free scope. However, by its introduction the rearguards were not seen in action as much as they well might have been. In the opening spell, Kilby secured plenty of ball from his hookers, but there was an absence of thrust & hout the movements of the whites and they invariably petered out. The second spell saw the positions reversed and, with Cooke executing some of his spectacular diagonal runs prior to cutting back infield, the blacks went 100 per cent, better, four of the five tries recorded being furnished by rearguard members, /herons but two of the four credited m the first half came their way.

HEAZLEWOOD IN FORM.

The ■ game opened sensationally for within two minutes of the kick out the Probables were compelled to submit to a force and, hard on the kick out, the first free kick of the r.ntca— Solomon being the offender—gave Heazlewood an opportunity to show his kicking powers and he turned it to profit. Eight and and a half minutes later Porter infringed and another good goal kicker in Fuller equalised matters for the whites. Ike advantage however, short lived for after Porter redeeming himself by breaking away in a solo dribble which was, peculiarly enough, halted by Solomon, Finlayson secured to fend off his would-be tacklers and go over. While Heazlewood’s kick/fell short on this occasion, ho made no mistake a few minutes later when Coulston completed a movement. It was apparent at this ' stage that the Possibles —despite their name — were tho stronger combination, tut the next contribution- was forthcoming to the whites when Porter’s offside tactics came under the notice of the referee, and Fuller turned the opportunity to profit. It was a bad start for Porter, but the nuggety rover proved as the game advanced that he is still as formidable as ever, being here, there and everywhere when the occasion demanded, his generalship being strikingly in evidence on occasions! In Solomon he was opposing no mean opponent and in the heavy work the Aucklander was .in many respects preferable. Time after time he, Knight and Batty were observed tearing Their way through from the ruck and line-outs, and in the pair New Zealand does not want for virile rovers. The dazzling Elvy, who had been delighting the crowds in Wellington, failed to repeat his efforts yesterday, Fuller seldom letting him get far, while on occasions the Wairarapa winger badly beat his vis-a-vis. One nice effort by Fuller paved the way for an assault by the whites and Solomon was almost in, but the defence of the blacks withstood all pressure. Elvy did show out when Heazlewood came up to set him in action and the winger passed infield when down to Thomas, but Finlayson was halted in time. However, from the advantage gained, a clean heel enabled Corner to feed his line -for McKenzie to complete. The next score came when McKay ran over for Heazlewood to goal and the interval found the Possibles with a 13 points marign. Possibles 19, Probables 6.

COOKE’S DAZZLING PLAY. Play had been in progress hut eight minutes' in the second spell when Cooke side-stepped his way through the opposition prior to handing on to McKenzie for the Wellmgtonian to run over in good position. A no charge enabled Heazlewood to add the major points at will. Cooke was again instrumental in setting another pretty movement going when'ho ran round the blind side, ho having received the leather from Porter. The ball went on to McKenzie, to Lucas,

to Porter, and then to Strange for the local winger to race over wide out. The distance did not, however, prevont the black full-back swelling the account an additional two points. The Possible forwards, who had been handling in great style in the open, came away with the ball at their toes, McLean showing that dribbling was not a lost art with him, but Thomas stepped in to save brilliantly. However. the relief was short lived for Cooke cut back in-field to hand on to Gerrard, the Bush reserve completing for Heazlewood to goal. In a period of 3(.‘ mmutos. the blacks had added lo points, despite the fact that the opposition was by .no means beaten. The Probables were fighting an uphill battle and it was unfortunate that their eiforts so frequently went for nothing as the result of infringements in the heavy rucking. Several times the referee had to come down on them and great stretches of territory were lost as a result. Despite their arduous task a bout between Fuller, Stringfellow and Knight saw the big Aucklander hand-off the opposition to go down to the black’s citadel, only to be grassed a foot short. Corner, the midget half, was showing to much better advantage when his hookers were supplying him with more ball and he whipped the leather out to his rearguard at every opportunity. The two concluding scores to the blacks came from opportunities made possible by receipt of the ball from the set scrums, McKay showing a good turn of speed when lie dashed down the far side-line to outpace Ball, while the leather went right along the line to Strange in the final effort and the winger, with Fuller beaten for pace, sent in-field a nice pass for Cooke to gain a well merited try. Heazlewood’s direction was once again perfect and the whistle sounded with the scores reading: Possibles 42, Probables 6. Mr A. McKegg, of Palmerston North, did quite creditably with the whistle. A FORMIDABLE FIFTEEN. While there was feeling among the big majority of enthusiasts that the trial had been lacking in some respects, it is evident that, with the inclusion of the South Island’s best, a formidable fifteen will once again be fielded by the Dominion. The general work among the frontal divisions was good, although a weak .point was the almost entire absence of fast, clean, hooking. Height and -weight will be easily obtainable in this department, while the majority of those who will find their way into the second trial are quite capable of handling and backing-up like backs. Dailey will have to be on his game to retain his position behind the scrum, for Kilby is playing good football. Save Cooke, there is a measure of doubt about the composition of the inside backs, while the wingers are not particularly strong, although there is always the-possibility that Lucas will return to the wing position. On the day, Heazlewood looks .like taking the full-back position for, apart- from his general play, his goal kicking must count a long way. There is little doubt that New Zealand will prove a very difficult proposition for the Britishers when the day arrives.

BRITISH TEAM’S ITINERARY. FIRST TEST AT DUNEDIN. WELLINGTON. May 15. The British Rugby team will be given a civic reception in the Town Hall/this afternoon, when the Deputy-Mayor, Mr M. F. Luckie, will preside. The speakers will include Dr G. J. Adams (Wanganui), president of the New Zealand llugby Union, and Dr P. F. McEvedy, president of the Wellington Rugby Union. The personnel, with club, county and international teams each player has represented, is as follows: Full-backs: J. A. Basset (Perth and Wales); G. M. Bonner (Bradford and Yorkshire). . ~ Three-quarters: • C. D. Aarvold (Headingley, Durham, .Cambridge University and England) ; J. S. R. Reeve (Harlequins, Middlesex, Cambridge University and England); J. C. Morley (Newport and Wales); A. L. Novis (Army, Blackhcath, Surrey and Wales): P. F. Murray (Wanderers and Ireland) : H. M. Bowcott (Cardiff, Cambridge University and Wales) ; R. Jennings (Redruth and Cornwall). Half-backs (stand-off) : T. E. JonesDavies {London Welsh and Wales); T. C. Knowles (Birkenhead Park and Cheshire) : R. S. Spong (Old Millhillians, Middlesex and England). Scrum halves: W. H. Sobey (Old Millhillians, Hampshire, Cambridge University and England); H. Poole (Cardiff). ,„ r , Forwards: D. A. Kendrew (Woodford Eastern Counties and England)H. Rew (Army, Exeter, Devon and England); D. Parker (Swansea and Wales); W. B. Welsh (Hawick and Scotland) ; B. H. Black (Oxford University and England); H. C. S. Jones (Manchester and Lancashire) ; M. J. Dunne (Lansdowne and Ireland) : G. R. Beamish (Leicester, Royal Air Force and Ireland) ; J. L. Farrell (Bective Rangers and Ireland) ; J. M. D. Hodgson (Northern and Northumberland) ; H. O’H. O’Neill (Queen’s University and Ireland) ; I. Jones (Llanelly and Wales) ; H. Wilkinson (Halifax, Yorkshire and England); F. D. Prentice (captain), (Leicester,- Leicestershire and England; S. A. Martindale (Kendal, Cumberland and England). THE ITINERARY. The team’s itinerary is as follows: 1. May 21 (Wednesday)—Play Wanganui, at Wanganui. May 22 (Thursday)—Leave for New Plymouth. * 2. May 24 (Saturday)—Play Taranaki, at New Plymouth. - May 26 (Monday)—Leave for Palmerston 'North. 3. May 28 (Wednesday)—Play Manawhenua, at Palmerston North. May 29 (Thursday)—Leave for Masterton. . / 4. May 31 (Saturday)—Play WairarapaBush districts at Masterton. June 2 (Mjonday) —Leave for Wellington. 5. June 3 (Tuesday)—Play Wellington, at Wellington. June 4 (Wednesday)—Leave for Christchurch. 6. June 7 (Saturday)—Play Canterbury, at , Christchurch. June 9 (Monday)—Leave for Greymouth. 7. June 11 (Wednesday)—Play Buller-West-Coast, at Greymouth. June 12 (Thursday)—Leave for Christchurch. June 13 (Friday)—Leave for Dunedin. 8. June 14 (Saturday)—Play Otago, at Dunedin. 9. June 21 (Saturday)—First Test match at Dunedin. (Tune 23 (Monday)—Leave for Invercargill. 10. June 25 (Wednesday)—Play Southland at Invercargill. June 26 (Thursday)—Leave for Timaru. 11. June 28 (Saturday)—Play AshburtonSouth Canterbury-North Otago, at Timaru, June 30 (Monday)—Leave of Christchurch, 12. July 5 (Saturday)—Second Test match, at Christchurch, July 7 (Monday)—Leave, for Wellington. 13. July 9 (Wednesday)—Play Maoris, at Wellington. July 10 (Thursday)—Leave for Napier. 14. July 12 (Saturday)—Play Hawke’& Bay, at Napier. July 14 (Monday)—Leave for Gisborne.

15. July 16 (Wednesday)—Play East CoastPoverty Bay-Bay of Plenty, at Gisborne. July 17 (Thursday)—Leave for Rotorua. July 1& (Friday)—Leave for Auckland. 16. July 19 (Saturday)—Play Auckland at Auckland. July 21 (Monday)—Leave for Rotorua. July 25 (Friday)—Return to Auckland. 17. July 26 (Saturday).—’Third Test match, at Auckland. July 28 (Monday)—Leave for Whanga--18. July’ 30 (Wednesday)—Play North Auckland, at Whangarei. * July 31 (Thursday)—Leave for Auckland . and Hamilton. 19. August 2 (Saturday)—Play WaikatoThames Valley-King Country, at Hamilton. August 3 (Sunday) —Leave for Wellington. 20. August 9 (Saturday)—Fourth Test match, at Wellington. August 11 (Monday)—Leave for Nelson. 21. August 13 (Wednesday)—Play Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay, at Nelson. August 13 ( Wednesday)—Leave for Wellington. August 15 (Friday)—Leave for Sydney. August 19 (Tuesday)—Arrive in Sydney. 1. August 23 (Saturday)—Match in Australia. 2. August 27 (Wednesday)—Match in Australia. , . 3. August 30 (Saturday)—Match in Australia. 4. September 3 (Wednesday)—Match in Australia. 5. September 6 (Saturday)—Match in Australia. 6. September 10 (Wednesday)—Match in Australia. 7. September 13 (Saturday)—Match in Melbourne. Leave for England. SOUTH ISLAND TRIAL. TEAMS SELECTED. MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH. At the conclusion of the trial match at Palmerston North yesterday afternoon the South Island selectors announced the following Possible and Probable teams to meet at Christchurch next Wednesday in the South Island trial: POSSIBLES. Full-back. —D. Lindsay (Otago). Three-quarters. —D. Oliver (Otago), S. Carlton (Canterbury), J. H. Geddes (Southland). Five-eighths.—A. Strang (South Canterbury), H. Lilburne (Canterbury). Half. —A. Houlden (Southland). Wing-forward.—G. Scrimshaw (Canterbury). Hookers.—J. Burrows (Canterbury), It. Souter (Otago). Lock. —E. Collett (Otago). Sides. —W, Hazlett (Southland), R. Stewart (Canterbury). Back row. —A. McCabe (Buller), J. Manchester (Canterbury). PROBABLES. Full-back. —J. Harris (Canterbury). Three-quarters.—G. Hart (Canterbury), M. McClymont (Otago), B. Trotter (South Canterbury). Five-eighths.—G. Innes . (Canterbury) O. Bradanovitch (Otago). Half. —W. Dailey (Canterbury). Wing-forward.—R. Bird (Southland). Front .row. —I. Cottrell (Canterbury), J. Hore (Otago). Lock. —H. McKenzie (Southland). Supports.—G. Purdue (Southland), E. Snow (Nelson). Back row. —C. McKay (Golden Bay), G. Giddings (South Canterbury). Reserves for both teams. —Backs: C. Oliver (Canterbury), J. Wilson (Otago); forwards. A. Ferguson (West Coast), E. Sim- (North Otago). The reserves will be played during the match. '• PRINCE OF .WALES CUP. "WESTERN MAORI TEAM. The Maori Rugby Advisory Board of the Western Districts, holders of the Prince of Wales Cup, which met at Levin, selected the following team to defend the trophy at Christchurch on June 3 (King’s Birthday): Full back. —Johnson (M.). Three-quarters. —Watson (T.), Wineera (T.), Pelham (W.). Five-eighths.—Robinson (T.), Hohaia (T.). Half-back.—W. Parata (M.). Wing-forward.—T. Parata (M.). Hookers. —Walker (Wai.), Parai (W.). Lock. —Whanga (Wai.). Supports. —Tatana (M.), Reside (Wai.). Back row. —Williams (T.), Smith (Wai). Reserves. —(1) Pini (W.G.), (2) Petako (W.G.). (3) R. Hohaia (W.G.), (4) Conroy (W.G.). References. —M. Manawhenua; T., Taranaki; Wai., Wairarapa; W., Wellington; W.G., (Wanganui).