Lesson In Correct Kicking

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1939, Page 2

Lesson In Correct Kicking

£ The comment published last week on futile kicking by backs was not directed at Cunningham, who, however, excelled himself in correct kicking on Saturday. It is not claimed that the comments-acted as a spur to Cunningham,'' but. nevertheless, Hikurangi’s centre gave an object lesson to those who could understand and assimilate it.

When the ball came his way and further passing seemed doomed to failure, he short-punted, not blindly, but to a distinct gap in the defence, and had. the reward of seeing his team gain much ground when City was compelled to find the line without gaining advantage.

.TIGHT GAME |y Cunningham did not have opportun-ftytq-'bring that elusive running of his action —the game was too tightarid; .he did not figure as largely as usual in attack. He made one groat bid * shortly before the end of the game, changing play from his own quarter to that of the opposition, and then making a valiant struggle, only to be held up just short of the goal line. •x- *' * DELIBERATE OBSTRUCTION Meyer at first five-eighths for Hikurangi played soundly and was unlucky in not securing a try. He short-pun-ted, to beat the opposition and locked like winning in the sprint for the ball which had crossed the goal line, when he was held back. City was fortunate to escape with a penalty kick as the obstruction was deliberate and a try : seemed certain. Incidentally, obstruction tactics were a bad feature of the game. On several occasions these tactics, which are not in the interests of the game, intruded to spoil good play. ■x- -x- -x-CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING Codling turned in a good game behind the Hikurangi scrum. His service was not exceptional, but was sound,. Hutchings played a good game in ah unaccustomed position at second-five-eighths, but he had not the penetration which is necessary for inside

men. Hewitt on the left wing saw more .of the ball than in former games, but he was not over-fed and when the ball did come his way he had little room in which to work. Both sets of backs were at fault in doing too much crosscountry work and the wingers had little room in which to move when they secured possession. .v. -IN-