A FORWARD STRUGGLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20615, 14 July 1930, Page 12

A FORWARD STRUGGLE.

HOME TEAM'S GOOD EFFORT

CHANCES MISSED BY BACKS.

BRITAIN'S HALFBACK PROBLEM

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NAPJKK. Sunday

With (he main contest between Ihe forwards, neither Britain nor llnuke's Bay gained any felling advantage until toward the end of the second spell. Then Jennings finished off two splendid movements hy the British backs, whose speed and sure passing wore too much for the home team's defence. Britain fully deserved its win, for there was no question as to which side played better football. Even though the British forwards were for tho most part beaten in the scrums and line outs both packs got in some magnificent rushes, but throughout the game they both displayed a. lack of finish that was partly attributable to over-eagerness and partly to tho fine defence of tho inside backs.

In the rearguard llawko's Bay was completely outclassed. The combination of tho British backs was good and their passing quick and accurate. That of tho Hawke's Bay men was distinctly weak and they were inclined to run across field. When Ruru and Grensido did get the ball they had little room in which to move, and more often than not the movements gained no ground. Territorially Hawke's Bay more than held its own, and ill fact, for fully ten minutes in the first spell, was literally on the British line, but could not get across. Play of Knowles and Poole. As far as the forwards were concerned Britain fielded its "reserve" men, Beamish and Kendrow being tho only players who have played in many major games. In tho backs Knowles played in Bowcott's usual place. Jennings was on the wing and Poole occupied the scrum half position. The line did not work as well as has been the case in previous matches. Toole and Knowles are nothing like tho dangerous combination that Murray and Spong were, but as far as tho present match is concerned they were decidedly superior to Lambie, Set-ford and McDonald, the. Hawke's Bay inside men. Aarvold was closely watched and did not get many chances to repeat his test match runs, but Novis, Jennings and Morley were in fine form, and the latter's speed frequently beat, Grensido.

M. Brownlie's reappearance in representative Rugby was something in the nature of a triumph. Playing at wing-for-ward, he skilfully directed the activities of his hard-working pack, and was himself responsible for tho smothering ot British movements. Frequently be was to lie seen at the head of loose dribbling rushes that took a lot of stopping. His knowledge of the game was a decided asset to tho side. Former Aucklander Prominent. C. Brownlie worked hard in the scrums, where his weight was decidedly useful, and Wanoa, tho former Auckland lock, was easily one of the best forwards on the ground. Ilis speed in following up and the manner in which he supported tho inside backs gave Hawke's Bay innumerable chances. Both in tight and loose work lie was invaluable. Steere, the All Black lock, played well up to standard and on one occasion was within inches of a try. Altogether, the Hawke's Bay pack was one of the strongest Britain has vet met on the tour. W1 lere the Hawke's Bay forwards succeeded, tho backs failed and failed badly. McDonald was tho weak link in the chain and seemed unable to take or give a pass properly. His failure naturally affected the efficiency of the line as a whole and the result was that the fine work done by the forwards received little or no support. Grenside and Hutu, both dangerous wingers, were practically starved of opportunities, though Grenside put in sorno splendid individual work. Burn on, one or two occasions put iri some fine runs down the line, but as he was generally cramped for room he could not be expected to do very much. Evans played a safe game at fullback, but was completely overshadowed by Basset t-, whose display was practically faultless and whose kicking time and again recovered ground that had been hard won by tho Hawke's Bay forwards. Martindale and Welsh in the British pack were both adepts at quickly seizing opportunities for solo breakaways and Welsh at times displayed a jspeed equal to that of any of the backs. Martindale and Kendrew provided one of the most spectacular passages in the match when tiiey worked in with Morley and interpassed from halfway to right on (he Jfawke's Bay line where Lnmbie brought off a last-minute save. The British team Jeft for Gisborne this morning and will play Poverty Bay on Wednesday.