Canterbury Notes.

NZ Truth, Issue 266, 30 July 1910, Page 3

Canterbury Notes.

The 19-to-O licking adoimiftezed to the Y«n*B by Canterbary on Saturday does sot aHogether represent Vhs merits of

the clash, because Taftfs bare-legged subjects gave the locals a harassing time, strongly assisted by the elements. They had Canterbury defending most of the first spell, and m the second half were* always dangerous. All of the good work required to get within scoring distance was done, but the capacity to score was^ not there. It is becoming such a habit with the Californians not to score, thatj they must be appalled at the consequence of crossing the line, and* only do so under strong provocation. They want one or, two smart scoring backs. Generally when one of two fairly equal teams loses the toss m a gale of wind it also loses the game, because the long defensive battle m the first, spell utterly exhausts the team and they are too baked to do anything worth mentioning m the second half when they have the cyclone wifch them. America won the toss, played with the sou-wester behind them, and shouW have scored at least four times. Then «vhen Canterbury got the wind they didn't run over the visitors m the manner expected, probably for the reason: stated above.

This is where the value of the fourspell system comes m. Yet m the first match this season, where its effectiveness could have been demonstrated, it was notadopted, and tiie Vewaitcd States weroi permitted to play through one half with the violent assistance of Nature. It may have been duo to a desire to let thevisitors down lightly. It is a fact thai a Christohurcli paper" published a leading, article pointing out the foolishness .of treating the Yanks with tolerant generosity, and advised Canterbury to win by a large number of points just 'to show the ignorant visitors how it was done. This execrably taste m journalism would- have, appeared thp more idiotic had .Caiiterbury been beaten, a contingency within the bonds of probability had the Yanksone or two scoring men m their ranks. The American forwards had the local vanguard absolutely beaten m every department, bar the Boose, « and even' here they were on an equality with Canterbury. Forming 3-3-2 m the scrum, they hoolted "the ball every time, and" . sometimes made good use of it. Canterbury could dp nothing against the thiee-fcwo* formation, and Luke had his head up in\ nearly every scrum m the first spell. Naturally, he could then only make a blind swipe with his foot for the ball. Canterbury were obliged to adopt the three-imm formation m the end, and sturdy Bain was buttressed 'by Luke and Maboney. Even then Yankee^doodle got toe ball cver3' time,,- and Canterbury's noted backs stood around unfed. They had to make all of their own openings, Gray doing niagnificent work m this respect. " Ua<« less Canterbury can put two good hookers into the team that goes north, the back formation"; wil! go for. nought and tihe useless Planket ShieM will remain m Auckland.

The ground was heavy, . which largely miMtafed against spectacular play, and the freezing ram showers made a slippery ball. It was a significant fact that the .locals, donned gloves when the moisture took charge, while the simple visitors .played bare-handed. -Nevertheless America took /the ball -with remarkable accuracy, and found the line with persistency. It is growing upon observers that their superior weight is of the beefy kind and that a few more matches are, required -to get them into real form. It- may be said' of the nigger-fryers that they played a -clean, open game, with a :possrble exception, and threw the- ball about with generosity, and, an utter disrogand of the' consequences. Also their passing was too dainty,' aiwi permitted of being intercepted. So that the game was fast and varied and much ap* predated by the damp, spectators. The possible exception : was occasional unfairness when the leather Was placed hi the scrum, and for which . several penalties were v imposed. ; This fault was probabjiy picked up' m Australia, and arrived * hero with taw* return of the last All Black team.' The' Yank., being of an inquiring mind, will pick up our vices ami virtues impartially and learn to "point" with deplorable cleverness. If Wesson 'was included m v the . rep., feami (at Cleary's expense) for Ms goalKicking lie more than justMied tlie selection. He lacked three magnificent goals from difficult angles. Considering the state of ground . and ball the attempts at goal were good, two out: of three tries' being converted, whilst Wcston : kicked two penalty goals: Dufty is a mere circnrnstscnce beside him. .

Remarkable to relate, the weak man amoug the Canterbury backs was Fuller, New, Tfealaod reft. Oja. his play this, season, and particutexliy smce his return from Australia. FnHer, Is a m»ch overrated individual.

Fryer, as usual, had few chances. Two of, his sensational passes right across the field completely nonplussed} the enemy, and Fuller should have scored from one of 'era had he not mulled, it. ■ .

. Gray played a magnificent aggressive and defensive- game, and Doeil, also, was very sate. Mitchell didn't shirk work, and if either Cleary or Cade is to ■ find a place m the next team it looks as though AH Black fritter must be sacrificed—which seems like treason. Towards the close, ironical applause from a section of .the crowd greeted Fuller whenever he "handled the. ball.

Murray, the EHesmere man, who does the work of four- men m the country team whenever it meets, the city reps., was included as an experimental wing forward. Usually a ttwee-quarter^ he was a pronounced success m his new position, and scored two tries by fas* following up. He is a willing grafter, was always on the ball, and played himself to a standstill. He cannot be kept oat of any future Canterbury combination. Bain and Shadbolt were the pick of a' not-too-brilliant set of forwards.

The best back m the American team is Dwiggins, who used to be hid away at full-back, bat played centre threequarter on Saturday. He is quick and absolutely safe, and should be playing half oc five-eighth..

Sid. Orchard, referee, was not too bard on the visitors, some thought. The Canterbury spectators were quite impartial. The Americans were such, good fellows, and Hie idea was so ingrained that our fellows would win easily at the finish that there seemed a general . desire to see the Yanks score. Some of their

really excellent bits of play were therefore greeted with loud applause.