SPEEDY BACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26749, 19 April 1948, Page 6

SPEEDY BACKS

TRAINING COLLEGE ON TOP

After a -disappointing first spell, in which both sides made many mistakes, Training College defeated Union on the North Ground by 18 points to 6. Training College has largely a new side, with a speedy and enterprising set of backs, and a virile pack. Scores came early in the opening stages, but a promise of bright football did not materialise, the large number of free kicks, most of them for breaches in the scrums, having a demoralising effect on the players. On the resumption of play after the spell the Training College backs showed much better combination, and there were a number of attractive movements, while the forwards, who had a much more difficult task, began to more than hold their own. J. Averill, who played for Varsity B last year, was one of the most dangerous backs on the ground, and the other wing three-quarter, Simpson, showed a lot of speed. M. Pentecost was always to be depended upon at full-back. The inside backs, particularly D. Morgan and T. Campbell, were a class above the opposition. The forwards often failed to get the ball from the rucks, but there are a number of promising players. Union

made a creditable showing in the first: spell, and although the forwards battled gamely throughout, the backs lacked the necessary finesse and finish. For the College, tries were scored by Averill, J. Mitchell, R. Harley, Morgan, and Campbell, and Averill kicked a penalty goal. For the losers, B. Currie, who. played a fine game, kicked two penalty goals. Mr G. McDowell was referee.