AN EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27443, 17 July 1950, Page 6

AN EDUCATION

BRILLIANT PLAY OF BRITISH ISLES GAME AT HAMILTON From Our Special Correspondent Travelling With the British Isles Team HAMILTON, July 16. An education in the way Rugby should be played on a heavy ground was given by the touring British Isles team yesterday, when it defeated the combined Waikato-Thames-King Country team by three goals, four tries, and a penalty goal (30 points) to nil. All but two of the seven tries were scored by the backs, and the ball was handled throughout with a remarkable degree of accuracy. The merit of the touring team’s performance was enhanced by the fact that the game was played on a soft and slippery ground with a heavy ball. There had been rain on the three days before the match and a heavy fall in the morning, but in these unpropitious conditions the ball was fielded and handled with consistent skill. Many sparkling back attacks were made on the combined team’s line. The weather conditions spoiled the attendance, which was about 10,000. It had been expected that the heavy Combined pack would give the British Isles a good fight by utilising the kick-and-follow rushes of the type that Taranaki had used so successfully on the previous Saturday. The expectation was not realised, partly because the Combined forwards at no stage played with full confidence because the British Isles seized the Initiative at the start, and by means of • good workmanlike pack retained it to the end. D. M. Davies won about 29 scrummages to 7 for the Combined team, and in the line outs the British Isles secured possession about 29. times to 16. In the circumstances it was little wonder that the advantage was persistently with the tourists. The general failing of the Combined team was that it was hopelessly lacking In Initiative. Even when the British Isles was 20 and more points in the lead the home side still plugged the touch line. It was an example of the defensive outlook which plagues New Zealand Rugby of the moment. The remarkable performance of the British Isles back line owed much to the excellent combination of W. R. Willis, at scrum-half, and J. W. Kyle, at outside-half. Each handled the hall perfectly, and each was specially good In backing up. Kyle made several breaks and might have done even more damage If he had carried on further with one or two runs, but there was distinction In all his play. J. Matthews and N. J. Henderson were often dangerous in the centre, and K. J. Jones, on the wing, scored two capital tries as well as playing with excellent spirit on defence. ID. W. C. Smith, on the other wing, might well have had a try after one thrilling break 75 yards upfleld, but he could not swerve sufficiently quickly to avoid touch. . , . . . B L. Jones, at full-back, who dodged and jigged about in his distinctive way, made some mighty kicks with the right foot and was very badly beaten indeed with one Combined foot rush that almost iriGsnt 3 try. It has been a peculiarity of the British Isles matches that the pack has always proved better In scrummaging than any provincial team apart from Otago, and the Waikato-Thames Valley-King Country pack was unable to change the order of things. * . , . ~ E. R. John and J. E. Nelson, in the line outs, C. M. Budge and P. W. Kininriionth, in general ability, and especially V. G. Roberts and J. S. McCarthy in fast raiding in the loose were all conspicuous in a good pack. If the Combined team’s performance was disappointing in so many ways it was, nevertheless, notable for the play of two backs, A. Reid at half-back and W. E. Gotz at centre. Few backs appearing against the tourists have tackled so well and consistently as Gotz. He might have done even better but for an apparent confusion in defending against the four three-quarter system. Several times he marked Matthews, the right centre, when Henderson should have been his man, but he was sturdy and strong, and he once beat Matthews very easily. Reid was a pronounced success because of the speed with which he got away long and accurate passes. Moreover, he was quick and plucky on defence. Best of the Combined forwards was B. A. McKenzie, of the King Country, who was a conscientious worker in all phases. J. Ratana and W. Nettlingham were also vigorous, and J. H. Marrmer, the captain, made one fine run which nearly resulted in a try. F. R. Martinovich, the hooker, seemed a little inexperienced to match D. M. Davies. It would have been interesting to watch E. H. Catley in action against the Welshman.