NOTES ON THE NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 57

NOTES ON THE NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND MATCH.

The meagre details telegraphed of the above game gave no indication of the form shown by the various players which, led up to their inclusion or rejection in the New Zealand team for England, co that the following notes, taken from the report of the Evening Pest, Wellington, will be of interest : —

The victory resulted through the undoubted superiority of the North Island backs. There wi*3 little difference in the merits of the forwards. The North Islanders were 'just a hltle ahead in the open work, but m the solid the Southerners showed to advantage, and on occasions they screwed the scrums seemingly at will.

The North Island backs handled the wot ball with astonishing precision. The Southerners were not bad in this respect, but there was a slowness in then- deliveries that enabled the forwards opposed to them to break up invasions that would have yielded scores had the passes been sent out more smartly and taken with greater facility. The two sets of forwards were seen to

advantage whenever collaring was to be don<?« They arc- entitled to credit for this, but id fairness it should bo pointed out that heavy grounds handicap a back and are in favour of a forward game, for the nimble back is slower ou a heavy ground, while the heavy forward is comparatively faster on it. Then, too, even a faulty tackle is hktJy to ut>sot the balance of a runner on a wet ground. The exhibition of attack and defence given in this match by F. Roberts stamps him as one of the best wet-weathe • backs in New Zealand. His form this season is the best ht has ever shown; he runs faa , dodges well, tackles as an adept and kicks with judgment. This is high praise, but it a deserved.

Thomson, of Wanganui, justified the encomiums that local judges have passed on his play; and though Smith, of Auckland, has played bettei games in Wellington than the one he put in on Saturday he did very well all that he attempted. His play may be summarised as good, without being brilliant. Wallace did ex-cllent work. The opening that he made for Smith when the latter scored his try wa3 a clever though venturesome bit of work. Wallaces kicking was meritorious; he has seldom been seen to better advantage as a "placer."

Hunter ana Hynott, the Taranaki pair, acquitted themselves with credit. They showed best in defence, but the passing work between them that led up to Glenn's try was a fine example of attack. Some tackling by Mynotl was very fine.

"Scobie" Mackenzie, who has played many times on the Athletic Park, and never before shown to advantage, surprised Wellington— people by playing a sound, resourceful game. The rhapsodies of Auckland writers about him have been something of a puzzle to most locat followers of the game, but his latest exhibi, tion here certainly gives one a far better: impression of his capabilities than any pre- 1 vious game of his has done.

The Taranaki trio of forwards were not altogether "kings amongst men," but they did good work., Glasgow's work in the open w«3 esperially pleasing, and O'Sullivan worked 1 well. Glenn was handy at the end of sonl£ fast runs, a fact which proves him to be a "trier." There had been objection raised ttf this trio's inclusion in the North Island team, but 't should in fairness be said that they were not weak spots in it, though perhaps a couple of men who were !eft out would have shaped equally well

Whisker, of Manawatu, is a forward who is always in the vicinity of the ball — a commendable characteristic. He, however, is occasionally on the wrong side of it, and a, habit he has of handling it on these occasions in some degree handicaps his endeavours. Gallagher evinced the same characteristic, but his game as a whole was very fine. Johnson, of Wairarapa, maintained) hia reputation as an "all-out" scrum-pusher. Carlson, of Hawke's Bay, showed up well m the first five minutes of play, but he hacJ an "also started" appearance thereafter. On the South Island side, Booth was easily best back on th<- day's play. He mad© two especially fine runs that might each have yielded scores In one he distanced all support ; in the other he gave Harper a pass that looked likely to lead to a sure try, but "Scobie" Mackenzie swooped down and hustled Harper into touch close to the goal line. Stead's play was cooi and resourceful, though not so dashing as that shown by hinS" in the England-New Zealand game last year. • There was one specially fine bit of work shoira ' by him on Saturday, however — a break away < for nearly 30 yards followed by a paa»-tha6 led lo an invasion of the Northerners' goal. " Slow passing by his supporters spoiled the . change

Deans did not play up to reputation. He is a heavy man, and he evidently requires » dry ground to shine upon.

Harper did a few things well and nothing . badly Reid's case may be justly put byj reversing the order of adverbs. It was current comment that on Saturday's play he could not ' qualify for inclusion in a senior city team. He began badly, and nervousness completed his discomfiture.

Dan3ey, the West Coast half back, whose, ability has been greatly trumpeted, failed W do anything brilliant He go* off a few clever passes and allowed a few forwards to climb over him— an evidence of pluck, at least. He was playing with a badly-beaten team, though : so it may be ihat he really had the ability spojren of, but lacked sufficient opportunities foi displaying it. - Gillett, the full back, had a hard time all through ihfi game. He kicked with judgment, dropped his man every time, and won deserved applause from all quarters. Johnston, Casey, Newton, and Corbett caught ihe eye oftsneist amongst the South Island forward division. For a short and nuggety player. Casey does exceptionally clever work on the line-out. Johnston has greafc pace for so heavy a player, and he is appar rently an honest toiler from start to finish. Corbett's work "n the s=crum was vigorous, and it did much to hold the Southern pack together.

The ganie was played "hard," hut in goodj spirit ; and for a wet-weather tussle it was full of interest, incident, and occasional ftashe#-» of scientific passing. The manner in which the North Island back division passed and - took the greasy ball was excellent. It is to . this feature that the great success of tin Northerners is mainly due.