Disappointing Test

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 685, 10 June 1929, Page 6

Disappointing Test

Australian Students Lack Speed WERE QUICKLY BOTTLED ALTHOUGH the New Zealand Universities team for the third Test had been considerably altered it. was not expected that the Australian Universities would succeed in turning the tables on the occasion of the third meeting. It was quickly proved that through the inclusion of a strong Auckland contingent, particularly the wing-threequarters Minns and Goodwin, the strength of the team had in no way suffered. From the kick-off it was apparent that the New Zealand team carried too many guns in the back division and, despite the deep formation used by the Australians, they were never allowed to proceed far. In view of the particularly large attendance it was disappointing that a better exhibition of the code was not provided.

I 'ROM the outset New Zealand attacked, the forwards immediately forcing play to their opponents’ twenty - five, where play wavered for considerable time. Several attempts were made to swing the New Zealand backs into action, but each time bad handling sawe the movements fade out. It was not until nearly the end of the first half that the Australians went anywhere near the New Zealand line. In the meantime Stotter, Goodwin, and Minns had scored unconverted tries, all wide out, and Bush had kicked a magnificent penalty goal from just inside half way. „ , .. The only try scored by the visitors was bagged by Lamport shortly after the commencement of the second half, when the halfback dived across from a scrum. In this period Goodwin scored a good try for New Zealand, and Hinton also touched down in a race between he and his team mate, Blackler. Both tries were unconverted. It was apparent from the outset that the Australian inside backs not only lacked penetration, but that the division as a whole was outclassed by the speedier New Zealand backs. In one department of the game they more than held their own, and that was in tackling. It was only when they were outdistanced that the New Zealanders beat them. Time and again New Zealand rushes faded away before their deliberate and determined tackling. In this respect New Zealand backs and forwards had much to learn.

Toward the end of the game the visitors showed patches of better form; movements which if unleashed earlier in the game might have led to better things. But toward the end the New Zealand team, a*, can only be expected from a new combination, was also organising more efficiently. Hawke was beginning to link up with his wings and several tries were narrowly missed. As an exhibition of the code, however, it was distinctly disappointing, and not such as would be expected from exponents of the open game. Probably as a result of the travelling experienced over the last w r eek or two (the team is now concluding its tour) the Australians appeared lethargic and only on rare occasions was there any pep in their attacking movements. SOUND FULLBACK

Being almost a new combination the New' Zealand team was naturally somewhat at sea at the commencement, and although no improvement in the scoring ratio was effected, due perhaps to the efficacy of the Australian tackling, better combination was shown in the concluding stages. Bush, Minns. Goodwin and Hawke were the pick of the New Zealand

backs. Bush played a very sound and reliable game and at no stage of the proceedings did he appear to be in doubt. In the second half, no doubt, wearying of his enforced inactivity, Bush put in several solid runs which displayed

speed and determination. _ In the first half neither Minns nor Goodwin were fed very well and were consistently crowded on t '? e * r i Nevertheless both gave good displays, being at that time the only really interesting individuals on the paddock. Goth made the most of the opportunities that came their way and occasionally created them for themselves. Hawke was a bit scratchy at the outset. but when he fopnd h‘s feet was the best attacking man oftheimadc ar r,leV at o rs e t n nvreight 0 h. 0C w C as fairly MHirni on defence and tackled well, and Jenkins went down frequently on the leather in stopping forward rushes, as well as feeding his backs well. Rlacker. Anderson and Linton were the pick of the New Zealand which was superior in the rucks and which held its own well against a htl°re practised three-two-tliree combination. GALLANT EFFORT a Kenndy, threequarter, was the outstanding player in the Australian caught iV the° n eye frequently with his sharp penetrating: dashes. His run toward the end. when he burst thr ough and threaded his way solo ri^ through the opposition only to» be overhauled a few yards out and grassea was a gallant effort. He was decidedly unlucky in not scoring, and if yie extent of the applause was any indication. he had the sympathy of the crowd S. Kennory ' I s also prominent until he was carried off quite early in the -ame with a sprained ankle. The same fate also befel Nairn, who is a useful type of winger. Lamport, the halfback. also worked hard and on several occasions revealed a tricky run. Nicholas, at five-eighth, kicked with rare judgment, but relied too much on this as a form of attack, particularly when opposed to a fullback as alert as Bush. McMullen gave a good display at fullback and. on the day s play, must bo regarded as one of the promising men of the side. Ahrens. Ttezarnaulds and Morey were hard workers in a very open pack which, however, did not shine In the loose to the extent expected. Mr. Frank Sutherland gave a liberal interpretation of the rules, and witn judicious use of the advantage rule did his best to keep the play mot ing.

“GOOD EXPERIENCE” TOUR SHOULD PROVE BENEFICIAL Speaking to a Sun representative after the game, Mr. Morey, manager ot' the Australian team, said that the usual difficulties in regard to getting the best men away were experienced, but that, of course, was the lot of every touring side. They also found conditions different from those that prevail

AGAIN

in Australia, where Varsity teams comprise undergraduates only. However, the team had no cause for complaint. In meeting teams of such calibre the youthful members of the side had gained excellent experience that would stand them in good stead on their return. The arrangements for the tour were well carried out, and everywhere the team had been most hospitably entertained. Members of the team hoped that such tours, so valuable to the code and also to university relationships, would long continue.

COMBINATION BEATS GRAFTON The 19 points margin in the final scores of the Training College-Grafton contest at Epsom showground on Saturday represented teamwork’s triumph over individualism. The teachers’ display in the opening term was as patchy as it was disappointing. It was only toward the latter end of the second spell that combination and cohesion between backs and forwards supplanted ragged solo work, and enabled the back machine to pile up the points. Efforts at rearguard action in the first spell were pretty but unconvincing. The blue’s backs seemed to be obsessed with the idea their shortest route to quick scoring lay in rushing the leather to their wings. Grafton’s rearguard countered this orthodox style by playing shallow and harassed the opposition for all they were worth; these spoiling tactics nonplussed the teachers completely and th dr discomfiture was added to by smothering loose rushes which the Grafton forwards advantageously smashed in toward the end of the first spell. Where Training College backs failed was in rush stopping. Rae, the diminutive rugged half, alone met those driving rushes with a stouthearted determined ground defence. He was equally bright in attack, setting his backs in action smartly and varying his work nicely on the “blind.” When teachers asserted their superiority later in the day they regaled the spectators with some sparkling passing; the inside men, Weir and Mackay, used their initiative to perform some brilliant cutting in, making nice openings for their wings. Abbott was nursing an injured chin and did not shine to the extent that a coterie of small-minded spectators expected of him and he had to endure some grandstand gibing. The line-kicking of fullback, Butler, was always an advantage to teachers, but he was inclined to take too many risks of fielding on the bounce to be healthy. Teachers’ forwards, who had relied too much on the speed and power of recovery of their backs in the first spell, and were very slack in \ backing up, took a fresh lease of life in the second term. They nearly rushed Grafton forwards off their feet toward the end. Stacey, Woodroof and Johnson were conspicuous for their consistent following up in the loose. Grafton's fifteen was one of the weakest the club has fielded this season. It included three junior backs and even their greying-haired club captain. Wakereley, had to don the jersey to make a full team. The veteran played a good game. The Magpies showed splendid spirit and plenty of dash in the latter stages of the first spell. Taking the leather at their toes, smothering in great style, the forwards well nigh swept all before them, being largely responsible for equalising teachers’ eight points lead before half-time sounded. Keary was the undoubted leader of tho pack. He played with wonderful dash in the loose and with Hammond performed some fine line-out work. Wanoa held his scrums together well and was in the thick of the fray all day, never letting up even when his team were well beaten.

The backs were not strong on attack, though fairly sound on defence. Laddie, at five-eighths, was the life and soul of the Magpies’ rearguard. By his own dash and initiative, he inspired the others, who, however, were slow to follow him to take advantage of several promising openings he made. A straight, hard runner with a nicely judged cut in. he made several dangerous breaks which might have been turned to scoring account with assistance. At the base of the serum, McKay worked hard both on attack and defence

PONSONBY TOO CLEVER

More or less spasmodic flashes of clever play on the part of an enterprising back division won Ponsonby a comfortable victory over College Rifles at Eden Park. Swift thrusts by the Ponsonby backs were all that saved the game from being tedious. For most of the time the ball was on the ground with two evenly balanced packs of forwards wrangling over it. Play in the tight was keen and, particularly in the last quarter, even too vigorous. The Rifles pack bad slightly the best of the play in that department, but a weak tlireequarter line lacked the determination to take advantage of tho forwards’ efforts. On the other hand, when Ponsonby hooked the ball the crowd was invariably treated to some bright work. The inside backs were particularly nippy and had the opposition sorely puzzled at times. A feature of the scoring was the early weakness of the Ponsonby place-kick-ing. It was only after the notching of the fourth try that the extra two points were secured, and the kicks were not unusually difficult. R. Hook. McWilliams. Jamieson and Solomon were all given chances at goal. The first two were unsuccessful, but Jamieson lifted two out of three. It was only in the last ten minutes that Solomon was given a chance and he hoisted a beauty from a difficult position. It is hard to understand why the big rover is not given more chances to show his skill in this department of the game. Cammick was the life of the Pon-

MANUKAU TOO GOOD FOR TECHNICAL

CROQUET

sonby backs. It was the old elusive Cammick who ran rings round the Rifles’ defence. Jamieson, his partner, was also responsible for some tricky work. L. Hook showed his old brilliance and made some startling sideline dashes. Outside the All Black the wingers were dependable. McLeod particularly was right on form and rather overshadowed R. Hook. .The exVarsity man has plenty of pace and he beat the opposition badly more than once. Frazer was fairly safe at fullback. Of the forwards McWillams was most prominent. Righton and Palmer also had a busy day. Solomon at rover played his usual dashing game. On the Rifles’ pack Steere, Stewart and Fogarty weer the best. Steere, though he played an energetic game, would be a better forward if he could curb a tendency to wait offside for anything that “might turn up.” Kirk was game behind the scrum, but Gillespie and Larsen were the best of the. backs. It cannot be denied that Gillespie played a sound game as fullback, but it seemed a mistake to shift him from his old position at five-eighth, particularly when the pack was getting such a generous share of the leather. Tliougn it did nothing wrong, the tlireequarter line was merely inactive. There was little dash about any of the men. The final score of 25 to 5 was a fair indication of the play. Mr. Pemberton was referee.

GAME AT ONEHUNGA The combination of the home side at Onehunga on Saturday proved too much for the plucky, bustling Tech, boys. Manukau obtained a 13—0 victory, but it was by no means a walk-over, the Greens figthing every inch of the way and making solid efforts to keep up with the home side’s total. The game was well contested throughout, though the weight of the Manukau pack told in the scrums. Kahu was a tower of strength wherever weight was needed. Technical’s tackling was all that could be desired, tho two brothers Couper showing to advantage on the wings. K. Couper was perhaps the most prominent player on his side. Although outclassed in the scrum work, the visiting forwards worked well in the loose and gave some sound exhibitions of passing work. Among the home side’s backs Turei was a thorn in Tech.’s side throughout. His remarkable speed was responsible for stopping many promising movements before any damage was done. Linden also did some fine work in the backs. Although prominent in a number of movemeents, Falwasser was not up to his usual brilliant form. Prominent among the Manukau forwards were Satherly, McGuire and French. Turei shone in kicking as well as tackling, his total for the day being one try and three conversions. Technical were penalised when Harris retired hurt and had to play a man short during the last half of the game. Turbot played half-back on Harris’s retirement and gave a sound exhibition. The constant encroachment of the crowd on to the field was a source of annoyance to the players, hampering the kicking of both sides to a great extent. Mr. P. Martin had charge of the whistle.

POOR DISPLAY GRAMMAR FINISHES BETTER Those who expected anything in the way of bright football from the early game on Eden Park No. 1 on Saturday were doomed to disappointment. Although Grammar Old Boys beat City by 13 points to four, they did so after a lack-lustre display. The forwards, true, worked better than they have done for a number of matches, but the backs were weak. City was no better, although its forwards held Grammar well. It was Grammar’s ability to take opportunity occasionally by the forelock that gave it the victory. The Grammar pack has been a disappointing combination this season. It started off more than promisingly, but it has faded since. Whether its deterioration has been due to the operation of the “imaginary line” or not is a moot point. There are potentialities in the van, but it seems as if they will be potentialities only. P. Potter played a useful game as wing-forward, and L. Knight shone in the loose. Cathcart, Young and the Battys also worked hard. CONSISTENTLY SOLID The City pack has been consistently solid this season, and on Saturday played a characteristic game. The packmen were very even in performance, on the whole, with Fletcher the best. Holt was an energetic rover. The Grammar backs showed glimpses of form, but did not go well. Bell and P. Skelton were the most prominent on attack. The tackling was on the high side. The City backs were mainly individualists, with K Ifwerson, centre, and Allen the best. Allen is a second-five-eighth of considerable promise, and, if he would curb his tendency to go too far, would be more useful than he is to his side. Lockie toiled hard, but Berridge was disappointing, especially on defence, although he putted a nice goal.

MANUKAU B V. KINGSLAND Playing at Onehunga on Saturday the Kingsland men had a fairly easy victory over the home side by 14—4. The game was fast and open, with the visitors keeping the Manukau men on th© defensive most of the time. Manukau’s only score ol the day, despite valiant efforts, was a dropped goal by Speight, who was the outstanding player for his side. Playing for Kingsland, Wordsworth was the only man to score a try. The visitors’ fullback Clark did the remainder of the scoring with his kicking, having three penalties and one conversion to his credit at the end of the day.

At the annual meeting of the Mont Le Grand Croquet Club, Mr. R. White presided over a good attendance of members. The following office-bearers *vere elected: —Patron, Mr. E. H. Potter; president, Mrs. Cole; vice-president, Mrs. Peckham; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Hawken; management committee, Mesdames Sessions, Stacey, Thomson and Tremain; match committee, Mesdames Cole, Thomson and Truman; delegates to association, Mesdames Cole and Thomson; hon. auditor, Mr. A. E. Layland; green superintendent, Mr. Cole; social committee, Mesdames Sessions, Stacey. Kelly, Tremain, Thomson, Turner and Taylor. At the close of the meeting, Mr. Cole asked Mrs. Hawken, hon. secretary and treasurer, to accept an antique bronze fruit stand from the members in recognition of her work throughout the season, and as a mark of t’. e esteem in which she was held. Th© retiring social committee also asked Mr. Cole to present on their behalf silver shields to four of the club’s members, Mesdames Cole, Thomson, Hawken and Sessions, in recognition of the honours brought to the club by them during the past season.