RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1933, Page 9

RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

LILE SHIELD FINAL MATCH MERITS OF TEAMS DISCUSSED. FATE OF TROPHY UNDECIDED.

(By

“Spectator.”)

Th,e final of the Taranaki R’ugby League’s knock-out competition between Inglewood and Western Suburbs to decide the holders of the Lile shield was played at Inglewood last Saturday. There was a fair number of spectators and supporters present but not one anticipated that the result would be a drawn game, eight points each. But the Unexpected happened with the result that'these two teams will have to meet again. Some Bright Movements. Although it cannot be said that the game was a spectacular and bright exposition of the League code, there were at times some bright, snappy movements by both teams and the deadly tackling by both sides left nothing to be desired. Seeing that the defence was so sound, it is hard to understand the selfish attitude of 1 several players on both sides. Western Suburbs players, Jim and Jack McLeod and Josephs, were the chief offenders in this respect. Coles, Ingleiwood, also offended. A word of advice I at this juncture would not be out of I place as regards individual play. Players should remember that it is almost impossible to try to beat the opposing team by onesself and that concerted or team work is more advantageous and more valuable to the side than individual action. Several points were lost by both teams through players adopting a selfish attitude. • Merits of the Teams. In reviewing the game it may be said that the scores are a good indication of the calibre of both teams. During the first spell Inglewood seemed to be definitely on top, but the tables were reversed in the latter part of the game. Inglewood’s sound defence kept Western Suburbs from penetrating and although. Western Suburbs hammered away to try to break through during the last 20 minutes of the game the defence of the maroons stood the test. Inglewood’s Backs. Eaves, who represented Taranaki when they played Marist last year, again turned out and played full-back. He played a sound defensive game and time and time again got his team out of difficulties. His safe handling and kicking were good. G. Hall is a great' player. His defensive work was really good. Consistency seems to be one of Hall’s assets. So far this season I have not seen him off his gams once. Arnold and McLaggan both played fine games and made some good openings. Arnold was inclined to hang on a shade too long, with the result that a lot of good openings went astray. Hunt, who played half-back, was the best player oh the field. In attack or defence he was always there and it must have been disheartening to the opposition, for whenever the forwards broke away with the ball at toe Hunt was there to stop them and in any passing movement he was in the fore with deadly tackling. He is certainly at the top of his form at present. Fine Work by the Forwards. In the Inglewood forwards Price, Browning and Larmer worked hard, and did some fine work, ably assisted by Sutton. Larmer shone at times in the open. Coles, the hooker, won more than his share of the ball, but was noticed repeatedly waiting for an interception. Earlier in the season this matter was referred to and at times when it is successful it is pretty to see it done, but it can be overdone and the opposing side soon wakes up to it ' „ Packing of Scrum. A word of congratulation must be given the Inglewood forwards for the way they packed their scrums. It was by packing the loose formation that they received more than their share of the balk Years ago the practice of loose scrummages was universal in New Zealand, but four or five years ago the tight

formation was resorted to with the result that the ball hung in the pack. As one who has had considerable experience in both types of scrum formation, I can say that the loose type of formation definitely speeds up scrum-work and without discrediting the various teams in the code I think this department of the game needs serious attention. Western Suburbs Heavier. 1 In looking at the two teams lining out on the field it was noticed that Western Suburbs was a trifle heavier than Inglewood and from remarks heard it was expected that the heavier forwards would be a deciding factor in capturing the Lile shield. Team-work as far as the forwards were concerned was negligible. When will our forwards learn that team work is essential in forward as well as back play ? Repeatedly the attention of clubs has been drawn to this matter and it behoves clubs to wake up and try to correct this bad habit for the sake of the game. Lex Lewis played a sterling game and was to the fore in most of the play. He showed good form. The rest of the pack worked hard as individuals and did good work at times both in attack and defence. Comments on the Backs. Bedford at full-back was weak, severer times being caught out of position through trying to do the impossible. A full-back should . remember that vzhen long kicks are resorted to it is far better to stay in position and let the opposing side, when it gains control of the ball, travel five yards, thereby automatically putting all players on-side. If this procedure is adopted a full-back will never or very seldom be caught out of his position. Josephs at centre was selfish and would not pass out to his wings with the result that Wipiti was starved. This player showed fair form but was inclined to run .across too much. W. Lewis on the wing did not display the form that was produced the previous week and was very weak. Fitzpatrick was sound on defence, but weak on attack. His kicking every time he received the ball was a bad feature. McDonald played a really hard game and was very sound. W. Priar played halfback and made some really good saves, repeatedly getting his side out of difficulties. His long line kicks were a feature of his play. One fault that was noticed was that when he secured the ball from the pack his passes to McDonald were not the best, as in nearly every case McDonald had ,to receive th6m standing, with the result that the penetrating value of the five-eighths was lost Otherwise he was outstanding and used his head to gain every advantage that offered. The meeting of these two teams in the play-off should produce some really hard football and will bo eagerly awaited. Waitara v. Eastern Suburbs. A ragged game resulted between Waltara and Eastern Suburbs at Western Park. Eastern Suburbs did not have its full playing strength but was easily able to hold its own and was never really extended. Probably the chief factor lay in the fact that the game was a noncompetition fixture. G. Moorhead and D. Hoskin, Eastern Suburbs, both played sound games, as also did Elliott, of Waitara. Elliott has played consistently aD through the season. Hawke’s Bay Visit Cancelled. It is regretted that the Hawke’s Bay Rugby League team cannot be seen in action in Taranaki this year. A visit from this centre would have been a good draw and a really good game was anticipated but the Taranaki League has received definite advice that the proposed visit has been delayed until next season. Junior Team at Inglewood. Now that the season is nearly over it behoves the Inglewood club to try to form a junior team. It is the lower grades that carry a club to a successful issue, for without lower grades to call on it is impossible to \carry on. Now that the other three clubs have formed junior teams.it is up to Inglewood to try to .fall into line.