LEAGUE SEASON OPENS

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1935, Page 12

LEAGUE SEASON OPENS

IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED SOME PROMISING PLAYERS. Hard ground, a hot sun and lack of condition had their effect on some of the play in the opening 10-a-side Rugby League matches conducted by the North Taranaki .League on Western Park, on Saturday. Nevertheless the games were interesting, with the form in some instances better than is usually seen in opening matches. Inglewood shaded Western Suburbs in the first match and a Waitara side succumbed to Eastern in the second. In the final game the

much improved Eastern 10 gained an extra-time victory after a sterlingstruggle.

With only three men representing the forward strength of each side an impression could not be readily gained as to the future form and indications of the respective packs, but as far as realising possession of the ball for its back men was concerned the Inglewood trio concentrated t<\ some purpose and Arnold, the Inglewood half, was in the enviable position of receiving 90 per cent, of the ball. Eastern’s three forwards showed a decided superiority in the loose, combining with the backs and quickly taking position. Probably thus combination of forwards and backs gave Eastern its final victory, but certainly gave a bigger impetus and a more definite exposition of League football. ‘ Carroll and A.* Lawrence, both of Eastern, on Saturday’s form, look a likely pair for the season’s performances. McLeay took things easily, although he opened up a wide breach with the field when a sense of anticipation brought him through the ruck to finally score.

Western’s forwards were off form, McLeod in particular running too far and thus losing the advantage that could have been gained by letting loose his speedy backs. McLeod should concen-' trate more this year on linking with the backs, not going solo. One disappointment of the tournament was the absence of the promising

Opunake team and Dudley and Co. Whether the Opunake. side of last year is incorporated in the new Rahotu team of this year is not yet known but it is hoped <that this .is so or ' some promising material will be lost to the

representative side. Among the backs the two most Active were probably Arnold and Hall. Arnold

is small in stature but counteracts his size by a quickness of movement and flashing hands. He was penalised three times on Saturday, and it would have been quite, correct if he had been penalised twice as many times in each game.

Throwing the ball on the feet of his own forwards is illegal tactics and should be squashed. Near to the line Hall was always dangerous. He packs weight, a deceptive swerve and sure hands but lacks pace' for the lengthy gallops. Still he was the best back .on the ground and had a fingei* in each of Inglewood’s tries. Surrey impressed ' somewhat on the wing but must practise surer handling. ' r ■Lewis was a shining light in his on 6 game. This solid winger can produce a rare turn of speed and gives every opportunity a “go.” He will be well in the representative running. H. Wayne and G. Moorhead produced their usual neat performances, but, the innovation in the back line was ihe play-* ing of the big forward, Davison,: at - second five-eighths. He scored one try and had a hand in two others but lacked a knowledge of .positional play. Probably his Union injuries of last season will prompt' him to remain in this position. Waitara’s full-back was the

superior last-line defender 'on the day, ■* handling well and safely line-kicking. Several things remained obvious-, to spectators on Saturday. One‘of these was the lack of knowledge of League .■ principles. If players have watched with interest the play of Auckland sides in Taranaki the use of high-kicking except in rare instances is shunned. To have possession of the ball is 99 points \ out of the 100 in League. Again to wildly pass when tackled or to speculate when confronted with an-attack and a rolling ball is equally as futile. The correct procedure in all cases of doubt is to go down on the ball’and play, to your nearest man or opening. Players get their fair share of criticism when in error or when off form, but on Saturday the chief criticism should have been ' levelled at the officials .in charge. A perfect greensward, well marked and flagged, lay bare' from the time of starting (1.30) till 2.15 waiting for the officials to make,. some move. Nominations should have bien called for a week previously and. the draw published. Then a sports programme of some description could have been arranged when it was that only four teams had decided to enter. Probably it is the first occasion that the officials have transgressed in like manner, but if players should receive criticism so should. those officials on whom-pre players depend for the control of their • r arious activities.

The referee .of a first-grade RugbyLeague game at Christchurch recently was heckled, ■ often, but there was one voice that stood out from the rest in strength and persistence. “That ball never went in—what about that for a forward pass—off-side,” he would yell when the game was in the farthest corner of the field. Heads were turned to see the man who could see all these breaches that' everybody else missed, and the reason was not far to seek—a middle-aged man was perched high on the bank, straining through field glasses!