TABLES TURNED

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1935, Page 9

TABLES TURNED

TARANAKI WINS MATCH WANGANUI SIDE BEATEN ALL-ROUND SUPERIORITY JUNE 3 RESULT AVENGED SCORE OF 19 POINTS TO 6 The Taranaki representative Rugby fifteen avenged itself thoroughly for defeat by Wanganui on June 3 when, in the return match at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, on Saturday it secured a convincing victory by 19 points (five tries, two converted) to six (two tries). The match was won on merit against a Wanganui not nearly so good as the team produced in the earlier match, but the result was no half-hearted one, nevertheless. Taranaki had the scrum and line-out advantage throughout and the backs played as a team 'hereas Wanganui rarely had the opportunity or the ability to counter combination with combination. Taranaki ran easily to a 16—0 lead early in the second half, and from then on one had the feeling that Taranaki was no longer playing its hardest, the team’s display lacking the smoothness that characterised the first half exhibition, while poor tackling was conspicuous. ~ The Taranaki forwards more than held their own except in the concession of free kicks. In the first half Taranaki won 13 line-outs and seven scrums to Wanganui’s eight line-outs and six scrums, while in the second spell Taranaki secured an advantage in 15 lineouts and 12 scrums, compared with nine line-outs and seven scrums that went to the visiting team. Taranaki was awarded seven free kicks in the first spell and two in the second, itself being penalised six times in the first half and seven in the second. FORWARD PLAY AT ITS BEST. The absence of Gargan and Gardiner from the pack that played so well against Wellington apparently made no difference, and Taranaki forward play at its very best was forthcoming just as in the previous representative game. Any reference to forward play must be modified by the appreciation of the fact that the pack, although obviously fit enough to survive a hard game to the end, had to give ground most of the second spell in spite of the advantage of scrum and line-out superiority. Had Wanganui been capable of, using its chances to better 'advantage there is little doubt that Taranaki would have continued to play the splendid game it did in the first half. Given plenty of the ball, the Taranaki inside backs found themselves the focal point of attention. Sangster, replacing Brown at first five-eight, was perhaps an improvement, though not to the extent that many hoped. While Gudgeon s de-

fence was as sound as ever and he varied his play well, his service from the base of the scrum was a queer mixture of good passes and bad ones. He did not play a perfect game, but nevertheless his shortcomings were not a serious disi advantage to Sangster, who had evident--1 ly been told to vary his game. He certainly did so, with an admirable result, so far as Taranaki was concerned, on Wanganui’s confidence. The Wanganui rearguard, required to formulate its defence policy on whatever Sangster did, produced one of the most satisfying phases of an otherwise somewhat less display by the manner it coped with an ever-changing attack. . Taranaki did. not have quite the efficiency of ■ combination to beat the Wanganui tackling, and it was Sangster’s use—occasionally overdone and not handled quite so capably as in various club matches this year—of the cut-in and stab-punt that kept Wanganui playing fairly deep and gave the Taranaki backs room to move. Sangster always appeared to know what he, was doing and why; when his schemes did not come off, it was more as a result of good emergency defence by Wanganui rather than' any fault by Taranaki. ABILITY OF THE BACKS. There was little to fault in the other backs. Galbraith’s flashing speed was in full evidence and he handled well, though some of his passes went astray, while a brilliant cut-in and acceleration in the second spell that gave Sullivan a splendid try was a superb move. The three-quarter line scored four of the five tries, Sullivan obtaining two and Ford and ’ Edwards one each. Sullivan and Ford, matched - against Campbell and Bullock-Douglas, were watched with interest and did not lose any prestige as the result of the matching. Sullivan held the redoubtable and capable Campbell well whenever Wanganui did move, and Ford, while inclined to give BullockDouglas too 'much latitude, was not caught napping. The Taranaki pair were the speedier, though only by a narrow ’ Tlar S in ' , T-J Play did not swing to the Edwards— McClenaghan wing often, Edwards really good chances being limited to two, one in each half. On the first he made a dazzling jaunt up the line before being thrown out, and on the second he scored a brilliant try. Collins making his first appearance on Pukekura Park this season, amazed the crowded terraces with a display of touch- \ finding. On three occasions only did his long clearing punts fail to find touch, and for each of these there were a dozen occasions when a 50 to 60 yards kick reached ground but a yard or two over the touch line. His exhibition was ably supported by fully satisfactory tackling and rush-stopping. Many m the crowd were inclined to wonder if Gilbert was really the best selection for the position on the British tour. The forward work was led by Clarke, Fastier, Armstrong, Brown and O Dowda, who had a first rate Supporting set in the remaining forwards. The front row suffered from over-eagerness in the scrums, conceding too many penalties in the second half. Clarke was again an ideal leader, while Fastier was more rugged than ever. Armstrong adds to his widening capabilities with every

match and Brown is fast settling down into a first-class roving forward, whose knowledge of back play and eye for an opportunity were evident at frequent intervals. Young’s display was better than usual. They were often his arms that gathered the ball in the line-out, and he was up with play much better than m previous games. Murphy and Fowler were not seen leading the pack, but they were never left behind. All eight were toilers. WANGANUI MEN’S PLAY. Wanganui’s pack was not a weak one by any means, but it met more than its match. The front row men were the least conspicuous, but James, Mclntyre, Steere, Hutchinson and Lockett were all frequently prominent. Steere’s was probably the wisest head but he and Mclntyre had plenty to do holding Taranaki. Lockett burst into view often but was usually unsuccessful, being inferior to Brown with similar tactics. Hutchinson was probably the most effective of the Taretana was not a success behind the Wanganui scrum and Jones and McCashin did not show to great advantage either. Morgan’s advent at half in the second spell brought an improvement, he being responsible for McCashin’s try, but the loss of Peterson at second five-eighth was a handicap. Campbell and BullockDouglas did their best but were fightmg a losing game all the time. Connolly was a capable full-back, and with good positional play combatted many dangerous

moves by Sangster and company. The Wanganui team, however, frequently displayed a lack of cohesion both on attack and defence that continually demonstrated the Taranaki team’s superiority. The teams were:— Taranaki: Collins; Edwards, Sullivan, Ford; Galbraith, G. Sangster; Gudgeon; O. Brown; Murphy. Clarke, Young, O’Dowda; Fastier, Fowler, Armstrong. Wanganui: Morgan; McClenaghan, Campbell, Bullock-Douglas; McCashlin, Jones; Taretana; Lockett; James, Mclntyre, Steere, Hutchinson; Makakaun, W. Thompson, Wally Thompson.

BACKS MAKE GAME OPEN

even scoring in second spell. GALBRAITH’S BRILLIANT OPENING. Sangster kicked off towards the era end and almost immediately Sullivan. required first-aid for a knock on the head. Clarke and Brown broke through from a scrum and although Gudgeon was blocked twice subsequently by fast breaking forwards he eventually got the ball, out to Ford on the blind side in Wanganui’s twenty-five-Bullock-Douglas tackled him but Ford got rid of the ball to Brown, who scored with Clarke alongside. Collins’ sideline kick was poor. When Makakauri was offside Colhns took a kick from 35 yards out. It fell short and Wanganui kicked downfield. Ford fielded the ball and set the backs in motion, but the end of a promising move came when Galbraith’s pass to Edwards was slightly forward. The same fault spoiled Wanganui’s, first good back move. Armstrong secured from a lineout and Galbraith sent a snap pass to Sullivan, who gave Ford a run in front of Bullock-Douglas. The ex-All Black caught Ford only when the Taranaki man swerved and beat Morgan. The move gained 40 yards and from loose play Gudgeon shot the ball out to Sullivan, who.dived full-length between the posts. Collins converted. Collins had another unsuccessful penalty kick, which Wanganui lined in Taranaki territory. From the line-out Clarke and Fastier tore up the sideline passing the ball. At the end Ford overtook them on the outside to flash over and round for a great try. Brown failed with an easy kick. FULL-TILT ATTACK. Gudgeon shot out a good half-back’s pass to Sangster, who kicked to a vacant space. It was touch and go whether Galbraith or Morgan got 'there first. Morgan did and cleft a way through a Taranaki team full-tilt on attack. Edwards eventually saved by kicking out. Bullock-Douglas burst through in another attack for Collins to find touch. Morgan put his team on the offensive again with a long cross-kick and Collins proved sound again. Recovering its wind Taranaki sailed upfield with Clarke, Armstrong and Young in the van. Ford was hurled out at the corner and then Galbraith just lost a hectic race with Mclntyre for a try. On both occasions Wanganui forced. Edwards fended off two tacklers in a 40 yards run within inches of the sideline and as the halftime bell sounded Sangster was wide with a hefty drop-kick.

Taranaki H Wanganui 0 When Wanganui resumed Taretana had retired, Morgan was back at half and Connolly had taken the full-back position. Campbell came down heavily on his chest and required attention. Morgan missed with a penalty kick. Sangster cut in beautifully and cut out Galbraith with a long pass to Sullivan. Campbell was awake to the move, however, and reached Sullivan at the same time as the ball. Makakauri retired and was replaced by Firmin. The teams lined out on Wanganui’s line and Fowler set the backs going. With Wanganui’s back line looming close Sangster threw out another long pass which did not quite reach the fast approaching Sullivan.

Wanganui worked back to half-way, Taranaki hooked and Gudgeon sent one of his best passes to Sangster. Galbraith cut through like a flash, shot between McClenaghan and Connolly, and threw a high pass to Sullivan, who sped to the line well clear of any opposition to score. Brown converted easily. Morgan missed with a likely penalty kick and Wanganui had an attack of drop-kicks, three going wide in succession. Jones lined neatly at the comer and from the line-out Steere scored. Morgan was only slightly outside with the kick. Galbraith kicked high and followed up, but his kick was just a little too far for its height and Connolly cleared neatly. For a while'play was not very exciting and then Sangster attempted to kick past Jones, but the ball struck him instead. A short punt in the other direction fell behind Collins and the bounce beat him. McCashin had advanced in anticipation and dashed in to gather

the ball and was over before Sullivan reached him. Morgan’s kick hit the post and fell back. Wanganui, aided by defects in the Taranaki tackling and a tendency to “let up” on the part of the team’s forwards, took up a long offensive. Campbell beat Sullivan and sent two men away against a lone Collins. The fullback hedged the man with the ball into touch. When Campbell tried the other side three men made sure of him. After hectic forward play on Taranaki’s line Brown broke clear away with a remarkable run and kicked over the full-back’s head. The two collided and rolled on the ground, and although Galbraith carried on with good dribbling to Wanganui’s twenty-five the ball eventually wen- out. Campbell tried the short punt to give McClenaghan a chance, but the ball landed in Edwards’ hands. The winger set off down the line straight away and nothing could stop him. Collins missed with the attempt at goal from the side-line. Taranaki 19 Wanganui 6 Mr. C. Evans refereed.