OLD BOYS WERE UNLUCKY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21400, 18 July 1939, Page 5

OLD BOYS WERE UNLUCKY

Improvement Shown By Forwards Temuka Backs Lacked Combination Old Boys played an enterprising game against Temuka at the Domain on Saturday, the forwards in particular showing improved form. Although beaten in the set scrums they more than offset this in the loose and line outs. They were speedier than (lie Temuka forwards in packing down in rucks and this gave them the initial advantage, which enabled them to heel the ball. In the line outs the Blues were definitely superior. The home pack however, used their weight to advantage in set scrums and gained the lion's share of the ball. In a comparison of the back lines Old Boys stood out as the more mobile and purposeful set. B. Morrison varied his attack cleverly and kept the opposition guessing. Whenever it was favourable he let the bail out in the orthodox manner, but if he was being forced across field he used a well-placed stab kick. D. Parsons behind the Old Boys’ scrum received r. ire of the ball than usual and lie used his opportunities to good effect. His passing from the base of the scrum was speedy and accurate and his defence as usual was sound. He showed marked determination when he scored from a scrum near the line. The Temuka backs seemed to be at sixes and sevens. It is doubtful if they engaged in one really concerted movement in the afternoon. Emery's play could not be faulted although he has achieved more in other games. Goodson at first five-eighths was inclined to take the ball flat-footed and consequently the line was slowed up to such an extent that the attack was smothered in its incipient stages. Gaffaney varied his play in an attempt to change the run of play, but his efforts were abortive as the line failed to appreciate his tactics. McKenzie on the wing looked dangerous on one or two occasions, but the Blues developed their defence with as much speed as their attack and he was stopped. C. Hall at one stage made a great bid for a score when he eluded two tackles to race over at the corner but in doing so he put a foot outside the line. Rollinson was the better of the full-backs and he outplayed O'Connor in every department of the game and gave a fine exhibition of line-kicking with and against the wind. O'Connor did not appear to be properly fit being slow off the mark and was caught in possession on at least two occasions when he should have cleared. Campbell and Hunter were the pick of „h< Old Boys’ forwards, both revelling in the tight work and heading many loose rushes. Gale

was perhaps the most conspicuous of the Temuka forwards who were an even lot, but the pack as a whole did not play as well as in recent games, there being a certain sluggishness in the following up. Dawson was the match winner of the side his excellent kicking making up Temuka’s tally of nine points. His successful conversion on the call of time which turned defeat into victory was a fitting climax to an outstanding performance. Old Boys' score consisted of a converted try and a penalty goal.