INDIFFERENT PLAY IN THE TRIAL MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19070, 15 May 1930, Page 12

INDIFFERENT PLAY IN THE TRIAL MATCH.

PROBABLES ARE ROUTED IN VERY RAGGED GAME. Per Press Association. PALMERSTON NORTH. May 14. The selectors for the New Zealand Rugby Union saw an indifferent game in the North Island Possibles v. Probables trial match to-day. On paper, the teams appeared fairly balanced, but the Possibles proved'Tnuch the stronger fifteen, winning by the wide margin of 42 points to 0. Play generally was inclined to be ragged, with very few ; combined rearguard movements, al- > 0 i£ W W !H H! S 8 S 3 ® 35 E M S3E HI ® HI S BE ES Hi EE

though, on occasions, bright flashes of individual play were seen. The Possibles* backs were superior throughout, Cooke (Wairarapa) proving invaluable and creating many openings. Heazlewood (Wellington) was easily the better of the two full-backs. Mackav (Wellington) and Lucas (Auckland) also giving good displays.. Corner (Auckland) was very game behind the Possibles’ pack, and made more of his opportunities, but was out-shone by Kilby (Wellington), the opposition half. Fuller (Wairarapa), Johnson (Wellington) and Kilby were the best Probables’ backs. Young (Hawke’s Bay), centre, and Ruru were good only on occasions. There was a notable battle between the opposing wing-forwards, the veteran, Porter (Wellington), and Soloman (Auckland), the latter being one of the outstanding players on the ground. The Probables’ forwards got the greater share of the ball in the first half, the two packs, on the whole, proving well matched. An injury to the veteran Wairarapa hooker, Irvine, noticeably affected the Probables. Finlayson (North Auckland), Coulsten (Wellington), M’Lean (Wellington) and Reid (Wairarapa) distinguished themselves in the Possibles’ forwards, and Knight (Auckland), Batty (Auckland) and Harvey (Wairarapa) for the Probables. Nicholls (Wellington) and. Minns (Auckland), absentees from the Probables’ team, were replaced by Stringfellow (Wairarapa) and Ball (Wellington) respectively. The Possibles fielded the team selected, but in the second spell Strange (Manawhenua) replaced Elvy (Wellington) and Gerard (Bush) went on in place of Finlayson. A crowd in the vicinity of five thousand watched the game. The weather and ground conditions were ideal. The Probables had the sun and wind behind them in the first spell. Finlayson, Coulsten, Mackenzie and Mackay scorsd for the Possibles. Ileazlewood converting t\ > tries and (kicking a penalty. Fuller, made the only entry for the Probables, with two penalties. In the =econd spell M’Kenzie, Strange, Gerard, M'Kay and Cooke scored for the Possibles. Ileazlewood adding the extras on :our occasions.