THE FIELD GOAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 233, 1 October 1929, Page 11

THE FIELD GOAL

TOO MANY ATTEMPTS TO POT Bennie Osler, the famous South African player, potted a field goal in the first test match against the All Blacks last year. That goal was destined to bring about a revival of field goal-kicking in New Zealand. To-day the field goal is almost as common as previously it was rare. But it is a question whether it is not exploited too much. In the opinion of Mr St. J. J. Dunne, manager of the Canterbury team which toured the North Island this season, too many attempts are being made to pot goals from the field, and very often the shots are made unwisely. He takes the view that two tries were lost against Wairarapa when Canterbury were playing for the Ranfurly Shield, owing to players attempting to pot goals. Both Oliver and Scrimshaw attempted goals from the field at times when, had they passed the ball, tries were certain to have resulted. It was bad judgment cn the part of these players, but anxiety probably caused them to take the wrong course, Mr Dunne thinks. As it was both shots were unsuccessful, and Canterbury profited nothing, but lost a hard-won position. In the Southland team Holden potted two goals in four attempts and Porter one in one.