NORTH ISLAND TRIAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 157, 5 July 1934, Page 8

NORTH ISLAND TRIAL

YESTERDAY’S BIG MATCH TEAM TO REPRESENT THE • ISLAND WANGANUI WINGER CHOSEN (By “Cross-bar”) Before an attendance of approximately 5000 people, two strong North Island Rugby teams played a trial match on Spnggens Park yesterday to enable the two selectors (Messrs E. McKenzie, Wairarapa, and V. R. Meredith, Auckland) to cho-ose a side to play the South Island in an inter-island trial at Auckland on Saturday. The Probables, captained by J. RPage (Wellington), won by 24 points to 22. The scoring see-sawed and the play was such as tn well reward the spectators with good Rugby. Despite the fact that two good packs battled hard, both rearguards had the ability to open the play up, and the ball was thrown about a good deal, lifting the nature of the game into something better than that usually looked for in a trial when individuals rather than teams battle for selectcrial recognition. The teams were:— Probables (black): M. Davies; F. S. Fuller, B. Killeen, E. G. Apsey; J. R. Page (captain), K. Fookes; A. H. Brogdon; J. G. Dellabarca; A. 1». Uullimore. I. Ale In tyre, R. Cmrke, H. Mataira; R. McLeod, . Hadley, J. Leeson. Possibles (white): A. Collins: C. Smith, T. 11. C. Canghey. A. BullockDouglas: 11. T. I.ilburne 1 captain i. J. L. Griffiths: M. Corner; A. Mahoney: (’. H. Rolls. A. Knight, R. M. McKenzie, E. F. Barry; H. J. Kirkpatrick, A. Lanibourne, F. C. Cooper. All trial games end with the public summing up the comparative merits ol the players, and looking back over the match one is mindful of the fact that there were many <casos in which the duels for honours were very even. Davies, the Waikato full-back, gave a finished display which easily lifted him to an equality with Collins (Taranaki), and must have left the selectors with a difficult task to make a decision. Davies was well worthv of another Caughey (Auckland) and Killeen (Wellington), in the opening spell were the contenders for the centre three-quarter position. Both suffered because of slowness inside. Brogden’s passes fyom the base of the scrum were not crisp enough in the first spell ami Fookes was inclined to lag badly, with the result that the efforts of Page went for nothing. That had its effort on Killeen at centre. In the second spell Brogden gave better deliveries, was protected to a greater extent, by the black pack, with the result that Page played in such a way as to claim the honour of being the best back on the field. Killeen had been replaced in the centre position, however, by Edwards, of Taranaki, who was impressive in all he had to do. Tn the Possibles team Caiigh.-v was blamed for a. Jot of the mistakes of the men inside biin. Corner gave the vrisp display of a good hall, but Lilburne slowed attacking move* up end his plav in that respect contrattfed with that of Page. Griffiths, too. was inclined to run out instead of straight, with the result that Caughey was often p'mvrd into false positions. Weaknesses Compared. The Probables line, reading Brogden, Page, Fookes, Killeen (later Edwards), was handicapped through slowness of the half-hack and second five-eighths. The Possibles’ line. reading Corner, Lilburnp, Griffiths, Caughey, was handicapped because of a slow first fiveeighths (LilburneL He played a strong defensive game, but battled with his opponents rather than outwitting them, and his slowness was an obvious handicap to those outside him. If Page had been removed from the blacks into the whites in the second spell the brilliance of Caughey would have made itself more prominent. Brogden, playing his first game in [the best of eompanv the Island could [produce, did not disgrace himself. Th* stood a bit close to the scrum and T.is passes were not accurately directed at the start. Tn the second spell he showed muvh better form. Corner, however, was in a class by himself. name in everything ho did and a great tackler. I Bullnck-Douglas was the best of the i five wingers seen in action, and the j try he scored, though it was easy to • nehieve, was gained as the result of I proper anticipation. Tt was entirely a surprise move, and as such would Tint have reached its climax but for the >upport it was accorded bv the winger. On defence, too, Bullock-Douglas saved a certain try by not trying to pick the ball up when challenged by three forwards. Using a sense of anticipation he allowed them to toe it over the line for him to force. Smith, the Hawke’s Bav player, of whom better things were expected, could not handle the hall and he was effectively marked by Apsey, also from Hawke’s Bay. The last-named player

■■ ffast. Fuller, the Wellington player not only justified his inclusion bv scoring a brilliant try, in which he had to beat two men, but he scored 15 of the Probables’ 24 points, two penalties. three conversions and a try. He again demonstrated that, he is a. tricky type of player, but when marked bv Bullock-Douglas in the first spell, never tried to test. him. sensing, no doubt, that the Wanganui player was well on his game so far as tackling was concerned. Alien, the Waikato wing tnreequartcr, replaced Bullock-Douglas at half-time, and was rarelv seen in action. He looked a likely type of winger, but the play did not come to him with any crowns to offer. Griffiths played cleverly in tl.e opening stages of the match and was undoubtedlv a better second five-eighths than Fookes. Tn the second spell, when the black forwards were hnriing themselves into Lilburne and testing the white line at its slowest spot, it. was onlv natural that Griffiths’ play would ■ suffer. What one would have liked to see in that second spell was the Wellington combination. Page—Gr:f- ■ fiths, in action as it was in Hawera recently against Taranaki. Spectators ■ would have been able to appreciate then the worth of Griffiths in a key position in the back line. New Zealand is badly off for second five-eighths ■ 10-dav and Griffiths looks a likely

player to bridge the gap. Let it be hoped he gets the chance in Australia. About the Forwards Mahoney (Bush Districts) distinguished himself as the best forward on the ground in the first spell. A. Knight (Auckland), Dellabarca (Wellington), Mataira (Hawke’s Bay), Lambourne (Wellington), McKenzie (Manawatu), Leeson (Waikato), Clarke (Taranaki), Barry (Wellington), Cooper (North Auckland) and Rolls (Hawke’s Bay) were all up to inter-island form and no doubt an eight selected from them haphazardly would satisfy the best. Mclntyre played well, but was not within the form of the first eight, on the field. Hooking honours rested with Lambourne on the day. Hadley did hot play badly in the second spell when his forwards were inclined to pack better, smash the opposition down and then heel to their backs. Many scrums were abortive, however, and the ball was never in fairly. Mr W. 11. Rowe gave a sound exposition as a referee, overlooking the minor faults in play for the betterment of the game. It was noticeable that the ball could vorne out of the ruck over tin l , shoulders of the battling forwards and be thrown out to the backs, just as referees of Taranaki permit, it to do. and nobody was penalised. How much better the game was as a result. Looking back over the match one. is faced with one question—Did the players who were sent to Australia m 1932 show form in keeping with that which won them their All Bla’ek jerseys'? Tf the answer is “yes,” then the selectors’ obvious course would he to choose them again. As a match it was better t han Ihe usual run of trials, perhaps not. in the first spell, but. certainly in the second.

THE PLAY DESCRIBED PLAYERS WHO SCORED The Possibles kicked "If with the advantage of a slight wind, and Lilburne sent a. long pass out t , BullockDouglas, who kicked through. A penalty was taken liv Collins, the Ball going just outside the posts. A. kick bv Pago was •collected by Cui nor. who found the line nicely; Davies kept his side in position with a fine line kick, and from the line-out, Pago collected a pass and was collared high by Ldburno. A melee, and the Possibles were penalised. Fuller missed the kick, but a moment or two later when the Possibles were penalised for a scrum infringement, he made no mistake.—Probables 3, Possibles 0. I When Bullock-Douglas missed collocting a rolling ball and was beaten for it by Mataira, the blav* forwards went, a wav with a rush, which took them to the white’s line. Lambourne. Cooper, and Kirkpatrick combining well. Alahoney broke away for the whites, and made a strong run with the hall at toe. Caughey carried on, and sent Bul-lock-Douglas awav. The winger passed in to Rolls, and a. try was saved by Page coming bring the. hig forward down with a clear line ahead. From a scrum. Knight forced his way over, hut was brought back for a fivecard s‘.-rum, after which Davies cleared. All the black backs handled, but. Killeen’s pass went behind Apsey, and Smith went through for the, whites. Griffiths gave a low pass to Caughey. who ran down well before passing to Rolls. The forward gave tlio ball to Bullock-Douglas, unopposed on the wing, for him to rcore without opposition. Lilburne missed the kick. —Possibles 3, Probables 3. The whites came back again for a fine try, their forwards combining in a passing rush at top speed. Lilburne got the ball, and shook off Dellabarca. Knight took his pass and handed on to McKenzie who had Barry in support to •carry on and then pass back to him. AlcKcnzie took the ball at top speed Io score. Lilburne missed another kick. —Possibles 6; Probables 3. The white forwards came again, carrying play tu the line. Davies attempted to clear, but Cooper smothered the ball and picked it up to score. Lilburne missed again.—Possibles 9; Probables 3. Shortly afterwards, the whites ere pcnalisetl, and Fuller scored with a good kick. —Probables 6; Possibles 9. I A bright, passing rush bv the whites I saw Barry. Knighr, Lilburne and GrifI fiths •combine well. Smith, the winger, I took the ball on the chest and the movement broke down. Fookes went back with the ball at toe. and was blocked by Collins. The blacks carried on with the rush, and liullock-Douglas saved by forcing. Another good linekick by Davies sent the blanks back.

Uulhmorc was injured at rnis si.tgu a.nd was replaced by Fraser Smith. The blacks added to their score when the forwards charged over from a line-out and Clarke dived on the ball after Leeson had missed. Fuller’s kick was not quite good enough.—Probables 9; Possibles 9. The blacks set up another rush which was started by Mclntyre breaking awav. Page and Fookes carried on but Killeen missed his pass. Corner and Griffiths came into the picture, and a good line bv Griffiths was followed by a scrum. The whites hooked; Corner to Lilburne, who kicked to the goal-mouth, and Griffiths went through to score’under the posts. Corner goaled. Possibles 14; Probables 9. Half-time was reached shortly afterwards. The Teams Altered When the players took up their positions again, Edwards replaced Killeen, Fletcher replaced Clarke and Allen went, to Bullock-Douglas’ wing, while Thompson took Alahoney’s pla*ce in the pack. Fookes broke away from Griffiths, after receiving from Page, but the move was stemmed. Dellabarca began a rush, and handed on to Page, who sent Fookes on and thru collected another pass, before handing to Fuller. Following <* scrum, Brogden sent Page awav on the blind side, and the first live-eighths 'cut Allen out and passed to Fuller, who scored with Colbns and Caughey after him. Fuller goaled. Probables 14 Possibles 14. C.iughev was blocked by Edwards after receiving from his inside backs. Edwards kicked to CnLirs, who evaded several me.', and ran up to pass to Griffiths who centre-. Davies smothered the rush, hut AlcKenzie picked up and passed to Allen, who passed out to Griffiths on the wing for him to score. Lilburne missed again—Possibles 17. Probables 14. The black pavk hooked in front of their opponents’ goal. and Brogden gave Page a good pass. The. first fiveeighths sent a fine “pot” between the posts, but thj? points were disallowed,

the referee holding that the ball had been touched. Page broke through and fended off Lilburne and sent Fraser Smith on, the forward’s pass goinnastray. Shortly afterwards Dellabarca got over the line but was brought back again. Page worked a bright movement on the “blind” when he acted as half, Brogden being on the ground. He sent Apsey off, and the winger passed *,i to Brogden who was forced out. Just before he crossed. Not long afterwards Dellabarca got over by screwing away from the ruck. Fuller goaled. —Probables 19, Possibles 17. The blanks came back again and Caughey saved with a nice kick after Collins had failed to stem the rush. A period of hard forward play followed, after which Dellabarca broke away again and drew Caughey and Collins before passing to Page, who had raced up in support. He scored unopposed. Fuller converted again.—Probables 24. Possibles .17. The last, try of the match was scored for the whi.tes by Lambourne. Corner worked the blind, and ran through, passing out towards Allen onlv to see Fuller come through and take the ball. Caughey broke away, and although brought down by Davies, sent the ball towards the wing, where Knight ‘carried on and passed to Lambourne. Lilburne goaled from the line.—Possibles 22, Probables 24. Air W. H. Rowe was the referee. NORTH ISLAND TEAM SIDE TO PLAY THE SOUTH 1932 PLAYEKS INCLUDED AlcM'.s. 1.. MeKenzie (\V aI r ara pa ), and V. R. Aieredith (Auckland), have chosen the following team to represent rhe North island against tile ♦South at Auckland next {Saturday: Full-back: A. Collins (Taranaki). 'l.hrec-quarters: G. A. Bullock-Doug-las (Wanganui), T. H. C. Caughey F. tS. Fuller (Wellington). Five-eignths: J. K. Page (Wellington) first, J. L. Griffiths (Wellington) second. Half-back: Al. Corner (Auckland). Back of the strum: A. Aiahoney t bush Districts). Aliddle row: K. Ularke (Taranaki), \.. KiuglJt (Auckland), K. M. McKenzie (Alanawatu), H. 1-. AlcLeau (Auckland ). Front row: A. Lambourne (Wellington), W. Hadley (Auckland), J. Leeson (Waikato). Reserves: It. Lilburne (Welliugtoiiy, K. Fookes (Taiauaki), backs; 11. Alu-l-.iia (Haw Kc’s Bay), E. j-. Barry (Wellington), After next Saturday's match the four New Zealand selectors wdl choose the. team to to Australia. Nine of the players chosen went to Australia in 1932 —-Collins, BullockDouglas, Caughey. Page, Corner, Clarice, AlvLean, Lilburne and Bariy. From that, it would appear that the selectors are intending to base their selection this year largely un the talent which proved itself over the Tasman two years ago, and fill the vacancies which have been brought about through certain players being unable to get away. Proctor (Otago), Ball i Wellington) r Innes (Canteroury ), Pollock (Wellington), Cottrell (Canterbury), Jessop (Wellington), Palmer (Auckland), Steere (Hawke’s Bay), Solomon (Auckland), and Purdue (Southland) —all those players will not be available for the trip this year and such newcomers as Fuller, Griffiths, Mahoney, Knight, McKenzie, LamDourne, Hadley, Leeson. Fookes, Alatai ra, to mention the North Islanders only, arg competing to fill the. vacanMANGAWEKA DEFEATED KAIERAU’S BACKS SHINE VISITORS’ DEFENCE WEAK Kaicrau defeated a Aiaugawcka team on Spriggens Park yesterday by 17 points to It’, playing a curtain-raiser to the North island trial match. The game was full of interest and Kaierau deserved their win. The maroons were not at full strength, and Reynolds, of Ihe Al.arist Club, played in the front row of the scrum. In the second half when Smith was injured, Say veil, of Alangaweka, replaced him in the ; Kaierau back line. Although noted lor their forwards, Kaierau won with their backs. They got the ball from the scrums and then set their backs to work, Mangaweka producing but little opposition, thou defence not being equal to stemming good passing rushes. Alangaweka appeared to have difficulty at one stage iu getting the front line of their pack down, but if they did not shine iu the set scrums, they appeared to better advantage in the loose. H usual, Lockett, Byres, Pleasants and Pairama played well in the Kaierau pack and vV. Firmin produced some of the dash for which ne was conspicuous last season. Protected by his lorwards, Hoskins did well at the base of the scrum and gave Jones some good passes. Smith was inclined to be erratic with his handling; Alorgan left Downes standing inoie than once. Stowers was also inclined to be rather erratic, but he made good use of the wind, which died down as the afternoon progressed. Smith, C. Dickson, S. Dickinson and N. Burrell did a good afternoon’s work in the Alangawcka pack. Lambert and Hartley were somewhat handicapped by slowness on the part of Noble when the Mangaweka pack gave ' the half the ball. But their tackling was not. of the best. The back Une, ' indeed, appeared to be composed of in- ! dividualists. I. Dickson played a useful game on the wing. D. Burrell was ■ fairly safe at full-back and was re--1 sponsible for the try* scored by Dickson. His field goal from the side-line ' was also a good effort. The teams were: — Mangaweka.—D. Burrell; I. Dickson. ' Downes, Taiuru; Lambert, Hartley; Noble; N. Burrell; F. Heise, Bmith. I Alatson, C. Dickson; Hamilton, Turnl bull, S. Dickson. Kaierau. —-btow'ers; Osman, Morgan, Burgess; Jones, Smith; Hoskins; i Byres; Firmin (2), Lockett, Sercombe; . Pleasants, Reynolds, Pairama. 1 Kaierau opened with the wind at i their backs and the sun iu their eyes. ■ A bright rearguard rush began the 1 game, in which all the Kaierau backs [ handled, Alorgan stab-kicking past i Taiuru for Burgess to move up and - dash for the line. He was brought down within feet of his objective by • Taiuru, who overhauled him. Alangai weka were obliged to force directly - afterwards. It was not long before » Kaierau scored, using their backs. , £mith broke through -nicely after re-

reiving from Jones. Morgan took his pass and sent Burgess away for the coiner. The winger had plenty ot loom and ran round to ground the ball behind the posts. Alorgan goaled. —Kaierau 5, Mangaweka 0. Mangaweka replied with a loose forward rush and N. Burrell almost scored when he broke away with the ball at toe. Kaierau forcing iu time. Hoskins kicked for a gap, after receiving from a ruck and Smith (Alangaweka), failed to smother. A melee j.ollowcd and Jones picked up and sent a low puss to Alorgan. Tne centre gathered the ball up from fiis toes and dummied his way over the line, lie missed the kick.—Kaierau 8, Alaugawek i U. Another score came from a similar movement. Kaierau hooked from a scrum and the ball travelled nom Hoskins to Junes, to Smith, who cut in, to Alorgan, wlio beat Duwnes with a dummy, to Osman, who dived through. I. Dickson’s tackle tu score in the cornei. Alorgan’s kick from tne side-line was penect. —Kaierau 13, Mangaweka U. I. Emitn broke away nicely for Alangaweka and flowers Kicked weakly to 1. Dickson's wing fur mm lorceu over the touch-line half a dozen yards from his objective. Kuie ran were penalised in nunt of me goal, but u. Dickson’s kick was earned to the side ol tne post l»y me wmd. 1. Dickson made another run when he caught a bail kicked, hapnazardly by iviorgan. {Stowers proved equal to the task of stopping ins man. Aiorgan and Bniilli changed places, ♦Smith going to centre. Dickinson and U. Dicason led a loose forward rush to the Kaierau twenty-live, and the maroons were penalised. 1. Dickson's kick from the line was a good one, but the wind again interfered. There was no further score at half-time. With the wind at their backs, Mangaweka began the second spell quietly, iheir’first score came irom a penalty taken in front of the goal by 1. Dickson following a forward dribbling rush and a very desultory reaiguard movement, in which the bail went out to Taiuru in a series of scrambles. The play returned from the wmg to the centre of the field, where Alangawcka scoied from a penalty. —Alangaweka 3, Kaierau 13. ♦Smith of Kaierau, wa.s injured and replaced by {Sayweil, of AiungaweKa, who went to first five-eighths. Jones , went to second and Alorgan to centre. Kaierau’s backs got going again and ail handled for Osman to get away and m-pass to Alorgan, who . centred, Lockett grounding under the posts, but was brought back for being offside. Stowers and Osman combined on the wing and the ball was centrcfi - W. Firmin securing from the ruck to 5 score under the posts. Morgan goaled. - —Kaierau JB, Alangaweka 3. Alangaweka scored again in turn ; when, to stem a loose forward rush by Alangaweka, Stowers booted to D Burrell, who was in position. Hi , scored a splendid field goal from the ; touch-line. —Alangaweka 7, Kaierau 13 , Alangaweka’s third score started in - exactly the same manner. D. Burrel collected on the side-line from a clear , ing kick. He was prevented from pot ; ting and so ran straight across the ; field. Kaierau were caught out ol position, but the defence rallied am! t Downes, who took Burrell’s pass, was . brought down on the line as he at 3 tempted to dummy his way through s The ball went out to 1. Dickson, wh( t was unmarked on the wing. All 1 ( 1 had to do was to ground the ball. Tht t same player missed the kick. —Manga r weka 10, Kaierau 17. Air. W. Molan was the referee.