RUGBY WOODEN SPOON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 89, 16 April 1938, Page 4

RUGBY WOODEN SPOON

IRELAND’S TEAM UNLUCKY. WALES PROFITS BY HALF-BACK’S RETIREMENT. Although Ireland lost all their three international Rugby matches, and have had as many as 70 points scored against them, they would be heartened by their final display in the game with Wales at Swansea. The margin against them was only 11 points to five—a goal, a penalty goal had a try to a goal—and the changes which had been made in the back division were so successful, until the side suffered irreparable damage, that the selectors were entitled to believe that they had solved most of their problms. Indeed, from what 1 saw at Swansea, Ireland ought to have a grand side of young players next season, states our London correspondent. A few minutes before the interval Ireland led by a goal to a penalty goal. Then G. E. Cromey, the halfback, had to leave the field suffering from concussion, and he was unable to take any further part in the match. Only then did Wales begin to show any superiority. With eight against seven, the Welsh forwards in the second half outscrummaged the Irish pack, but even with this advantage they were extremely disappointing. Behind the scrummage, too, the play of Wales was poor. Trouble started at scrum half, H. Tanner being slow in getting the ball out and showing little initiative. But he was not as disappointing as C. W. Jones at standoff half. Rarely does a good player show such mediocre form. Jones not only bored his backs across the field, but he threw the ball wildly when tackled. He could do nothing right, not even when he crossed the Irish line and then was held up to miss a try through trying to race between the posts. In the circumstances •' the three-quarters could be excused many of their shortcomings, but even they never got going in the way that was expected. Ireland were a more compact team than against either England or Scotland. the defence being notably stronger. They also showed more of th? traditional liveliness and, when at full strength, the thrust of the backs was disconcerting to their opponents. Forward they were definitely superior until they became a man short, claiming a full share of the ball in the scrums and having more dash and pace in the open. Indeed, the general impression was that it was a most unlucky match for Ireland.