RUGBY LEAGUE NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 July 1947, Page 8

RUGBY LEAGUE NOTES

COMMENT ON SATURDAY’S GAMES (By SYDNEY G.”) In the early game, Gonville Rovers v. Aramoho, the latter had a fairly comfortable win. Downes, the Aramoho full-back, had a field day in more ways than one, kicking with uncanny accuracy, and showing sound judgement and ability in defence. Downes converted all the five tries scored by Aramoho, 10 points coming from his boot. Con Mullaine, captain of Aramoho, is as wily as ever, and this young team, bids fair to make its mark, in the League competition under Mullaine’s leadership. The return of Jack Skelsey, after a painful eye injury, was more than welcome as fears were entertained at one stage that he would not play football again. The Rovers lapsed into mediocrity, and with the probable exception of Box and Mete Kingi, the team appeared to be listless and was trailing most of the time. This is not the real form of the Blues; and it is too be hoped that the morale of the Rovers will not suffer, because a loss or two have come their way. Gonville’s Win The Eastern Suburbs v. Gonville match was somewhat one sided in the first half. The young and much lighter Suburbs combination appeared overawed by their heavier and more experienced opponents. Gordon Matson has welded the Gonville team into a good side but League followers will award full marks to Eastern Suburbs for the grand tight put up, particularly in the final quarter hour, against powerful opponents. It did appear that the Gonville team slowed down to some extent in the latter stages. Perhaps this was intended as a sporting gesture on the part of Matson, captain of Gonville, but in any case, such a move did not by any means detract from the excellent game Suburbs played. Tonkin, the young Suburbs forward, was outstanding, as also was G. McCormick. Indeed, the Suburbs men all gave grand service in a tough match.

The Suburbs combination had improved considerably, but to compensate to some degree for the lack of weight and thrust in the scrums, an attempt should be made to still further speed up the backs. With fast, nippy backs, some of the advantage of the “heavy forward’’ theory can be offset. It is a cardinal principle ii> League, and it cannot be repeated too often, that other things being equal, possession from the scrums is the trump card. But if other considerations are not equal, a clever set of backs can outsmart the “heavy forward’’ domination of the scrum manoeuvre.

The New Zealand selectors have apparently adopted the “heavy forward ’ theoory in selecting the team to tour Britain. But in Australia, it frequently happens that a much lighter side, with speedy elusive backs, prevails over the big fellow's.

Points in the Wanganui Rugby League’s championship competition are tabulated as follows:

G. W. L. F. A. P. City 4 1 71 26 8 Aramoho 6 4 2 88 68 8 E. Suburbs . . 6 1 5 <38 112 2 Gonville v> 4 1 134 63 Gon. Rovers . 6 1 □ 35 97 1