Canterbury Backs Play Leading Role

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 17

Canterbury Backs Play Leading Role

Canterbury continued its good Rugby form when it convincingly beat South Canterbury’, 25-8, at Fraser Park, Timaru, yesterday.

Whereas against Wellington it was the Canterbury forwards who were dominant, this time it was the backs.

Given an overwhelming share of possession from line-outs and rucks, they were the main striking force.

It was an encouraging preliminary for the game ; against the Lions. The forwards ably controlled the vigorous South Canterbury < pack and the backs showed up in some delightful attacking movements. For Canterbury tries were scored by Arnold, Hay, Cottrell, Penrose and Cornelius; ; Arnold and Watt kicked field goals and Wyllie converted two tries. For South Canterbury, ' Darcy and Roddick scored tries and Beardesley kicked a conversion. 1 CONSTANT THRUSTS Until its tackling fell ’ away under the constant ' thrusts by the Canterbury ■ backs, South Canterbury had 1 played well. After 14 minutes in the ' second half it was only down

8-12, but once Canterbury began to run the ball and indulge in sudden switches of play, the South defence faltered. In the last 15 minutes Canterbury was completely on top and could well have scored more points. The Canterbury pack never really dominated the South Canterbury forwards. Rarely did Canterbury manage to burst through the line-outs or drive through in the loose but in all other phases the pack, well led by Cornelius, gave a fine exhibition of forward technique. TIGHT PACKING

The rucking, particularly, was impressive. If a Canterbury man was caught in possession the forwards swarmed round him, packing so tightly that it looked as if they were putting down a set scrum. Back would go the ball precisely to Flewellyn, who would start off another passing rush.

Relishing the abundant amount of possession the Canterbury backs tried all sorts of tricks and Arnold, delighting in having a chance to show his paces, took full opportunity to display his own particular brand of genius. His dartings and divings and sudden straight runs which would carry him through a thoroughly bemused defence, alone were worth the admission price. Collectively the Canterbury back-line did not function as well as it might have, mainly because sometimes the service from Flewellyn was a little slow and the South Canterbury tackling in set play was very good. But once play was loose the greater speed and skill of the Canterbury backs made them very dangerous on attack. KICKING FAILED McCormick had an unhappy day with his goal kicking and finally relinquished it in favour of Wyllie, who celebrated the honour by converting a sideline try. But in other facets of full-back play McCormick was very sound and his aggressive running started many of Canterbury’s attacks. Hay and Phelan did not have many opportunities on the wing but Phelan was enterprising in loose play and also tackled well, although one fumble presented South Canterbury with its second try. Taking the outside break often, Cottrell made some strong runs and he and Watt combined well. Watt was his usual sure self and also quite spritely on attack. Playing his first game for Canterbury at half-back, Flewellyn was sound. His passing was rather studied but in general play he did most things well. LITTLE HEATED He became a little heated when twice penalised for being offside around the scrum but calmed down when McCormick, acting the role of peace-maker, called out to him: “Take it easy.” The No. 8, Wyllie, was in magnificent form. He made some crashing runs from the end of the line-out and was an admirable link with the backs. Penrose and Cornelius were more involved in the tight play but both found time to bob up in passing movements. Francis and Banks were

most successful tn the lineouts, although it was not until late in the game that they consistently managed to pass direct from a clean take.

Hopkinson and Tanner were vigorous props and helped thicken up the lineouts. Creighton had a very good match. His quickness at the front of the line-out gained possession quite often and in the loose he was very prominent FEW CHANCES The South Canterbury backs had few opportunities on attack but with what did come their way the wings, Creba and Darcy, looked dangerous. Reilly defended well and Roddick and HaTllday were competent five-eighths. Vercoe tried hard to keep his team in the game and performed wonders on cover defence. Dench and Risman were sound locks, Dench was the best of the tight forwards, and Moffatt was always close to the ball. But in spite of their individual ability, the pack lacked the cohesion and technique of Canterbury's. A series of rucks which stretched the Canterbury defence gave South Canterbury its first points when Darcy scored in the corner. EVENED SCORES A snap field goal by Watt evened the scores and then Canterbury went ahead when Arnold scored after Cottrell had broken through and kicked ahead. Arnoffd dropped a goal shortly after half-time but the six-point lead did not last for long. McCormick was bowled over while taking an up-and-under and when Phelan fumbled a kick ahead, Roddick picked up the ball and ran 20 yards to score under the posts. Beardesley’s conversion made the score 9-8. Tries by Hay, Cottrell and Penrose, one converted by Wyllie, gave Canterbury 11 points in 16 minutes to lead 204 L In the last minute Cornelius scared and Wyllie converted again.