FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1929, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

A DRAWN GAME. IRELAND V. WALES. (By R. T. Gabe, the Welsh International), LONDON, March 11. The result of the match between Ireland and Wales at Belfast—a goal each—was about as accurate a reflex of the game as the most extreme partisan of either side could conscientiously. wish. The struggle at forward was epic. The Irish forwards, exerting eveiy ounce and lasting to the ond, played with their characteristic abandon, btu they met a pack equally devastating. The 'footwork on both sides was really good. As an international encounter the game was quite up to the average in the number of thrills and in the quick changes. The passing on both sides at times was decidedly slipshod. In the first half many movements that promised well fizzled out harmlessly. The excessive keenness with which the play was invested contributed largely to the remissness of the players. It is interesting to note that the tries were obtained by Davy and Frank Williams, the stand-off halfbacks, and they were scored in the same spot under the crossbar. TWO FINE HALF-BACKS. Both received the service from their scrum half-backs, and both cut tlirough in splendid fashion. Williams had the most difficult task as the way he eluded three or four Irishmen remains a puzzle to me. These two players were the most prominent on the field, but, whereas Davy received well-directed passes from iSugden, Williams was not always so fortunate. W. C. Powell withstood a lot of buffeting as only he can take, and barring his occasional wildness in passing lie rendered yeoman service for Wales.

The display of the three-quarters as a line on both sides was marred in effect by the bad finishing. , But praiseworthy efforts were contributed by each individual in turn. 'Either George Stephenson was selfconscious of his recent injury or lie found the marking of H. M. Bowcott and Guy Morgan too efficient. The truth is that he was not the potent factor that he usually is. The new cap Growe was equally thrustful and equally safe on defence. Stephenson has delighted us with so many heart-stirring runs that we are inclined to depreciate his form and his value when he only does the orthodox.

Bvers and Arigho contributed their quota very dexteriously, but they often suffered from the lack of nicely timed transfers.

The best combined movements were engineered by the Welsh backs. Twoi of these particularly were reminiscent of Welsh strategy at its best. They were as startling in execution as they, were daring in conception. Powell served Frank Williams, who ran straight, and instead of passing in the accepted fashion to his left, gave to Morley for first time and to Guy Morgan the second, on his light between himself and the scrimmage.

With the quick breaking away of the Irish forwards, it is surprising that this movement succeeded each time.

Morley and John Roberts made heroic efforts to score, but the speed of their opponents was the factor which prevented these efforts matur-

ing. Roberts made a gallant effort to give Stewart the dummy when running down the touchline, hut the little Irish defender refused to take the bait and ibundled him unceremoniously into touch. Guy Morgan showed more of his true self than against France and was always safe, and Bowoott played soundly and resourcefully. The full-back play was one of the main features of this strenuous struggle. If Bassett is said to be the*better it is because he was placed in more awkward situations than Stewart. Neither of them made a mistake and both made excellent use of the touehlin© in their defensive kicking. I liave purposely refrained from individualising the forwards. It would bo invidious where each . and every one worked like a Trojan.