Wanaka Defeats Queenstown

Lake County Mail, Issue 47, 28 April 1948, Page 5

Wanaka Defeats Queenstown

Wauaka defeated Queenstown in the opening Rugby game of the Vincent Sub-union’s competition played at Queenstown last Saturday. Results were: —Wanaka: E. Lindsay (field goal), J. Trevathan (one try) 6; Queenstown: J. Taylor (one try) 3. Queenstown; J. Taylor (one try) 3 The general standard of play was not high and there is much room for improvement in all sections of both teams. However, mention must be made of the quick service to the backs

given by both half-backs, J. Trevathan (Wanaka) and J. Spence (Queenstown). The first five-eighths marked each other well and for this reason their outside men should have seen the ball more often and quicker. Holding the ball too long by inside men caused the other backs to crowd, drop passes and forward pass. By the time they got the ball their opponents were on them, the forwards had broken up and there was little room to move in. Good football has shown that a centre or

three-quarters can only be expected to do any good when he receives the ball while moving at top speed. J. Taylor’s try for Queenstown p'roves that these men should be given more opportunities. At the same time, much £ improvement is needed in passing. Several good movements were marred by faulty passing. Some players on the other hand were watching their opponents instead of the ball and

dropped good passes. There is always a danger when running with the ball inside your own twenty-five. J. O’Connor, Queenstown’s full-back, did not make his mistake a second time when caught in possession in front of the posts. Both he and Wanaka’s full-back, B. Trevathan, were having difficulty in finding the line. F. Anderson, Wanaka’s second five-eighth, was taking some late passes but showed that he had a burst of speed.

Wanaka’s forwards made some good rushes with the ball at their toes. Both

teams received a fair share of the ball from set scrums but when Queenstown lost L. Inder through injury in the second half, Wanaka saw most of it. Failure to keep on side in loose rucks led to penalties against both teams. G. McLaren and E. Buchanan worked well for the Queenstown pack and D. Leach, E, Winn and S. Smith were honest toilers for Wanaka. Teams were: —

Wanaka. —Forwards: G. Campbell, L. Ewing, S. Smith, D. Leach, C. Umbers, E. Winn, W. Eobertson, W. Eickerby. Backs: J. Trevathan, E. Lindsay, F. Anderson, I). McLennan, T. Anderson, 0. Collings, D. Trevathan, Queenstown. —Forwards: J. Munro (replaced by Boyd after injury), L. Inder (not replaced when injured), J. Dagg, J. Elliot, G, McLaren, E. Hansen, N. Grant, E. Buchanan. Backs: J. Spence, E. Anderson, L. Ford, A. McLean, W. Anderson, J. Taylor, J. O’Connell. Eeferee. —Mr W. K. Hayward.