REPRESENTATIVE TRIAL

Marlborough Express, Volume LXVIII, Issue 148, 25 June 1934, Page 7

REPRESENTATIVE TRIAL

POSSIBLES DEFEAT PROBABLES. SPARKLING BACK PLAY. Encouraging form was shown in the senior representative trial match for which the cup fixtures were suspended on Saturday afternoon. Keen interest was taken by the public, the grandstand at Lansdowne Park being packed. The teams turned on a pleasing class of football, displaying a willingness to open up and throw the ball about at every opportunity. The result was a secondary consideration, but it must have given considerable satisfaction to the selection committee (Messrs J. H. Priddle, G. Fawcett, and L. Robinson) that their first choice — the Possibles — ran out comfortable victors by 26 points to 16. What was of major moment was the manner of scoring, and it was gratifying to see the performance of the winning backs, who gave a sparkling exhibition once they struck combination. It took them a while to shake down, but for threefourths of the game they were always superior, and at times brilliant. The pack kept the rear division well supplied with the ball when they needed it, and, with Bythell a safe conveyance, the inside men had ample opportunities to show their paces. Lane, Robinson, and Diack were the stars of the match, but neither winger was particularly impressive. Jack MacDonald was kept very quiet by Grant, his opposite number, while Patchett could not be expected to fall straight into the ways of a new position. Barnes, Wilson, Cameron, and Grant played well in the , opposition backs, but the division as a whole lacked combination and was not conspicuous in concerted movements. There was a keen contest all through between the packs, and it can only be said that there were more deserving claimants than there are places in the representative team; On the whole, the Possibles hooked most successfully, but the line-out honours went to the other side. The weather was fine, with only spasmodic sunshine. The ground was in remarkably good shape after ■the heavy rain, the going being only a trifle slippery, whilst the ball remained fairly dry. The teams were : — Possibles (Red) : E. Bartlett (C) ; J. MacDonald (M), E. H. Diack (W), L. Patchett (O); A. Robinson (M), and D. Lane (O); J. Bythell (O); J. Best (O.B.); McBryde (Cen.), Mason MacDonald (M), R. Woolley (M), M. MacDonald (M); R. Woodgate * (A) , B. Ewart (Cen), and C. Lovell (H). Probables (White) : H. Cameron (A) ; R. Bryant (Car) , R. Wilson (Cen, capt.)), and F. Grant (O); C. O'Sullivan (O) and Neal (Car),; J. Barnes (A); G. Baker (Cen); F. Roberts (Cen), J. Drake (M), M Woolley (M), and R. Charters (W); F. Bragg (O.B.), D. Hammond (A), and W. Maher (A). LOW-SCORING SPELL. There was no scoring for the first half-hour, and then it was the Probables who turned the trick. They were the early aggressors, but soon after had a lucky escape from a Red passing bout along their line. Lane missed an easy penalty goal, and Diack a harder one. The Possibles, after ten minutes, were deflnitely superior, playing open football, but without penetration, the passing just going across the paddock. Thep the Whites began to hook, and Barnes made some good runs, but the defence was sound. At this stage the Red handling became faulty, and minor infringements were numerous. Benefiting by these mistakes, the Whites cleared their half to set up some solid attacks that disclosed a weakness in the defence. Grant started Baker on a run that went right through to the full-.back, and then Neal bolted through the same gap, only to be grounded just short of the line. Roberts, however, carried on the attack, and, when tackled at the corner by Bartlett, passed infield. M. Woolley, Maher, Drake, and Bryant were all there when the ball was touched down. Wilson converted. — Probables 5-0. This put the Reds on their mettle — and not before time. A loose rush forced the Whites and then the backs had a gallop. Patchet beat Bryant and raced to the corner, passing infield to Lovell, whose pace had carried him up in time, and he scored. Lane added the major points, equalising the scores. — 5 all. In the ensuing play the White backs indulged in too much kicking, repeatedly giving possession away. They continued to attack in the Red half, and the forwards held the opposition in subjection. There was a certain try on the cards when the ball shot out from a ruck on the 25. O'Sullivan broke clean through. He ran to Bartlett right on the line and passed, but Grant was not up and MacDonald

accepted and cleared. Wilson missed a kick at goal from 40 yards out, and the Maroons celebrated the escape by sweeping the field. In front of the White goal Robinson put the ball high, and through Bryant's failure to field was able to gather in on the bounce and score a simple try against the sticks. Cameron's prompt charge robbed Lane of the conversion, the ball being touched in flight. — Possibles 8-5. Shortly after, a longrange penalty shot by Robinson struck the cross-bar, but he was compensated a moment later when he goaled from an easier position. The Possibles were thus able to leave the field at the interval leading by 11 points to 5. POSSIBLES ON TOP. No changes were made in the teams for the second spell. Three minutes j after resumption, the Red swarmed into the White zone, where the ball was heeled to the backs, Lane and Robinson working together for the latter to score as he was collared by Cameron. The kick was disallowed. —Possibles 14-5. A skirmish by the Whites to the other end saw Wilson miss a penalty shot. The attackers were soon driven back, largely through brilliant cutting in by Robinson, who had the opposition guessing. The moment they were within scoring distance again the Red backs flashed into action, the leather swishing along the line to Diack, who drew Cameron and Grant before putting MacDonald over for a really good try. Diack missed. — Possibles 17-5. Play continued more evenly for some time — at least the Reds did 'not look so likely to score. However, Robinson obtained possession about half-way and single-handed cut in and tricked his way to the line for a bonnie solo try. J. MacDonald missed. — Possibles 20-5. Soon after the Whites broke the monotony of the one-sided scoring, M. Woolley gaining a lot of ground with, a fast break. The other forwards swarmed round to dribble across, Roberts getting the score. O'Sullivan failed. Probables 8-20. Barnes, Neal, and p'Sullivan now began to worry the defence with heady thrusts from the 25, but they had no one to finish off their good work. Lane changed the venue in spectacular fashion by bursting out of the ruck near half-way and threading through the defence, finally passing to Patchett, who bumped Wilson aside and scored. — Diack missed. — Possibles 23-8. A minute later, as the Reds continued to attack, Diack handed to Patchett at full speed, but the winger was taken "top and tail" right on the line. Fast in and out passing by the Reds ensued, but finally Grant snapped up, sidestepped J. MacDonald, and, with a short punt over Bartlett's head, led the defence a merry dance from inside his own half, finally to> dribble across and dive for a dandy solo try under the posts. The effort drew warm applause from the delighted crowd, who were obviously " riding" the Whites. Wilson converted. — Probables 13-23 with 20 minutes to go. Lane initiated a fast rush to the other end, but it was broken up, and O'Sullivan returned the compliment A solid barrage was put over from the 25 by the Possibles, and finally a perfect swerve enabled Diack to beat the inside backs all the way and score on his own. Lane missed. — Possibles 26-23. After a period of quiet play, Bragg started a splendid dribbling rush that brought the final score1 for the Probables. Drake carried on the rush and M. Woolley finished it with a headlong dive beside the uprights. Wilson missed a gift goal, and the game ended 26-16 in Possibles' favour. Mr C. T. Hansby refereed.