DROPPED GOALS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 244, 5 July 1928, Page 8

DROPPED GOALS.

SNAP DROPS. May Lose Position. Perhaps as a result of the All Black games in South Africa, Bullot was generally applauded for doing the right thing when he dropped for goal on Saturday last against Matamata. Unfortunately he missed, and as he was in front of the posts at the time, with two men on his right, twenty yards to go, and only Kneebone to beat, in the writer’s opinion the correct play was to go for the try.

In such a movement three points should be a certainty, with an even chance of a „; sal from the place kick, as the positio.. should, in such a case, be good, while snap drop-kicking needs practice before any degree of perfection can be attained. Drop kicks have their value in Rugby, and a far higher value than has been estimated in New Zealand, and it must not be thought it is intended to discourage players in attempting to score by this method. Far from it; and it is quite evident New Zealand will have to pay more ■attention to this phase of Rugby in future with a view to producing a few Osier’s or Percy Bush’s. It must be remembered, however, that snap drops need much practice if accuracy is to be attained, and that it is only at definite times and positions when they should be attempted. These are too numerous to mention in a short article, but to make the point clear these explanations may be given: If a back drops at goal with his backs in scoring position midway between touchlines, he is sacrificing an almost certain—nothing is certain in Rugby—three points for a possible four. Further, in such a movement as is described above he is also sacrificing position, for when he misses, a force results. If after repeated attempts a side which is getting the ball finds that its backs are up against an impregnable defence, then, of course, snapdrops from a rush in centre field are permissible. The backs simply stand deeper and let fly. This is what South Africa did on Saturday. Any good back team with two men overlapping, however, should always reckon on the try with the possible extra two points from the goal. On the other hand, there are certain times when a good kicker may always go for the drop goal. A fullback gathering a weak, or any clearance kick from close defence, in his opponents’ half. A fine example of this kind of drop kick was Morlcel’s goal against New Zealand at Eden Park in the test match. Another position from which the kick may be used, is from the angle close to either touchline. Sheen and Badeley have both got goals in this manner though this kick is employed far more in the Old Country than in New Zealand or Australia. “ Ahr Albert ” Goldthorpe is perhaps the most famous exponent of this kick, having won dozens of matches and scored hundreds of points by its use, amongst a past generation of footballers.

This particular kick used from inside the 25 and close to touch, has two advantages. Firstly, the four four points which may be obtained; and, secondly, if it misses its object the wing threequarter has a chance to obtain possession as the angle is so acute that the ball travels from one side of the ground to the other. To those who have not seen Rugby played in South Africa or the Old Country, the degree of proficiency attained by many players in these countries would appear to be amazing. To be successful in this department, however, it must be remembered that a player has not time to look for the posts—their position has to be kept in mind’s eye. In the present All Black team Sheen is easily the best exponent of the snap goal, but so far has had few chances, and none at five-eighth—in which position he displays a keen eye for an opening—where most drop kick artists play. /