RUGBY COMMENT. N

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 260, 27 June 1932, Page 6

RUGBY COMMENT. N

To the Editor. Sir, — As one of the spectators who followed closely the game between the High School and Kahukura junior teams last Saturday, I must challenge the fairness of tbs comment that appeared in the 'football column of last week's issue of the "Post." Your correspondent states that Kahukura secured a rather flulcy win over High School, and adds : "a draw would have been a fair indication of the game." Without' wishing in any way to discredit the fine display given by the School fifteen, II would lilce to run over the facts as seen from the sideline and in these tbs report of the game in Monday's "Post" will bear me oiit. In the first half, Kahukura had the advantage of a strong wind and School crossed the half-way line on few occasions, play being, for the major part of that spell in School territory. Though Kahukura had the best of tbe the game territorially, their opponents had a slight advantage in the set scrums and line-outs, credit also musb be given for their sound defence. Kahukura were superior in the loose and showed better tactics in the backs. In the second half of the game, School were 70 per cent. on the defensive and had to force on four occasions. The winners' two tries were gained from scrums on School's line after repeated attempts to get over. If scoring two tries and lceeping your opponents on the defensive most of the game is fluky, it would be inte-

xesting to know bow your correspondent would define a fair win. In a further paragraph he says: "Kahulcura's tactics were successful, but not good football." Still, the winners showed their superior tactics in playing the seven-man scrum with the extra man in the backs, thereby eompletely breaking up the School's back combination. In support of the referee, I thinlc his decisions were fair to both sides, although several infringements passed his notice. But continual tune on the whistle does not always brigliten up the play in junior football, and the absence of this in the High SchoolKahulcura match was largely responsible for the clean game and fine display shown by both sides. — I am. etc.. BE FAIR. Rotorua, June 24, 1932.