TECHNICAL TOO NIPPY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 703, 1 July 1929, Page 6

TECHNICAL TOO NIPPY

TACTICS BEAT MARIST The soggy, ankle-deep mud through which Technical Old Boys and Maris ploughed on No. 3 ground at Eden Park on Saturday was the first real taste of wet-day football conditions. Technical’s fourteen points’ victory was as convincing as it was complete. The ex-students gained the day because they adapted their tactics to the ground conditions. Short, well-con-trolled dribbling rushes were the principal factors in their win. Apart from their dashing forwards, Technical's backs were too fast and nippy for the opposing rearguard. They moved nicely on attack, handling the greasy ball well, but on defence they invariably nipped their opposition’s movements in the bud by smart, vigorous tackling. C. Keane shone out as easily the best forward on the ground. He led Technical’s pack well always in the van, and smashing through and dribbling in brilliant style. His solo try was one of the best pieces of dribbling seen this season. Haslam and Turbott contributed their share in the tight and loose work. The backs co-operated well with the forwards in the attacking movements, though the tries were largely the result of individual effort. Common, threequarter, was always dangerous with his flashing runs, his smartness off the mark paving the way for Technical’s first try—although it was an opportunist effort. He swept through an opening in the Marist’s back, gathering in the leather in his way in sparkling fashion, and after a spectacular 60yd. gallop was dropped a few yards from the line. Harris at the base of the scrum was equally bright on defence as well as attack. His solo try “on the blind” was a particularly meritorious effort.

Marist, on the other hand, could not settle down to the wet-day style of play. Time and again the Tykes attempted to open up the game, but the greasy ball was particularly elusive, and harassing attacks of the Technical’s backs gave the Marist rearguard few openings. Tykes forwards worked hard in the heavy scrumming that was a feature of the game. Stoupe and Marshall were outstanding for their dash in the loose, the pair being prominent for the consistent followingup and breakaways from the ruck. The rearguard was not impressive, being slow to get moving. The fullback, Cornthwaite. gave a fairly sound exhibition. fielding and kicking with good judgment.