Rugby Surprise

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 957, 28 April 1930, Page 6

Rugby Surprise

rECHNICAL DEFEAT VARSITY

Weak Inside Play

BAD passing anil lack of thrust on the part of the inside backs led to the defeat of Varsity, runner-up in last year’s competition, at the hands of Technical Old Boys on Saturday afternoon. The game was neither-fast nor exciting. Although the players appeared reasonably fit considering the delay which a late Easter has caused to club practices, the game lacked zest. Many of the players, also, appeared not to be on very familiar terms with the ball, and clumsy handling was very noticeable.

Varsity was the first to attack and jfor the greater part of the first quarier kept Technical Old Boys defending’, but the attack carried little punch «>r sting. The forwards fed the backs •well and time and again Rae opened up his backs, only for the ball to travel across instead of down the paddock. The passing also was haphazard and neither of the wings got much opportunity to show their pace. At half-time the score was 6-3 m Technical’s favour. R. Couper had drawn first blood for Old Boys with a penalty kick and Rae had followed with a try for Varsity. Just before half-time Roseveare scored for Technical, the kick failing. In the second half Minns equalised with a good try, but a try by C. Keane converted by Harris and an unconverted try by Jiaslam put the game beyond doubt. Although the combination among Hie Technical backs was not a great improvement on the display given by Varsity the green backs all round were ix more enterprising lot and appeared to get through much more work. FI. Couper showed a nice turn of speed on the wing and on several occasions kept Minns busy. Couper is quick off the mark and anywhere near the line js always a source of danger. Has--la.m. at centre, played a useful game and was always safe. D. Keane, who liad to retire with an injured jaw near the end of the game, made few mistakes and was a safe custodian. IK. Harris was also prominent behind the pack and made the most of his opportunities. In a very even pack of forwards A. Keane. Blow and Coll were noticeable for consistently good work, while O. Keane, who holds the troving commission, was always in the picture.. NEEDS STRENGTHENING Until Varsity strengthens the inside fracks the threequarter line will not be able to operate to the best advantage. Kae, who has transferred from Training College, fed his backs well, but rarely was much progress made. With the exception of the movement from which Minns scored little effective work was seen, most of the rushes {fading out on the touch-line. In the concluding stages Vic Butler, who \h leading Varsity this season, made one cr two changes in an attempt to pull the game out of the fire. The fullback went up to second five-eighths and sS totter dropped back to centre, Stokes taking Butler s place at fullback. But it was too late in the day to carry nny effect. time sounding shortly afterward with the score unchanged. Butler played his usual safe game pt fullback, but he had a day off with liis kicking, his failure in this direc-

tion costing Var sity the game. The threequarter line was much below last year’s standard. Through the reasons stated above Minns was given few opportunities and all through the game was only seen in two or three shoTt gallops. On the other wing, Var-

sity fielded » new man in Millikcn. a brother of Tont Millikeu, the well-known Christchurch forward, but there were few opportunities for him to show his paces. V.oth Mackay and Stotter lacked tlirust and both will need to be speeded •no if the rearguard is to function at nil effectively. Jolly, the Dunedin 3 over, played a. sound game and Should be an acquisition to the side. Anderson, ‘who got going in the Second half. Stneev. Jenkin and LdWards were about the best of a hardworking pack. Mr. G. Peace was the referee.