Great Spoiling Forwards

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 989, 4 June 1930, Page 9

Great Spoiling Forwards

AUCKLAND BACKS KEPT BUSY Waikato’s Big Effort WHEN eight, hard, rugged forwards set out with the one grim determination to break up the back play of their opponents, and succeed in maintaining a hot pace throughout, they can dictate the trend of the play even against superior combinations. Briefly, this was the position at Hamilton yesterday afternoon when Auckland just managed to hold off a fine, spoiling pack of forwards long enough in the final torrid quarter to win the annual representative match against Waikato by seven points to six.

There was an attendance of about 7.000 at Rugby Park, and although the game could not be classed as a good scientific exhibition, the crowd was treated to a hard and interesting match. From the outset the rugged Waikato forwards set about bustling the Auckland backs, who, robbed of the protection of the Auckland “imaginary line’’ rule, were not able to operate with either their usual dash or confidence. # The forwards paid particular attention to Corner, the Auckland half, and his passing out from the scrums suffered in consequence. On either side, however, there was little organised back play, although individual flashes of spectacular play were seen. Waikato scored first with a penalty goal kicked by Mitchell, and at halftime there had been no further score. In the second half Jamieson dropped a goal and Minns scored an unconverted try, while Allen goaled from a free-kick for Waikato, making the final score: Auckland 7, Waikato 6. FEW PASSING RUSHES As is generally the case wiien Auckland plays Waikato on its own ground, the showing of the city team was disappointing and far below standard. Efforts were made to open up the game but the bustling tactics of the home forwards and backs, who, apparently, only played with that one idea in mind, effectually prevented any fast and open play being seen. Whatever passing rushes were attempted were mostly of the flat-footed variety, and hard tackling did the rest. In his general play Corner showed

up well on many occasions but against the spoiling tactics of the home pack, which played, an outstanding game, he could not always get his passes away as cleanly as could have been desired. This did not greatly help the fiveeighths, Jamieson and Jones, who. with the opposing five-eighths marking them close up, wanted delivery of the ball as quickly as possible if anything was to be expected from them. Under the circumstances little fault could be found with either Jamieson or Jones, particularly the latter, whose defence and handling of low passes was always good. Jamieson could have Improved matters considerably by standing deeper. Both Corner and Jamieson require a little coaching together.

The impression gained from watching Jones’s play was that he would shape much better a little further out. His display also confirms tho impression that ho shows promise. Lucas, at centre, played his best era me this sea son. His defence was good and he showed far more enterprise than any other back in the side. He was responsible for several very fine runs. Neither of the two wings, Hook and Minns, got many opportunities. Minns was the better of the two, his handling being much better than Hook’s, who fumbled badly at times. A bad kick received from an opponent while lying on the ground, however, did not appear to improve his play. Butler was safe and sound, but hardly up to the standard of his vis a vis, Thomas, who gave a fine exhibition. In the forwards, Laurie Knight was the outstanding figure. Ho worked heroically in the tight and worked hard from whistle to whistle. Batty, Anderson and A. Knight were also prominent, but as a pack the forwards did not work with the usual cohesion Palmer and Hadley hooked well, and instead of line-outs, L. Knight, who led the forwards, elected to take scrums in which Auckland held a distinct advantage. Bustling play by the Waikato forwards, however, generally nullified this advantage. A number of penalties were given against Auckland lor lifting the feet in the scrums, and for unfairly putting the ball in. THOMAS PROMINENT In the Waikato rearguard Thomas, the Morrinsville fullback, was the outstanding figure. Safe and always dependable in his handling, Thomas undoubtedly was worth many points to his side. Tuck, the ex-All Black, who is again residing in Hamilton, played a useful game, his defensive work being good Mitchell (half) and St. George

(second five-eighth), although not outstanding on attack, played good defensive games, their play being well suited to the forw’ard game adopted. Both tackled well. Carlsen, the exWanganui player, has the weight and speed to make a capital centre, but his handling is not good, several passinsr rushes failing through his inability to accept his passes. Allen was easily tho best of the two wings, showing a nice turn of speed. The forwards were a hard-playing, conscientious lot. and despite the fierce pace they set up at the outset, lasted surprisingly well. They were ably led by C. Cameron, a young forward of splendid physique, who was a constant source of trouble to the Auckland insides. Cameron shows consider able promise and should go further. Other good forwards in a very even pack were A. Cameron, Courtney and Bonham. Storey, the wing-forward, although inclined to get off-side overmuch, was a very capable spoiler, one such who would certainly not gladden the heart of Mr. James Baxter.

Summed up briefly. It can be said that Auckland tried to play good foot ball, but the Waikato forwards would not let them. For the past three seasons the Waikato forwards have* played great spoiling games against Auckland on their own ground. Yesterday’s display was the best they have given for some time. It was hard, rugged play, and it crippled all back play. PRINCE OF WALES CUP SOUTHERN MAORIS BEAT NORTHERN MATCH IN CHRISTCHURCH Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. The South Island Maoris beat the North Island Maoris by 19 points to 3 in the match for the Prince of Wales Cup at Park this afternoon. The game was intended as a trial match for the selection of the New Zealand Maori side to play the British team on July 9. The game was won by the supremacy of the Southern forwards, who played strenuously throughout. Both sets of backs showed enterprise In throwing the ball about, but too many passes went amiss. The South Island’s first try was scored by Tom Robinson, who gained possession from the line-Out. North Island retaliated with a brilliant passing bout, which ended in Watson going over near the corner. Manihera scored the next try for South at the end of a good forward rush.

After half-time the pace slowed noticeably, but the game was still interesting. Philips kicked a penalty goal from a difficult angle after spectacular passing. McDqqbUl scored wide out, and Philips kicjhed another fine goal. A few minute* later. Toby Robinson scored for South behind the posts, and Philips converted. TARANAKI’S BIG WIN WANGANUI DOWN 48 POINTS Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday. - In a Rugby match today Taranaki defeated Wanganui by 53 points to 5. Taranaki’s machine-like back scoring movements would have been monotonous had they not been varied occasionally by forward rushes that ended in scores. For many years this annual match has been closely contested. Changes in the Taranaki backs today made a remarkable difference. WAIRARAPA BEATS H.B. LAST-MINUTE VICTORY Press Association NAPIER. Tuesday. Wairarapa defeated Hawke’s Bay in a Rugby match today by 18 points to 16. The last few minutes of the game were most exciting. At half-time Hawke’s Bay was leading by 8 points to 3, and 10 minutes before the end were still ahead, by 3 6 points to 8. Then Mill scored and converted, raising the visitors’ total to 13. Just before time Mill scored again, and Fuller converted, winning the match. Wairarapa’s strength was mainly in their forwards. DARGAVILLE TOURNAMENT From Our Own Correspondent DARGAVILLE, Tuesday. W'et weather prevailed for the Northern Wairoa Rugby Union's annual birthday celebrations today. Nevertheless, there was a good attend a nee. The finals of the seven-a-side events resulted: Senior Grade. —Northern Star 3, defeated Southern 0, for the Allen Shield. The only jscore was a try by I'j. Wilson. Six teams took part in the junior competition. Ruawai 3, beat Southern 0, for the Ruawai Cup, Smith scoring a try. Four teams took part in the third grade matches, Dargaville High School 3. beating Ruawai 0. In the Rugby Union Cup for primary schools, Ruawai 6, beat Aratapu 3. TAKAPUNA GRAMMAR MATCH In a match at Devonport yesterday, Takapuna Grammar School first fifteen defeated an old boys’ team by 10 points to ft. The game was very evenly contested, and at half-time there was no score. In the third quarter Foreman crossed for School, and Eade converted. Old Boys equalised in the next spelL. when Lewis scored and O’Brien put tho kick over. With even play to within a few minutes of time, the game looked like a draw, until Eade scored and converted the winning try for school.