BRITAIN BEATS COAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 996, 12 June 1930, Page 8

BRITAIN BEATS COAST

I VISITORS’ SPURT IN LAST QUARTER HOME TEAM PUTS UP FIGHT (SUX Special Representative — Copyright) GEETMOUTH, Today. A biting easterly wind known locally as The Barber, because of its cutting qualities, introduced an Antarctic atmosphere and made handling difficult in vesterday’s match between Bulleri West Coast and Britain, wherein Bri- ! tain, gaining a definite ascendancy ! onlv in the last quarter of an hour. I rattled on a sequence of dazzling tries I to redeem an otherwise unimpressive i performance and to win by 34 points to H. , - ' Starting and finishing strongly ±>n- | tain in the intermediate stages shaped i verv moderately, neither the backs nor the' forwards exhibiting international quality. The forwards, conspicui ously led by Prentice, had begun by ! giving the backs plenty of the ball, both from the line-outs and scrums, but the Buller pack adopted countering tactics, smothering the tall British forwards in the line-outs and breaking quickly to counter their advantage in the scrums. "With McKnight, Goodall and Freitas playing fine fast football the Coast forwards at times more than held their own. In one instance after Britain had scored to gain a lead of 11 to six the Coasters with a grand rush simply swept the hesitant British backs aside in a foray to the line, where McKnight, who had already one try to his credit, dived over to repeat the effort. With this try converted scores were level with less than half an hour to go and the elated partisans of the local side were roaring their appreciation of the unexpected stand. Then a fine run along the touch-line by speedy Jones-Davies produced a further try, putting Britain three points ahead. But even now the indomitable Coast forwards refused to accept defeat and in another raking rush reached the British line, where, for five minutes, they were exceedingly dangerous till a timely free-kick brought the defenders relief. COAST PENALISED Repeated free-kicks were going against the local side for their reckless breaking tactics, whereby the breakaways, concentrating on hampering the British back play, were repeatedly caught palpably off-side. P’rom whistle to whistle Britain concentrated on opening up the game with the result that, even though repeated errors were made, a gathering of some 6,000 saw Rugby of a quality rare in these parts. This was particularly so in the closing stages, when every British try came from skilful finessing in which pace, clean handling and quick change in the direction of thrust were the all-important factors. Representative Rugby in Greymouth is played in the centre of the trotting course, with the result that the existing permanent stands are too far away for satisfactory use and temporary structures have to be erected. These were crowded yesterday, as were the surrounding banks and all available standing room, the Coast Rugby enthusiasts having come from places as far separated as Murchison and Ross to see the British team in action. Though almost frozen by the gentle attentions of The Barber, they gained some compensation from their own warm enthusiasm which more than once prompted a demonstration toward the referee, Mr. T. A. Fletcher, whose control, however, was very good, except that on occasions he overlooked British scrum breaches. The British hookers have not yet overcome their habit of adroitly hooking the ball before it has had a chance to pass the man on either side. British scrumwork, too, must improve. BRITISH PACK OFF FORM Though yesterday’s was on paper a first-class pack composed, with the exception of Hodgson, entirely 01 experienced internationals, it failed for long periods to function as a solid unit. The bustling Coast forwards as a result were frequently able to gain the advantage, though in physique they were plainly not the equals of the visitors. Freitas, the All Black trial man, was very useful, but better still was McKnight, a hard-working, clever for ward, who scored two tries. Goodall was another good toiler in a very even pack. Behind the scrum the Coastthough not brilliant, was sound, Houston going remarkably well at first five-eighths, while Martyn and Jamieson on the wings showed good turns of speed "when chances came their way. Both made great runs from interceptions and were only kept out by the gtillant tackling of JonesDavies, who played soundly in a strange position at fullback. Boole having hurt his hip in the first spell, successive changes were made in the British backs, Boole first going to the wing, while .Noviswcnt to centre and Murray to scrum-half. Later Boole, now limping about w r ith a hand on his hip in the “every picture tells a story” sort of attitude, went to fullback in place of JonesDavies, who came up to the left wing to enliven the final 20 minutes or so with a scintillating exhibition in which his clever change of pace provided him with three tries, while he had a direct hand in another and got across himself for a fourth which was disallowed through not properly touching down. With Spong, Jones-Davies was the only British back who got through yesterday’s game without making bad mistakes. Novis started well with three great runs, each of which terminated through passes going astray, but later his play lell away, neither he nor Knowles being completely happy in centre, where passes were both given and taken badly. Morley scored two goods tries in the first spell, but in the second very little play went his way. When it did Novis was prone to send out misdirected lob passes which Morley had little hope of gathering. EXCITING SECOND SPELL With Morley’s two tries against an unconverted try by McKnight, after a clearing kick by Jones-Davies had rebounded from the Coast forwards, Britain was only three points ahead at half-time. On resuming Jamieson intercepted between Knowles and Boole, ran to Jones-Davies, who gathered him, ball and all, w*ithin six feet of the line. The British forwards rallying in support, infringed, however, and Martyn goaled. Britain regained the lead when Parker converted a try by Wilkinson after Boole had centred to Ivor Jones, but lost it immediately when McKnight crowned a fine forward rush, Martyn converting. Jones-Davies now came up to the

wing and raced over from halfwav hi,* the try was disallowed. Once again he got possession, and this time scored 1 The Coast forwards made v great effort to draw level, but once efforts were spent Britain definitely rel gained command. Jones-Davies ttwo)~ Wilkinson and Novis putting on tries* all of which Barker converted. SPONG’S SOUND PLAY All these tries came from bright passing. Rew in once case making a great run almost to the line before the backs joined in for Jones-Davies to score, while for the last try Spor.tr made a fine effort on the blind side passing to Novis, who ran round behind the posts. Spong again demon* strated his general soundness and reliability and much interest centred in his duel with Fong, the Coast’s diminutive college-educated Chinese fiveeighth. Fong, though very safe on del fence, lacked the cleverness of his occidental rival.

In Jamieson, an ex- 440yds hurdle champion, the Coast had a fast wingthreequarter who often gained ground! but otherwise their backs shewed little capacity for gaining ground, in the first 15 minutes Britain, with a shade more finish might have put on four or five tries. After that both backs and forwards slackened and until Britain rose with the final burst it had registered a far from creditable performance. Several players, including Spong Prentice and Boole, who is the sole surviving regular scrum-half, suffered minor injuries yesterday and if any of these leave after-effects the position with regard to casualties will be more embarrassing than ever. PUTTING BALL IN SCRUM BRITISH “CATAPULTING” CRITICISED WING-FORWARDS AGAIN (SUX Special Representative — Copyright) GREYMOUTH, Today. Some interesting comment on the British team’s methods and style c*f play was made by Mr. A. A. Adams, president of the AA'est Coast union and English representative forward in 1910, when speaking at a dinner to the British team last evening. While applauding the British teams exhiliarting back play and fine sporting spirit in which the players subordinated the actual reeult to the enjoyment of the game. Mr. Adams condemned their method of catapulting the ball into the scrums, saying it did not provide a fair test between the opposing hookers. Concerning the wingforward controversy he said the only difference in style appeared to be thit where New Zealand played one, Britain played two. Mr. Baxter, himself an English representative forward, though of ten years’ earlier vintage than Mr. Adams, declined in his reply to be drawn on controversial topics, but paid a generous tribute to the Coast team’s fine forward play, and to the hospitable spirit in which they had been met everywhere in the Dominion. NORTH OTAGO REPS. TEAM FOR WEDNESDAY Press Association OAMARU, Wednesday. FollowinK is the Xorth Otago team to play the prospective All Blacks on Wednesday: Fullback, J. Grander; three-quarters, L. Ross. Grant. Mclntosh; five-eighths, T Trevathan. L. Hollow; half, G. Gaffaney: hookers. J. Simpson. G. MeCallum; lock. K. Cameron; supports. A Sim, S. Wills; back row. A. Clark, r>. Campbell; wingforward. T. Direen. Emergencies; Backs, K. Hunter, H. Kent, Veitch: forwards. J. Gillies. L. Park, I.- Frame. CAMPBELL GETS HIS CHANCE RUGBY LEAGUE TRIAL GAME X. Campbell (Marist) will replace S. Prentice (Richmond) in the Possibles v. Probables League trial match at Carlaw Bark on Saturday. Prentic# is not available owing to injuries.