RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CANTERBURY SHIELD TEAM PLAYERS SELECTED TO PRACTISE (By "MILES") The team chosen to practise for .selection in the fifteen to play for Canterbury this year in defence of the Ranfurly Shield, the selectors reserving the right to add to the list, is as follows: Backs.—K. C. Stuart (Marist), R. M. Smith (Christchurch), M. J. Dixon (Sydenham), A. E. G. Elsom (Albion), A. C. W. McPherson (Ellesmere), C. A. McDonald (Marist), J. Wayne (Technical), P. J. Creedy (Marist). Forwards.—-B. P. Eastgate (Linwood), D. Young (Technical), N a Teague (Technical), J. J. Small (Marist), K. F. Meates (Marist), J. D. Stewart (University), S. F. Hill (Ellesmere), J. H. Mauger (Ellesmere), K. Fincham (Ellesmere), L. T. Davies (Hurunui). It is known that E. Hern (Old Boys), who suffered an injury two weeks ago, is not yet fit enough to play. C. McDonald (Marist) is also a doubtful starter in tomorrow’s club game against Christchurch. To many the most notable omission is P. B. Vincent, who was captain of the Canterbury team against West Coast this year, the South Island halfback last year, and a member of the team which won the Ranfurly Shield. Vincent was not in the South Island team this year. The Otago University half-back, L. J. Townsend, played behind the scrum and P. J. Creedy was an emergency. The good form shown by Vincent last year has not been reproduced in club football this season, and on form last year there are many who think that Creedy was unluckier than Vincent to miss All Black selection. Another school of thought suggested that Vincent or M. Logan (Technical) would be chosen as half-back, with Creedy as first five-eighths, for on anything shown this season Canterbury is badly in need of a good first five-eighths. The other backs have chosen themselves on last year’s form. A. W. C. McPherson improves with every game. A. E. G. Elsom, just recovering from an injury, will soon strike his top form, and M. J. Dixon and R. M. Smith cannot be replaced on form shown. If additions are made to the list of backs to practise, the name of W. Snellex (North Canterbury) may appear as an extra three-quarters. The inclusion of the Ellesmere hooker, K. Fincham, may help to keep the regular rake, D. Young, up to his work. All who saw the Town-Coun-try game last Saturday will approve of the inclusion of L. Davies and J. H. Mauger as locks and will be disappointed in the omission of a very lively No. 8 in R. Moffatt (Ellesmere). The 18 chosen may form the basis of the training squad, and the selectors have rightly reserved the privilege of adding to the list. Players will practise on Sunday, July 11, at 10 a.m., wet or fine, at Rugby Park. Anyone not available should advise the secretary of the Rugby Union at once. Advt. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS Under 17 team players please meet N.P. 4 at 2.15 p.m. sharp. POVERTY BAY BEATS BUSH (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, July 8. Poverty Bay beat the Bush touring team in a representative Rugby match at Gisborne this afternoon by 20 points to 12. For Poverty Bay, R. A. White (2), B. J. Preston, J. L. Penny, and W. Atkins scored tries. Preston converted one and kicked a penalty goal. For Bush, T. Reichenbach, G. Gyle (2), and R. A. Jensen scored tries.