BEBBINGTON SHIELD CHANCES

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1947, Page 6

BEBBINGTON SHIELD CHANCES

"Mark")

HOROWHENUA SIDE STRONG THIS YEAR

(By

Aftef seeing- Horowhenua scrape home by one point in " their game with Bush at Levin on Saturday, I am convinced that when these two teams meet at Pahiatua on August 23 we will have our best chance for many years of wresting the muchcoveted Bebbington Shield from them. A margin of one point may not appear much upon which to base such an assumption, but as so often happens this is an occasion when one must look beyond the score of a game to assess the merits of a team. It is a long time sir.ee I have seen such a good all-round senior fifteen take the field in Horowhenua's colours. Moreover* Bush have always been notorious mud larks, and in the second spell at all events the rain had made conditions very favburable for them. The visitors were as strong as ever, and that Horowhenua were able to beat them under these circumstances, however small the points margin, shows the capabilities of our side. Given anything like fair Pahiatua weather for a few days before the game, I think we have a chance of bringing the shield back this year. Good football was the order of the day 011 Saturday, the first half in particular being packed with spectacuiar play. Bush must be congratulated on the way they foughi back in the second spell only to be beaten by one point. Unquestionably they are good in the mud, and know from plenty of experience how to handle it. Horowhenua treated the spectators to a first class exhibition. Plere I eannot stress too strongly the importance of practice. " A team cannot have too much if that understanding between the members of it which counts in matches is to be developed. At last TJhursday night's practice, when the players turned out-, the Horowhenua Union, I am given to understand, showed its interest by not having an appointed coach present, while only one member of the executive attended. McCashin, the Horowhenua captain, apart from being an outstanding forward in the loose, shcwed what an excellent hooker he is when given ihe weight of the other stalwarts by winning 26 scrums to nine, with six undecidcd. J. Granger was undoubtedly the besc forward on the -grouna, while Ramsbotham was the most j prominent in line-outs. The iremainder were an even lot, fine ! handling perhaps giving T. Gray a little extra. Of the home backs C. G. Evans stood out with jhis' great tuni of speed, a strong fend and grim determination. Next I would rate G. Hudson, who invariably turns in a sound display both on attack and defence. Geoff. Sciascia handles crisply and cleanly and is reliable on defence; he is inclined to spoil his game by running across field, and should vary his tactics more. Gordon Sciascia, at the base i of the scrum, gave his usual entertaining display, making the most of every cpportunity. The Bush fullbac'k, Kerrison, overshadowed H. Jacob, who failed to come up to his recent form. There is no doubt that a referee's task is an unenviable one. In the junior game this ofiicial received considerable criticism from the crowd because it thougftt he was too lax with the whistle. Then the referee in ihe senior game was frequently taken to task for whai the spectators considered was toc much whistle. I want to conclude by saying that Horowhenua football is fortunate in having a body of referees which gives such a uniformly high standard in interpreting the rules.