Strong Manawata Team To Oppose Local Colts

Chronicle (Levin), 8 July 1948, Page 7

Strong Manawata Team To Oppose Local Colts

' PALMERSTON N., July 7. •' . The Manawatu colts team to play Horowhenua colts at Levin on Saturday is a particularly strong combination, containing a large number of strong 'contenders for honours in the Manawatu first fifteen. At full-ba,ck is Bernie.'Ryan (Marist) ^ who represented Manawatu in that position last year and is believed by/Some observers to be playing eyen better f ootball this season. . . Winger B. Graham also represented Manawata on one occasion last year. The half -back, B. Rdberts, of Varsity, is a formser Victoria University player, and is perhaps. the most promising half -back in the Manawata this year. Against V.U.C. and A.U.C. this year he has played with distihction. He is quick to find the gap around the scrums and although his passes may not be as consislently accurate as desired, nevertheless he generals his b.ackline intelligently. The forwards contain some very good material. The locks, 'Milton Kreft (Manawatu light heavyweight boxing enampion) and.-W. Singleton, are regarded as the two best forwards- in the Marist, pack wh'eh over-ran all other teams in the first round of the Manawata sen'or championship. The hooker is Fre 1 Hubbard, another very wellkncwn Manawata boxer, who hooked very well for Old Boys early in the season. V. Blackmore, in the front row, is undoubtedly one of the hardest working forwards in the senior 'competition and his fast following up should give Horowhenua speetators something to watch. Promising Players Chosen The seiectors were wise m their chcice of the senior B team to play Manawatu on Saturday in , that they selected young and promismg players stre'ngthened by a few older and more experienced men. The full-back, Page, although on the light side, undoubtedly a has turne'd on good perfofmances and the last iine of defence is. safe i.n hisr hands. The three -quarters are all round footballera. G. Hudson at ceni re has had much i experience, playing in the A representative team last season. He is sound on defence and knows how to run his. jvings into position. The five•eighths are both able players. Stanles has a safe pair of hands an'd has improved wonderfully this season, backing up well in defence. Newton is a consistencly good. ■nlaver. but his tackling could

improve. The "half-back, Robinson, in the opinion of many critics should have been the half-back of the A team. Perhaps. on his perforruance in the Colts, the seiectors may form an opinion on whether he should be promoted. Sr.yers at the back of the scrum is a fit. .player .who is always trying to do something worth. whiie. The side row men have both shown ability in club f ootball. Commg to 'the locks, Callensen does, not always shine but works har'd in the tight. The other. lock, Bill. Winiata, is always sound. If McCashin is not available for the first fifteen, Milroy should be given his billet. It is considered by many that Milroy should have been , selected for the front row of the A team. The choice for the B team would undoubtedly be I. Bcnd. Riturning to the present team, Ancerson and Enoka in the front row of the forwards have, by their play, justified their inclusion. Of the" reserve backs, Stevens has improved lateiy. Neylon showed his' pace last Saturday, an'd his labil'.ty to score when given the | opportunity. The forward reserves, Rik hana and Murphy, are good grafters.