Horowhenua Senior Reps. Show They Are Capable Of Rising To Any Occasion

Chronicle (Levin), 8 September 1949, Page 7

Horowhenua Senior Reps. Show They Are Capable Of Rising To Any Occasion

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Listed among the representative matches to be played this season was a game with Bush for the Bebbington Shield. Owing to a very full itinerary, however* Bush, were forced to with draw the challenge when Dannevirke captured the shieldf Many local enthusiasts .were disappointed when this move was made, as Bush are capable of producing rugby of a high standard. It was, therefore, pleasing to see recently that arrangements had been made for' the match to be played at Foxton on Saturday.

The soie Horowhenua senior selector, Mr. D. J. Oliver, has announced his team for the game. Apart from one change it is identical with that which pux up an admirable display against the New Zealand team last week. Unfortunately Woods # is not available and he has been rep.aced by Ray Robinson. It is to be hoped thar Robinson can elfect some combination with King, particularly in the lineouts. The team on the whole has been featured on this p^ge frequently and lhtle is left to say. The last game, however, changed ' the opinions of many observers in regard to the quality of local rugby. It has now been proved that the Horowhenua team is capable of rising to the occasion and it sliould be remembered by all eritics of local. rugby that in the. second half of the last match Horowhenua hel'd New Zealand to an eight-all draw. This was . indeed a commendable performance and, without being too egotistical, we can be very proud of our local representative fifteen. We have two players in this district who, judging by. their performance last week, are equal to the best in the country at the moment. This wou d ■ appear to be a very sweeping statement, but on closer scruiiny of the facts readers will appreciate the truth of it. The New Zealand players seen here were, according to the New Zealand selectors, the best men available. Therefore, if any. local players could equal the All Blacks in their department then they in turn must be of equivalent ability. Two Horowhenua men succeeded in attaining this feat.

The first was A. Woods, of Shan.non." Woods is a tall man with p.enty of pace and sound rugby ability. He is always abreast of the game and in the set scrums his work at lock is of a. high standard. As' a lineout forward ne exceils. Last Thurs'day he proved his "ability in this direction by winhingJ the lineouts. against the best in the country. This player is possibly the top forward in the union this season. Above all he knows just what to do at the right time. The local reps. will miss his work . on Saturday and it is hoped that King will be able to take his place sufflciently to see that Horowhenua get a f air share of the leather. The other player was L. Robinson who plays for Hui Mai. In the case of this player it is possibly more a matter of opinion. There is, however, no doubt that he §haded the second half-back •for the New Zealand team. His passing t from the base of the scrum is long and accurate and he possesses a good pair of feet when line kicking is necessary. Robinson's tack ing is deadly. When he goes in to tackle a man ■you can take it for granted \hat the man will be grassed. He took a hammering from the visiting forwards last week, but his game was not affected to any great extent by this. Next Saturday will see a strong side fielded by Horowhenua and Bush wiil -undoubtedly get whati they are coming over ior, nameiy a hard game of good class rugby. The resuit cannot be. forecast as both unions will field a strong combination.