CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2209, 5 June 1908, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is wolcomed at all times) but it must bo distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with tho opinions of its correspondents.] POVERTY BAY FOOTBALL. (To tue Editor.] Sir, —If the rejiort we get from the matches played bv the British team teaches us anything, it is this, that the forwards arc a good solid lot, and evidently in better form than most of the teams they have mot so‘far, lasting better at the finish, and the local team will have to be selected at once, and thoroughly trained, to have any chance. They will havo to rely on the forwards, as from tile style of tlie play the .backs cannot ho relied upon for ' any material assistance. Judging froin their style of play they simply have the backs running up ami down the field to no purpose, and it is up to the Selection Committee to insist on tho backs learning to find the line. If they play the same as they have played in the last two matches I have seen against a good.back team, they would be scoring tries every few minutes, and as for a half-back, there is not a player worthy of tlie name at present playing in any of the senior teams. They seem to think that tho aim of a half-back is just to take the ball and bullock through a crowd of players, and that there is no such tbin<>- in the football vocabulary as a liveeighths. .The forwards’ are also very weak in scrum work. On Thursday afternoon I noticed tlie back rankers ip both teams at times deliberately kick the ball back alter it had been heph-d out to them. TJiey also were very dilatory in folloiwng -up, and also in the line-out; and if they are to make any showing at all they will have to get real good practice,’ both VI 1 and on the ground. It will have to be something more than taking tho hall up to the ground and indulging m desultory kicking ■it the goal.—l am. etc., _____ “HAS-BEEN.”