FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2430, 18 May 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

(Notes By Koata). For the benefit of the local vanguard whose reputation (if any) for serum work was well nigh shattered by Hui Mai last Saturday, one may point out the method of forming and working it. When the seven forwards are sorted out according to their special qualifications, and allotted their respective places, the hookers stand side by side, with the’ir inside arms locked. By trying each side in turn they will soon find by the “feel” which one suits them b’est. Some hookers like their hooking leg outside, others on the inside; but, as a rule, a pair of hookers pack so as to hook the ball with their outside legs. They then bend down to meet their opponents, keeping their inside legs well back, and fairly wide apai-t to allow an uninterrupted passage for the ball backwards. The inside legs carry all the weight, having the outside ones free to swing round and do the hooking. The lock then puts his head between the thighs of these players and binds them together with liis arms. He should keep his feet wide apart to alloy the ball to pass between them if this is desired. Then the supports take their places, one on each side of the lock, with their inside shoulders pushing behind the hookers, . immediately under the binding arms of the lock. By trying each shoulder and side in turn they find which one they can,push more strongly and conveniently with, and should take which suits them best, provided, it,does not, affect the balance of weight or push,. They pass their inside arms over the hack of the lock* and hug him closely. Next the hack rankers hold each other similar to the method of the hookers. They pack in with their heads on each side of the lock, and between fbe thighs of thgt player and his supports. They, keep their heads well down, so as to see the ball when it. is put in the scrum. If it is hooked by their men weakly and hangs fire, their duty is,to heel it out to the half-back, or if the other side gets it, to break away smartly. Their legs should, keep wide apart, so as to give a clear exit for the ball and their push should be forward and inward and more on the lock than on the supports. A scrum packed according to these instructions,a clear passage, big enough for a boy to crawl through on his hands and knees, should exist from the front to the back of the scrum. So much for its formation and as much again may be said for its effective working that it will not'be possible to cram them in this issue. One must sav, however, that these notes on scrumforma t.ion would minimise the danger of losing the l>p 11 which happened so frequently last Saturday if all grades put them into practice.

BRIEF HINTS. ‘ Combination- is the essence of 'suebessf in Rugby football.' *' T Only /one captain is necessary in each team—talkers take heed. ; The Foxton Club will thank everyone who uses the Club as his cloak for the purpose of training and footballing on the Race Course to desist from doing anything on the courseproper or from riding, the fences instead of using the gates. Numerous complaints have been received and a good many more are overdue. Complaints are not at any time, pleasant things to handle, so it’s the duty of every member, old and young alike, to. guard his privileges as a curtailment will cause the Club' alarm. The- following team will represent Foxton Juniors against Tokomaru, at Foxton an Saturday:—W. Christie, Jlurr, Desmond, King, Sliortt, Procter, Westwood, Coley, Baker, Reid, Kere, Cum-mer-field, Neylon. The Foxton Seniors to play Wanderers, t at Levin, on Saturday will be selected from the following: —H. Taylor/’G. Burgess, /Moses, H, Robinson, S. Barber,. H. Reid, W. Baker, F. Moffat t, J. Moffatt, Royal, J. Batchelor, V. Jewell, A. Thompson, N. Hunt, S. Austin, P. Kauri. Cars leave at 1.15 sharp.