FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2583, 22 May 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL. Hui Mai 5, Shannon 0. Wanderers 8, Foxton 0. Otaki 16, Wferaroa 0. JUNIOR'S (Southern). Te Horo 6, Hui Mai 0. ■ Otaki 3, Rovers 0. NORTHERN. Tokomaru 9,'Koputaroa 5. Manga'hao 9, Moutoa 0. Shannon 8, Foxton 6. THIRDS. Te Horo G, Hui Mai 3. NORTHERN. Shannon 11, Rovers 0. Foxton, Weraroa drew, no score. LEVIN WANDERERS 8 V. FOXTON NIL. At Easton Park last Saturday about 250 spectators saw Levin Wanderers defeat Foxton Seniors by 8 points to nil. Foxton won the toss and Levin kicked off. Drizzling rain fell at intervals and the closing stages of the game were played in semi-darkness. The ball was more or less greasy and in the circumstances the forwards kept the game tight. There were some spirited contests between the opposing forwards, Barber, March, Christie, Davidson, Thompson and the Robinsons figuring in the forward rushes by Foxton, but they met sound forward defence from McDonald, Rippv, Howell and Pat Kooro. The local forwards ' were putting in some great work in tjie loose, and narrowly missed scoring on several occasions due to the visitors’ superior weight being felt at the critical moment. Levin Wanderers opened a scoring account early in the second spell from a loose rush headed by Howell, who eventually grounded ihe leather between the posts. The extras were added to by Jacobs. Foxton made efforts to score hut were never blessed with good fortune. From a line-ouf Howell and Rippv, Who led the visiting team well, dribbled through, and a concerted rush, headed hv them, ended in Pat Kooro scoring. The kick was unsuccessful and the game came to an end shortly afterwards. Mr J. Sciacia acted as referee. NOTES. Stan Barber throughout the ganje was responsible for good work and delighted the onlookers by his fine dribbling, following-up and tackling. The whole of the forwards worked hard but lacked combination.

On flip day the best combination existed between Stan Barber and W. Baker? "Tlie material was on the field but the knowledge of united ae- > tion was sadly wanting. Some step to-correct, this must be undertaken very soon, otherwise the team will lose heart and forget what was taught them in the initial stages of their football career. The back division was never less brilliant than al any time in the history of the present combination. Individual reliability was an almost unknown quantity. Hesitation was prevalent ami this could easily be avoided if every player could be relied upon to perform his share of the allotted task. Fpxton’s downfall was due to the fact that, in every scrum, the visitors got the ball. This meant a great deal of unnecessary chase for the leather from start to finish. It must be remembered that the side^' which is constantly in possession of the ball is less fatigued than the one which has to continually chase for possession. The visitors having a decided superiority in the scrum work, 5 had the local players either tackling or chasing to gain the leather at almost every turn. To win the next match the forwards will have to practice assiduously ia hooking the hall and in knowing when to put in the onward push necessary to secure the leather. The scrum would only want to go forward about ninq inches at the right time when the desired effect would be obtained. Practice this (o perfection and the result will be marvellous. The line-out, work must also be taken into serious consideration. On last Saturday’s play there were more sightseers than were necessary. Endeavour to take your ball in midair and at the same time screw your body completely round in order to shake off any undue interference by an opponent, while your attention is directed on the object. In fairness to the personnel of the team one must admit that, with . oiie or two exceptions, they are all valuable assets to any combination. All that is lacking is unity

of purpose. This will never obtain unless a’ course of practical instruction is given Tinder the guid- ' 1 'anee of “worthy coach.’’ Talk the game over with your colleagues when it is all over. Discuss thoroughly the tactics cm's ployed, aud do not hesitate to ask for opinions as to whether you did '“’right or wrong in a certain case when you have a <Joubt in your ■mind. It is only by asking such questions anil seeking the opinions and experiences of others that you will be quite sure about what to do' in the same circumstances next time. This point is of more importance in the proper development of a player than might appear at first glance. Never play to the gallery. You have quite : enough to do to play your proper hard game, and any player (except perhaps, a fullback) 1 who remembers comments made by people in the crowd has certainly not been as keen during the match as he should have been. Be quick in your decision, and be quick to act upon it. To be caught in two minds is fatal. The hesitating player is a danger to hia tide.

Never play “dirty” or “foul.” Do to others as you would like them to do to you. Nevertheless, when you tackle a man, tackle him hard, and see that you put him down. Accidents resulting from real hard tackling are very rare. Never “speculate” at least not in vour own 25. Ninety-nine successful fly kicks do not atone for one failure.

If you miss your man, or fail to prevent him passing, don’t give up hope, but double back by the shortest possible route to the point where you think you will intercept the play. When you have passed the ball on attack, if you are a hack, don’t stop at this point with the idea that you have done all that is required of you, but hack up quickly, to a point where you think you may he of assistance, possibly in the way of taking another pass. A half or a five-eighths, should make for a point straight up the field with the object of accepting a cross punt or a pass-in, or he may cut across behind the passing rush, to be there to recover a dropped or misdirected pass, or to act as a defence behind the attacking line, in a. case of a pass being intercepted by an opponent.

The Foxion Juniors suffered defeat at Shannon on Saturday bv 8 points to nil. During the first spell the Foxton boys had the best of the game and Townshend and A. Walls scored. Neither of the tries were converted. Shannon livened up in the second spell and the heavy ground and weighty forwards proved too much for the Foxton lightweights who could not get their hacks in action. Shannon scored 8 points in this spell and won a fairly evenly contested game.