COMMENTS ON THE PLAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 133, 6 May 1940, Page 10

COMMENTS ON THE PLAY.

UNIVERSITY’S FINE PACK. University havo to thank their pack fot their win over Air Force. In the first half they penned the Air For.ce side up in their own half and gained the hall from serums and lino-outs, keeping it from Sargisson (the ex-Wellington representative) and his dangerous confreres. Air Force rallied in the early part of (he second half, but weight (old in the end. When Surgisson secured in the open lie made the play. With Cookson, Bowler (an ex-Tara-naki player) nruj Tutaki in their threequarter lino, University wore able to use speed in the open. Cookson was very dangerous in a straight-out race, and Bowler also impressed, Stewart was as busy ns ever for University. He saved a very dangerous situation once when lie foresaw a centre by Sargisson which might have resulted in a try. Slewart meed into position to take the kick and clear. Ho was the . most valuable man University had. Calcinai was unlucky with two kicks at goal, one of which was a “gift.” With this he had the ball in position to lisp and was almost under the posts. Everybody was surprised when, the kick was low. Air Force would have done better had they had the service of McCrcady, who appeared in prnotico games, but he has now been transferred. In the throe-quar-ter line he had made his presi nee felt UNITED v. ST. PATRICK’S. There was little between United and St. Patrick’s in the first half of their game, but the United forwards called tlio tune in the second spell. They broke out quickly and displayed the ‘same worrying and persistent tactics as those which characterised their play last season. Dustin was one cf the United vanguard who was particularly marked. Strength and weight are on his side, and he is a most active plaver in addition. Ho worked hard in the tight and reached well in the lineouts, so that it was only natural that at times lie had more than one man marking him. All the same, one of the United tries came from his efforis. .Ward, whose kicking _ for United has been a feature of the side’s performance for several seasons, and which aided them when lie voluntarily played in the junior grade for the season when United could not field a senior side, appears to be aft good as ever, Temperton showed that he has plenty of speed when he secures a run in the open. He was 'United’s strength in the . threequarter line. Madgwick did a lot of good work for St. Patrick’s. He lias now seen a lot of football and lias the knowledge necessary to decide when weight is needed and ivlicn the occasion calls for open play. Edlin opened'up well and, while he was seen in only a few really fine efforts, it i,s apparent that he should play good football this season. He anpears to have ahandonod his persistent desire of other years to go down on the ball. CARR’S GOOD KICKING FORM Kia Toa owed their victory over Feilding Old Boys mainly to the excellent goal kick' iiig of their full-back, Carr. Ho scored

11 of their 14 points with his boot, lie displayed very goed form, although ho'pod by tho absence cf wind. Some of liis other kicking, however could have been better judged. Feilding Old Boys were impetuous m many instances, and suffered far more penalties than Kin Tea. There was a good deal of difficulty with the scrums, and both sides had several penalties awarded against thum in this connection. Although mastered in the loose by the Kia loa pack, Feilding Old Boys had the better ■cf tlie line-outs and scrums. Stenberg, on the Kia Tea wing, impressed as a speedy player and one of tho best backs. On the other wing Leader showed a soundness in defence. Williams, the Kia Toa forward, is now in the veteran stage, but he was responsible for a smart piece cf work which gave his side an easy try. The Feilding backs wore far more impressive than Ivia Tea’s, and their try came from a good orthodox back movement. The backs went, into action frequently, but Dewe, second five-eighths, might with advantage have passed on more frequently instead of trying to cut through when ho had little prospect of doing so. Gloyn played a very sound game as fullback for Feilding Old Boys. Waugh was solid at centre llivcc-quartur. Dashwood made some excellent runs on the wing. lie has plenty of pace and is a big back, difficult to bring down. The try he scored was well deserved. Finlay is still playing 'veil, and was a very useful man in the Fci.ding Old Boys’ forwards. lie made some good solo runs in which he had the opposition guessing, and they experienced .some difficulty in getting hands on him. Wells impressed 'as a solid worker in tho pack. Both sides could jiay attention to low tackling. FEILDING v. OLD BOYS. Prior to the match at Feilding Dernier was elected captain of the Feilding team, and O’Doa was the skipper for Old Boys. Both in defensive tactics and initiative the Feilding side showed superiority, and ns the season advances it is felt that they will make their strength felt. The pack comprises some solidly built men, while Thompson, behind the scrum, is in his proper place. Pollard, as guardian, has much to recommend him in that position. He gathers tho ball cleanly and seldom fails to find the line. ' A lower of strength is found by Old Boy 6 in Barraud, who can not only despatch the leather with vigour hut is also a speedy and hard man tu bring down. Davidson, on the wing, is a newcomer in the Old Boys ranks, hailing from Southern Hawke’s Bay, while Weblor is a.so a new arrival from Nelson College. He played in Sydney last season and is nowon the staff at Massey College. The Feilding team has two Maori boys in it this year, and both acquitted them-’ solves well and were responsible for two tries. Goffe scored first and later Lewis touched down. Bctli are aggressive, and Barraud was tumbled twice by Lewis, who tackled him low with good effect. ■ _ Stalwarts for Feilding, include Kitchen, Wilson and Thompson. Miles is a player from Ila'.comhe whose weight is useful. He suffered an injury to an eye and was replaced by Hinton. . , It is many years since Feilding won the first game of the season at home. Willi Dernier as captain and tho veteran Gleeson as coach their displays should improve even more in the next few weeks.