COMMENTS ON THE PLAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 139, 13 May 1940, Page 4

COMMENTS ON THE PLAY.

KIA TOA’S WIN. Holding the University forwards and making the better play with their backs. Kia 'loa had a deserved -win over University. Kia Toa's points came from two tries, a penalty goal and two conversions, Cankicking seven of the points, while Univer- . sity scored a try and kicked a penalty goal. Carr showed that he is at the top of his form in kicking. It was fatal lor University to give him the ball whore he could move. Seldom did it miss tlie line in a long punt. University sorely felt the loss of Stewart. Having hurt a knee in the previous Saturday’s game he was not available, llis nippiness and hard work would have improved many a University attack. 111-luck was about evenly divided between the teams;, but Kia Toa on at least two occasions wore forced out right in the University corner. Marshall played a good game at centre-tln-cc-quarter for Kia Toa and on one occasion made a splendid opening. Land, for University, was dangerous and capable of speed within a short distance. Leader, was one of the best backs for Kia Ton. Willing and always in the play, he also had ample pace. In the last quarter of an hour University put the pressure on but Kia Ton’s defence was equal to the strain. Play moved all over the field at that stage and was iast. McLaren and Seeley were • prominent leaders of the Collegians’ pack; Williams worked hard all through and Wasley (an erstwhile representative three-quarter) was fast and resourceful in the loose. UNITED’S GOOD FORWARDS. Indications given by the United team in tlie previous week that they were keeping up their reputation in having hard-working, worrying forwards, were confirmed in their meeting with Air Force. In the first half, particularly, they played Uie forward game and had the better of matters. The Air Force vanguard appeared to be fit, but were not packing in. With tlie same persistent vim as their opposition. Hard tackling which bowled over the opposition was shown by the United rearguard all through the match, and Air Force were unlucky on a number of occasions in not having their backs working more in co-operation, the man with the ball having to turn half-round to pass backward. In the second half they played further forward and, especially when Sargisson had a hand in matters, shook up the formerly solid defence. Their attacks were more speedily developed and the United men were unable to 6top the individual players before they sent their passes away. Rowland, playing on the wing for Air Force, showed plenty &f pace and determination and was an excellent last man for the rushes. In one, he reached the

corner for a score, in another he was sent sprawling by Hyde, his vis-a-vis, in a tackle typical of the defender’s play throughout the game. On tlie whole the kicking at gaol of both sides was poor. 'Ward did not show tlie form lie displayed on the opening day of the season and ■ Air Force had. several changes ift trying tcf find a satisfactory man. Hill converted tils own try for United from close to the goal-posts, and Morgan put over a penalty kick from the side-line at. tlie twenty-live mark. At least a dozen noitits wont begging for both sides for the lack of a good kicker. A FORWARD TUSSLE. In a game in which the forwards played (he greatest part, St. Patrick's boat Old Boys. Easily tlie most hard working players in the green pack were Powell, Shukker and Whiteman. They were in the thick of the fray throughout. For Old Roys, Cutler, O’Dea and the Annear brothers were always prominent. The full-backs of both sides were too often caught on tlie wrong foot and out of position. Stuart, a player from Christ church, was below form. ]>. Buick, whose usual position is on the wing, did not p'ay very well at full-back; however, his handling and collaring were sure and overshadowed Stuart’s. ‘Easily the best, display of the backs was that of Simmonds, the St. Patrick’s winger wdi-o scored three very good tries. As a forward ho is very fast, and llis playing oil the wing on Saturday was an experi ment. When it comes to the selecting of tlie representative team ho will if he retains his present form, have to be seriously considered for one of the wing places S. Cutler, who played a fine game until lie collided with one of the St. Patrick’s backs, suffered a fracture of the nose and had to retire. His quick smothering move merits will bo missed from the black attack for some time. FEILDING v. FEILDING OLD BOYS. Both Feilding and Feilding Old Roys, fielded good packs, but the latter side were weak in the back-line, where mishandling lost ground for them and swept the aggressive attackers down upon them time after time. Feilding, on the other hand, possessed a good all-round team, the backs supporting the forwards well. The yellows displayed considerable technique in their passing movements. The loss of Jack Finlay, who is at- present in camp, appears to lie a serious one for Feilding Old Boys, who will have to adjust themselves to the deficiency in their combination. The most brilliant play for Feilding came from Thompson, Dermer and Wilson, while Pollard, Goffe and I.ewis also made their presence felt, as did also Rush. Feilding Old Roys got good work from Gloyn, as guardian, while A. Bramwell, McLeod, Waugh and Harford gave him good support. Of the others. Harford. Dewe and Fade proved formidable opposition. . Goffe. Thomnson, Nicholson and Wilson wore associated in a movement which narrowly missed resulting in a score, the last mentioned failing to touch down.