MAJOR MINORS

NZ Truth, Issue 1184, 9 August 1928, Page 14

MAJOR MINORS

South Goes North To Go West

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Palmerston North Rep.) Badly let down by their inside backs, the South Island, Minor Unions' side that took the field at Palmerston North against the Minor Union men of the North Island last Saturday, found their task too difficult, the result 'being a severe thrashing for them. v DOBBED of a certain amount of interest by. the non-appearance of George Nepia and Jimmy Mill, the game was, nevertheless, an excellent one, the northern backs showing' surprisingly good combination for a side that had never played together before. In this respect they found a direct and: palpable contrast m the rearguard opposing them. While the northern men. were brilliant both on attack and defence, the southerners combined, about as well as oil and water. ' v Had it not been for the solid graft of their, excellent forwards, the -score would not have remained at 39-6. ' The winners' weakest department was m the kicking, only three of the eleven tries being converted, while at least four .others should have had- the major points added. REAL. RUGBY SALT -, The honors of the game undoubtedly went to Langlands, the north captain and five-eig-hths. Playing at first five-eighths m the first half, he and Bramwell showed a fine understanding of each other's play, as was instanced when the half-back scored north's tii'st try. , . Possessing a sui-e pair of hands, plenty of speed, an excellent cut-in and initiative, whoever aims to. deprive him of the first five-eighths position m the North Island side to play at Christchurch on the 18th of this month, will need to have his wits about him. The north captain also headed the list of individual scorers for the match, his total of 13 points consisting of three tries and two conversions: Bramwell also played a brilliant game, . and should receive the selectors' consideration for the halfback position m the North Island team. Meyer, who played m lieu of Jimmy Mill, was well worth his game, but the Bramwell-Langlands-Meyer combination m the first half was preferable to thY Bramwell-Meyer-Langlands trio m the second spell. Meyer made some excellent openings, and his flying tackle to bring down Snodgrass, after the winger had passed Thomas, was a revelation. In Bedell and Anderson North had a pair of strong wing three-quarters who knew what to do with the ball when they received it. The latter, however, spoilt some promising movements by failure to hold the ball. , Kemp, centre, was here, there, and everywhere rendering useful assistance. He' completely overshadowed his vis-a-vis, Reed, the south captain. BIT BELOW PAR Thomas, the full-back from Waikato, wag ever very sure and safe, but his performance on Saturday last, while good, was, not up to his display m the !All Black Trial on the same : ground I last year. , V. Thomas was the pick of the forwards, his fast following-up enabling him to cross twice for' his side. Mahoney, Hislop and Rika also shone m the tight. I To put it mildly, the South backs were a big disappointment,- and handicapped with a first ..five-eighths as useful as a pair of water-wings to a duck, they could not throw the ball about at all, and the only occasions when the pass circulated among them was when Kent, the player m question, was out of position, which happened more than once. Kent failed to take the ball cleanly once during the whole of the game, and it was m the main due to his deficient display that his side was so soundly trounced. The star player m the South team was Day, .who m the latter' part of the game played half-back. He gave glimpses of good form, the try he scored was an excellent one and his swerving and dummying had the' north defenders puzzled.. Snodgrass, the All Black winger was starved, but made the most of what few opportunities came his way. Mansfield, full-back was another weak line m the south back division. He was never reliable and his handling of the ball also left much to.be desired. Dalton played a good. game at wingforward' m the second half, but was inclined to take matters easily m the first spell. . ' The south forwards, save m the hooking,, which was fairly even, were superior to those opposing them. Frietas shone m. the line-out while Stewart, Mulhern and Cameron (hooker) also rendered material assistance. All four forwards .possess plenty of pace, and m the first half of the second spell they gave North- many anxious moments. , ,

Erin-go-Bragh has been responsible for a good exhibition of hurdling, and his efforts' on the flat have caused several track watchers to become interested m his future programme. He went a good race for ten furlongs at the Christchurch Hunt meeting and then faded out.

Sing you the songs I love, The songs of Home, Sweet Home; Best spot on this fair earth, No matter where you roam. Affection, rest, and calm, • Love, and a welcome sure, And on the kitchen shelf Is Woods' Great Peppermint' Cure.*