SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 51, 9 October 1924, Page 3

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

j FOOTBALL. ALL BLACKS’ SEVENTH MATCH. All Blacks . . • • • • 27 Leicester • • • • • • • • u The 1905 team beat Leicester by 2S points to 0. From the accounts of the Newport match the All Blacks owe their success to the ability of - Nicholls as a goal kicker. Two . converted tries each and the pen- | alty goal gave the visitors the honour j of winning. Taking the composition j of the New Zealand team the backs j appear about as strong a selection as j could be fielded. Beaten for the ball the control of the game was with the j home side and it would seem that the j All Blacks were not very successful j opening up the play from the line j out. It is rather remarkable that just | when required a goal kicker came to light. The account of the match is too vague to form any opinion of whether the All Blacks were up to form but it does seem certain that it was a hard-fought even game and that the home team forced their tactics on to the New Zealanders. The continuous comment on the poor kicking of the All Blacks appear to indicate that the backs are not finding the line. It would be thought that by this time the importance of this would have been driven into the players. To take the result of this or any match as a guide of the future is difficult without knowing the strength of the side encountered. Birth as well as residential qualifications count in county football and it is quite on the cards that the Newport match was a try out -for the Welsh internationals. The match with Leicester shows that the New Zealanders were taking more advantages of the opportunities that came their way, though they do not appear to have had all their own way. Though the team played has not been cabled, from the names mentioned it is possible to place the back team, though who was second fiveeighths is in doubt. The front rankers were altered and Munro had a game. Bad luck continues to follow the Otago hooker for he had to go off on account of an injury to his leg. It would be a pity if the injury is going to keep Munro off the playing list for any length of time, for he is probably the best hooker in the team. Nicholls was again successful as a place kick, and he has evidently been given the duties of the place kick of the team. A portion of the cable message on the match throws light on the inexplicable in and out form of the All Blacks. The two defects, according to the critic, are failure to hook the ball and uncertainty in loose play, especially too much passing forward. ; The former defect was very evident j in the Newport match. It may be accountable for two reasons. The first that certain All Black hookers combine or are superior to others, or the 1 second that the All Black front rankers are sometimes badly beaten by the three men front. It may be individual weakness, or it may be that of the system or style of play. The second defect mentioned by the critic is much more easy to remedy. It may arise from the forwards waiting offside or from players not possessing the instinct that perfect combination gives of being in the right place just at the right moment. It is from the loose play that New Zealand football is frequently so dangerous, and uncertain or wild play may account for failures in previous games to make the most out of a. strong position. ATHLETICS. ECHO OF MATAMATA MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Northern Athletic Union held at Te Aroha, a letter was read from the Matamata Club asking for a ruling regarding a man named J. P. Marsh, who competed at the club’s meeting on Easter Saturday. Marsh’s first money in the 440yds and 880yds handicaps was impounded by the club on . account of Marsh failing to supply his past performances when nominating for the events. The handicapper, Mr. C. Morison, said that Marsh nominated for both Te Aroha and Matamata sports at the same time. He forwarded a copy of his performances with his nomination for Te Aroha, but not with his nomination for Matamata. He was handicapped for both “from the one copy of performances. The president: It is unfortunate for Marsh that this technical breach has occurred. According to the rules of the Union a competitor is required to forward a separate copy of his performances to each club with which he nominates. This Marsh, unfortunately, had failed to do. It was evident, however, that he had no intention of misleading the unior or of hiding anything.

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Mr. Pilkington: It is hal’d luck for Marsh. Mr. Dunn: Yes, for he has committed a breach of th& rules. Mr. Morrison (handicapper): There is too much laxity on the part of many competitors in sending in their performances. Often they state when nominating: “ Performances known to handicapper,” or such like. The union then ruled as follows: — “ That while recognising Marsh acted in all good faith when nominating, nevertheless he had committed a breach of the rules, and therefore the union had no option but to decide that his Matamata stakes be forfeited.”