ON THE BALL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 16, 10 September 1931, Page 5

ON THE BALL

Free Kick).

RUGBY NOTES

(By

Club football will be once again on the bill at Arawa Park on Saturday, when a start will be made with the knock-out competition for the Mitchell Shield. _ The mairi game will be the Waiariki — Waikite clash, and if both teams turn out ih full f orce the game should be well worth watching. Kahukura shoiild have iio difficulty in def eating Whaka, who will be hard pressed to muster a fiill fifteeh, and may have to call on the juniors. Transition Period. ' Rugby football all over New Zealand is at tlie present time passing through the stage when old players are dropping out bf tbe running and young players to take their places have not reached the top of their form. The next two seasons will in all probability see the code below its usual standard. Improve Facilities. It is during this period that every Union should endeavouf to improve its playing fields and secure better facilities for trairiing, so as to attract the spectator aird player who in the past has slackened interest in the game. Co-operation. The unsuitability of Arawa Park as a football ground has constantly been expressed by Rugby followers and the recent- publicity in ref erence to an Athletie Park urges the Rugby Union to look about and make the initial step towards securing satisfactory grounds with proper facilities that will draw the support of both player and spectator. What is needed is the co-operation of all sports bodies and a joint plan devised where combined forces and fxnances can be utilised to carry out the preliminary work. Good Forward. R. Alexander (Kahukura) is a young forward who has shown great promise. On his club games earlier in the season, he should have been recognised by the selectors. Good loose forwards who will follow up and who are handy in the line-outs have been at a premium in the rep, team. His inclusion would have certainly strengthened the team. Good Little 'Un. B. Duncan (Waiariki) is a sound grafter and a couple of stone heavier wo'uld he one of our best forwards. It is astonishing the way this little fellow brings big opponents to earth. Consistent. The most consistent player seen this season is the veteran M. Thomas. Although he has turned out in every rep. game this season, not once has he let his side down.

Promising Youngster. R. Ewert (High School) aequitted himself very creditably against Frankton last Saturday. At fullback he was never in danger and for a young player greatly impressed. Disappointing. B. Rogers is a forward who has greatly disappointed this season. He oceasionally was ptominent in forward rushes, but more often has been content to trail behind the pack. His best game was against Putaruru on Saturday week. Junior Rep. Half. A. Flood, of the Kahukura Club, and a junior representative half, has greatly impressed behind the pack. He is a much improved player and his outstanding ability cannot be passed unnoticed. Ready for Promotion. R. Skelly, who plays in the pack for Waikite Juniors, has been playing solid football this season. On his play and with his weight he might easily be promoted to the senior ranks, where he would have no trouble in making some of the senior forwards look like old hacks. Four Staunch Supporters. Four staunch supporters of the Rugby? game are Messrs. W. L. Richards, H. Fuller, T. S. Robertson and R. Miller. These gentlemen. have placed their cars at the disposal of the Rugby Union each .Saturday for the purpose of conveying players to outside fixtures. Support such as this. keeps the game going and too often passes unnoticed.

Kaharoa's Opportunity. As a team the Kaharoa Juniors have made vast improvement. Their match with Kahukura on Saturday will give them the opportunity to prove themselves. Gone Stale? Polarid (Kahukura) who made a good showing earlier in the season, seems to have gone stale. His sound game at wing-forward in club football has been offset by medioere displays in representative matches. Lack of training appears to be the main fault. Worth Cohgideratioh. No fault can be found with the five-eighths' work of J. McRea (Waikite), yet several other players have been mentioned when teams are picked. His inclusion in the five-eighths position would be worth a try-oiit. Makes Few Mistakes. Sullivan (Waiariki) is a fullback who makes few mistakes. He generally manages to stop his inan with a solid tackle. .