THE NATIONAL GAME.

Shannon News, 11 May 1923, Page 3

THE NATIONAL GAME.

A defect of the Wanderers’ play in ast, Saturday’s match against Wera-

roa was the lack of combination between the older players and new men. This is perhaps only to be expected until further practice together gives them leach, other’s measure, but it is a fault that lost some good opportunities in the game. Time after time, old players held on to. the ball too long whilst waiting for some particular man to get, into position. T. Winiata played a sound game in the backs, but spoilt his performance by hanging on. This is an old fault and in a. player of his experience cannot be put. down to his being hustled. But for this fault Winiata is up to Rep. form, and it is worth while trying to overcome.

Jacob was well watched on Saturday, but managed to put in a lot of useful work for the Wanderers, despite this handicap. Naturally he was well ahead of any other player on the field and his head work was always sound. He is perhaps ,a, little inclined to try bullocking at times which was bound to fail against the smothering tactics adopted, by Weraroa. A feature of the' game was the number of players newly promoted to senior rank in both teams, most of whom showed up well, Weraroa playing eight new men and Wanderers six. This is an excellent idea, and gives the newcomers a. chance of proving themselves early in the season with a view to Rep. fixtures later on. In the Wanderers-Weraroia. match on Saturday, C. McLeavey had the misfortune; to suffer a broken coliar-bone. This was McLeavey’s first game \vilithe seniors and on his showing last Saturday, the Wanderers have lost a useful player. Among the junior division of the Wanderers team, last Saturday Wilson showed! up. particularly well. He gives every indication of developing into a first-class player and playing alongside Jacob will not want for opportunity. The two other players on the three-qunrter line, Tuhera and Johns, also shafted well, and it. looks as if Wanderers are going to have a set of backs who will be quite capable of looking after anything that comes through the forwards. P. McLeavey, another new player, played a sound garnle; ns full back, showing up well in a couple of passing rushes. On the oca scion on which he crossed the line, he showed good head-work in getting into position again after passing the hall in the first instance. Howell and Tatana in the forwards were well up to their work, and will be heard of further during the season. For Weraroa Gibbs and Palmer in the forwards were probably the best of the newly promoted men, whilst Wells and Marstin on the three-quar-ter line showed to advantage. One old player who came back successfully lor Weraroa was Ferris, who donned the jersey alter a spell of a couple of years, and played a sterling game. His drop kick from the half-way line, which just missed scoring was a fine effort. Rangi Broughton played a disappointing gamle for a player of his reputation. It was, of course, the opening game, and players cannot be expected to have 'struck form yet, bid he will have to play harder to mam : tain his reputation as a N.Z. Maori rep. A veteran who showed up well was .7. Hopa, who put in a lot of sow hard work for Weraroa, even after receiving a bad cut below the eye in a mix-wp. It is to be hoped that it wil 1 not prove serious enough to keep him on the line next Saturday. From reports received the FoxtonShannon match was a hard, wellfought gamle, and indications are Ihat both these teams are going to give their opponents all they can handle. The Otaki-Hui Mai game was also a bard and even one but was marred by a lot of rough play. It is agreeable to note that, the Referee took a, firm stand In Ihe matter. Such an attitude at the beginning of the season will probably save any future trouble oi this sort.

Kuiku’s failure to play senior an

junior teams has necessitated some rearranging of fixtures for the competition*. Tlie one good result, of the business is.tha t .their action will strengthen the neighbouring teams.