RUGBY FOOTBALL

Shannon News, 29 April 1927, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NOTES Ar RANDOM. GOOD FORM SHOWN IN OPENING GAMES. Taken all round, the form revealed in the various senior games on Saturday, gives every indication that the. standard of Rugby in Horowhenua this year, is going to be better than anything hitherto seen in this district, particularly when consideration is given to the fact, that many players were indulging in their first try-outs. As only to be expected, the condition Of a number of players was not equal to the demand set by the pace disclosed, which in many instances, was unusually solid for so early in the season. With the exception of the County-Otaki clash, small scoring was the order of the day, with little to choose between the two teams, the scores being a fair ly accurate indication of the play • The difference in the County-Otaki score, was simply an illustration of what ’a team physically fit, that has ncouired a reasonable amount of combination in practice games, will do, when opposed to a. team of unfit individualists. The fixture, Weraroa and Awahou, .played in Levin was hardly flattering to the chief centre of the district, and one questions the wisdom of the controlling body in playing'such a fixture for the opening of the season in Levin, just when public interest should be stimulated to its utmost. The game itself produced nothing of an outstanding nature, but was potable primarily for a good display by the light WOraroa forwards, while their back division was a long way removed from senior standard.

It may perhaps appear early to criticise, but when a set of backs were given the ball as frequently as th Weraroa men were, and yet could do so little with it, those responsible are faced with a serious problem, if they wish to win games. 'Had the Black and White backs played up to the standard set by their forwards, tlienVVeraroa would have won by at least ten points. ' Vincent’s pases from the base of the scrum, when he was not diving into the ruck, were far too slow. The five-eighth line did not combine well at any stage, and to make matters worse, stood miles too deepj Ron. Broughton i 3 out of his place at fiveeighth, while Philips, when he did re ceive the ball cleanly, usually dropped it, the outcome of looking for an opening, instead of keeping aii eye on the leather. Otherwise he played a good game, tackkling his man cleanly, while his penalty goal that won the match \fais nicely executed from a very difficult angle, v Haig at centre, was weak, and judging by his play on Saturday, is not up to senior football. St. Clair is the stamp of a good winger, but his handling is uncertain, While Lambert his vis-a-vis, although gifted with pace, is. weak on defence.

Bull, captain of the, side, was the best back on the ground, and until he received a knock that put him oui ef action was playing a cool, heady game. In the writer’s opinion, .he should change places with Ron. Broughton as his natural football talents arc somewhat wasted at full-back. Of the forwards, it would hardly be fair to discriminate for they all played worthily against a pack, in which they were conceding about a stone in weight all round, and despite this handicap, more than held their own.

Rangi Broughton, veteran of manystirring battles, after an aosenee of a couple of seasons, turned-out for his old club and played a surprisingly- good game. He is only a shadow of the Rangi when, the Springboks were here, nevertheless lie can still show some of the younger brigade a few points about forward play. In Kilsby and Nahona, Weraroa have a pair x of more than useful hookers, who combine well and on Saturday they got more than their fair share of the ball. One Black and White forward marred an otherwise solid display, by an indiscriminate use of the boot and he should cut this out for he has good football in him Avithout adopting these methods. One thing that impressed about Weraroa Avas the way they turned out, and these responsibly are worthy of a Avord of praise, for every man was in proper uniform, and looked spie and span. Awahou could take a lesson from this.

Perhaps the impression created by Awahou in their trial games led one to expect something too much; whatever it was, their play was not as impressive as it promised to be. No doubt this was largely due to the ab- . sence of Moses from the five-eighth line, as their play sem to lack a controlling influence, and at times was haphazard. In Hakaraia, Fuller and Westwood, with Moses in his place, and Taylor on the wing, they have the nucleus of an excellent back-line,, and no doubt as the season advances and they get a few games together, they will develop their possibilities. They fell short of a combination on Saturday. Huff is the makings of a splendid wing- three-quarter, while Robinson as full-back has possibilities, but should acquire the art of kicking with both feet. The Red and Black forwards are -.a good solid lot, quick on the breakaway, and fast in the loose and wheu the raw edges are knocked off will give f-ome good displays. Mr H. Kidson was making his first appearance in Horowhenua as a referee, and proved a capable one. Always up with the play, his interpretations were decisive and easily followed, and taken on a whole he gave an excellent exhibition. Better conditions and superior combination among the backs, was the tale unfolded in the County-Otaki match at Otaki, where County piled up 23 points to their opponents* 3.- % The Otaki team, as a whole, played remarkably well until towards the close, when the pace set by County found •‘bellows to mend" in plenty. Among the Green backs, Miles, B. Tahiwi, Marino (2) and Marsh, when going properly, give promise of much better ‘things, the. former particularly looks like developing into a hard nut to crack. Marsh is from Waikato and showed up well. J i i 1 ..1*?... -

Veteran 'Kehu Hakaraia gave County a' lesson on how; to hook the ball, giving his side most of the leather from the set (scrums. Bevan was au able mate, and worked well in the tight stuff. It is safe to predict that Otaki will beat more teams than beat them.

County have a fine set of baeks, perhaps the most noticeable feature being their physique, while they are all gifted with speed. * Chisholm behind the scrum, is particularly pnart in dealing his passes out to the nien behind him. He can also take his share on defence.

“ Poley ’ ’ • Warren seems to be playing with more confidence than last year. J. MacDonald, besides handling the ball very cleanly, at times displayed a fine burst of speed, running away from friend and foe alike. His * brother “Manny” still “bumps’’ his way along the wing. The versatile Gleeson stepped out as five-eighth and gave a good exhibition. When the County forwards learn to play together more, other teams are going to discover something. Among the Blue forwards Bond, until he received an injury to the head, stood out prominently, and some of his mates could easily accept a lesson from him on how a forward game should be played. In reference to this game at Otaki, a word in season may not do any harm. The advice is, that players should understand that Rugby rules are not framed to provide for boxing contests, ’TWAS SEEN FROM THE SIDELINE— ‘

That a player in the Awahou v. Weraroa game on Saturday, deliberately held on to two opponents, and let fly with both feet in all directions while the ball was still in the scrum. He was rightfully cautioned by the referee .

That in one game on the same day, the ball was kicked by a player outside his own 25, and landed on the side-line. The line umpire ruled, as if the ball had bounced out, but the referee quickly made him realise his mistake .

That in a certain game on Saturday, a scrum was formed a couple of yards from the defending side’s line. The defenders hooked the ball, and the half immediately forced down, the referee ordering a drop-out, from twenty-five. In this decision he erred, and should have re-scrummed the ball on the spot, as the same applies for heeled back, as for kicked over the line. That several referees were not alert, enough to notice players standing in front of the mark. They should have ordered a scrum for doing so. That the referee in the WeraroaAwahou game, penalised the former for wasting time. This action on the part of Weraroa, after assuming the lead, may have been unintentional. Neve.*the less, the decision may act as a warning to other teams, that by doing likewise, they are taking an unfair advantage of their opponents. TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. The following will represent Shannon juniors against Miranui at Shannon on Saturday :—Webber, Robbie, Saxby, Williams, Skerman, Barber, Robbie, F. Tongariro 1 , Pulmafo, Campbell, Bowler, Ciseel, Dalzell and Robbie. Emergencies: Mill, Imms, Hook, and Bilderbeck. The following will represent Shannon seniors against Hui Mai at Manaltau on Saturday:—H. Walls, P. Satherely, C. Hunt, R Rauhina, F. Lee, Symonds, Lenihan, L. Dalzell, Tohi, M. Hakaraia, Hurst, K. Dalzell, Johnson, C. Anneson, E. Satherley. . Emergencies: S, Robbie and N. Robbie.