NOTES AT RANDOM.

Shannon News, 24 June 1927, Page 3

NOTES AT RANDOM.

LAST SATURDAY'S REP. GAME. HOROWHENUA'S FORM DISCUSSED. The fact that Horowhenua registered a win in their first representative fixture of the season, hardly atones for the manner in which victory was Avon. It must be admitted by any fair partisan that, on the day, Manawatu played- better football and in this respect thoroughly* deserved to win. Bearing in mind the two easy victories over the Green and Whites last year, supporters of the game in this district awaited Saturday's match with a fair amount of confidence, but on seeing their representatives in action that confidence received a setback and although Horowhenua left the field winners by two points, the form displayed was anything but reassuring. MANAWATU'S SUPERIOR COMBINATION.

With the exception of the tight forward play and line out work, Manawatu showed much superior combination than Horowhenua. This applies particularly to their play in the open, and after the first few minutes it was easily seen by their well-directed movements that they would be a dangerous proposition when opportunities came along, and as the game progressed their super- . iority in the loose forward rushes and baek play became evident. They were only robbed of victory, a few minutes before "no-side," by a couple of clinking penalties by Jacob. DRASTIC CHANGES NECESSARY. It is obvious, after watching Saturday's gaoie, that the selector will have to make several drastic changes in the Horowhenua team if he hopes to pilot it through the season with an unbeaten record similar to last years' achievement, particularly in view-of the strenuous challenges 2or the Bebbington Shield that are yet to be played. As predicted in this column last week, Horowhenua's scrum work was faulty and appeared at a disadvantage "thfOUghdut the game. As far as the actual hooking of the ball was concerned, we were compelled to play "second fiddle" and even when our hookers did obtain possession, which was on rare occasions; the ball just dribbled slowly out; the half-back becoming so impatient that he should have been penalised several times for taking it out himself.

Our first game for the Bebbington Shield will be against Dannevirke who excel in this particulai phase of the game, and unless an improvement is not effected in this direction disaster may

be the result. v Mackersey was a failure both as i hooker and a forward He was out of his class, and a suitable mate will have to be found for Maihi. The Red and Blue forwards put it well across Manawatu in ithe tight work and on the line outs, Tatana ami Bond being outstanding in the lattei. j'Pflr,ect DISAPPOINTIG FORWARDS. It was out in the loose that the Horowhenua vanguaid were, to put it mildly, disappointing and although they de finded well their attacking movements were not to be compared with those seen last season. There were too" many loafers m the Horowhenua pack when it came to the loose rushes and frequently opportunities went by through insufficient support. When one looked round to dis cover the reason, it was to behold several forwavda trotting along among the backs. ~ B . Jacob -was an example to his forwards in the loose and played a virile game from start to finish; His following up was a pleasure to w §teh, while as a wing-forward he disclosed too many tricks for Walden, his vis-a-vis. ' Gleeson, although playing his best game so far this season, was not impressive and oil form was flattered to gain a place in'the?team., L- Dalziell proved that hVis hardly up to rep. standard, while K. Dalziell, although grafting solidly in the heavy stuff, found the pace.too hot. ',•,,' The same may a~>ply to Bond, but nevertheless this player was invaluable on the line-outs, frequently giving his side an advantage that was so essential owing to losing control of th<: flcruxns • Next to Jacob, Tatana and Maihi were easily the pick of the Red pack, the former playing a -fine all-rounu game while the latter was into everyr thing displaying rare dash, particular ly when an opening presented itselt on attack. . Horowhenua were decidedly unroitunate in losing Chisholm their halfback just before the inteival. An injury to the forearm caused the retirement of this player, who was playing an excellent game up till then. Alwavs alert, he opened up play at every opportunity while he did more than his share when it came to stopping the Green forwards in the loose. It was sheer bad luck just to happen in his initial rep. game in this district.

WEAK FIVE-EIGHTS. As an attacking unit, Horowhenua '* five-eight line during the first spell was nothing more nor less than a farce. There were times when it was absolutely pitiful to watch Moses when he re«eived the ball from Chisholm. He appeared to be in an utter state of bewilderment, and his movements conveyed the impression that he did not know which way to go or what to do with the ball, with the result that the outside men, when it did come their way, were dumped immediately they got their hands to it. There was a marked improvement when Warren went in to second fiveeigths during the second spell; more ground being gained with the passing rushes and had this player been in action in the first spell when Horowhenua were dominating the play, a different tale would have been told. It wad claimed in these columns last week that an injustice had been done to this player when he was not in the original fifteen, and he amply proved on his play when his chance did come. that it will be mighty hard to keep him out of ihe Combined team. Paraia the other five-eigth, ruined many opportunities by going too far with the ball, being caught in possession too many times. He usually fin-

ished up in the ruck or got dumped for trouble.

FINE THREE-QUARTER LINE

Horowhenua'e threequarter line was an unqualified success considering the few opportunities that were offering, and- it is safe to say that given plenty of the ball they will make things move in any company. This applies more particularly to Hunt and J". McDonald. Satherley a last year's junior, was wearing the Red and Blue jersey for the first time and taking this into consideration, shaped fairly well. There were occasions when his play showed signs of inexperience, but he should leain a lot from this game. J. McDonald, on the other wing, more than justified his inclusion in this position, his clever runs with the ball keeping the defence busy. His try in the. second spell was very neatly executed and had Darragh, his opponent, completely nonplussed. Hunt is still the Hunt we know, and gave of his best from start to finish. A SOUND FULL BACK.

All eyes were directed on Ryder, Horowhtnurt's new full-back, and it must be j said that he came through the ordeal j with flying colours. There were times when he was overshadowed by Williamson, who is a full-back above the average, nevertheless, he frequently saved his side from awkward situations. Mis kicking was oii" the weak side. THE REFEREEING. That Saturday's game was a difficult one to control, was quite obvious to the ivcrage person and that the referee carried out his duties to the best of hio ibility goes without saying. Neverheless, the fact remains that at times ho game was beyond him. There h .'0 doubt whatever, that he was unduly iiars'h upon the visitors, especially with his interpretations of the offside rule, >vhich he constantly failed to apply the advantage rule in any way. It is inieresting to note that Manawatu were penalised 29 times to Horowhenua's 11. It must me generally admitted, that the control of the games this season has not been of the best and judging by comments overheard in various quarters the public are beginning to sit ip and take notice. It is needless o state that the public are not goinga o pay to see a game spoilt by weak rei'ereeing, and if matters do not improve Dheii a drop in the gate takings will iocn be noticeable. Then again players become dissatified, and do not give of their best if they have no confidence in the referee. There are referees in the district who have the practical credentials to ably control the best games that can be provided, and it seems to the writer a great pity that they are not applying their knowledge. The Horowhenua District Council and the Referees' Association have been at loggerheads ever since the commencement of the season. Perhaps there are faults on both sides, but surely some amicable agreement can be reached in the form of a compromise between the two parties, for the public, although not concerned with any interval squabbles, at least demand the best in return for the money they pay.