Comments on the Players

Shannon News, 9 August 1927, Page 3

Comments on the Players

A leading Palmerston enthusiast, who was present at the great match, had something to say about the play-

Williumson, at lull-back, h e said, did not commence too well, his main fault being that lie did not show any dash in recovering the ball after it had passed him. When Reid scored his try, AVilliamson made the fatal mistake of standing on his own goal line instead of going- out to meet him His play ,in the second spell showed much improvement.

Brophy, while on the field played above his usual standard .and his cut-ting-in arid short kicks had the Wairarapa backs thinking. McDonald and Darragh did all that was asked of them, the former’s try being a beauty. Hunt was exceedingly safe, his handling of tli e ball and timely marks being responsible for getting the team out of many difficulties.

Dewe, who replaced Brophy when the latter was injured, gave a decidedly improved exhibition on his previous games, and no doubt ho has much football ahead of him.

E. Parata, at first five-eiglitlis, hesitated rather too much, but was a big Improvement on previous players in his .position. W. Parata, at half was very impres. ive and tho way he scooped the ball- from th e feet of the Wairarapd forwards was a treat to watch.

Jacob played on 0 of his outstanding games, never giving- the opposing half or five-eighths a chance. At the termination of the game he was “chaired” from tli e field.

Th e forwards played a wonderful game, and excelled in every feature of the match. In the line-out and in the tight they invariably gained possession, while tliry had a goodly share of the ball from the scrum. The backs gave glimpses of good combined work, nnd consequently nine-tenths 'Of the play was in Wairarapa territory. A little more polish would hav e enabled them to finish olf their movements better when near the Wairarapa line. They. wer e 'inclined, at the start to wait to intercept rather than to tackle, and in the case of dealing with a man like Cooke this was invariably a dangerous method. The victory is all the more commendable in that the winners did not go into camp, but trained either before or after their ordinary work. Not a little credit is due to “Jimmy” Ryan, the popular ex-All Black, whose wise advice and sound coaching helped to create the “will lo victory.” Cundy, who was the key to the Wairarapa attack when he played in Palmerston North, did not get a chance on Saturday. He was brought to earth by either Jacob or Heatley before any movement could be executed.

Manawhenua Team to Tour

TO PLAY AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON.

Th e ManaAvhenua, team will leave Palmerston North for the northern tour on Tuesday 16th August and Avill play the first match at Ohaltune the following day. Thence they xvill proceed to Auckland v here they will meet the elect of that proA'ince on the following Saturday. Returning to meet Wellington at the capital city on Saturday 2 7th in.vt, they Avill make a halt to play Waikato at either Cambridge or Hamilton.

Early next'month they play Canterbury and Otago in Palmerston North. The members to go on tour will be:

Backs: Williamson (M.), McDonald (11), Hunt (H), Roberts (II), Mullins (M), W. Parata (IT), J. Doavo (M), T. Parata. (H). Forwards. Anderson (M), Tlakaraia (II), Parsons (M), Galpin (M), Payne (It), Crawford (M), Heatley (M), Tremownn (M), Hammond (M), L. Oalzell (IT). Perrson (M), and Jacob (H). Taiana and Brophy avcvo not available, Avliile Galpin and Perrson are only available for the Auckland game.