LEAGUERS ON TRIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 404, 12 July 1928, Page 7

LEAGUERS ON TRIAL

BRISBANE’S BRILLIANT GAME Over 1,000 followers of the League code attended Car-law Park yesterday afternoon, when a Possiblos‘ v. Probables match was played with a view to the selection of players for the various representative fixtures which are ahead. The Possibles, who appeared to _be the much heavier team, were wetorious by 24 points to 14. As is usual with trial matches of this nature, enthusiasm was quite mild compared with the ordinary Saturday afternoon inter-club fixtures. It did not matter a great deal to the fans which side clinched the victory and the entertainment to them actually consisted of the admiring of brilliant turns of play which were certainly seen on numerous occasions. ' Taking into consideration the fact that the players, drawn from the variv ous clubs. had not played together before, the combination, especially among the rearguard men of the Possibles side, was exceptionally good. and looking upon the 26 players, regarded as Auckland’s best, it seemed very hopeful that a team could be chosen quite capable of giving the Englishmen a. deal of trouble. AMONG THE FORWARDS It is no doubt that the selectors have more than a. mere everyday task set before them in selecting the forwards. Both packs yesterday played well and it is likely that when it comes to the final selection the man with the Weight will be given preference. of course, the fast, open forward who can handle a ball will not miss the selecv tors' eyes. for in the trial matches it was very noticeable that some for—wards, shining lights in club football, messed up badly both the receiving and delivering of passes which saw many scores go begging. Campbell, hooking for the Probables side, was some time in getting into his stride, but once set he proved quite a source of annoyance to St. George, even though the Possibles hooker was favoured with a better pack. On the game, such front men as A. Scott, Clark, Hall, Lloisley, Hutt and Dixon all stand bright chances of being included in one of the rep. teams, while another two, Voisey and l-ladly, who 3 played hard throughout the piece, can‘not be overlooked. ‘ BRILLIANT BRISBANE

One of the most outstanding players in the back divisions was Brisbane, at centre for Possibles. His sure handling, heady p l a 3: generally and remarkable straight running marked him as one of the finest backs on the field. By. his straight running especially. he overshadowed Beattie, the opposing centre, who was too much inclined to run across the‘field, giving his wing insufficient room in which to work. Len Scott and Hardgrave look like the two wing—threequarters, while between the two'who lurked behind the scrum_ Delgrosso was perhaps one better than Tim Peckham, although at times both of them were selfish and hung on too long. In the five-eighth line Wetherill and Prentice on the winning side gave quite a. good exhibition of inside back play. Wetherill often put the backs out of "plum" by his running about in all directions, but even so his brains and trick moves changed attack to defence on many occasions.

The opposing five-eighth line, made up of Gregory and Wilson, was perhaps not so bright. Gregory was very solid and brought off some brilliant moves, while Wilson was perhaps a shade on the uncertain side for a fiveeighth. He has a heap of speed and would certainly be much better suited further out. A sprint between he and that speed merchant Hardgrave would be very interesting.

Of the fullbacks Dufty, with liis thorough knowledge and experience of the game, could fill this position perhaps a little better than Hanlon, although the latter was certainly very safe and played a fine game. Hanlon’s position, however, is in the fiveeighth line, where he has shown up as a clever footballer and it seems a little unfair to him that he was not tried out in this position yesterday.