HURDLING A TACKLER.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 July 1919, Page 3

HURDL ING A TACKLER.

A DANGEROUS PRACTTCIT. ,S(_|lug of the New Zeal ind Ls:-igue footl.allers in Sydney Aattenlptrii the dangerous practice of I€'<lPiTl3 OW? an opyicm-nt. The latg A_ E, Stoddart, Ellglaud’s famous cricketer, and 3» member Of the first English football team to visit New Zealand, was the first Player to give an exhibition -of this style of beating a would—be tacklcr. The visiting team was a fine combination, and always gave a good exhibition of Rugby football. Their ‘skipper, Sqddon} was drowned; n'ear Maiuand whilst on one of the pleasure trips organised for the visitors. When the Englishmen. met. the New South Wales’ representative team in the first match they were up against some giants, including the late Dr. Ben Newell, an ex-St, Stanislaus’ College, Bathul'st., forward. He was a man after Tancred’s "build, only less bulky, and towering over his side, gathered the ball in the ‘line-out -and sailed along the field with his arm well -over ‘his head, and with the ball in one hand. The brothers Bel-lbridge were also in the team, six-footers each. One of the Bellbridges stooped to tackle Stoddart, who cleared him easily. ' Dally, Messenger’s famous dive, is familiar, no doubt, but Davidson ’s leap «over Blair’s shoulders, in the second match between New South “Tales and New Zealand, was easily the best of its kind seen there. New Zealand invariably supplies something sensational on the football field, but, is hurdling an opponent worth the risk? asks a Sydnew writer. The representatives from across the ‘Tasman should remember.

the fate of Armit, one of their very best backs. He fell on the football field, never to play again. Foo-’Fba.llers generally should cut out unnecessary risk.