Notes on the Players.

Taranaki Central Press, 19 April 1937, Page 2

Notes on the Players.

(BY “GRANDSTAND.”) The- scorers for Stratford in the match against Inglewood were Butjher, Rowlands, Sangster, Lehmann, Ross (2), and Smith, while Garlick kicked a goal from a mark. CliffordTones was in good kicking form, registering three goals out of five ait.empts. The honours rest.id with the back division, but the forwards had three scores to .their credit. Both Butcher ' and Smith deserved success, as they were among the hardest workers or the day. Garlick’s mark and successful kick was a pleasing exhibition of resource, as it is seldom a forward lhilmseif l>y securing a mark in a favourable position. In such an even lot of forwards, there- will be wide difference of opinion concerning any outstanding players, but the claims of Roger Youn/g, Smith, Hint* in and Clarke appear to be incontestable. The first-named revelled in ths. fray but was well supported. Faster’s role behind >the scrum apeared to suit him. On the line-out, the forwards were superior to their opponents, but the difference in the scrums wa s not so pronounced. It Was in the loose, as usual, that the S.ratford pack devastated the enemy to greatest effect,. * * * Three new faces in the back division (V. Robson at full, W. Rowlands as right* wing-quarter, and Jlifford-Joncs second five-eighths) attracted attention, and their play was followed by the spectators with keen inter--st. Robson filled the position creditably, fielding and kicking with judgment. Rowland s made a spectacular debut, alnd did. his job v.tell. He was never a.t a loss to know what, to do in good style, and never shirked the work that panic his way. He completed a perfect passing movement by scoring the second try for his side. CliffordJone s was. worth his place as a goalticker, for which he conies up from the junior ranks with a big reputation. He also handled the ball in the fastest of the passing movement with the ability of a much-older play?r, thanks to his training at the Technical High School. He promises o b? a valuable acquisition to the division. * * Lehmann pleased the critics with his exhibition as centre, and his try was the issue of a swerving run. His. passes were well timed as a rule, and he wings had no reason for complaint. Ross was much in the picture, and scored his two tries a s »the result of determined runs. Pat Collins and “Shorty” Sangster, the •wergrpen popular pair, worked together like a 'machine and were responsible' for practically all it he good passing movements of the day. Sangster was the veritable pivot of Stratford’s success all day. * * * Ingl wood put up a plucky defence, hut vtre not good enough. O. Arnold, Rumball and O’Byrne were the best of the backs, and the Murphys, O’Byrne, Gorney and Young s h(rie out for solid work among the forwards.