STRATFORD-STAR MATCH

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 451, 7 June 1937, Page 2

STRATFORD-STAR MATCH

Notes On The Players

(BY “GRANDSTAND.”) Despite the wet ball and slippery ground, the Stratford backs scored nearly all the points, but the honours 1 of the day were divided with the forwards, who did most of the .solid work. There were changes in the back division due to various reasons, chiefly injured players, and considering the unfavourable conditions, the places were filled well. * * * Dodd, at full-back, staged a comeback very satisfactorily, and wias safe as well as enterprising. Provided there is an understanding with the three-quarter line for someone to drop back when the full back ventures into- the enemy’s domain, such tactics are permissible, but they lare | always allied with danger. However, Dodd was lucky in this respect, and earned much applause.

Tubby, a new winger this season in the seniors, made .a- good l showing, particularly in the second spell, but he is inclined to be impetuous, and this cos.lt him honours while his side lost ground by it.

Rowland's two tries capped a good day’s service. He showed dash and

safsty_firs.t tactics, which worked out to the Red and Blacks’ advantage. His collaring was worthy of emulation by many backs. * * * Robson played in the centre, land j he combined well with Cuff and Ross : ’in the five-eighths line. His passes i were good as a rule, and the wings ' had no cause for complaint. He got ! through a hard game quite well. !

Ross, at first five-eighths, played la. j sterling game. He appeared to glory j in being in the thickest part of the j fray, as he loomed up unexpectedly | at times when need was greatest. He j displayed a great pair of hands by i the manner of his fielding and passes. He kicked two goals out of several attempts, but few spectators ■ expected he could do much better under the circumstances. * * *

Cuff, in the second position, coopeiUted with Ross and Robson, and with 'them bore 'the burden of the Star attacks. He specialised in supplying Robson with the ball and succeeded with remarkably few misakes.. The- tacJlijig ;of the inside men was effective, land mostly rendere'd*th% Star innocuous at 'the outside. * * * Sangster’s' hal'f-back play was typical of “Shorty” at his best on a wet day. His try to open the Reids’ scoring (account was due to a dash from behind a scrum, and two dummies to complete the movement successfully, leaving a number of the Blacks nonplussed. • * * * The state of the ground was not relished by the l Red forwards, but • hey got through ithe mud better than their opponents. In the tight work they were 'tigerish in their efforts against which the Blacks strove in vain, though to their credit be it said, the visiting ruck never let up. The line-outs were won mos'tly by the Reds, and the scrums were used as a means.' of getting the leather out to the back division. Those of the spec- ! tators who did not see the match I against Inglewood on the previous j Saturday must have wondered what i sort of a pack the maroons fielded I in order to beat the Reds.

v*uvi LU ucai, Jrt.eas. * * * R. Clarke stood out as a leader during Saturday’s match, and his try was'well earned, though he was only one of the bunch of forwards to carry on the rush to the line. The others were prominent ht all times, but Young towered above all on the lineouts and in the loose. Smith, Davey-

and Hinton were the most valuable trio under all conditions.; and Butcher, L. Clarke and Fastier, in backing up every movement, completed the usual good pack. * * * A word must be said on behalf of Simpson, Star’s small but well-built, full-back, who was a favourite' with all the spectators for his pluck and resourcefulness in the many tasks which efime his way to fulfil. His was the- siafelty zone in the Blacks; besides, he gained much ground, by well judged kicks, combined wiffi occasional solo runs and reliable tackling- when necessary. * * * The back division were engaged spoiling Stratford’s attacks, pnd when 'the ball came way were prevented from doing much with it. MacFarlane, at centre; played the most serviceable game in the line. *» * * The Black forwards deserve credlit for their bbattle for a forlorn hope in the second spell. The Goodins' (2), Sampson, Morris and Rutherfurd well supported.