FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5075, 12 July 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL

OUR"REP"TEAJM. !

[BY DAMOCLES.] : The excitement and interest in the matches for the Championship J\ now being concluded, the all-absorb-mf. ing topic of conversation am oiig football enthusiasts soems to be the personel of the team likely to our district in coming mnl dies, 1 havo been asked to give my: opinion, based upon the form displayed in tbo principal cup matcho's during the season, and I hope my | remarks may be takon in the spirit iiu which they aro written —in tho earnest desire that the Wairarapa may bo represented by the best nil in available and that the team may 1 jo chosen

free from any party or pnrt ial feeling, It is to be hoped a trial fifteen * will bo chosen by the Selecti on Committee to go in for assiduous practice together, and then thorn will be a chanco of the Wairarapa upholding its reputation as ono of the strongest footbnll centres in tho Colony. Our only defeat of last season was the result of not being up-to-date in the liner points of the game, and could this bo remedied, we have nothing to fear ngui nst allcomers, The full-back is generally the first » chosen man in all matches, and I think there need be little hesitation in making this selection. Harry Wrigley is certainly the man for this responsible position, and 1 havi! as yet seen nothing to approach him in all tho matches 1 have wihnestied. Although ho Ims been playing centre three-quarter for his club all the season, ho has undoubtedly bam doing double work, and his past reputation as full-back should place him without opposition. For the position of wing three-quarters ive havo several excellent men, among whom may be mentioned D'Arcy, Ross, Owen, H. Udyand R. Thompson. If D'Arcy intends to don the jersey in big matches, he will go in with flying colors, In form he is always brilliant, alike on the attack and defence, and any team feels safe with a man like D'Arcy on the lield Ross has undoubtedly proved himself a really splendid player, and in the last few matches has shown real " rep " form. He never tires, and can stand plenty of feeding. In ~ D'Arcy's absence, Owen is the next CB best man to till the Tacancy. r ■ Although he has probably forfeited his chanco by only playing in two matches during the season, everyone knows that in proper condition, he has few, if any, equals in the district, Udy and Thompson have played well in club matches, but cannot be classed with the other nominees. McGovern cannot bo excluded as centre-three-quarter, Brunton being the only other of any merit in the district, McGovern is far and away the best of the two, and with a smart five-eight can be reckoned upon to do his duty. The next position—five-eight—should go to Booth. W. Thompson is certainly the coming man in this position, and next season I shall look to this sterling young player to fill a prominent position is our "reps. Hansen's retirement this season has caused a vacancy, for had he played up to last year's form he would have been a certainty. Maguire, either as half or five-eight is always good for ' Aj a place, and he deserves it, Grey- ' ™ town's victorious career has been ' brought about by his excellent play I behind the scrum, and bo should lill this positiou to perfection. Hudson and H. Perry have also done good I service during the season, but i Maguire has spoilt their chance. In wing-forwards a good pair could be selected from any of the following ! quartette, Woon, Wrigley, Gray or i Mitchell. All are excellent men in : the position, butas the two latter will ' probably be selected in the forward division, Woon and Wrigley should have the preference, < The forwards will take a lot of picking, and any selection the Committee may make, will be sure to meet with opposition in some quarters, Several men may be mentioned of equal quality, and there will undoubtedly be trouble in fixing this department, Watson is first and foremost, and any " rep " team would not be complete without his sendees. ft and I). Udy are also certain of inclusion, their brilliant play always stamping them as our very best, and Cochrane's great ft games this year, should not cause ™ the Committee much delay. 1 fancy Gray will have some trouble in gaining the honour this year, and will have strong opposition in Cress, Mitchell, Dockery, Morris and McKillop. To select a trio out of the above-mentioned playors, is a very difficult matter, but I fancy the chances of Gray, Mitchell, and Mortis, or probably Cress, although the others may be quite as efficient, The team would, therefore, be as follows:—Back : Wrigley ; threequarters : D'Arcy, McGovern, Ross; five-eight: Booth; half: Maguire; wings: Woon and T. Wrigley; forwards: Watson, D. and ft Udy, Gray, Cochrane, Mitchell aud Morris, or Cress,

The match between the Orientals and Carterton Hovers, played on the Lansdowne Ground yesterday, resulted in a win for the former by 13 points to nil. Tho winners had tho best of the gamo throughout, displaying far better football than their opponents. Webb and J.i Wickens. (2) scored tries for the Orientals, and A Bennett placed a pretty goal from a mark. For the winners J. Wickens, B. Bennett, Dupre, and Finlayson played beat among the forwards, whilst Jlaion, A. Bennett, and Lambert were com- - spicuous among the backs, For Carterton, McKenssie, Armstrong, McKwen and Buckvidge did best,