THE RUGBY CODE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 210, 18 June 1936, Page 3

THE RUGBY CODE

MATCHES LAST SATURDAY. COMMENT ON THE PLAY. (By "Onlooker"). The surprise defeat of Old Boys by Rakaia and the greatly improved showing of Technical Old Boys against Methven augers well for the remaining rounds in the Ashburton Rugby Union's senior competition. It is to be sincerely hoped that the standard of play keeps on showing this muchTneeded improvement, which will be so beneficial to the game. Old Boys, with the inclusion of the most prominent of Allenton's players, on their previous Saturday's form looked like having a comfortable victory over Rakaia, but the country side playing superior fotoball, ran out easy winners by 18 to 3. Playing with great vim the Rakaia forwards dominated the game, giving their backs plenty of the ball and harrying the opposing rearguard to such an extent that they were not able to produce the football expected of them. Conspicuous among a hard-working pack were the D'oig and O'Connor brothers who were ably supported in the rearguard by J. O'Connor, F. Ironside and J. Doig. The rearrangement of the Old Boys' back division was not successful and although changes were made during interval, they were of no avail. The most prominent of Old Boys backs were D. Cutler (until forced to retire with an injury), E. Lunn and S. Kerr, while the best forwards were B. Newton, W. Smitheram and W. Alexander.

The game between Methven aud Technical Old Boys was chock full of incident, the result being in doubt until the final 'whistle. Technical Old Boys, who were strengthened by Allenfcon players, showed wonderful improvement and judging by Saturday's exhibition, if they show the improvement that is to be expected, they will be a force to be reckoned with in later games. At five-eighths, W. Burgess, is an acquisition and played well, while Sutton at full-back gave a sound exhibition. Wyndham and C. Bradley also played sterling games. Of the forwards, Hawke and Prichard were outstanding and were ably supported by Judkins and Ward. For Methven. McNeil, Drummond and R. and J. Lilley were most prominent, while of the forwards W. Lochhead, E. MeKenzie and Broker worked tirelessly. Another Tomoana. Old-timers of the Rugby field remember the genius of Friday Tomoana, the great Maori half-back who played brilliant football for the Hawke's Bay representative team in the early days of the century. Friday was club-footed but he overcame his handicap and was reckoned at his best to be a first-class half-back. There is another Tomoana of the younger generation playing football for the Celtic senior team in Hastings this year. He is reported to be playing good football.

Wanganui Rugby Family. In recent years no Wanganui Rugby family has been more famous than the Locketts, members all of the Kaierau Club and representatives of ability. The last playing member is Gay Lockett, set down to captain Wanganui against Taranaki in the A representative match recently. Gay has played good football for Wanganui for years and he is an ideal captain. He led Wanganui against Taranaki in the frenzied King's Birthday game last year, when the failure of Collins, full-back of the 1932 team in Australia, to convert a Taranaki try close to the posts in the last minute gave Wanganui the match by 21 points to 20. Loss to Taranaki. Because he intends to be married at the end of the year, H. Boswell, captain and half-back of the Tukapa team, will be lost to Taranaki representative football this Tear. Though Boswell's undoubted brilliance in club play is not so noticeable in interprovincial football, his position as the best half-back in Taranaki at present is unquestioned, and his loss will be severe. A fine goal-kick, he has represented Taranaki in past seasons, and as an extremely able tactician he has led Tukapa to many victories. How many Rugby backs appreciate the fact that when an orthodox attack is met by sound defence the only successful method of penetration is by unorthodoxy? Chain passing may occar sionally have its virtues, but it is only the man who exercises his grey matter, his own individuality, who ever wis any real ice on the football field.

No Indication of Superiority. "The fact that the All Blacks were beaten in two of their international matches during their recent British tour, whereas the Springboks- won all their international games, need not be taken as an assumption of South African superiority," said F. Bergh, the Springbok forward, in the Bloenifontein "Outspan'' recently. "As one who played in the four internationals in Britain during the last tour," he continued, "I know how hard and well the Home countries can play in an international game and how difficult the matches are to win. Secretly proud as we may be of our Rugby prowess, We have nothing on the Welshmen or the Scots, or the English or Irish when they are playing in their national colours." Fraser-Smith in FormGood form was shown by ox-Waira-rapa forward Fraspr-Smith when playing for Wellington against Marist Old Boys last Saturday. He showed pace in some strong breaks in the loose and initiated one or two fine rushes of snappy passing among the forwards. On form he is definitely a candidate for representative honours.