RUGBY TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 9, 10 May 1939, Page 5

RUGBY TOPICS

OLD AND NEW PLAYERS

RANGITAIKI SUB-UNION

Though there are only three senior teams in the Rangitaiki Sub-Union competitions there are plenty of junior teams and it seems that the season of club football without any Shield interruptions will be very beneficial. There are some very ;ine young players coming on around Te Teko say s Tom Whitely. They are good big young fellows with, plenty of zip, and the hefty Rangitaikil and Bay of Plenty forward says that he hopes to help them by coaching. Tom is playing again this, season but he saj's he is carrying a fair amount of condition which he will have to work off. Eddie liowell and his'brothers are reported to be on' the job again.., They and the Leco Brothers have trained thoroughly and are already very fit. A man who played against Mac Howell the other day says that he is playing good football. The player thinks that How r ell is the hard est man to stop in the Bay. He says that it is like hitting a concrete post to tackle Mac these days. RAY SWANX IN GISBORNE. Ray Swann, Whakatane and Bay of Plenty player is winning laurels as a line attacking five-eighths in Gisbome. He is playing for Old Boys, and is considered certain to play for Poverty Bay this season. He opened the season with a potlted goal—just as he did in his first match in Whakatane—scored a try in the next game, and on Saturday, with Lis team fighting for a dra,w, scored two tries in the last 'ten minutes and won the game. Swann's attacking power was never doubted, but his defence w r as often criticised over here NEW FIVE-EIGHTH. Another former Thames Valley plaj r er who will be out on Saturday for Whakatane is Gordon Jackson, late of Te Aroha, and now working in Whakatane. Those Avho have .seen Jackson play say thait he is a very nippy five-eighth. He has also played a good deal at fullback but prefers the inside position. Jackson had a run with those of the team who turned up at training last week, but long working hours recently have interfered with his preparation, md he will probably not be seen at his best for a game or two. Dave Wilson will probably be back in the Whakatane side on Saturday and he should put some needed sting into the forward play. Jack Best is not too fit yet and he cannot be expected to do all the Ayork himself. Dave was bitten by a katipo spider at Ohope at Easter and has not played for fear of injury to his heart. However, he thinks the venom must be pretty well out of his system. If any men are found dead with toothmarks in them after a scrum breaks up Dave says it will show that the venom is still leaking ouSt. CLERICAL REFEREE The Rev Iv. J. Watson, who refereed the Star.Paroa match on Saturday, made a very good job of his first assignment. He is a big man and lookg fit and it is rather a pity that h e cannot be persuaded to turn out in a plaj-ing capacity. Still referees are not over plentiful. Mr Watson lias worn Otago's blue jersey. Jack Denham took the whistle <*t the Taneatua-Old Boys match ori Saturday, and from all accounts did well. He is a forward greatly missed bv Whakatane. "