FOOTBALL REPORTS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25537, 3 July 1948, Page 8

FOOTBALL REPORTS

Sir, —“Credit Where Due,” in defence of Roach in Wednesday’s game, may nave some justification for his remarks, as Roach did take some almost impossible passes from Vincent, but all the same I think that the report of the match was excellent. Moreover I do not think the criticism of the backs went far enough. I personally do not think that with the exception of the two wing three-quart-ers, who were starved right through the match, they are worthy of any further consideration. They are miles below representative standard. I would like to see Daniels or Richards (Country full back), the two Country five-eighths, and Chandler of Albion included in the next team.—Yours, etc.. NEW BLOOD. July 2, 1948. Sir.—ln this morning’s issue of “The Press” appeared a rather one-sided report on the Town v. Country game yesterday. The Town inside backs received slight criticism, and then excuses were made for their failure. The fact is, as I saw it, they played only as well as they were allowed to. The two, well-built, heady and fast Country five-eighths, showed them the way to run straight, tackle, and use the good service they received from the scrum. They were quick to exploit the Town mistakes of monotonous kicking, which spoils town football. Both these players learnt their football in the country, although the report indicated they had done so in town, a. point

which needs clearing up. You don’t have to come to town to learn football. The town players certainly have more “polish.” but only because they train together twice a week, a thing I most country clubs cannot do.—Youn*

etc., COUNTRY AND TOWN PLAYER. July 1, 1948. Sir,—ln reply to "Credit Where Due,” I should like to say that the two representative matches at Lancaster Park have completely shown up the appallingly low standard to which the Christchurch clubs have fallen. Every Christchurch club this season has shown itself t® be little more than a side-line grubbing combination. The result has been rootball which bores to distraction. On the other hand, both Ashburton and Country ' gave us Rugby as it should be played. In my estimation the only players in the local clubs are Kelly. Argus, McKenzie. Herman, and Savage. The rest are either mediocre, or merely average.—Yours, etc., , UNICORN. July 2. -948.