RUGBY FOOTBALL COLIN BAILEY FUND

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27470, 2 October 1954, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL COLIN BAILEY FUND

BENEFIT MATCH TODAY

The Rugby season for 1954 will end today with the Colin Bailey benefit fund match at Lancaster Park between the Canterbury Ranfurly Shield team and a fifteen selected by the captain of the 1953 All Blacks, R. C. Stuart. The defection of the New Zealand fiveeighths, R. G. Bowers, because of an injury, is a major disappointment, and his place will be taken by a young Wellington five-eighths, R. Brocklebank, who has shown good form this season. Playing with P. J. Creedy as half-back and P. V. Kearney at second five-eighths, Brocklebank will be given every chance to open up the game for R. W. Gilson (Southland), W. G, Argus, and A. Cochrane, all players of repute. With H. Fairbrother (South Canterbury) at full-back, and forwards a blend of youth and hardearned experience, Stuart’s team should play bright, open football. "The forwards look good to me, and I expect them to put up a good show,” said Stuart after the team had practised yesterday afternoon.

The Canterbury shield team is almost at full strength, and all the reserves will be given a run during the game. Although the better condition of the Canterbury team should win the scrums and the game, bright football should be assured.

Mr Stuart will be the official referee. He jmay surrender his task to one of the Canterbury selectors, Mr J. G. Rankin, for the last section.

Following are the teams:— Canterbury.—D. Mayo: M. Dixon, R. Smith, A. E. G. Elsom; A. W. C. McPherson, J. Waine; P. Vincent; N. Roberts, K. Meates, J. Mauger, N. Teague, J. Small, E. Bullmore, D. Young, E. Hern. Reserves.—Forwards: P. Eastgate, S. F. Hill, L. Davies. Backs: B. J. McCormick, D. Taylor, C. McDonald, R. Blick,

Bob Stuart’s Fifteen.—H. Fairbrother (South Canterbury); W. Argus, R. W. Gilson (Southland), A. Cochrane, W. McHugh; P. Kearney, R. Brocklebank (Wellington ); P. Creedy; D. Oliver (Wellington), C. Hardie, N. Dalzell, D. Herman, W. Hargreaves (Hawke’s Bay), G. Bond, K. Fincham, W. Mumm (Buller), E. R. Jones (North Otago), A. L. Cla<<e (Wellington).