FROM THE SIDE-LINES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29829, 23 May 1962, Page 11

FROM THE SIDE-LINES

Jte The form of B. Judge, the Woolston ■*- senior hockey team's right-wing, suggests that he has developed as a result of his tour of India with the New Zealand team earlier in the year. His stick-work has improved considerably during the last two seasons, and he is proving a meet elusive player for opposing halves to mark. His speed and determination enable him to prosecute attacks quickly and in addition to the service which he provides for his inside forwards he possesses undoubted shooting ability himself. He has not always been used to the best advantage by his club, but his opportunities should increase as realisation of bis potential worth as the spearhead of attack increases. The Christchurch nek-forward W. McCallum was sorely harassed in line-out play against New Brighton on Saturday. Time and again he took the ball cleanly in the line-outs but was invariably dragged down, ball and all. by the spirited New Brighton forwards. , te D. J. Davison I / showed some of his best form tor University against Linwood. He ran very fast and hard, and twice managed to move around outside D. Stephens. Davison’s runaway try towards the end of the match showed his tremendous pace. * ¥ ¥

Although he is one of the lightest forwards in the Linwood senior team, A. Mansfield continues to give his side good service. He is an experienced flanker, quickthinking and courageous.

A. Kite’s field goal against Suburbs on Saturday was a particularly neat piece of work, Directly after the interval, the Merivale forwards stormed the Suburbs’ goal line. A quick heel found Ellis in position, and he was completely unruffled in dropping the goal. oThe former Southland Country basketball representative. L. Shaw, is proving a valuable defence for Kakatoi this season. She is a tall player, uses her height to advantage, and is improving with every game. ¥ ¥ ¥

fThe Merivale lock forward J. Grocott played a fine game against Suburbs on Saturday. He dominated the line-outs to a large extent, and none worked harder in the tight. Iff Old Boys’ first win, _.jaa (gainst Albion on Saturday, resulted from the fine combination of its forward pack, but S. K. Henderson, scored all of Old Boys' points. Henderson was the only Old Boys back to Show any enterprise; the rest of the back-line appeared lethargic.

The outstanding player in the Hornby-Christchurch senior Rugby League match last Saturday was the versatile Christchurch player, R. Turtin. The previous Saturday, he was the side's best back, last Saturday he was the best forward. The outstanding feature of Turtin’s play last week was the covering of his backs, and the manner in which he tackled any opposing player who beat the defence.

The New Brighton hooker, D. Collins, is never far from the heart of tight forward play. It is doubtful whether he has ever played more solidly than against Christchurch on Saturday. He took six tight heads during the game, and three of these, remarkably enough, were in succession. Leading point scorers in the Canterbury Rugby League’s senior competition after one complete round; A. Smith (Linwood) 32, L. Geange (Christchurch) 24, I. Drayton (Hornby) 22, G. Bond (Papanui) 19, and M. Mohi (Marist) 19. The University senior hockey team this season is largely an inexperienced side, and it is. therefore, all the more fortunate in possessing a centrehalf as capable as K. Thomson. He is the most skilful exponent of ball control in Christchurch, and probably in New Zealand. His defensive play has proved of untold value to his team, and it is unfortunate that a rather weak forward line has been unable to demonstrate

the true worth of his capacity for creating openings on attack. With fitness, speed, and stamina, he is able to cover a considerable amount of ground during any game, and to maintain the full tempo of his play until the final whistle. ¥ ¥ ¥ The transition from flanker to wing has not affected tire play of Marist’s M. J. Johnstone. In his first two games this season as a wmg he played confidently, his marking of W. Birtwistle, of Christchurch, especially being of a high order. But it was his performance against Belfast last Saiturday which suggested that Johnstone is really finding his feet in his new position. Through great pace he scored four tries and crossed for another two tor which he was Called back by the referee.

Og The leading try scorer in the Rugby competi- “*• tion is the Linwood wing, D. Stephens, with five. Close behind are D. J. Davison (University) V. C. Sykes (Suburbs) and B. Coulter and M. J. Johnstone, both of Mari st, with four each.

__ Although playing on side of the scrum / on Saturday, the young O.u Boys forward, M. Millar continued to impress as one of the moat promising forwards in the senior competition. Miller is a line-out specialist of some ability, but his speed to the loose ball, and his breaking from the side of the serum, stamped him as a forward with a future. One of the most promising and most improved forwards in the Canterbury Rugby League's competitions /s the Marist loose forward, B. Kennedy. Of rangy build. Kennedy can play equally well as a lock. On Saturday he showed tremendous speed for a forward to score a runaway try and again when he caught the Sydenham wing, C. Preece, from behind.

.C. Mullany playing at centre three-quarters for Christchurch made some astute mid-field breaks on Saturday. It was probably fortunate for New Brighton that Mullany, with W. Birtwihiatle outside him, saw relatively little of the ball during the game. eg The three tries \ scored by J. Bray for J— the Hornby Rugby League side last Saturday were each outstanding efforts. A speedy back, Bray seems to be able to appear on the scene just at the right time to take the final pass. On defence, also, Bray is very solid. The Marist lock, J. (JMj) Burns, did some tremendous leaping in the line-outs against Belfast on Saturday. He towered several inches above his opponents. but this natural advantage did not seem enough. He leaped at least two feet off the groud each time, his catching was clean and his dispatching efficient. OThe versatility of New . Brighton's 'siderow forward. I. Penrose was again seen at Rugby Park on Saturday On one occasion he effected a scissors movement with centre three-quarters F. Bishop which left the opposition standing. On another, he attempted a 40-yard drop-kick from a mark and missed the posts only by a fraction.