FOOTBALL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 2206, 1 August 1910, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

[By " GoAii Post."] Writing of the North team in the trial match on Saturday last " Forward " in the "Alexandra Herald" says : " 1 would like hero to express disapproval at the alteration in the North team. I refer to the changing of Dwyer and Varcoe. The latter has proved his capabilities at five eighths, whilst it will bo remembered that when Dwyer was tried in that position in the Cromwell team he was not a success. The question that presents itself is the form of these two players this season, and it cinnot be said that Varcoe has been a failure at five-eighths. Far from it, whilst on the other hand Dwyer's play this season has not been up to that of previous years. This by way of no disrepect to Dwyer, for he has proved himself a brilliant player, but my sole object is to condemn the selectors. Varcoe has a happy knack of making openings and he runs straight; and be it here said that one of the selectors owes a good portion of his merit when on the field to the heady play of Varcoe. Selectors in past years have never hesitated to give Varcoe his rightful position, and I would like to ask on what grounds have the selectors' based their alteration. One thing is certain —not on this season's play. I understand that Varcoe has signified his intention of withdrawing from the trial match as a protest against the selection and 1 (juite agree with him. A meeting of the Vincent Subunion was held at Clyde on Saturday but we have been unable to obtain an official report thereof. We understand that Mr 11. E. Stevens was appointed manager of the Vincent team to Dunedin and that £lO was voted towards the team's expenses. Mr VV. Crombie, referee in the recent Cromwell-Lowburn match reported a Lowburn player for tripping and the matter was held over till next meetin»\ The Tuapeka committee wrote that it was unable to send a team to Vincent until September. On Saturday next the public will be provided with a game of unusual interest and unattended by the seriousness of fl ig matches. The game is between teams representing the Lowburn " Cookies" and the Cromwell " Bonsor's" and will take place on the Cromwell ground at 3 p.m, and the losing team is to pay for a dinner. A charge is being made for admission the proceeds to be handed to the recreation committee. Great interest is being taken in the match and a large attendance is expected. The following arc the respective teams : Ckomwell. Backs —F. Jones, Campbell, Hamilton, C. Betts, C. Gray, G. Wriglilson, Lawrence. Forwards —E. Mitchell, G. Norman, A. Eea, H. Kaitt, G. Arthur, D. Tizard, Geo. Mitchell, R. Billmgton. Emergencies: W. llcuskaw, L. Gibb, A. Stephens,

Lowuurx. Backs KloogU, H. Wood, F. Partridge, 11. Bretlierton, C. Swarm. Forwards—T. Johnson. A. Glass, U. Clark. J. Wood, H. Perriam, F. McFeliu, P. lleauey, J. Johnston. • NORTH v. SOUTH. The trial match between team? representing the above was played at Clyde on Siturday, in the presence of a large number of spectators. The team originally selected to represent North suffered to a great extent by withdrawals from the ranks, no less than eight hiving to be replaced by emergencies, those who ware not present being Varcoe (2), Crombic, Wilson, Campbell, 11. Partridge, Mackenzie and J. Tcovathan. North (Blues) won the toss, and South (Lleds) so!; the ball in motion, and from a scrum early in the ginu Crawford brike through and took play to Blues twenty-five. The latter cleared to the centre and gained a further advantage by a penalty. Play was soon back in Blues territory and hard kicking resulted in a force. From a scrum following the kick out Dwyer sent the ball well back but Richardson marked, and kicked hard down the field but the Baa forwards broke away only to be stopped by Gye at midlield. From soma loose work a hoe effort by F. Partridge resulted in M'Naught touching down. D.vyer failed with the kick. Gye was responsible for stemming another Blue onslaught after the kick out, but the attack was renewed and with play dangerously close to Rmls line a free kick brought relief Lewis kicked hard over the liue and Allan forced. An attempt to pot by D.vyer kept low aud Williams' found touch near midfield. Dwyer had another unsuccess' ful shot at goal audjhalf-time sounded with the scores : North 3, South 0.

A determined rush by the Reds opened tbe second spell and from a line-out Davidson sent the ball to Butler who dived over but lost it, and a forced resulted. Allan put in a fine run from midfield and kicked out near the corner, The ensuing line out saw Crawford. dribble over the line and score. Hall failed to convert. Following the kick out, Dwyer failed with another attempt from a penalty and the Reds chargod down on the Blues line where hard-kicking was again responsible for a force. With play still in Blues territory Butler marked and Hall landed a fine goal. M'Kenzie centred the kick-out but a Red back was penalised for off sHe. Dwyer attempted another shot at goal without avail, and like« wise from a mark by Lowis. A vigorous attack by Blues was relieved by splendid work on the part of Davidson and Butler just when a score looked imminent. A final effort by Dwyer in the closing stages showed he was off color, and time sounded with the score : South G, North 3. Mr J. Holden controlled the game and Messrs T. Cahill and W. Olds acted as line umpires The county selectors mot at Clyde on Saturday and selected the team to do Imttle for Vincent during " Country Week." The present team, in comparison with those which have gained and upheld the prestige of Vincent football cannot cause any undue ecstasy amongst supporters of Greens. A review of the backs fails to disclose in the rearguard many players of the calibre of King, Cahill (2), Jolly and Varcoe, while the vanguard can hardly he classed with such trojans as lloldeu, Morgan, Thomas, lizard, iDeuniston, Talboys and others. In the present combination the backs arc somewhat a "mixed lot," including no less than!five who have been in the position of live-eighths in club fixtures and several of these only mediocre at that, while Dwyer, who has had four years as centre is allotted the new position of five-eighths, and much more confidence must have been instilled in the rearguard had he been selected centre, as past the five-eighth line the defence now is weak. On the season's play the most noticeable exclusion from the rearguard is R. Varcoe, due no doubt to his action in re the trial match, but the fact remains that lie is equal to any and superior to the majority of the backs. The tactics he has adopted in an endeavor to assist the Blues to victory in flag contests has been successful, but not appreciated in many quarters, but the most carping critics must admit that no other backs in the county have this year or any other, showed they possessed the initiative. The soundness of the rearguard of former years is not to be found in the present combination. Forwards are always hard to pick but the mystery of the selection lies in the fact that two ](layers who were passed over for the trials were played as emergencies and thence gained county honors. These are Foster and Adam, both good forwards too, but the selection shows an inconsistency. Adam, for instance, first emergency, played hack for his club and full back in the trial as a reserve. If Maniototo has made the progress reported they should this year extend Vincent, but on the form of previous years the Greens will be equal to the occasion. The following is the team : Full-back—ll. Williams (C). :j's—J. Varcoe (Cr), J". Lewis. A. Crombie (B). %'s —J. Richardson (A), J. Dwyer (Cr). Half—F. Gyc (C). Forwards—T. Blackie, T. M'Kenzie (Cr), H. Partridge, W. Foster, T. Trevathan (L), J. Hancock (B), J. Davidson, It. Crawford (C). Fmer/^eucies —Backs : A. Tippett (B), C. Davidson (C). Forwards: J. Adam (Cr),J. Wilson (A).