GAME OF FOOTBALL

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 27 March 1936, Page 8

GAME OF FOOTBALL

A CLUB SECRETARY'S CRITICISM.

Criticism of weak points in the playing activities of the members of the Southbridge Rugby Football Club were contained in the report presented at the annual meeting on Tuesday evening. The secretary's remarks, however, are applicable to more than one team in the sub-union's competitions and are therefore of general interest.

After saying that individual play in the back division was good, but a lack of understanding among the players weakened their attack, Mr Nidd went on to state: "To my mind a certain amount of the dull football is due to a want of confidence in the backs in not throwing the ball about. The forwards showed any amount of initiative, holding their own with most packs in the competition, but showed a weakness in scrummaging. Once again the senior team showed a dislike for attending practice, only a small number attending regularly.

"On the average, it can be said that the play was fairly satisfactory, this being mainly due to brilliant individualism and not to sound teamwork. It is hoped that players will get together this season and help their club and the game by endeavouring to attend practice so that the teams may build up a sound combination. Teamwork is the essence of good football, for without an orderly combination no team can play an open attacking game which is so desired to-day, for in the past twelve months it has been demonstrated in all Rugby countries in the world that the slow, line-kicking, individual game is the ruination of Rugby football. The falling-off in attendances at matches and the drift of players to other codes are all partly due to the unattractive game as played today. Changes in legislation can only partly cure the ills of Rugby football; the complete remedy lies with the players themselves in building up a team whose brilliant teamwork a<nd combination bear the hallmark of quality. . . .

"A fault which is growing worse is the neglect of players to notify the selectors or secretary of their inability to play on Saturdays, for in several instances last season players told other players to tell the selector that they would not be playing, and as those who were to pass on the information did not arrive in the township until the teams left, it was a case of picking up a few stragglers or travelling short.

"If players made an effort they could easily notify officials that they would not be playing, and I hope this will be remedied this season."