PLAY AND PLAYERS.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1922, Page 14

PLAY AND PLAYERS.

The Poneke-'Varsity ■ game was rough in the sense,of being willing, but it did not appear to be consciously dirty on either side. Feeling ran high, and was encouraged by the crowd, with whom 'Varsity are' favourites, but the effect was to make the pace hot and the tackling deadly, rather than to promote the use of the boot unnecessarily and the illegal laying on of hands. Booker lost his head in an. effort to stop the fleetfooted Jackson, and suffered the penalty, and one noticed both sides rather adding insult to injury, as 'it "were, in the tackling. Men were dumped with a little extra vigour, but it was not this that caused the accidents. B. Algar met his in endeavouring to stop Siddells from getting away with the ball, and^D. Algar suffered concussion after ■ contact with Jackson, who himself was dazed and limpihg afterward. This sort of thing is liable to happen in any hard-fought battle on the football field, and will probably happen as long as Rugby is played. On neither side were there any passengers and the pace was fast to the finish, when 'varsity did seem to tiro. a. little after their prodigious exertions. It was' really the experience of the Poneke forwards that gave the Reds the game. Tiie Greens were clown on their opponents' line just as much or perhaps a little more, but they lacked, a little of leadership when-it came to driving the attack home". ' This is where Jack -Shearer and his mates-came in.'Jack was in his yo-vy best fcrrn ; and not only led most of the dribbling rushes, but, in the second spell, fi'ohythc line-out executed, a- solo run which ultimately gave his sido their second/.try. ' . . -,

Sid Sjiearei and Calcinai were not so much missed as might have rbeen expected, and altogether the performance of the Poneke pack was quits worthy.of their reputation. Pointoii, tho diminutive emergency, who cumo'on when 8.. Algal' was carried off, had the satisfaction, of scoring Foneke's first try. On the 'Varsity side, G. Aitken again carried off the chief honours. He has never played really better and more resourceful football that he is playing today, and if ho keeps his form when.he gets to Oxford, he is sure to go very,far in English Rugby football.: He is, for one thing, quite the best, defensive back in New Zealand, and he also captains his side with skill and judgment. 'Varsity will miss him very much. . • , Siddells also played a great game, and; as full-back, is retrieving the unfavourable impression he rather created by'his experiments nearer the, scrum. Nobody fie!ds the ball better than ho does, and if he could only learn to kick well with the left foot he would probably be considered for tht position of New Zealand representative full-back. ; Two five-eighths, Murray and M'Kay, were better than usual, but neither Miilfroy nor Jackson could get away from their markers. Tunnington had the same ■experience.on.his'side and wing. It was not a ground for the speedy winger. The forwards had to complete the work of the backs.. .... \ Though a formidable array of points was put up against them in the second spell of then gumo with Marist, Wellington battled hard all through- the game, and during the first epell quite J equalled tho Greens in nil departments: but offence by the backs. Johnson, the ex-Southland plavciy. and ■ I Jennings (Christ's College Old Boy) are

a tower of strength to tho Wellington team, and it is a pitj their services were not available earlier. Johnson is a tricky player, and though Wellington is hot in the running for the championship, it would repay the selectors to watch him in future games. He is a heady player, quite adept with the dummy, and knows the precise moment to let the ball away. He gave a firstclass exhibition on Saturday.' Jennings has a fine turn of speed, tackles well, \ and i.s watchful for opportunities. In I form, he will be a Valuable player. . I Hughes, at _ half, played a capital I : game for Wellington, and it was not his ■ fault the side did not do better—he gave : the men behind him plenty of tho ball. Willis has lost none of his knowledge of wing play, and was up with the game all the time. Head also played well in the forwards, and when he went to fullback in place of Wright, gave a creditable exhibition. The Marisfc pack were slow to get going, but they opened out in the second spell, and when the Wellington pack began to tiro, ran over them. The scrum was worked a little better, but the ball does not come away clean. Despite this, M'Cleary found plenty of openings to set his rear' men moving. Markh-Am was on the sick list, but Murphy made an excellent first fiveeighth, and kept his outside men well fed with the ball. The consequence was that the backs indulged in some fine bouts of passing the ball travelling across the line with precision. Mahoney was in great form, and liis speed and footwork made him a thorn in %he side of Wellington. His try was spectacular. Tailored, Creed, and Carmody also played we'll.

Murphy was taught a lesson on Saturday. He was taking an easy shot at goal, but, after the ball had been placed, he took too much time in kiqking it, and in consequence. the ball was charged down. Those two points lost may have made all the' difference in a game. It does not do to take any opponent too cheaply. Old Boys were unfortunate in being defeated by Athletic, for they played a far more attractive game than their opponents. Athletic for the most part relied on their forwards, while Old Boys sought to jnake use of the back division by bringing off passing stunts. It is just in this respect that Old Boys are capable of being very dangerous. Gibson, at centre-threequarter, for Old Boys, is a hard worker and uses his head, all the while, and he, is always looking for a chance to create an opening. Harris, on the wing, is a speedy runner, and when he gets a reasonably clear field he is a difficult man to overtake, but' he is not-at all times sure in his handling of the ball. Still, he his a good man on the wing, and it is a position which would seem to suit him ■ better than anywhere else. Underbill, brought up again . from the junior ranks, is a very serviceable half-back, and plays a good defensive game. Malcolm is an ideal full-back, being cool and confident, and his. gqal-kicking is of no mean order. What one" liked about Old Boys last Saturday was their solid tackling, which on more than one occasion pulled them out of difficulties. ■ , - . ■

Officially, Athletic defeated Old,' Boys last Saturday by 6 points to 5, but there is just a question whether the second try awarded was a legitimate one, as it seemed as if M'Cabe touched down on the wrong side of the line. However, the try was allowed and that is the end of the matter, and H'Cabe really deserved it for the hard work he put in. M'Cabe played a very strong game right through, and be was the best back on the Athletic si3e.

Warwick, who played half for Athletic, is a little gentleman full of'points, hut last Saturday the referee '(Mr. J. Mofiitt) had a very discerning eye for tricks which are not supposed to come off—and they didn't. W. Ryan is among the best of the ■Athletic forwards, and is .'always handy ■when there is something to be done. Brook, at full'-backj occupies his position with credit, some of his line-kicking last Saturday being_ of a high order. Petona's visits to the Athletic Park havt not been attended with much success during the past two seasons; in fact it has been on the principal town ground that they have had most of their defeats. Last year they had three wins'(over Berhampore, 'Varsity, and Oriental), and three losses (against Poneke, Athletic, and 'Varsity). In. their' four matches played there this season (excluding today!s game) they have not registered a win, going down to 'Varsity (25-0), Marist (11-0), and Oriental (12-6); and drawing with Poneke (3-8). The cry for matches on the Park is not likelj to be heard front'Petone after such a disastrous run., ■■■;■'■

Just when Peftme liad reached their best standard,. and gave every . promise of making matters very interesting over the concluding stages ,of the championship, even though they were two points behind Poneke, they fell suddenly to "a, very low standard, giving one of their worst displays to date in the match with Oriental. The combination of the previous week, reaching- a standard of perfection, was lost entirely. .*The ?>acks were all at sea, and only one (Corner) displayed anything like the form that should come "from Pet-one at this stage of the -competition. In short, Petone were a "fallen star." The circumstances responsible for'their latest failure Were unfortunate. ;m:l of the kind over which they had no control. H. E. and Mark Nicholis wefe t"k?n from their .ranks for participation in 'oigser football, VDoc" Nicholis and Eddie Ryan were on the injured list, nnd Udy and Cowie were nob in sufficiently good nick to give of their best. Tims Petone's back division was completely disorganised. With the aid of juniors they endeavoured to hold the position which still gave them a chance for cliumDionship honours, but although they tried hard for most part of the gamo 'they were overpowered in the end by a more solid side.

On a few occasions the Petone machine ran nicely, notably in. the movement immediately after tlie first try was scored. Oriental had not hud time to settle down to their hard work again before Udy was under way. Ashton came on the scene, then Hamilton (win" three-quarter), from whom IJif ball went to Wylie, and next to the other wing- three-quarter, Thomas, but at that stage, near the line, an Oriental player .had succeeded in stemming the sudden onslaughts Only for a moment, however, for Fitzgerald and \Vylie were handy, and .the latter got nn the hall as it went over the line. .That -was about Petone's only sample I that day of What they are capable of doing. T. Price ■was not \vith the pack, which was called imon -to-undertake the greatel portion of a hard iob. The forwards battled hard, but, the full . force of Oriental's weight and vigour was something more than is encountered from most other teams. ' ' . Rodger. Petone's half-back, promoted from junioi, gave a. fair display behind the scrum, and when the scores were level he put in a fine dash that looked like realism" something good for Petone, hut he stuck to the leather too lons. Tt was iust after that incident that Cowie (full-back) -ilso made the fatal mistake of holding the leather.too long, mid it gave Oriental a try which placed them in the lead. Corner is one of Petone's most, reli- ' ablt ul'ayevs when they live up- against it, and he was the beet of the backs last. ■Saturday, when he filled the position to which he is more suited—second five-' eighths. ' While not playing ut> to the standard reached by thorn curlier in the season, particularly in tho previous gtimu with Petone, Oriental proved the force of the

remark marie in these notes last week, that they are still a side who are capable of making an opposing team sit aip and take notice. The game last Saturday was the last of their more important fixtures, the remaining matches being with the three teams lowest on the championship ladder. It is difficult to understand why Oriental have not appeared.in better light this season. They have the right material, but it does not seem to have been developed along the right lines. Lack of finish was still far too much in evidence last! week. The side appeared to be well trained, exhibiting more dash in the final stages than at any other period; and yet very few. of many scoring opportunities that presented themselves were taken up to good advantage. The collective support of the backs to advantageous forward work was not forthcoming, most of the efforts made to bring it about breaking down very quickly.

Individually there was a lot of good work among the Oriental backs, the two win*' three-quarters, - Scott and Riggs, being most prominent. Both made some attractive dashes, and Scott topped off his display by completely fooling a number of -would-bo tacklers, in ■ scoring Oriental's final try; Gi'iffitha is a sound defensive player. • Heley, Ories' full-back, got hi? side out of a number*'of tight corners, and there was merit in his short kicks .'along the ground to touch, even though some of the spectators laughed. . Pole and Wylie, of the Petone pack, have been playing sufficiently well lately to1 entitle them to consideration fox representative honours. '<

In the New South Wales team to meet New Zealand, is !L. W. Wogan, a "brother of S. Wogan, who represented Wellington against Taranoki recently. In 1911 L. Wogan was located' at .Whangar-ev and was the outstanding back in North Auckland football. But; like many another good player, his claims for repre-i sentative honours by the Auckland selectors were ignored. The next season saw Wogan in Sydney football, where critics hailed him as the best centre since the days, of Stanley Wickham. He'toured' California with the. Australian, team, and by sheer merit has held Ms place in tho New South Wales side ever since. Before going to Whahgarei, L. Wogan played with the P.onoke Club in Wellington, and was a colt of excepV tional promise. An effective method of finishing off forward, rushes, and at the same time weakening the power of resistance of the opposition, was brought into operation by the Oriental pack last Saturday. When within striking distance of the line the ball was picked up and thrown about in good style, and thus the solid rush was quickly changed to a more open method of penetration. The forwards handled well, and their indulgence in passing provided a lively termination to the game. The whole pack worked solidly all through. Brown was right on his game, as also was Hickey, who recently came up from the'juniors. The latter shows promise of becoming a fine' forward. Moffitt had a little more of the bad luck which lias come his way in games this season, slightly injurying ■his shoulder. Matthews, Scott (forward), and Heley were also hurt during the game. ...

M'Guffog (from Rotorua) and O'Regan (from West Coast) have joined up with Wellington and 'Varsity respectively, and make useful additions to a good supply of forwards in Wellington.

St. Patrice's College is turning out some backs who should not be long in finding places"in senior teams after they leave college. Blake (five-eighth), Johnson, Taylor, and M'Parlatid (three-quar-ters), are a fine quartet, and, apart from their nippy play against Scots College on Wednesday, they exhibited some fine turns of speed. M'Parland on one occasion worked the blind side of the scrum very attractively for a try. Taylor put up a fine scoring record for the BerhamSoro fifth-class team last season. Scots ollege backs were weak, and played out of position, mostly too close up. Walker did some neat work as half-back, and Faulkner, Tait, and Webber were the best of the others, though there 'was an over-indulgence in kicking on their part.

According to the Wellington Rugby Union's official record of representative players' performances, E. King (Poneke) scored 38 points in the representative games (except Taranakf) in which he played last season—s tries, 7 goals from tries, and 3 penalty goals. As a matter of fact, his total was 60 points—7 tries, 13 goals from tries, 3 penalty goals, and 1 potted goal. ' :