FRANKLIN RUGBY.

Franklin Times, Volume XXI, Issue 67, 10 June 1931, Page 5

FRANKLIN RUGBY.

THE GAME AND ITS PLAYERS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “Two-Three-Two”).

Easily Hu* best match seen in l’rank- , ~l his « cas °n, was the match plaved -H luakau on Saturday between Tuakau and Clevedon. The final score, hree all, was a good indication of the evenness of tin* teams. The Tuakau ehib, which lias not suffered defeat . , ll!> season * can field a fifteen equal to " ofc bet,ei ' liian any other plaving m the inter-club competitions.' The meeting with Clevedon. which onlv tlns year entered the Franklin subunion. and which has had a lairlv good record this season, was awaited wi h interest. a close contest was fully expected. In the first half l uakau. having the wind in its favour dommated play, and shortly before the breather” an unconverted try was secured by L. Piggott, When the change over came the wind had decreased in velocity and the home sid* showed up to advantage again. The scores were evened by Mainwaring wliile the gods were unkind to Dow' his shot hitting the cross-bar and rebounding outfield.

Tuakau’s Players Discussed. luakau fielded a team strong in all departments and with no perceptible weak links. At full-back, Ray Wilcox, who last season figured in Rucbv at To Awamutu, played a safe and sound game when called on. The three-quarter line was as good as any country club could be expected to field, the players being Ross, Bell and Costar, all newcomers to the district. Incidentally, Selectors R. W. Bilkey and W. J. Short, of the South Auckland Union, have selected Costar to wear the black jersey on the wing against Thames in a match at Pukekohe on Saturday. A. Barnaby, at first-flve-eighth, led his team like a g-eneral would an army, and he was undoubtedly the star back of the team. McGowan, bis colleague, had an off day. Behind the scrum, Des. Walker, who last season was in the same role for Auckland Training College, acquitted himself well and maintained bis already high reputation. For a while Le Prou was wing forward, hut a good move was made when E. Bush and he exchanged places. Bush was better able to keep a vigilant eye on Dunn, Clevedon’s roving player. Le Prou has really not been given a fair chance, as lie has been played everywhere from full-back to packman. F. Walker and G. Piggott got more than their share of the ball in the set scrums. Currie was the outstanding packman. The other three forwards, D. Fulton, T.. Walker and L. Piggott did as well as any of their team mates.

While the visiting team gave a good display, its component parts were not as strong as the home side. Bell, the lull-back, is only a young player* but nevertheless be has a good boot and a fairly safe pair of hands. Mort. Stephens, who will also represent South Auckland, and Ross Dow. late of the Pukekohe Technical High School first fifteen, were the star backs. They filled the respective positions of winger and centre. On the other wing was Mainwaring, who scored the only try, but who is evidently suffering from inexperience. McGuire showed up better than his fellow five-eighth. Dunn was a real roving rover. He was everywhere the ball was and lent stimulus to the team. Atchison, who has also been chosen for South Auckland, Ryburn, C. Stephens and Waterhouse showed up to advantage in the forwards.

It is understood that application has been made to the South Auckland Union to allow Franklin to continue inter-club matches on Saturday. ' Little time is available to complete these before the commencement of inter-sub-union matches on July 11. J. Hira (Onewhero), E. Lee (Pukekawa) and G. Colebaker (Onewhero) have been selected to represent South Auckland on Saturday. Each should fully justify his inclusion. The Star Performers.

Selector G. N. Asher has been seen notebook in hand at several Franklin matches lately. No doubt he has a memo, concerning each of the following players, and, possibly others: Fullback: J. Hira (Onewhero), R. Wilcox (Tuakau) and 0. Lindberg (Pukekawa). Three-quarters: J. Karaka (Te Kohanga), Costar (Tuakau), Ross (Tuakau). Five-eighths: Rickys (Onewhero), Barnaby (Tuakau), Paulsen (Pukekawa), and McGowan (Tuakau). Half back: D. Walker (Tuakau). Wing forward: E. Bush (Tuakau). Forwards: L. Sturgeon (Bombay). M. Tawa (Te Kohanga), Currie (Tuakau), F. Walker (Tuakau).' C. Colebaker (Onewhero), G. Piggott (Tuakau), E. Lee (Pukekawa), J. Dromgool (Pukekawa), C. Dromgool (Pukekawa), Donald (Pokeno).

Notes on the Onewhero and P'ukekavsa teams will be published next, week. The writer has not seen the Pokeno, Bombay and Te Kohanga teams in action this season.

An interesting match was played at Te Kohanga on Saturday between Te Kohanga and Onewhero. The last named team won by six points to three, S. Revell scoring and J. Hira kicking a penalty. In the junior division a drawn game was played, each scoring three points. For Onewhero, N. MoKibbin secured an unconverted try and Burn scored for Te Kohanga. It is understood that a protest has been entered against Te Kohanga’s try.