NOTES.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 270, 20 May 1907, Page 2

NOTES.

The Manawatu Union's finances will benefit to the extent of 2s 6d, f through a Palmerston player appear- \ ing in wrong colours at Feilding on Saturday. Feilding's record on Saturday was two wins and a loss, the second fifteen being beaten at falmerston. A strong team was selected, but at tho last moment several gaps had to be filled up with substitutes. Captain Hammond, rally round your players during the week, and find out who intend to roll up. This will enable you to pick willing ones — not drones. W. Thompson, who had a small bone of his right leg broken on Saturday, is plucky, if unfortunate. He has just recovered from a poisoned hand, and in reality was not fit to play. Yet, when another forward failed to put in an appearance, Thompson readily obeyed his captain's command to strip off. Up to the time of the accident he was playing a good game, several rushes having been stopped by him. Boys, pass the hat round. Trevena, Feilding's full-back, plays a cool game, is a good kick, and takes the ball fairly, but has a tendency to run too much before attempting to find the touch line. Perhaps Captain Ongley could give him a place m the three-quarter line. A powerful runner, he would be very dangerous when near the opponents' line. Punting high on Saturday, he placed all his men on side, and smothered the opposing back several times before there was time to get a kick in. The tbreequarters are a most serviceable lot. 6. Price (centre) collars, passes, and kicks well, and the Feilding Club are lucky in having him in its team. Goodbehere, when on the attack, plays a great game, and he is very hard to bring down. In both his tries on Saturday, he appeared to shake o: his tacklers with the hip. His worst fault is taking a ball; this may be through being over-anxious, but it must be said that he generally makes a splendid recovery; tackles low, and rarely misses a man. A. Price (wing) is useful, but he, too, is troubled with over-anxiousness, and . seldom takes a pass cleanly, generally being in front of his five-eights. He, however, is on the improve, and . his try on Saturday was the result J of a long pass from his brother. * The halt and five-eighths— Ongley, ; Rout, and Pirani— are the best trio

in the Manawatu Union. Ongley's groat forte is stopping rushes, and setting the backs moving by his quick passing from the scrum, but on Saturday ne was handicapped by the forwards not packing the scrum and heeling out as they should do; does not get much chance of running, but never misses a chance of getting a kick in, and the best collar of the backs. Rout (five-eights) played the best back game on the ground; very cool, | takes and passes splendidly. In the three matches played a try may have been to his credit had he essayed to run, which many think he should do, but he believes in leaving that to the others; a little weak in tackling, but kicks judiciously. Pirani (the other five-eighth), plays the game for all that it is worth, and is always where the ball is, looking for a pass; could take a ball standing on his head ; dashing runner, but lacks weight; not afraid to tackle, and kicks with judgment; his first season in senior ranks. Of tho forwards, Taylor stood out by himself in the open; fast, tackles well, and a beautiful kick ; having a liking for being on the ball, he is more at home in the forwards than when played back. J. Whisker's qualifications are too well known to need detailing; looked like scoring on Saturday, out the avoirdupois he carries stopped him when the final pinch came. D. Reid and W. Whis ker are two grafters, and also play a good game in the open. Ashworth •follows tip well, but kicks too hard when ho has the ball at his toe; a young player, and is on the improve with every match. The same remarks can apply to Ryan. "Tiny ' Templeton having left this dist-rics, his place on the wing was filled by J. Watts (another "Tiny," 6ft 4in). His first match with Feilding, aud after a few games should prove useful, especially on the line-out; protects his half well. The surprise of Saturday's matches was Huimai going under to Kia Toa. A great referee was the verdict passed on Mr W. McLean on Batuiday. His decisions were prompt, and not a single one was questioned. When he blew his whistle he stated his reasons for doing so, and in a voice that everyone could hear. Although beaten, the honour of having the best pack must be given to Palmerston, as they secured the ball in almost every scrum. The backs, however, did not have much chance against the fast following up of the Feilding forwards. More free kicks were given against Feilding on Saturday than agaiadt Palmerston, the chief cause beiug lifting feet when the ball was being put into scrums. Wanted, a good forward; also a good place-kicker. Particulars of what is expected can be obtained from the captain or secretary of the Feilding Football Club. Several of our footballers are courting, and it is a job to get them to don the jersey and be caught playing on Saturday. McNae, Whisker, Taylor (forwards), and Stalker (back) were nominated on Saturday for the North Island team.