LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Although it was the first postponement of the season, which is now well advanced, it was unfortunate that last Sunday’s games could not be got off, as the selection of the representative team to play at Reefton next Tuesday, was delayed. If the team had been announced on Monday, as expected, the team selected could have gone into training during the present week, but now that a last-minute selection is inevitable, it is only to he expected that, there will be a lack of understanding among the newer players, which might be dangerous, considering the calibre of the Inangahua team.

Playing Well: According to private reports received, J. Anderson, the former Blackball player and last season’s South Island representative, has improved his football 100 per cent, since transferring to Auckland, and receiving systematic coaching. It will be remembered that Anderson was one of last season s “finds,” and he had a meteoric rise into big football. Locally, he was considered to have the makings of a splendid forward, with exceptional pace, although he had a tendency to be an opportunist. Apparently he has got rid of this fault in Auckland, and is looked upon as a likely member of the New Zealand test sides.

Needs Attention: One paragraph in the new rule book which needs attention from the referees is that which 'lays down that “reckless kicking at the ball when an opponent is gathering it in must be i egarded as foul play.” There are several plays in particular in the local edmpetitions who thoughtlessly often commit this breach, but it is seldom that anyone is ever penalised for it. Modern football needs “cleaning up, and this is one direction in which an improvement could be effected, without detriment.

Insurance Scheme: It is pleasing to note that the West Coast Executive, at last evening’s meating, finalised the arrangements for players’ insurance cover for the remainder of the present season. Necessarily, for a beginning, the scheme must be in tire nature ot an experiment, but as the Centre is pioviding 40 per cent, of the premium, it is up to the players to realise what is being done for them and give theii co-operation, especially as they are being asked to contribute only 3/- each to be covered against all accidents on the playing field for the remainder of the season. The scheme provides that for total incapacity a player will be paid £l/10/- per.week for four weeks, plus £l/1/- medical expenses, making a total benefit of £7/1/-. So far, the scheme has been taken up enthusiastically by the Clubs, and last evening premiums covering the following number'of players were handed in from the various clubs:—Blackball 32, Runanga 30, Brunner 26, and Ngahere 12. The other clhbs have not yet had an opportunity of approaching their members.

Seven-a-Side Tournament: , No less than twenty-eight teams have been nominated for the lower grades’ seven-a-sido tournament, to be conducted at Wingham Park on Tuesday, commencing at 10.30 a.m ; The officials will’ be: —Weight Steward: Mr. W. O’Neill; Timekeepers: Rev. Bro. Maurice and Mr. T. Lord. The draw for the first round is as follow: — Third Grade: Runanga B. v. Pirates A, Brunner A v. Marist B, Brunner B v.’ Marist A, Runanga a bye. Fourth Grade: Marist A v. Runanga A, Marist Bv. Runanga B. Fifth. Grade: Runaniga B v. Blackball B, Runanga A v Blackball A. Sixth. Grade: Marist A v Marist C, Blackball B v. Runanga B’ Runanga C v. Marist B, Runanga A V. Blackball A, Brunner v. Kumara.

A Contrast: An interesting factor m the representative game at Reefton on Tuesday appears likely, to be the contrasting strengths of the two teams in the back and forward division. The West Coast team will undoubtedly have a splendid forward pack, and it is the backs that are causing the most worry. Inangahua are in an entirely different position. They have a good set of backs, but fear that their forwards will not give them adequate service. However the unexpected often happens, and on the day tilings may turn out vastly different froffi what is expected.

Appreciation: It is seldom that the West Coast League receives any acknowledgement for footballs sent to schools, but in the case of the Kumara Convent School the appreciation of the scholars was expressed in no uncertain terms. At last evening’s meeting of the Executive no less than four letters were received from ’individual pupils, expressing their appreciation of the ball, ana their keenness- for football. One- member of the Executive laughingly remarked that “That must have been the essay subject for the day.”

British Team's Visit: Although the English team, at present playing in Australia, before large crowds which have broken all records, aJe not coming to the West Coast, considerable interest is being taken in their New Zealand tour locally, m view of the fact that it can be expected that 1 the South Island team, to meet Hie visitors in Christchurch on August 1 will contain a large percentage of West Coast and * Inangahua .playei s. The English team is a remarkably balanced side, in which the different noStions are finely covered. There is Brough, the splendid Leeds full-back, whose place can be filled by either Risman, of Salford, or Belshaw, of Liverpool. His tendency to be slow off the mark isi not apparent as fullback, and his fine side step is used with greater effect from the full-back position. Brogden is a man who plays equally well at centre, wing, or offhalf- Brough, too, is a useful test match centre. Changes can be rung on the forwards in much the same way as the backs. Field, for example, is a, -real hooker, but is a champion front-row man. Armitt, of Swinton, is ihe other hooker, and, like Field, can play'football as well as hook. Hodg- ■ on and Troup, second row men, and good men, too, can play with equal suc-

cess in front row, and tho same applies to Woods, Miller, and Hal. Jones. No more versatile side has visited Australia and New Zealand, and versatility is all-important for a side limited to 2G men, and destined to play the most strenuous of all games—Rugby League test matches. ,