RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Splendid Games: In the Grey forwards on Saturday, two who played above themselves were P. Pascoe and M. Olson. They bad all the chances, to be sure, but they weie always showing up in the loote, besides doing their part well ■in the tight. These two played their best game* this seafeon.

PLAY AND PLAYERS. The margin by which Greymouth defeated Inangahua last week, showed the weakness of football in the Inangahua, but the game was not a good trial for the Grey players with chances of gaining provincial honours. The forwards played good football, and though the backs capped many movements with tries, they were not impressive as a combination. Inangahua were never in the hunt, and the few promising boys in the team had no chances, being forced to defend practically all day. Ccllins too Close: E. Collins has played his best football this season, but always at second five-eighths, so it was hard to understand the selectors asking him. to make a job of the first five-eighth berth in the Grey team. As a first five-eighth, Collins was not a success. He was slow off the mark, played too deep and too far away from the halfback, and almost invariably ran too far on his own. However, with the dearth of five-eighths this season, he may: not be discarded. He w<suld do himself more justice at second fiveeighth or centre.

Too Much Running: t P. Allsopp, half-back for the Grey team, is a slippery customer, when he breaks away, but should curb a tendency’ he has developed to run from the scrum too much. Last Saturday, he ran about a good deal, and seemed content to run across field. Otherwise, Allsopp has been playing good football, his snappy and accurate passing being a feature.

Handicapped: Noonan and Pedl’otti were handicapped on Saturday by mistakes nearer the scrum, but nevertheless, neither looked like a champion inside back. Noonan’s-best asset was his dash. It would be unfair to pass final judgment on these two on Saturday’s play, as there was so little opposition. Pedrotti has been played at centre all the season, but looks a. likely winger.

Should. Get his Chance: A side row forward who should get his chance in the provincial team this season, is R. Birchfield. This forward Is as fit as a fiddle, and has never played better than in his last three games this, season. He has some speed, is a handy line-out man, and is a tireless worker, at home in the loose. Birchfield’s club fqrm places him right in the line-up for representative honours.

The Representative Fifteen.' With club football on a higher plane i than for some seasons past, the West Coast Rugby Union’s selectors, Messrs T. P. Ryan, T. Mclntosh, and D. R. Dowell have an unenviable task before them. There is a dearth of good five-eighths, but the three-quarters and forwards are strong, especially the forwards. There should be no difficulty about the full-back or halfback positions, but several good forwards who would worthily wear the representative jersey will be found standing on the line. Allsopp (Cobden) has proved a find this season, and on form must have been first choice for the half-back position. However, he is unavailable for the match witli Canterbury, and M. Davidson (Hokitika) will be behind the scrum. G. Gilbert would strengthen the attack immensely if played at centre, but in view of the matches with the Australians later in the season, he will probably be given his opportunity at full-back. W. Mann, the ihost brilliant winger seen on the Coast since the days of Jack Steel, is certain of his place, but it is problematical whether he would be of more service at centre or on the right wing. 'S. Hendry (South Westland), who played for the province last season, gave a good display last season, n feature of his play, being his reliable kicking. He was sound last season, without being in any way brilliant, and must be considered for the first five-eighth berth. Collins and Noonan will be considered for second five-eighth, with preference for Collins, on his better form. Agnew (Westlaud), showed up repeatedly on the wing, in the trial at Hokitika last week, and as he has sure hands, and is a good tackler, he must have a good chance of selection as centre or as one of the wings. A. Scandrett was out of his place as a lock in the Grey pack last week. He is the ideal build and style for a fi'ont row man, and. would acquit himself well ini that position in the representative team. South Westland forwards who] impressed in the trial at Hokitika last week were: Gilman, Berry, Cox, and Thiele,- while the Westlanders in the limelight were: King, Anderson, Garden, and Walker. The selection of the pack will present the biggest problem that has confronted the selectors for some years. The following is a suggested team. —Full-back, G. Gilbert; three-quarters,. W. Matin, A. Agnew, . Pedrotti; fiveeighths, E. Collins (second), S.. Hendry; half, M. Davidson; Front row: A. Scandrett, M. Olsen, R. Kirkwood, middle row, R. Birchfield. R. R. King, Gilman, M. Scandrett; last-man-dowri, Anderson. > ->

All-Black Injures Shoulder: An injury to his shoulder Is likely to keep B. S. Sadler. Wellington and New Zealand representative half-back, out of Rugby tor some weeks. He was injured on Saturday in the game between Wellington College Old Boys and Wellington at Prince of Wales Park, and was given medical attention at Athletic Park.