NORTERN LEAGUE GAME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3946, 31 May 1913, Page 3

NORTERN LEAGUE GAME.

(By ti Full-Back.”)

The League started their season’s matches last Saturday with an interesting game between Taruheru and Turanganui. The match was keen and well players in both teams seeming to have a good l knowledge of the Northern Union rules’. Not at any time did the contest look one-sided, for under these rules it is possible for any team to double their points in a very short time, as the game is always fast and open.

The Taruheru' Club seems to have put in a fair amount of training, for their players look-in good condition. The same cannot be said of the Turanganui players, who tip to the present have not had any training quarters, but they should show, improved form from now on, as the League have secured - a large and convenient hall

in a central position, and will give the players every opportunity of training, which is, no doubt, one of the most important items in all field games. All players should get into solid training, as a i , ep.,team to play Hawke’s Bay will be selected shortly, and only those who are fit can expect to< be considered when the final selection is made.

Among the players I noticed on Saturday were several well-known Rugby players, who seem to have picked up the new game very quickly, and gave quite a. good display of the Northern Union code.

Feasey, half for Turanganui, and last year’s AVanganui League rep., played a solid game behind the scrum, getting the ball away smartly to his backs.

Roderick, the opposing half, played like an old hand, and made numerous openings for liis backs.

The Alorrison Bros., two new men at the League game, are a tower of strength to Taruheru, and should be top-notchers after learning the rules a little hotter. Buckley is also another man who will improve as lie goes on.

The backs in the League game should not hang on to the ball too long. I noticed cm Saturday several nice passing rushes spoilt by one or the other ‘hanging on to the ball till lie is collared. Pass the ball on being challenged, and keep every man on liis feet, so that he can get around on the far side and join in the passing bout again.

The forwards must learn to keep their feet down, till the ball is put in the scrum, otlm’wise a. free kick will most assuredly he awarded l against the offender.

Another point that forwards as well as backs must learn, and that is, when playing keep quiet and do not talk. There is far too much of it going on nowadays, not only in football, but in every other line of sport. ’ Players should remember that only one man in each team is allowed to talk, and that is the captain. If he thinks anything is wrong, he will appeal, and does .not need any prompting from any of his side.

< The match to-day, Gisborne v. Turanganui, should furnish a good last game, as both clubs are putting strong teams in the field.

It is not generally known that the 'colleges are taking up the League game. A communication was received by the secretary of the local League during the week, informing him that the game had started in the Holy Cross College, Alosgiel. The Rector will not allow Rugby (as played by the Union), but has no objection to League, as he considers the players are not so liable to get hurt.

Mr H. Wright—tho smiling ‘ Bumper” of that- ilk —is taking a very active interest in the League game in the Hutt and Petone. and recently gave an interesting lecture in the Petone gymnasium to members of the Hutt and Petone Culbs. Mr Wright, who has been watching the game this year, pointed out to the players some things that had come under his notice in the Hutt v. Petone match. The first thing that struck him was “the play-the-ball” rule. Mr Wright said that itf was evident that the majority of players did not know what it really meant, and he proposed to illustrate to them the proper way in which to play the ball. When a player is tackled he must immediately get up BRINGING THE BALL WITH HIM. After the player has risen, he must put the ball down, and it can then be played bv either side with the foot. He wishes to impress on them that the ball must be on the ground when it is played, by the foot; lie hud seen some players punt, and that was illegal. The ball, after being put on tho ground by the tackled player, could be kicked in any direction, provided that the player tackled is facing his opponents’ goal. Mr Wright expressed the opinion that the referees should insist on these points ' being carried out, as the “play-the-ball” rule was the great thing in League football. If the game was not played in the proper way, players were liable to get hurt. The player who tackles, or any of his side, must not put their hands on the tackled player, or in any way prevent him from getting up. They must stand a reasonable distance from him, and any interference to the tackled player should lie at once met by a penalty kick against the offenders. Another point which Mr Wright had noticed was want of knowledge concerning the “loose head.” This “loose head” is the outside player on the front rank of the scrum. He will be found on the same -side of the scrum as the referee stands. Now, the object of the “loose head” was this: The “loose head” man could see everything that went on, and knew exactly when tho opposing half-back was going to put the ball in. This was considered to equalise the chances of getting the ball from the scrum, or (if anything.) to favor the defending side. The points which Mr Wright specially emphasised were these: First, the “loose head” is an advantage, and should he played for all it was worth. Second: Tho “loose head” is on the same side of the scrum on. which the referee is, and the half-back must always throw the ball in from that side.

In concluding a very interesting and instructive evening, Mr Wright urged those playing the game to study the points which lie liad referred to, and, while playing, to “play the game,” and not do so much talking. Above all, to play the game in tho best spirit, and to train thoroughly.