FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 8 July 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY’S REP. MATCH. CLOSE GO PREDICTED PRIMARY" SCHOOLS CURTAINRAISER In view of yesterday’s comment in this column it would be superfluous to remark upon the Greymouth representatives’ luck of practice for to-day’s contest with Hokitika for the Dittman. Shield. Notwithstanding the oversight on the part of the Union to provide the team with proper facilities for training, local players will, I feel sure, uphold the reputation established by their team three years ago. In the two previous games for flic Dittman Shield, Greymouth has emerged the victor —in the first year by 33 points to nil and last year by 18 points to 6. Westland Rugby has by no means deteriorated; on the contrary a remarkable keenness has this season manifested itself among the various clubs in the southern sub-union and they are endeavouring to “'make a bird” of to-day’s fixture. On the, other hand the. class of play produced by our local boys, is maintained today will ensure a close go. The West land forwards will bo the main obstacle for the local team to contend with to-day, their pack averaging over 12 stone in weight. A certain amount of dissatisfaction has been expressed in "Westland Rugby circles about the exclusion from their loam of Freitas, the herculean forward, whose capabTaties have recently been demonstrated. McManaway, according to recent performances, appears to be rather weak for a representative game. Robinson is very fast and will uphold the traditions of the Hari Hari club to-day. Gifford, at half, is quick and intelligent in disposing of the ball to his supports. Wallace is well known in the five-eighth and plays with A. Aloynih-en—a good trier—in this position. AlcKay has already demonstrated his usefulness at centre, and Greymouth players will recognise in him a formidable opponent. Of the n-ew additions to the forwards Baird and Best weigh in well and their weight will be handy. Hagan is an old Coast rep., whilst AfcEnaney and Devaney scrum well. Stevens, Giffin and Wallace are the kickers of not-e. St-evens replaces Scebeck of last year as full-back. Constant training has made this fifteen very lit and in last week’s practice they worked well to get her. The first thing that strikes one when * glancing over the Greymouth team is the light pack of forwards. .Jones will be missed in the serum and as a follower up in forward rushes. Inglis j replaces him. Nightingale is unable to play owing to indisposition with an | attack of pleurisy and his position of ‘ second five-eighth is being filled by ' Nelson. I think O’Callaghan could well have been given a place. Goodall is in his place at full-back and is al- • ways reliable in a difficult position. I Steel’s injuries received on Saturday] last in the inter-island match were not sufficiently serious to prevent him . taking the field to-day. Given the I ball, he will take some stopping. Rus- ’ sell is quite at home at centre and i together with Reynolds will be good ! three-quarters with Steel. Aloslcy, the ; little Star half, is quick and rids himself of the bail immediately on it issuing from the scrum. He is supported by Nelson and Ryan, both of whom will handle with intelligence. Mclntosh is to play wing forward, but is, I think, out of place in this capacity. He is good at five-eighth. Thu forward pack is composed of five Alarist players and three Star players. I would have suggested giving Burley (United) a go in place of Inglis. Deere has been in form lately and kicqs well. Hall shapes well in the pack, whilst Maloney and Delaney are trojans at forward rushes. I‘ring is a bit light, but is a fair forward. Russell will, I hope, be given an opportunity to have a kick. Mr J. F. Wilson has been appointed to referee the game. In addition to the rep. game a curtain raiser match will be played for ihe Wright-Stephenson Cup between Hokitika and Greymouth Schools. Great rivalry prevails in tliis competition and a good game is anticipated at 1.30 p.m. Air Beaumont will referee the schools game.

THE TEAMS. The teams are as follows: — Greyniouth. J. Goodall. J. Steel, J. Bussell, SV. Reynolds, J.’Nelson, I*. Ryan, jlosley, E. King, Inglis, AV. Uocre, C. Hall, AV. Maloney, J. Delaney, 11. Pring, T. McIntosh. Emergencies—Baeks, T. O’Callaghan. C. Heaphy; forwards, Burley, Jardin. Westland. Stevens, Les Robinson, G. AlcKay, AlcAlanaway, Wallace, Al. Afoynihan, Gifford, Best, Hagar, Baird, AlcEnaney, Cunningham, Devaney, Carter, Scott. Emergencies—Backs, Irving, Chetwviid; forwards, Fleming, Walker. Hokitika District High Sehool football team arrives here at 9.35 to-day to play the local D.H.S. The Hokitika State School team arrive by the same train to play the Marist School boys. The Alarist fifth grade team for today’s mutch is as follows: —W. Larsen, O’Leary, Sigley, Shannahan, Earl, Prendergast, Rathbun, Bitnisy, Hudd, Kielv, Jackson, Kennedy. Alclnroe, J. Brown, Al. Brown, a>u IL Lynch. Some of the players chosen to represent Barrytown in their game against Rapahoc have been unable to take the field. Barrytown will now’ be represented as follows: —Hullah, Brice, Hill, Ryall, Johnson, Richards, Mullins, Wylde (2), Ryan, Langridge, Ryall (2), Allen, Trotter and Finn.