PLAY AND PLAYERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 May 1926, Page 7

PLAY AND PLAYERS.

PATEA—OPUNAKE. The general tendency of the PateaOpunak© seniors was to open up off all occasions. The forwards were always ready to go -ahead, running and passing if the backs were not at hand' to take charge. 'The limits of the players were first reached: in their handling. Of close forward work there was nob ai great deal, but both packs showed ait occasional ability to wheel when in tight corners. The mark was exploitedtoo frequently by the hacks. The game was played at a steady, brisk pace-, bub there were few turns of speed outside the efforts of Baldwin and Bourke. Of the Patea backs, Bourke was outstanding. He is a- recent arrival from Auckland, and his display of running and kicking indicates that in him. the Patea team lias a tower of .strength. Hunt, though currying plenty of condition, wa.s determined iff attack, and, with. Fitwa-ter, steadied the Opunake forwards frequently. Fitzwater had a safe pair of hands, and played ait average half game. Nicholls had plenty to do, and acquitted himself moderately well. Baldwin, by virtue of his splendid run and score, must be assigned first place amongst tli© winning forwards. They were an even- lot, with Murphy the next- best. On the Opunake side, Goodwin,- at full-back, was guilty of no serious errors, but- liis taking and sense of position may be improved. Th© Lusk brothers, oh the wings, were sound, J. Lusk being the better of the two. The centre, Holiaia, shared with Melvor the honours cf the back division. His sale hands' and powerful punt -were always reliable and his running, strong” and his backing-up consistent. McIvor came to light, particularly iff the second spell, and, we 1 ! served hyi Mourie, lie opened up the game -in fine style. 5 Of a, staunch pack, Graham -stood out in the Opunake forwards as a keen scrummager, leading well, and assisting in defensive work. Brooker, on the wing, was smartly off the ball, and: incurred few infringements for' the keenness he displayed. There was little between the hookers, both sides getting a fair share of the ball. “ It must be said that of two- spirited teams the- losers were the most aggressive, and they were quite a good team and had every bit as much of the match at the-winners.