RUGBY GIANTS OF OLD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 June 1926, Page 9

RUGBY GIANTS OF OLD.

FAMOUS TARANAKI PLAYERS. (Specially Written for the Star.) The defeat of Wanganui by Taranaki this year.,, to the tune of 35 jioints to 6, recalled to mind the fact that about thirty years or so ago the annual representative, fixture, always the first of the, season, between Taranaki and Wanganui, was looked upon as a practice match for the wearers of the amber and black jerseys. The score that Taranaki usually put up against the southerners was a big one. It has always been a drawback to the butter-fat province to have the clubs so far apart, which, precluded systematic practice being carried out, and it was quite extraordinary that, though Taranaki laboured l under this disability for many years, she held the premier position 'amongst the provincial teams in the Dominion.

For quite a. long time the team was of a stereotyped character, and underwent few changes each yar, especially in the back division. The A. and 11. Good, A. Bayly, Allen and Humphries combination held sway for many years. They played like clockwork, and did not require a great deal of practice together, as all were well acquainted with each other’s play. What giants of Rugby Taranaki possessed in those days! Besides the baeks meaitio.ii,ed above, Charlie Young was a splendid full-back —a great kick and sure tackier. Not, .perhaps, until Kingston came into the • limelight was there such a fine full-back. Some no doubt would say that Hardgreave3 ivas as good as both of them. Nevertheless, C. Young must, be classed as a full-back “giant” in more ways than one, as he held a great advantage owing to his great height. (< f Skinny” Humphries, at half, eonsidering his smallness- of stature, was wonderful in stopping rushes and getting the ball away to the backs. The fame of Taranaki football of the ’nineties owed a great deal to that noted player, Alf Bavly. He was a particularly powerful back, and extremely quick in getting into his stride. Ho may have been classed by some a? over-,strenuous, but, being possessed of great strength, it was no doubt hard for him to play gently. Hughie Good, wing three,-quarter, was a fine all-round athlete, being considerably over 13 stone in weight. On the running track he was very fast, especially over the 129 yards hurdles, having few equals in this event, in those days. He was no mean exponent of weightqmtting. “Snip” Allen, as five-eight, was one. of the best backs Taranaki has ever possessed. He was a popular member of the team with the crowd at matches.

Coming to the forwards of those days, one’s mind is carried back to one player who will always live in the memory of those who remember seeing him —“Barney” O’Dowda. It is generally considered that, lie was one of the finest forwards, if not the finest, that has worn the amber and black jersey. O’Dowda learnt the art of dribbling at Home before coming to New Zealand. He was a Soccer player before taking on Rugby. This stood him. in good stead when he took to the Rugby code. In cup matches lie was generally marked bv a couple of opposing forwards picked out for the occasion.

Dan Hughes and Jim Lanibie, both members of the redoubtable Wahnate fifteen, and Donald Watson were a great trioi in those days, and represented Taranaki for many years when she was at the zenith of her power. Dan excelled on the line-out, liis great height giving him; a big advantage, for he towered over the heads of most of the other players. The present member for Egniont, the Hon. O. J Hawkcn, Minister of Agriculture, represented Taranaki on several occasions in the vanguard, and he, too, must be classed ag> one of the giants of Rugby. One could! go on mentioning more players of note, that can be recalled to memory, but these notes would, not be complete without mention of Jack Campbell. He was .a versatile player, as good a back as a forward, in which division he usually played. He represented Wellington before taking up his residence in Taranaki. Taranaki has had many excellent wing forwards in her day. But lias she had any to beat. 11. Mills? It is extremely doubtful. —Hori.