PEACE CUP

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4168, 3 August 1949, Page 5

PEACE CUP

SATURDAY’S PROSPECTS

MATAMATA’B YOUNG TEAM OPINION OF A PRESSMAN “It is very many years since Matamata has had such a lean season in Rugby football as this year and the display of the backs in some of the representative fixtures has been very 'far below that standard which has been expected over a wide field from this sub-union for at least the past decade,” stated a Press representative when questioned by a Gazette reporter regarding the Peace Cup elimination match prospects. This match between Paeroa and Matamata will be played at Matamata next Saturday.

However, Mr C. G. (“ Bill ”) Brown, former Matamata and Waikato representative halfback, who is acting as sole selector this year, has discarded many of the older players and is relying on younger blood with an eye to next season. No less than five of his team for Saturday’s match Against Paeroa were junior representatives lats year. Blended with these are other young players and also one or two of some experience. The team has been improving of recent weeks, and on Saturday last against Te Awamutu were most unlucky to lose by Hiwo penalty goals to two penalty goals and a try, in the opinion of competent critics,” he continued. At fullback Jim Gray is a heady player and a sure tackler, who seldom misses his man. He is a good kicker and possesses a safe pair of hands. Equally at home at first five-eighth, this last year’s junior impresses as being a most promising youngster, who may go far in the game. The threequarter line consists of two young players on the wings, O’Rourke and McMillan, with the veteran Jack Sullivan in centre. Sullivan, as a wing threequarter played himself into the Kiwi trials in Italy, and because of a dearth of good inside men in this district had had to be given the centre berth. A speedy player who revels in a rough and tumble, Sullivan is too prone to run into a tackle instead of feeding his wings as they should be fed. The two young wingers are real triers, who as yet lack that finesse born of experience, but nevertheless are determined runners who know where the line is and seldom “ die with the ball.” “ At five-eighths Vai Crawfcrd and Lloyd Roberts are a nippy pair likely to flash through any opening, but have only been paired together in one game. Crawford played for* Waikato a couple of seasons back, but never quite realised expectations, while Roberts is very speedy off the mark. Both are intuitive players who follow the run of play well. K Graham, the halfback, a last year’s junior who is the youngest member of the team, may be a real champion in the making. For Kis weight and size he stands up magnificently to the toughest opposition, and has the knack of sending out a good pass from the most awkward

The forwards are a light pack, but nevertheless each one knows how to use his weight and apply every ounce in serums and tight mauls. The back row man, Cleaver, possesses a nice turn of speed, and gave a first-class exhibition for his club a fortnight ago as right wing threequarter. The breakaways, D. Major and W. Anderson, although on the light side, are a couple of last year’s juniors who have played themselves into the team by sheer determination. Both are tireless and forever on the ball, and for their short experience in senior football give their half good protection. The locks, T. Selby and J. Bracewell, have only been paired quite recently, as Selby had to be taken from the front row to replace his brother, I. Selby, one of Matamata’s best forwards,, who is knocking at the Waikato door. T. Selby is tireless in the tight, but lacks his brother’s height for line out play. The other lock, Johnny Bracewell, is one of the most experienced players in the side, but until this season was a fullback. He had a season with the Ponsonby club in that position and has also played for Waikato. He is a very good goal-kicker, especially when ball and conditions suit. The front row is composed of a formidable trio whose chief lack is one 'of inches. Seton, the hooker, has I played for Waikato, and at the time 1 of writing is not likely to be a mem- , bedtof the team as Dr. J. G. Mackereth i may want him for a game against Bay of Plenty. ’ In that event Dickie Hunt I will take the central position and possibly C. Santy or A. Buchanan from the emergencies will fill the gap. The

front row men are tough and hard, but clean players who revel in tight work.

As stated, the team is in the process of being built up by the selector for next season. Five last year’s juniors is a big percentage in any team, but nevertheless Paeroa should know they have been playing after the game for the home players will be keen to rehabilitate themselves following the poor exhibition given against Cambridge at Bedford Park three weeks ago. ELIMINATION MATCH THAMES BEAT FRANKLIN The large crowd at Rhodes Park, Thames, on Saturday saw some exciting football when, after being six points down at half-time in their Peace Cup elimination match with Franklin, the Thames team staged a remarkable recovery in the second half and, with both forwards and backs going better, they ran up 13 points to secure a win.