RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 14 (Supplement)

RUGBY FOOTBALL

HOROWHENUA’S PRELIMINARY

i TO BEBBINGTON SHIELD GAME

(By “Cross Bar.”) In preparation for their Bebbmgton Shield match with Bush next week, Horowhenua had a try-out or their playing strength with Te Kawau at Shannon on Wednesday, but while they won Horowlienua’s prospects of lifting the shield do not appear over rosy.

The announcement of the team to do duty for Horowhenua found practically all the “old brigade” included, but at the eleventh hour T. and \Y • Parata stood down and some “new blood” was given a try out. Both inclusions were members of the native race, and both made excellent showings.

Ilansfield, who filled the role of rover in lieu of Tom Parata, adopted the stand-off policy, and he was acting as an extra five-eighth the major portion of the time, but it did not give to the indifferent back line any material advantage over Te Kawau. Winiata, the substitute half-back, was given plenty of ball, and he furnished his backs with numerous opportunities. With his supports failing to use those opportunities to advantage, lie finally elected to go on his own and an excellent try was credited to him. A son of that one-time great player, Martin Winiata, this lad shows distinct promise.

Burly Tom Parata filled the role of spectator, it being stated that he was suffering from an injured back. Halfback W. Parata has not been playing regularly this season, but a recent appearance resulted in his being again appointed to his old position, presumably largely on reputation. Possibly the selector. M. Winiata, was reluctant to give his own son the preference, but the substitute did his full share quite excellently.

While Graham, the big Horowhenua' centre, went fairly well, and RBroughton and Merwood, the respective wingers, showed dash and pace on occasions, Johnston, the full-back, appears to be the one member of the Horowhenua back-line who can meantime count on inclusion in the Manawlrenua ranks. This veteran is still as agile as ever, his fielding being faultless, while his kicking is of great length, even if he fails to find the line on occasions. He took risks on Wednesday when in possession, yet he was never caught, while he proved a match winner. In addition to coming up on the end of the line to score a try, he won the game with a great “potted” goal.

Despite being very rotund, Warren, who occupied the five-eighth role, showed much of his old dash, and he saw out the game surprisingly well—Letter than appearances would have indicated. As of old, the Horowhenua men, both backs and forwards, threw the leather about very freely, their happy knack of being on hand for a return pass being very attractive, and it speaks well of the To Kawau defence that they held them out as they did. THE FRONTAL DIVISION. The Shannon Club pair of hookers in the Horowhenua team, Fitzgerald and Roddick, assisted to a material degree by the heavier supports behind, had commond in the set scrums practically throughout, and it was duo to this that the Te Kawau rearguard were not seen to better advantage. While Roddick’s place-kicking was far from accurate, his punting, handling and general play should place him in the running for the Manawhenua team.

“Tiger” Payne surprised everyone by the manner in which he saw out the game, for he was at the head of almost every Horowhenua movement. Payne has played for Horowhenua, Manawatu and Manwhenua in the years gone bv, but his usefulness is by means over yet. Gordon showed himself to be a forward with plenty of pace, while Tatana. even if he did not attain Maori All Black standard, was usually where the fight was thickest.

Meantime, Horowhenua does not promise to furnish any great wealth of material, at least so far as the rearguard division is concerned, for the Manawhenua team, but T. Parata (in all probability), Roddick, Payne, Gordon and Tatana will be contesting positions in the frontal division. L. and M. Moffat, of the Te Kawau team, showed ; themselves-worthy of a try-out in bigger company, while Fuller is such an honest worker that he cannot be overlooked. In the forwards Te Kawau are not so well favoured, but Harris and Millard both showed plenty of promise on Wednesday.

NEXT SATURDAY’S GAMES. TERMINATION OF ROUND. Next Saturday will mark the termination of the second round of tho senior competitions locally, when Feilding Old Boys and Massey College will oppose one another and Kia Toa and Old Boys will moot, both matches being sot down for the Showgrounds. At Feilding, United will be required to face Feilding and tho outeomo of tho day”s fixturos will be of considerable intcrost. A great day’s Rugby is, however, promised enthusiasts, both locally and at Feilding.