RUGBY EXPONENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 175, 25 June 1932, Page 8

RUGBY EXPONENT.

MAY BE LOST TO MANAWATU. It is learned that Eric Fletcher (“Guriy") the well-known Old Boys, Maiiawatu and Manawhenua Rugby player, intends leaving for the north on Monday on a holiday and may definitely settle there. The intimation will be sincerely regretted by all local players and enthusiasts, irrespective ol the clubs they support, for it is readily granted that r letcher is one of the most promising Rugby exponents this centre has possessed for a long time past, and one whom Maiiawatu and Manawhenua can ill afford to lose.

A product of the Boys’ High School, Fletclier stepped straight from the first fifteen into the Old Boys’ seniors in 1929 and thence into the Manawatu and Manawhenua representative combinations. In that season he scored 21 points for his club, participated in four matches for Manawatu, supplying 20 scoring points, and five matches for Manawhenua, registering 13 points. In 1930 he placed 43 points to his credit in inter-club football, 16 points when appearing for Manawatu, and 12 for Manawhenua. He took the field for Manawatu on five occasions and for Manawhenua on six. Last season lie did not prove to be such a prolific scorer for his club, his “bag” being restricted to 17 points—a total which he has already exceeded this season — but be registered his greatest total for Manawatu by contributing 22 points in four matches. However, his seven appearances for Manawhenua only brought him two crossings, but in three complete and one incomplete seasons or senior Rugby, Fletcher has compiled 106 points, apart from 58 points for Manawatu and 31 for Manawhenua in three season’s representative engagements, making an aggregate of 195 points in all. Of a somewhat light frame, Fletcher has been repeatedly likened to Cooke, the former brilliant All Black, for despite his comparative lightness he can get tremendous power behind his kicking, has a fund of pace and elusiveness, and has football brains. With those attributes at his command Fletcher should go far if given the opportunity and, much as lovers of the game will regret his departure, he will carry with him everyone’s best wishes for the future.