RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 168, 17 June 1936, Page 20

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MANAWATU UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The Manawaiu Rugby Union's management committee met last evening. Tiiose present were Messrs J. A. Colquhoun (acting-chairman), J. R. Tlardie, H. Bowler, H. J. Hickey, A. E. HeJleur, L. J. Blank, J. W. Smith, E. Clevely, B. O. Skoglund, and IT. A. Stone. Apologies lor absence were received from Messrs A. M. Ongley, C. l’earse, K. W. Eglinton, E. W. Low and L. G. Berry. COKRESBON BENCE. The Otago Rugby Union wrote in regard to the replacement of injured players. The opinion was advanced that replacements should he allowed at any period in a match. The opinion ol the Manawatu Union was requested so that a definite ruling could be made without delay.—On the motion of Air Hardie, it was decided to notify the Otago Union that the Manawatu Union was in favour of replacements being allowed right throughout the game. The Ljtton Street School Committee asked for a grant toward the school’s equipment lor Rugby.—At the chairman's suggestion it was decided to refer the letter to the Primary Schools’ Rugby Eootball Association. The Horowhenua Union advised that August 8 would be suitable lor the return game with Manawatu, at Shannon. —It was decided to notify llorowhenua of the committee’s agreement. The Tiritea, Fitzherbert and Kairanga schools asked for donations of footballs. —Relerred to the Primary Schools’ Rugby Eootball Association. The Feilding Hockey Association asked for the use of Johnston Bark on August 12, on the occasion of a match with the Fijian women’s hockey team. —Granted. The Oroua Sub-Union suggested that a deputation wait on the Manawatu Union next Tuesday evening in order to reach an agreement as to the boundaries of the sub-union. —ft was decided to ask the deputation to attend on June 80, as there would be no meeting next Tuesday. The Alanawatu Rugby Referees' Association advised that Alessrs A. Gordon, A. Ward and G. Cooksley were eligible and available to control interprovincial games. —'t he names are to be forwarded to the Mew Zealand Union. UNITED SENIORS WITHDRAW. The United Eootbwall < Club advised that the senior team was being withdrawn from the competition owing to the scarcity of players. For that reason the club asked that AI. Holden, N. AlcKenzie. T. Young and E. Withers be regraded from senior to junior, and that J. Glastonbury _ be transferred from Saturday to Wednesday football. —C)n the motion of Air Hickey, it was decided to accede to the former request, and on the motion of Air Helleur the latter request was also agreed to. L. Findlay, formerly a member of the United Club’s senior team, asked for a transfer to the St. Patrick’s Club. —Air Stone said there was no objection from the United Club, and the application was granted In view of the fact that there were other members of the United team who might want to play before the next meeting of the committee, a fortnight lienee, it was decided that the president be given power to authorise transfers. The Eeilding Old Boys Club asked that P. Yallance be regraded to third grade.—Granted. GENERAL. AH- Hardie brought up the matter of starting times, and on his motion it was decided that from Saturday, June 27. the games start at 1.15 p.m. and 2.4-5 p.m. On the motion of ATr Hickey, seconded. by Afr Hardie, it was decided to write to the clubs and ask, in regard to the senior teams at least, if they-would be willing that matches other than those played on the oval at the S9howgrounds be held at the Park Rond ground. Tn a discussion on the condition of the grounds at the rear of the grandstand, it was stated by All- Hardie that both grounds were in a bad condition for football, and other members concurred. It was proposed that the St. Pntrick’s-Feilding A match on Saturday, June 27, be changed from the Showgrounds to Park Road, but the motion was defeated by 6 votes to 3. Mr Skoglund remarked that the union would have to stage games sooner or later at Park Road and it might as well commence building up a “gate” there as soon as possible. AH- Hickey said that the St. Patrick’s players preferred their games to be held on the Showgrounds. It was decided that the representative team to play Southern Hawke’s Bay at Dannevirke travel by train. Afr Clevely was appointed manager and lie was also selected as manager of the team to play the Wanganui representative team at Wanganui on the King’s Birthday. June 23. It was decided that Mr L. Anderson he the referee for the Southern Hawke’s Bay match. the Southern Hawke’s Bay TJnjon having submitted his name along with another. Air Skoglund was appointed manager of the South team and Air H. Bowler manager of the North team for the North v. South match on Saturday next. r lhe North team will play in green and white and the South team in red. white and blue. The ATanawatu team to play Dannevirke will practise on Thursday evening at Johnston Park. Feilding, in- ' stead of at the High School grounds as announced previously. Cars will leave from the secretary’s office at 7p.m. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY.

Fixtures, grounds and referees for Saturday next were approved as, under •

Senior grade.—North v. South, No. 1 Rugby Park, at 3 p.m. (Air G. Cooksley); Alanawatu v. Southern Hawke’s Bay, at Dannevirke. _ I Junior grade.—Old Boys v. United, I No. 2 Rugby Park, at 1,30 p.m. (Afr 1 C. Taylor) ; Woodville v. Feilding Old Boys, No. 1 Johnston Park, at 3 p.m. (Afr C. Fade); Kia Toa v. Afassey College, No. 1 Rugby Park, at 1.30 p.m. (Air J. Hardie); St. Patrick’s v. High I School, No. 2 Rugh” Park, at 3 p.m. ; (Air J. Pinfold); Bunnythorpe v. Te 1

Arakura, Bunnytliorpc, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr C. Pinfold). Third grade.—United v. Ivia Ton, No. 4, Rugby Park, at 3 (Afr R. Holdsworth); Old Boys v. Feilding, No. 2 Johnston Park, at 3 p.m. (Mr C. Tucker; Feilding High School v. "Woodville, Woodville, at 3 p.m. (Afr J. Baker); St. Patrick’s v. Feilding Old Boys, Feilding High School grounds, at 3 p.m. (Afr C. Eglinton). Fourth grade.—High School v. Old Boys, No. 4 Rugby Park, at 1.30 p.m. (AL- J. Burgess): Kin Toa v. Alasscv College. No. 5 Rugby Park, at 1.30 p.m. (Afr A. Nevelle). Fifth grade.—Technical A v. Fie’' School A. High School grounds, at 1.45 p.m. (Aft- R. Almira); Technical B v. Feilding High School. ."'•minds, at I 30 p.m. (Ah- B. Trow); High School B, a bye. Midgets.—Terrace End C v. College Street A, to bo played during week. NOTES ON ’ THE GAME. SELECTION SURPRISES. AI ANAW ATU RE PR ESENTATI YES. (By “Half-Back.”) The selections in the case of some of the Alanawatu backs to meet Southern Hawke's Bay in the representative fixture next Saturday ha.ve caused surprise. Bra navel) is an unexpected selection for the cent re-three-quarter position, as also is Bradley as a winger. Winiata’s selection as half, for which lie subsequently became ineligible, was also a very big surprise. There should be plenty of thrust in the attack with two such capable fiveeighths as Nichol and Thurston associated, but further out there may be some concern regarding the strength of the defence. Unless some of those with strong claims are oil the injured list, it is difficult to reconcile some ol the rearguard selections with actual form.

Sears, the St. Patrick’s front row forward, is a fast packet of energy, and has liecu very prominent this season, being handy to finish many of his team’s scoring movements. This player lias the faculty of popping up almost from nowhere just when he is wanted. He has been selected to play in the North v. South fixture on Saturday. This will give a good line on future representative prospects. CLUB GAAfES.

Ball, the ATassey College centre three-quarter, who drop-kicked two field goals oil successive Saturdays, nearly made it the hat-trick against St. Patrick’s. Receiving the ball on a slight angle from the goal-posts, he made a splendid attempt. The ball sailed high in the air, and looked as if it was going over the bar, but just swerved outside the posts.

Three tries were scored by 11. Gardner for the Old Boys junior team when they swamped Te Arakura by 33 points to nil on Saturday. With seven tries to his credit, he lias scored the most point? for his side this season. Herbert, the Afassey College second five-eighth, is unlucky. Practically every time he has taken the field this season he has been injured. He had his lip cut open in one game and that kept him out for two weeks. Back again on Saturday, lie was accidentally kicked on the head and then “winded,” forcing him to retire. IN OTHER DISTRICTS.

Who will lead Hawke’s Bay against Wairarapa on June 23 P Le Quesne, formerly of Afassey College, is at present on tlie injured list, leaving as probable candidates the All Blacks Reid and Dalton and Clothier, the Buy half. Clothier is the most likely choice.

From a cursory survey of the talent offering it seems likely that Hawke’s Bay will place a strong fifteen in the field this season. There are sufficient first-rank forwards available to fill three representative teams; the backs are an unknown quantity, but should have every chance to -wove themselves. Canterbury are expected to field a formidable representative side this season. Forwards who should find a place in the pack are Afanchester, Hattersley, Rankin and Pahhlecheque. J. H. (Bert) Geddcs) the well-known Pirate winger, returned to the field for his side against Albion (states the Southland News). Gcddes, who lias a string of dates on his representative jersey that would compare favourably with all but Jenkins and Bell, has been on the bank for over a year. He was a member of the New Zealand team which toured Australia in 1929 and lias competed with some success in open company as a 100yds sprinter. He was also a member of the maroon side which won the Rnnfurly Shield in 1929. There is also a strong, though unconfirmed,-rumour that his contemporary winger in the Southland team, Angus McKay, will be turning out again before very long. (Geddes retired from the game after about 10 minutes’ play).

G. Hart is still the fleetest player in Rugby in Christchurch. Early this season it was thought that he had lost some of his dash, but against Linwood _ recently he was right back to his brightest form. On the few occasions that the hall reached him he reeled off a truly .dazzling burst of speed. On one occasion when a rush began inside the Christchurch twentyfive Hart found his way blocked on the right wing, and like a flash he cut clean through the Linwood forwards across to the left wing. He was supported by Wright, and there was an unusual manoeuvre with two wings attacking side by side. Hart was grassed in the act of passing. Another great run made by the Christchurch flier was in the second spell, when he burst away from tlie twenty-five and actually reached the line in tlie corner, only to put a foot into touch as lie threw liimseif over. This was one of the closest shaves that Linwood experienced in a match that was athrob with excitement. Selection of a New South Wales Rugby team to visit Queensland gives a line on possible candidates -for the New Zealand tour. L. Bedford was preferred to Storey and Sutton at fullback. Bedford specialises in setting his three-quarters moving. V. Richards, five-eighth, who formerly played halfhack, captains the team. J. Kellalier, crack wing three-quarter, who dropped out of big football midway through last winter, is back in the picture, and Frank O’Brien, a newcomer, who is a well-known track performer, lias won a place on the other wing. Big surprise in the forwards is the dropping of W. Cerutti, one of tlie famous “four Doomas” of the team which visited New Zealand five years ago. The Australians at present hold the Bledisloe Cup. Queensland has a strong team this year, including E. Bonis, the star hooker of Australia, who played against the last All Blanks in Australia,' and R. Donelcy, a 6ft loose forward renowned for his goal-kicking, of which the 1 ?3i All Blacks had a taste, as he kicked penalty goals against them in both matches with Queensland. G. Bennett, the half-back, and amateur wrestling champion, who visited New Zealand with the 1931 Wallabies, is still playing, ns is L. S. Lewis, who graduated to Tommy Lawton’s place as five-eighth for Australia when the last All Blacks were over. D. Ale-Lean, another winger of pace, is apparently still as good as when he represented Australia against the 1934 All Biaeks, for he scored four tries in one game recently.