Notes by "Scrum."

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 167, 24 July 1907, Page 5

Notes by "Scrum."

The representative team eelected to meet Wanganui next Saturday gives little occasion for grumbling. It must have been annoying for the selectors that four of the players they chose did'not turn up for the trial game last Saturday, but they certainly have done no harm in choosing them. All the forwards except Ward and Smith ehow dash and can fully be trusted to give a good account of themselves, while of the backs Pirani, Carroll, and perhaps Momo are untried men in representative football. As for the other backs, none shine as " stars," but they are certainJy as good as could be selected. When "Scrum" suggested the Townv. Country game he felt sure that it would -be one of the best of the local games. Unfortunately the absence of MoNae, Hughes, Taylor, and both Carrolle from the Country» team handicapped their, side considerably. The Management Committee deserve a vote of censure for their neglect to provide proper uniforms for either team. I failed to distinguish which side certain players were on. An objeotionable feature in the game were the efforts of some players to molest their opponents when the latter had got rid of the ball. This i 9 bad sport, and certainly is not Bugby. Following is a brief account of the individual flayers :— Rnssell, full-back, was in and out in his play, and I would advise him to keep to the thvee-quarter line. Of the three-quarters, Webb and Martis showed pace, while Uownes has certainly the making of a firet-class back, although less showy than the two formerThe place kinking ofi the would be. ' Dufty' would be a valuable asset to the green and white. Stalker was only fair, but no man could be expected to take Skelley's bad passes. Skelley played a solid game, but he is still inclined to hang on to the ball too long. Unless he cures these faults he will find himself landed out on the wing or at full-back. Anslow, who is a veteran half, strikes me as a likely rep if one. is wanted for that position. Boon handled his team very" successfully, he being on most occasions in the lead himself. Of the forwards Wingate stood out prominently. Mathieson a promoted junior, played a dashing game, as well as being willing on the line out. Of the rest Kyle, M. and E. Waldegrave. Ward and Smith all worked hard. Old ' Brum' still upholds his reputation in tho lines out. Hall, Puki, Morris, and Brown filled the places of the absentees in the country team. Trevena at full did well, kicking with judgment. Hall, Price and Puki were a medium three-quarter line, Hall being decidedly weak in his fielding of the ball. Price got in some solid work, while Puki's display should entitle him to that position for his club. Pirani showed great proficiency in tackling the man without the ball, but generally shows to an advantage on the attaok. His colleague, Rout, played a fair all round game and is improving in defence. Ongley, although not well, played his consistent club game. Of the vanguard D. Whisker, on the wing, was the most prominent forward of the day and his try was a meritoriou piece of individual play. The rest worked consistently througli-

out, Waka, Eeade, Burgess, W. Whisker, Kelly, Morris, and Eyan showing out occasionally. Brown was also one of the country forwards, making the sixteenth man for the side. It is to be hoped the Management Committee will endeavour to conduct the Wanganui-Manawatu match in a businesslike fashion and not give the spectators 10 or 20 minutes to wait prior to the kick off.