RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2694, 12 July 1923, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL. WIN FOR WESTERN UNITED. As usual the Wednesday Rugby football match between Western United and Kia Toa was very interesting, even though at times, comical. It was a willing encounter and enjoyed equally by players and spectators. Western United were the more aggressive, but Kia Toa broke away on several occasions to within an ace of scoring. Western United drew blood. After King had carried playwell up the field, Kells broke over the line and scored. The >:y was not con verted. In the second spell, Kia Toa commenced a loose rush, but King intercepted beautifully from ovor half-way fiT'd essayed a sprint down '.he line. He was uninterrupted en route and calmly scored. He also converted neatly. Kia Toa pressed, but Cockroft emerged from the ruck and shot for the corner where he scored. King did not convert. Eater on, King got away again and swelled the scoring account by a try. A goal resulted, but owing to the fact that King had placed it himself, it was not given. The game concluded. Western United 14; Kia Toa 0. Mr Boon was referee. REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY. SATURDAY'S FIXTURE. Roll up to the Showgrounds on Saturday for sure # This is good, sound advice, for here you will sec the first representative match to be played locally this season. Much lias been said and a good deal of criticism has been levelled at the local team, but on Saturday we honestly believe that they will exccll themselves, and give nothing short of a "star" performance. The Marlborough fifteen are n hefty, tough proposition, and are easily the best team on the Coast, having for many successive years won and held the Seddon Shield. They come to Manawatu with a great reputation as footballers, and although they are to play on strange grounds, believe that they will win. But Manawatu arc just as confident, and, rather than be beaten on their own ground, will do anything to evade such an embarrassing position. Quite a change has taken place in the'personnel of the local team, and it, remains to lie seen if the change proves profitable or otherwise. Patrons are notified that the kick-off takes place at 2.45 p.m. sharp. As a curtain-raiser to this big clash, High School tight their final battle with Old Boys at 1.15 p.m., a game which is sure to attract a big attendance as early as it is. Both teams possess fast working backs, and some real exciting football should result. NOTES. (By "FOLLOW-UP.") Quite a large crowd was attracted to

the Showgrounds last Saturday, for the conditions for Rugby were just 0.K., and the senior match of the after noon proved to lie very exciting, as well as a great surprise to many of the " shrewdies."

SENIOR GRADE. KIA TOA v. OLD BOYS. From the kick-off, it was as plain as daylight' that Kia Toa were out to give Old Boys a hiding, and when one player was stripped of his jersey, the fun started. Old Boys certainly were minus their usual players, and were obliged to fall back on six junior players. Kia Toa took advantage of this, and forced play most of the time. In fact so willing did it become, that- om or two players found it necessary to Avarn each other, or else " meet me after the match." One time in particular, Old Boys did not appear to play the game, when Swninson waa forced to lie on the ball and could not get up. " Follow-up" saw the boot go In pretty freely and was rather surpriseu at such tactics. The referee faile to see it, and so the unfortunaete one took his punishment. Another point ! When the ball rolls against tho posts, and a player falls on it, a try is generally given, but not so on Saturday. It will be remembered that McDonald did this for Kia Toa, hue after the referee hact had time to consider the position, he gave a scrum five yards out. The book of rules distinctly says, that In such a case, a try is to be given for tho post is part of the scoria*; line. Some seem to think that McDonald's shoulder was against the post, but "Follow-up" saw it actually happen, and the ball was hard and fast agianst the upright. It is surprising how some of the crowd like to display bad taste and sheer ignorance of such 'a game as Rugby. 1 refer to the uncalled ror " hooting," etc., when King gave Swainson a nice hand push. This is quite allowable and a good fast wingforward is capable of pushing all the backs in a like manner. If he cannot intercept a pass, this is the best thing to do. When a man has possession of the leather and hangs on to it. he runs a. risk of getting anything done to him except, a kicking. When a man has not possession of the ball, his opponent can "shoulder" him. but not push him. This is just the difference. It will readily be seen that King was quite right in pushing his man, and those poor irresponsible " boobs," who delight to embarrass a player in front of a crowd of spectators, should make sure of their ground before making asses of themselves. Swainson is certainly inclined to be selfish, and a good hard push or two might make, him realise the fact that individual play is not, to be compared with fast, clever combination. " Follow-up " was pleased to see Wier showing better form, and keeping his place. He played a fine gameon Saturday. Kia Toa are inclined to boot the ball just a little too hard. This happened repeatedly during the game, the opposing backs possession, which was very risky.

JUNIOR GRADE. HIGH SCHOOL v. BUNNYTHORPE At the commencement of this game, it looked as though school were to conic home with their tails down, for Bunnythorpe, with extra heavy weight in the forwards, took all before them, and never gave the school a chance to toss the "leather about as is their custom. In the second spell, however, a bomb shell landed on the field, and school made their big hefty opponents look absolutely silly, for the manner

in -which they threw the ball about, bewildered ,Bunnythorpe, and 'while they were thinking about it, school had scored and converted. Anyone who witnessed this match surely saw what combination will do over heavy forward play. KIA 'TOA v. LINTON. A scraggy game, with plenty of talk, was the order of things here. Km Toa made several good attempts to score, but White failed to put on the finishing touches, and lost the ball every time. After a good deal of half-hearted play, the game ended In a draw, three all. One side scoring and the other kicking a penalty goal. OLD BOYS v. FEILDING. This game did not eventuate for Feildlng did not put a team in tm» held, and so Old Boys wore presented with two brand new points. THE " REP " TEAM. " Follow-up " is not altogether Impressed with the team selected for Saturday, and wonders why such drastic changes have been made. It the team was judged by its play against Horowhenua, it is hardly fair, for the players had never been given an opportunity by the union to practice together, and they were up against a team which had been training hara for lour .days. The three-quarter line does not look at all impressive. It lacks sting in attack. The original trio picked for Horowhenua was Glendinning, Brophy, Bailey (Peilding). The latter was unable to play ana Oxenham took hid place. The Wooaville man did nof shine at Levin. He is a fair defensive player, but is too slow for a scoring three-quarter. No one grudges Bailey his place, but whyhas Glendinning been scrapped '.' He may be weak on defence, but h e can put the finish to a passing rush better than any man in the union. His poor showing at Levin was nof sufltcient to put him out of the team. -\ good attacking player is the man we will need for Saturday if we are to win. Why is Hope included in the live-eighth line ? Rose, 1 think, would be better there. He is a tricky player, has the knack of cutting in and if the backs followed him the held is clear. He lias proved himself a good half in club games, but is certainly too light as a " rep " half, and Maire in this position ought to do much better. Swainson and Builey (Woodville) are thought good enough to be selecteo as emergencies. They have made great strides from the C team to the A team and will eventually get a posiion with seniors. Let us hope it is done before we get licked too maiijtimes. 1 would like to .see Swamson as full back, and King as wing-for-ward. This is his proper position, and his undoubted cleverness would show to great advantage there. He is a good full back, but is very largely wasted in that position. As wingforward he would have the double advantage of helping both van and rearguard.

The forward line is a pretty safe proposition, and .should do well. Taking th e team as a whole, it is a very fair combination, but what it wants is coaching. The union's idea of coaching- would make a primary schoolboy smile !