RUGBY NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 3

RUGBY NOTES

Athletic’s Steady Improvement It looked as though the steady improvement which has been manifest in the Athletic ranks since the Sbason opened was to have its reward on Saturday, but the tickle fates were against the green and blacks.

With less material to draw from, than; some of the other clubs in the town, the re-organised Western United Club bids fair to start next season on a much sounder footing thaWit has done for some time past. Since it took over the name of Athletic with the new green and: black jersey, this club’s senior fifteen has battled hard in ,an uphill fight; At the present time with several new additions, it possesses a really formidable forward pack with several backs of more than average merit. The club has as long and worthy a history as any in the competitions. The old Western Club won the Hankin’s Shield in 1914, 1918 and 1921, -while it shared the honours with other clubs in 1915 and 1919. . Old Boys Extended. On Saturday the green and blacks gave Old Boys more than a run for their money. Their forwards,wort) very enterprising, playing with sting and dash which gavp the blacks many anxious moments. Taylor, Bryce, Hutchins and Payne were the outstanding packmen but all worked hard and got results for their energy. Had their backs showed the same cohesion and determination as the forwards, there might have been no need for Athletic to have lodged an appeal. . The Athletic Backs. Eobb was unquestionably the star back of the sido, his solo breaks, too often spelling danger to the blacks. His try was the reward of a fine piece of anticipation, and following-up.'. This player has periods when he is unquestionably- worthy of representative .honours. / ■ ■ . ■

Field, Fcarnley and Burstall were three more of the. Athletic backs.tftbp caught the eye. The latter is' not a regular man for the side, but in his capacity of secretary of the club, often turns out to fill the too frequently recurring gaps in'the Athletic ranks,; He possesses a very safe pair of hands and . a reliable boot, while on attack ha shows distinct determination. On Saturday he 'reliever Fcarnlcy on several occasions and often held up the attack. Field is a fast nippy player, who works well with Eobb.;■ He" donkeyed ’’ quite successfully on Saturday but was not remarkable on defence. Fearnley, for once failed to notch points from a kick, and that, in a game when his usually invaluable boot might have made all the difference.: Cooper and Ansell were two. new recruits. The former was.not impressive but the iat-, ter appeared a useful back. High Tackling. ' " i There was a recurrence of the ‘ ‘ kiss-mc-Hardy” attitude as far as'the defence of both sides was, concerned on the Showgrounds on Saturday. Several of the players might take an object lesson in tackling f rom Seymour, Old Boys junior winger. , t ■ Four Juniors in Old Boys Banks. Old Boys’ ranks were'again depelted on Saturday and they were compelled to play four junior players. All were boys of ability in their departments and the blacks were really not very much weakened. It is a mistake to assume that, the enforced inclusion of a junior player in any team necessarily weakens it. There are junior players in the Manawatu to-day, who could give their seniors, points in some departments. ■How They Played. , Norris, who is one of the hardiest juniors in the Manawatu to-day, filled the unaccustomed role of full-back quite well despite , his strenuous ex'ertions in the curtain raiser. .'McDowell now ranks as a senior, as he has played his three games in that grade. He played well on Saturday when he saw the ball but lacks just that deciding" bit of pace which makes the scoring three-quarter. ■ . , • Seymour is unquestionably worthy of senior rank, and indeed, to all intents and purposes would appear to be such. Bis game on Saturday, was one of the best in the two rear-guard divisions, while it was more the luck of the bounce than anything else, which let Eobb through to score Athletic's try. .Williamson, in many ways went better at centre than at full-back. He is very weighty, with a surprising turn of speed which he uses to advantage on attack. Old Boys back lino would conceivably he strengthened by the promotion of Bennett of the juniors to full back and the establishment of Williamson as centre. Eiddell, as usual, was attractive, but not consistent. He brought, off' some fine low tackles but often handled inaccurately and retained possession too long. Evans behind the scrum played played a very solid and useful game. The Black Scrummagers. Old Boys pack got more leather than did the opposing Athletic scrummagers. Greig worked well with Sutherland in the hooking department, while on all occasions Neild, Galpin, Tromcwan and Lancaster were to be found “hoeing in.” The opposing rovers, Kells and 0 ’Shea were rather too enterprising on occasions, Kells, however, got in more really solid work than did O ’Shea. The Banfurly Shield. Wairarapa, or rather Cooke, has won back the Eanfurly Shield after the trophy’s excursion to tho South Island. Manawhenua’s game at Christchurch j on August 15, therefore will not have the interest of a Eanfurly Shield match * although it will furnish a valuable “line” on future possibilities when the elect of the combined unions meet Wai-

(By “Tho Off-sider.”)

rarapa a month, later at Carterton. Atthe present time Wellington and Auckland both have, prior challenges against the wearers of the green, so that it is quite on the cards that Manawheuua may be faced with a trip to the Queen City in search of the coveted trophy. Wairarapa’s “at home” games after the team returns from the southern tour are:—August 1 v. Auckland; August 8 v. Bush; August 18 v. Marlborough; September 12 v. Wellington; September 15 v. Manawheuua. The Juniors. The. Junior ladder is in an interesting position at the present time, with Old Boys on the top rung and Building and Kia Toa sharing the second position. The competition in this grade, has been very keen and the three leading teams have never had more than two championship points between them. Bedding -until last Saturday, had held the lead throughout the competition al-' though twice they have been on even terms with the runners-up. The four teams at the top of the ladder—Bending, Kia Toa,: St. Pat ’a, and Old Boys — are all very evenly matched and some very interesting football is promised for the remainder of this competition. High School, who were alsoamongst the front rankers until two Saturday’s ago have fallen back badly owing to the weakening of their team by illness, and through prominent members of the fifteen leaving School. With Bedding Old Boys wdn over United Valley last Saturday ,all ten teams in the competition have now scored championship points. Congratulations to the dark greens oh breaking their duck at last.

After seeing the rising generation in action last Saturday in their seven-a-side tourney there is little cause for pessimism as regards the future of Bugby in the Manawatu district. The boys are being well coached and that they have a good all round knowledge of the game was shown by their sparkling display. Kongotea, who defeated Terraco End in the final of' the school’s series on June 4, wore eliminated in the second round by College St. They seemed to overdo the passing a little instead of to gain ground. 7 Taikorca-Oroua, the winners of the Pifani Shield, played well together. Their passing, kicking and tackling would do credit to any senior team, While tlie winning try against Terrace End was, worthy of any rep. team. Four Hares'’(cousins) were the backbone of the. side. Jim Hare was easily the best forward in the competition, while his cousin Jimmie, played a great game in the three-quarter line. : i-; Lytton St. who fought out the-final with them also played great, football. Their star back was Kitchen, a lad with pace, and a good pair of hands. Rangiotu and Longburn also showed good football knowledge for such young players.The Selectors of the Manawatu school reps/ had a golden opportunity of seeing a. variety of players in action and would do well to give some of these lads in the smaller schools a place in the team.-, • ■ ■ . .

Third Grade Honours Board. v ' ■;# p. W. L. D. For Ag. Pts. Woodville . 11 10 0 1 169 26 21 St. Pat’s. .. ,11 9 i 1 118 44 19 Bunnythorpo 11 S 3 0 152 67 16 Old Boys A 11 5 4 2 139 93 12 E’ldiug H.S. XI, 5 6 0 129 91 10 Fell ding .. 11 5 6 0 99 124 10 West E. O.B. 11 4 5 2 136 121 10 Old , Boys B 10 4 6 0 51 73 8 Kia Toa ..10 2 8 0 53 179 4 Athletic ... 11 on 0 36 264 0 School’s Seven-a-Side. ' :;HA'