Rugby in Feilding

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7201, 26 April 1930, Page 3

Rugby in Feilding

NOTES ON" PLAYERS. With the ooimnenccm&nt of tho M-aniawa-tu Rugby Union competitions bo-day Fcilding fans can look forward with every confidence in the teams which will represent, this part of tho union’s district, for in spite of the rumours which gained currency prior to the playing of the usual complimentary games that thero would bo a lack of material, more than sufficient players are offering to enable the local controlling committee to- stage strong teams. There was never any doubt among officials that Feilding would not be able to fend players capable of producing a high standard of play tor tho .season which commences to-day and support for this opinion will bo found in a perusal of the following v\ho will meet Kia Toa this afternoon: O. Hight, M. Bowler, H. Pike (lock), 0. Hight, H. Cl. Hare, J. Fitzgerald and Whalier, A. Wald la (wing forward), Shapicski I half), H. Moore (first 5-S), F. Elliott (second 5-S), H. Darragh, R. Harrugb, T. Amadio ('three-quiartc.r line), Brown (full back). While many of the foregoing will be familiar to Rugby fan® who veil know tho individual strength they offer, there are included some new plaj ers whose performance will l>c watched with interest. J. Fitzgerald played junior last year and his . elevation to senior rank is justified in every way. He has the size, weight and knowledge of the game which qualifies him for a •position* with the senior forwards and given this opportunity of confirming the confidence tho selection committee has reposed in him, he should conic up to expectations. It was a toss up whether his brother, K. Fitzgerald, lillicd the gap, for lie also answers requirements and is available as an emergency. _ Whelle.r, another new forward hails from Auckland and is reputed as possessing those'qualities which make for first rate forwards. His initial v appearance in the yellow and black jersey will be watched with interest and with tho brothers Hight) Hm formidable “Mick” Bowler, Fcilding’s limb of the law Pike, Hugh Hare and Fitzgerald, Feilding’s front rankers will not lack weight nor vigor. They should prove a handsome vanguard for then

active backs-. . As wing forward Alex Waldin will be welcome to the fold and it is to.be hoped that lie will hold tho position through the season. Ho is not over,eager to eontinuo tho game but volunteered his -services should no other player be offering and his acceptance by the selectors is an assurance that he is the best man for the place. Sb'apleski is once more allotted the position of half, which he filled so admirably throughout last season, there will be no weakness here for he is a master at whipping tho leather away to his back lino from the serum and is always handy with his nippy t work when most needed. Hailing from the Thames, H. Moore, who has boon given first five-eighths, promised well in the complimentary match played at Manakau. Those who witnessed this practice match were satisfied that Moore would add strength to the Feilding team and to-day’s match will give fans a chance of deciding whether ho is the find the selectors think. Elliott lias already proved his worth as second five-eighths and is an asset to the team.

The three-quarter lino to answer every ■ requirement. Tom Amadio, who played for Tc Ivawau last year will strengthen tho uoik of R. Dairragh and Iris brother Harold, while Brown is well known to bo absolutely secure as full back. There is just a chance that Brown will not be able to play, owing to an injured finger but the prospects of his appearmice were sufficiently bright to justify his inclusion in the team. So much for the team which will meet Kia Tea in the initial match of the season. The selectors have, it ap pears, ntadc a wise choice, notwithstanding the difficulty of having to draw from more than sufficient firstrate material offering. Goongo D'arraigh will not figure m the early games and perhaps nut at all since he has had considerable trouble with an arm injury received towards 'the end of last season. This injury, it is satisfactory to learn, is all but cured and George is rather keen to don the •jersey again. Ho has decided lion ever to stand down for a while yet to give the arm every opportunity of getting absolutely right. . n It was thought that iSTcsbrt another now player to Fcilding would be available for Saturday’s match but he is at present out of the running owing to. being a hospital case through an injury received wihon playing at Apiti. He brings with him a reputation as a halfback" and a generally versatile player. However in his initial game in this territory he received a kick in the ankle which necessitated hospital treatment so that he will not bo available for a while yet. It was intended to make him partner to Moore on the liveeighths line. _ Burgess is another player available for the forward ranks who will stand by in tho meantime. He comes from xhe well known Rongotca family but last year figured in tho Bush Union competition. Fcilding welcomes him and will yet give him the opportunity of displaying his qualities. From the foregoing it will be gather-, e-d that Fcilding club docs not lack material for staging a strong senior team and the same can be said as far as the juniors are concerned. Thoro are sewed players worthy of positions in (he senior ranks who will bo playing junior and this, should make for easier work on the part of tho selectors. The Juniors. Doric from To Auto College where he played five-eighths for the senior fifteen joins the junior fifteen as a player of outstanding merit who is certain to prove a distinct asset. For a partner Saywell from Rangiwahia, who has iained tho Fertding Host Office staff will fill the gap and he is a very promising youth of .the right type. Brock

who played for Rangitikei last year, Burgess from tho Bush Union and Neil who carried Taihapo’s colours last season and Brook who has previously played with the seniors, are all staunch vanguards who are stated to be worthy of senior ruk. However they will have a good try out and perhaps as the season advances there will be a rtj-' shuffle, to secure the best possible distribution of the players offering. H. Dcwe who has played full back for tho seniors will be the junior half in the match against Kia Toa to-day. Kelly will he the wing-forward with Garvey on tho other side while “Snow-y” Benge will play centre and Kitchen full back. Generally speaking the juniors should he a substantially stronger fifteen than was the case last season. Feilding Old Boys. Feilding 'Old Boys will journey to Palmerston North to-day to meet Old Boys. The team has undergone some changes during the recess, a notable defection being Maurice Waldin, who is now a resident of: Huntorville. Fortunately the club has been able to secure the services of Noel Amadio an ex-member of tho Wellington Training college fifteen and an cx-pupil of the school. He is a vigorous type and should go a long way towards covering the absence of Waldin. As far as the front row arc concerned Salter and Waugh arc the only new-comers and they have sufficient experience and tho asset of youth behind them to make for a capable and efficient unit. Certain changes in the disposition of the players in the rearguard kavo. been made. MacLeod, who proved an efficient full back last seasou will take the place usually occupied by Cochrane who has been allocated to the wing where this active exponent of the game should have full scope to exploit every opportunity. Dewo will partner Pawson on tho five-eighth lino and Gibb will take tlio other side to Cochrane while Noel Bra unveil, as centre threequarter will lead the colls. Tho goal

will be defended by Stewart Bramwcll. The changes do not appear to have in any- way weakened tho team the personnel of which is sufficiently versatile to answer every requirement. Wanderers Club. A full practice of players of the Wanderers Club will be held on tho Kiwitea football ground to-day commencing at 2 o’clock. Tho following players arc particularly requested to assemble: D. Kilgour, K. Kilgour, P. and C. Mcß'ouga.ll, D. and 11, Brown, T. Norris, P.,Jaggard, Mittfundy, J. Steel, E. Wilson, D. Hocking, H. Hare, G. Lint-ott, H. Miors, T. Williams L. and S. Jansen, D. Garrick, J. Anderson, C. Petersen, A. Robertson, W. Williamson, R. Hirst, D. Robertson, D. Younger, W. Baker, D. McGregor, J. Spiers, B. Johnston, J. Roach, E. England, H. Knyvott and any other intending players. It is hoped that all players will make every effort to be in ■attendance as anybody not pr-resent stands a chance of losing their place in the team. TEAMS FOR TO-DAY. Feilding senior team to play Kia Toa at Feilding at 3 o’clock: —A. Waldin, O. Hight, M. Bowler, E. Pike, C. Hight, H. Hare, J. Fitzgerald, K. Fitzgerald, Whcller, K. Shapleski, H. Moore, RBenge, T. Amadio, R. Darragh, H. Darragh, S. Brown.

Feilding juniors against Kia Toa A at Palmerston North at 3 o cluck. Feilding will be represented by Thomas, Garvey (2), Boazer, Brock, Adsott, licndle, Laing, Carson, Kitchen (2), Dcwe, Duric, Saywcll, Kelly, Burke, Bishop. Players arc requested to be at the Post Office at 1.30.

Feilding Old Boys juniors to play Massey College B at Johnston park at 2.-15: —Farmer, Edkouse (2), Elliott. Kerridge, Whisker, Eadc, Whitehead, Bcatic, Irvine, Buxton, Waugh (2j, Bridge, Fitzpatrick.