Forwards-Cum-Backs Improve Maungakaramea

Northern Advocate, 12 July 1939, Page 2

Forwards-Cum-Backs Improve Maungakaramea

Maungakaramea showed improved form in the match against Kamo, although the display of both teams was ragged, and interest was lent to the match principally by the closeness of the scores.

The main contribution to Maungakaramea’s improvement was the better showing of the back division, the forwards ’ putting up the usual stubborn struggle, but gelling more support from a reorganised rearguard. Strange though it seems, it was the use of forwards as backs that was responsible for the improvement. Three forwards took places as backs and all acquitted themselves well. Harvey has been playing on the wing for some weeks since he left the pack, but the other two were new additions to the rearguard. N. Boyd has been playing good football in the forwards, and it was something of a surprise to see him taken out and inserted in the five-eighths lino. Strange to (he position, he nevertheless played an excellent game and instituted the thrust which has been lacking in the back division in other matches. Tire other forward-cum-back was Amos, who look up tire position as full-back, and played an excellent game. At times he was out of position, but he showed himself cool and sound, and brought oil some good saves. I. Boyd, playing at five-eighths with his brother, showed some improvement . and Morrison, at centre, apparently acting on the inspiration given by the better functioning of the inside men, also showed initiative and penetration, and made several good moves, one of which gave him a welldeserved try.

Fletcher was Kamo’s best forward and gave a good all-round display. Skelton was the best of the backs, opening up play several times with good bursts, while he was always dangerous in possession.