Versatile Sportsman

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1943, Page 6

Versatile Sportsman

Captain of the Divisional XV. which lest to Brigade at Whangarei on June 26. Sergeant R. L. Dobson confirmed the fme showing he made at second five-eighth when i fortnight earlier Artillery playec. a 17-pcint draw with the Maori Batuihcn, writes “Polity” in the “Auckland Star SDorts." Vice-captain of the “gunners” (who were led by Lieut. N. T. W. Inder, a former Auckland Grammar School skipper) Ron’s magnificent exhibition in the second spell so inspired his comrades that Artillery wheeled out of action “all square," despite the Maori lead of 11 3 at the interval. Dobson not only scored a try, but he had his goal-kicking hoots on as well. Noi since the palmy days oi out Brinsden has there been anyone approaching Dobson as an adept at every term of pastime to which he turns his hand, and feel. Scorning the old college tie legend. Ron, now aged 20. went straight to toil after leaving Wellesley Street Primary School. Apparently he “kicked off” at Soccer, playing four winters for Y.M.C.A. in the junior Xl.’s. In 1939 he was a member of City Rovers sixth grade Rugby League XIII. Next year found him in Technical Old Bojs fifth grade XV.. and in 1941 lie was centre three-quarter of the Eden team which wen the A.R.F.U. third grade championshin. Meantime Dobson had been active in aquatics. Besides swimming for the Mount Eden Club lor three seasons, ne was runner-up for the Auckland intermediate diving championship in 1940. And to keep fit on summer afternoons, he played baseball for Mount Albert from 1939 to 1941. . , His latent possibilities as a cricketei were not developed until quite recently when, with characteristic courage, he volunteered for service as wicket-keeper lor ihe Artillery XI. which-won the Whangarei championship, for which as many as 18 teams entered at the outset of 194243 On me concrete and sunbaked tun wickets of the North his job was no sinecure To crown it all he reserved his finest effort for the final against Defence XI - l'or after the crack Artillery lefthandef Gordon Butler and another’s wicket had fallen cheaply, Ron (51) was associated with his skipper in a stand oi 86 runs—which, as it transpired, was more than the total compiled by the opDosilion. On the foctbali field he is a deceptive runner, going faster than one might fancy because of the priceless Rugby gilt smartness off the mark. Dobson also ha? a quick eye for an opening, and this has enabled him to score seme brilliant tries in the north. He has several goals to his credit, too.