NORTHLAND SPORTS DIARY . . .

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1949, Page 8

NORTHLAND SPORTS DIARY . . .

Northland Pack Averages 13 St. 121 b; Team Age 25

WITH the average age of the backs just over 25 and that of the-forwards just under 25, the Northland Rugby representative team to play Auckland at Whangarei next Monday could be said to have youth on its side.

The “baby” of the XV. is I. Stanaway, the front-row forward, who is 19.

E. Dunn, the emergency, utility back, is also 19

Oldest man in the team is breakaway Scotty Simons, who is 32.

Joe Murray, first five-eighths, Steve Urlich. reserve forward, both of whom are 31, and Charlie Sterling, one of the locks, 30, are the next oldest.

There is a drop of four years to centre John Smith, who is 26.

The average weight of the pack is approximately 13.12 and that of the backs 1 Q CHERRINGTON HEAVIEST

Heaviest man in the team is winger Nau Cherrington, who weighed in at Kaikohe on Saturday at Mil. I. Fraser and Sterling, each 14.8, are the biggest forwards. Mcßae, 14.5, is the only other in the actual eight over 14 stone, although both emergencies come into this category. Urlich is 14.5 and J. Isaacs 14.1. The hooker, Te Haara, is the lightest forward. He tipped the scales at 12.13. Tallest forward is Fraser, at 6.2 J. McHugh. Sterling, Mcßae and Urlich are 6.2. Shortest are Stanaway and Simons, at 5.11.

Murray, 5.6, is the shortest man in the side, and K. Pearson, the spare winger, the lightest, at 11.0. The age height and weight of the 19 players are: Backs.—V. Pearson, 25, sft 11 in, 12.9; N. Cherrington. 25, sft lljin, 14.11; J. B. Smith. 26, sft BJin, 12.74; R. Langdon. 25. sft Sin. 11.11; B. Beazlev. 21. 6ft. 13.2; J. Murray, 31, -sft 6in, 12.4. T. Richardson, 23, sft Bin, 11.8; E. Dunn, 19. sft Sin. 11.9; K. Pearson, 24, sft lOin. 11.0.

Forwards.—P. Grove, 23, 6ft, 13.12; J. Te Haara, 24, 6ft, 12.13; I. Stanaway, 19, sft llin, 13.3; T. McHugh. 23. 6ft. 2in, 13.3; I. Fraser. 23, 6ft 2iin, 14.8: C. Sterling, 30, 6ft 2in, 14.8; S. Simons. 32, sft llin, 13.10; C. Mcßae, 24. 6ft 2in, 14.5; J. Isaacs, 25, 6ft Olin. 14.1; S. Urlich, 31, 6ft 2in, 14.5.

OPINIONS OF NORTH TEAM

Two expressions of opinions have been received on the selection of the Northland Rugby team to play Auckland on Monday. The first from a correspondent signing himself “Anti-Racket.” reads: After watching the Maori-Pakeha fixture on Saturday, I was amazed at Mr Griffin’s selection of his North Auckland team.

As last season, Richardson has been given the halfback position. The one to suffer this year is Philip Cherrington, of the Bay. Then it would appear that to compensate the Bay Pearson has been placed at fullback, in place of Dunn, who served so well last season, and appeared the pick on Saturday

Then what credentials has Peter Grove to selection and why does not Perrin from the Bay of Islands, receive the same consideration as veteran Joe Murray ? This is not a criticism of players fortunate in selection but a plea for fair play by those who talk so well about the game. It seems to me that strings are being pulled to give some players a place. The only answer appears to be three SELECTOR DEFENDED

Mr J. H. Brown, answers comment in the “Advocate” regarding the personnel of the team.

“There were three good halfbacks tried out on Saturday,” he writes, "and of these Richardson was certainly 'the best, his passes being crisper and longer than those of the others, and his cover defence being sounder than Cherrington’s. Adolph throws out quite a good, though short pass, but simply does not know the meaning of cover defence. Likewise, there were three good fullbacks seen in action, and Pearson excelled in all departments.”

Hockey At Dargaville

For those players who were not selected to go to Rodney on Saturday the Whangarei Hockey Association arranged for two men's and two women's teams to travel to Dargaville to play Northern Wairoa reps.

Both men’s combinations won but the second women’s XI lost o—3. The win of the other women’s team over a strong Northern Wgiroa side was a commendable effort and strengthened Whangarei's claims to supremacy in Northland, The games were played at Selwyn Park, which was soft but held well. The Northern Wairoa women’s A team played well at the start and attacked strongly. It was one up at half-time and immediately after became two up. Whangarei then notched four goals in a row to win 4—2. E. Walker, J. Hay and J. Edmondson were outstanding, and among the backs G. Brown and L. Campbell were sound. Whangarei's passing was sure and the players had better control. The other women's game provided good experience for the younger Whangarei players, who did quite well. They lacked finish and in the circle lost, chances by not, following through.

J. Smith played well as fullback and others to show up were F. Haora. N. McKinley and N. Robinson. Northern Wairoa A men were not a good working unit against the first Whangarei team, but several players distinguished themselves as individuals.

B. Reed played a heady game for Whangarei and G- White on the wing was safe. Whangarei won 2—o and was on top all the way. C. Beehre was a good forward. The other men’s match, as the score of 7—2 indicates, was won convincingly. N. Chainey and W. Burton, two High School players, were assets to the Whangarei side, and C. Gunson was on the ball all the. time.

K. Hannam also played a good game.

Waipu Croquet

Officers elected at the .annual meeting of the Waipu Croquet Club were:

President. Mrs Brake; vice-presi-dents, Mrs Sentch and Mrs Jones: secretary-treasurer, Mrs R. F. McKay; committee, Mesdames N. McLean. D. J. McLean, Miss McKay: lawn umpires, Mrs Brake, Miss McKay; match committee. Mesdames Rimmer. Scutch. Sutherland. Mrs Kemnt was appointed to take charge of the tea board with the assistance of Mrs N. McLean.

Last season's buttons were presented to flip winners by Mrs Brake as follows:

A grade. Mrs Rimmer: runner-up, Mrs Sentch. B grade, Mrs H. McLeod: runner-up. Mrs Couper. Arrangements for next season’s cup and buttons competitions were finalised.

In iter presidential . report, Mrs Brake congratulated members on their splendid work and success of the season.

She also expressed thanks to the greenkeeper. and to Messrs Curline. Kempt and R. F. McKay, for their willing assistance. Mrs Brake referred to the cancellation of last season’s cup matches as a mark of respect to Mrs Sentch, one of the oldest and highly esteemed members, who had suffered a bereavement.

First Training Shed Ready Next Season

The Old Boys Rugby Club in Whangarei is leading the way in Northland with advanced plans for the building of Northland's first Rugby training shed. After long negotiations, a long-term lease has been secured of a quarteracre section between Victoria Bridge and the Isluff on the Onerahi Road, a building permit has been secured, and approval obtained from the Whangarei sub-union and the NARU for an application to the NZRU for the loan of from £6OO to £IOOO to enable the club's plans to be carried out. The plan of the proposed building, as drafted by Messrs Jack and Doug. Haigh, two vice-presidents of the club, was displayed before delegates to the NARU on Monday night. The decision to recommend ‘ the NZRU's favourable consideration of Old Boys' request was automatic. Delegates realised the value and necessity of a training shed in Whangarei. the headquarters of the union.

The club has also made application to the physical welfare branch of the Internal Affairs Department for a grant. It has in hand £3OO and it is anticipated that by the end of the present season, this sum will be considerably augmented by donations from members and supporters. READY NEXT SEASON

The site is admirably situated for the purpose, being within easy access of the centre of the town, and adjoins an area set aside under the town-plan-ning scheme as a playground.

It is the club's ambition to have the training shed ready before the opening of next season, and as soon as financial arrangements are completed a start will be made on the building. The club will shortly start clearing its section and preparing the ground for the builders. The shed is to be 70ft by 40ft. with a sawdust floor on the training section of 60ft by 40ft. The remainder of the floor space will be occupied by shower-room, conveniences, dressing-room and a small committee-room.

The shed will be set at the back of the section, 1 leaving room for extensions in the nature of a social room and other club facilities. PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS

Meanwhile, the frontage of the section is to be laid out in grass to provide pleasant surroundings. Although the Old, Boys Club has had this scheme in mind for several years, it. is only during the last six months or so that active steps have been taken to bring to project to fruition.

A small sub-committee, comprising Messrs F. Collins (chib captain), P. Murphy. I. Conway, and W. F. Berry (president), assisted by secretary Claude Philpott and treasurer Ron Muir, has been working during these months on preliminary arrangements for the shed. The progress made is a tribute to (heir efforts and enthusiasm. Towai Sports Club The recently-formed Towai Sports Club is fulfilling a long-felt want in the district in providing • entertainment for the people. Although formed as recently as April, it now has three table tennis tables, a set of indoor bowls, a dart board and a set of quoits. A club night is held every Friday and the increasing attendance shows how popular the evening is becoming.

Indoor bowls has a large following and an additional night each week may be provided for this section of the club.

The club has a membership of 60, 50 of whom are active members.

The club hopes later to enter one or two teams in the Bay of Islands fable tennis competition and to play neighbouring district teams at indoor bowls. The main aim at present, however, is to see that the people of Towai are well entertained. Powell Shield Winners •

Interest in keeping with that attached to' higher grade Rugby football is attending the progress of this year's Poweli Shield competition, retained by Mangonui S—3 last Saturday against Bay of Islands’ challenge. Saturday’s game, the first of the season in the series, was witnessed by a crowd which saw a first-class struggle between two even teams. Mangonui won by virtue of attention to the first principle of Rugby football —possession. Position and pace also told the tale, the defending backs being rather faster and showing better schooling. That the team as a whole, however, failed to repeat the brilliance shown against a strong junior side the previous Saturday was a tribute to the Bay challengers, who were always enterprising and quick to pounce on mistakes. A little more thrust would have given Bay two tries in the first half, and L. Ilcpi. brilliant Kawakawa DHS centre, scored with a fine effort in the second spell. F. Morey, Mangonui fullback. forced under the nose of Hepi’s schoolmate. N. Cherrington (another of the long line of Bay Cherringtonsh, to save what appeared to be a certain try.

With the forwards getting their heads well down in the tight, and the backs overcoming their tendency to stand too deeply, Mangonui settled down to winning form in the second half. The team. should be at its best to meet Whangarei’s challenge tor the trophy next Saturday, when another first-class contest will be assured. Kaitaia 0.8.

A earn maintainin'- an unbeaten record this season, Kaitaia Old Boys, with 20 points, are in a commanding position in the Mangonui junior Rugby competition, being seven points ahead of Kaitaia City, the nearest contenders. Old Boys drew a bloodless victory last Saturday with the default of Fa\j North, but have been unbeaten in nine other games played. City holds 13 points after nine games. Pukepoto follows with 11 points, Awanui 10. Kiwi United 6. North 4 and Herekino 2. Old Boys will meet City at Kaitaia this Saturday.