OUT IN THE OPEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 July 1927, Page 9

OUT IN THE OPEN

COMMENTS AND CRITICISM ON SHIELD MATCH GENERAL RUGBY NOTES On tho first Monday in August, "spud Monday," n is usual i-o have senior and junior seven a side competitions, but ciwing to the few Saturdays on which club football can be played, on that day there will be two senior games at Trafalgar I'ark, and a sevenu side tournament for the juniors only.

The Maoris will pl,ly a combined Nel-son-Golden Ray Motueka fifteen on Saturday next. 'The following week will be given to club football, and on 13tb Aug ust the (iulier representatives play for (.ho Seddon Shield.

At the end of August the Golden RayIvTofaeka, representatives go on tour. At present it is expected to play at Murc.hisou, Wostport, Greymouth, possibly Canterbury, Marlborough, and on the return home Nelson if the Seddon Shield still remains here.

The 'gate" of a, Seddon Shield match is divided 50-50 between the home and visiting unions. On Saturday's fixture West Coast would take home JJIBO 10s —without. Lie Shield. The first- match between Town and Country for the Max Shield will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Maori match next Saturday. Evidently the referee for the NelsonCoast mulch gave satisfaction as the Nelson Rugby Union are writing the liuller Union to agree jo have the same referee for the Shield game between these two unions.

Too Many Infringements Commenting on Saturday's match, the referee, Mr W. J. Carson, said there were too many infringements, especially by Nelson. In many eases the nine points presented to tho Coast by infringements by the Nelson team on Saturday would certainly have cost them the match. It should not be said of a representative team that ignorance of the rules was tho cause, but in some eases it appeared as if that was the case. The hookers can be blamed for a number of infringements in tho first half, although in tho second there was no reason for complaint. Whether it was done'intentionally for the fun of the thing, of through lack oi knowledge can only be surmised, but a player who found himself well wedged on' the ground in a scrummage is not allowed to be pulled out by tho foot by an opposing man. If it was done for a joke it says much for tho sporty spirit of which there should be moro in all football. But the rules arc quite clear and players should play as near as possible to them in the best interests of the game.

Kicking Not Judicious A feature of the play was long exchanges of kicks which usually ended with a distinct- advantage to West Coast. Nelson's backs at times made fine long kicks, sending the ball far up the ground and gained tho plaudits of the crowd, but what use were the- kicks? They looked very uice certainly, but showed lack of judgment. The long range kicks went far into the Coast backs, giving them plenty of time to ga.in the ball and clear, whereas, if the ball had beeu scut higher, of tho np-and-under type of kick, the forwards would have been with it whep it landed. West Coast could teach the local team a point there.

Praise for Forwards According to the Coast players their forwards were the best .that had left the Coast for seven years, arid although they expected the Nelson backs to be dangerous, it came as a set back to them when the forwards showed such superior form, especially in the lino outs and loose. The success of .the forwards can be credited to their tactics. Throughout tho game each man lrnew exactly whero to go 'at the right, time. When Coast secured the ball their movements wero geuerally held up in the five-eighths by the forwards who broke away from the side of the scrum. The forwards on the blind side looked after the winger nearest them, while the last to leave the scrummage went to the aid of the winger, both in yttack and defence. These tactics proved sound.

The Players It would prove difficult to discriminate between players as to the best in the backs or forwards. "A good game" can be credited to all. Glover seemed shaky until after half time, when lie. showed more certainty and speed. His "knockout" by a Coast pla.ver banging into him after the ball had gone evidently upset him at first. Snodgrass was great. His try was typical. He might save himself many a' bump when there is no chance of an opening by judicious kioking. McGregor fed out to the wings with EerfecUy timed passes, and with all the acks played a splendid game. Fowler was another link in the solid chain of backs. On several occasions he cut-in \ery effectively. The other backs might well emulate his example by running straight. ' Reed was sure both in attack and defence. At times he gave the forwards relief by good kicking. The way he look all kinds of passes from the forwards and half was described by the referee as "marvellous." Mahoney was a little wonder. Where would Nelson be without him? E. Snow' was "daddy of them all" in tho forwards. It is not often that a coach can take the field with his players and instruct them during the play. His two brothers played equal games but a grade below him.

Monigatti was everywhere with ike play. His speed hustled the opposition on numerous occasions, and when he scored there was none near him but his own men.

Fowler well deserved his colours. It must have been gratifying to the selectors that their eleventh hour choice was us good as the best. Gross, Young and Barrett all played sterling games with nothing between them, but Young knew where to got to score two tries.

Not this Week! Before the game a West Coaster in the official barrier remarked: "If the Seddon Shield was a. cup we'd be drinking out of it next week in Greymouth," but the Shield is not a cup, and the Coast supporter will still have to bo content with the ordinary kind of cup or not drink at all.

Town Team The following have been selected to play against the Country for the Max Shield next Saturday : (Full-back) Hurley, I'. (Three-quarters) Patterson J., Garvin R., Snodgrass C. (Five-eighths) Mcllwraith H., Thompson E(Half) Spring J(Forwards) Eden T., Barton F., Snow E., Blincoe A., Fowler G., Howet H., Boulton E., Wyber B. Emergencies: (Forward), Everett R., Kenning W., Brough R, (Backs), Moffatt L., Hogg C. FIXTURES Senior July 30th— Nelson-Motueka-Goldcn Bay v. Maoris. I'ark, 2.45 p.m.