OUT IN THE OPEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 22 June 1932, Page 3

OUT IN THE OPEN

RUGBY FOOTBALL COMMENT

NELSON REPRESENTATIVES’ FORM

team for next home and home MATCH The display of the Nelson representatives against Marlborough in the home and home match played at Landsdowne Park, Blenheim, on Saturday, was on the whole good, the hack play being outstanding. The forwards played mugiiilicently in the tight but lacked the ruggedness and penetrating power of their opponents in the loose. The visiting forwards failed to get the ball from the serums, and perhaps it is well for Marlborough that they did, for the Nelson backs proved they were capable of running up a big score if they hail had enough of the bull. However some excuse must lie made for them as they wore playing against, a wholly different interpretation of putting the ball into the serum rule than is ruled by the referees in Nelson and when Marlborough come to Nelson on Saturday week there will probably be some difference of opinion over the matter. On several occasion the hookers had their feet in the air and the ball was rolled in under them, and at other times they hooked as soon as the ball entered the serum. In Nelson the ball is required to be put into the serum past the two feet of each team’s outside front row forwards. However Marlborough were allowed this advantage of lifting the feet before the ball touched the ground in the serum and if tlm same method is adopted in Nelson the writer can see trouble for them.

However the visiting forwards cannot he wholly excused on this occasion for they could have adopted the same style for the occasion. The Marlborough serum of ti-t-l left only a short passage for the ball to travel to the half whereas it was on several occasion held up in the longer channel of the Nelson 11-2-H formation allowing the Marlborough breakaways to got around the serum in time to trouble Westley. Tt might he well for Nelson to have an alternative serum formation, a change to be made if the captain thinks fit during the game. If one formation cannot. get, the hall there would he no harm in trying the alternative. Drummond was put into the team as an emergency hut he played so well that he "justified his inclusion in the team for Saturday week. The selector evidently appreciated the play of each forward at Blenheim and has left the pack ns it was last Saturday. McLean is probably a better forward than several in the team and there is no saying he will Tint he included in matches to come but the selector has rightly, in the opinion of the writer, given the same forwards another chance, for on their display on Saturday it would have been hard to pick out one to drop. Sehwass, a strong forward, was a great, asset in the hard play, and he and Drummond had a slight edge on the ot hers.

Max, brother of the All Black, for his first, representative appearance made a good showing and his tireless following up was rewarded several times when he caught the opposition hacks.

Sutherland and Austin put In . a hard afternoon’s work and 'justified their inclusion in every way. The same can he said of Ferguson, Bird and James. However all will have to work for their places. The Seddoii Shield match is a long way off and before then 1). Max will be back and McLean will lie working for a place. In addition Sutton will probably he in the tiring line again. The Nelson hacks played splendidly. Westley did his job well until near the ond when his hacks were thirsting for the ball and he several times uselessly worked the “blind side. Othciwise his display was good. ' Spelmnn did his job of making a link between half and first five eighths and he made lightning transfers out to Stewart giving the outside players every chance, which they made the best UKC Of. Stewart played a great game. ITe streaked through the opposing hacks twice in quick succession and showed himself the mm?l, promising hack Nelson has had for a number of years. Then again outside him was A. Newman, Nelson’s best back and a player if lie retains bis present form who must reach the highest rung in N.Z. football. His play on Saturday was really outstanding. With great pace, a safe pair of hands and a solid defence he is the Lest centre Nelson has had for many years.

Beard's display was next in merit to Stewart's and Newman's and by it lie quietened all critics in their half-heart-ed disapproval of his selection. He had the hotter of Phillips all day and was responsible for a splendid piece of play which resulted in a try for Nelson. Gaining possession at half way he heat Phillips anil looked as if he was going for it try on his own in the corner and so drew the Marlborough defence across. ITe then cent red to his forwards who were lined across the field and Austin scored.

Fowler did not let his side down. but. did not shine in liis new position on the wing. Whitson gave (iis side some anxious moments several limes hut with experience in the full hack position lie promises to produce the goods. He displayed good anticipation.

Changes in the Marlborough team. A number of changes have been made in Ihe Marlborough team which was defeated by Nelson last Saturday. McLaughlin and Fleming are new in the thrceqiiartcrs and Bartlett, on the wing lust, week, has been changed to the full hack position which he filled last year. The forwards will include a number of new ones.

Value of Ryder Cup. In the opinion of the manager of l ho Nelson junior n presontnlives on Saturday (Air B. Edw.iids) the Ryder Cup, at in e: ;ent for cmnpctil ion between Nelson and Marlborough, is de.-uined !o be the rani:' to tile juniors of the provinces as tin Sedil'ili iShicid is to the seniors, (lion! keenness to gain possession of the trophy was shown. The Cup was presented at a dame in the evening. The President (Mr K. It. Blewett) said lie was sorry (loldett Ray-Moiueka weiv not included in'the competition for the trophy. It would lie nice, he said, to bring them in, but sut ii a matter would have to be n ferrctl to the Marlborough Union. It was stated that the donor of the Cup would also like to set- Golden BavMcturka in the competition.

Other members agreed with the President ai d it was decided that a conference on the mailer be held on Eauirduy week between delegates from the

Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay Motueka Unions.

Replacement of Players

in reply lo a request hv the Nelson Union the N.Z. Rugby Union wrote, this week ststina that the replacement of injured players could not lie allowed miles* the captains agreed

From One Who Knows. “As one who lists been ordered off, 1 think the hoy has had enough already” said one member al .Monday night’s meeting of the Rugby Union during a discussion of the penalty to impose on nn ordered off third class hoy who had challenged the referee’s decision. llis remark ciiised laughter and he added with convii lion: “Well. I’ve been ordered off. Yon wai’.’t lo go through it lo know what, it';: like.” And then anolhrr member el the Committee admitted that hr- also had been asked to leave the field oiii e in his playing days.

Mutter tit Entertainment. At Monday night's meeiing of the Nelson Union 1.1 11- onLeilninment of visitin'.? teams was discussed and it was decided lo (.0)111' to a definite decision oil the matter of entertainment at next weeks met time.

Il was iioinl oil out tif t delegates at ( lie annual n:£»o« ini? of the N.Z. union | ir.'l actvc'! • int a threat reduction in entertainment. expenses would be necessary this year by all Unions.