OUT IN THE OPEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 9

OUT IN THE OPEN

RUGBY FOOTBALL NOTES A NUMBER OF NEW PLAYERS IN NELSON COMMENT ON SATURDAY'S GAMES

The results of the first four senior; Rugby matches played in the Nelson championship competition indicates that [ the four teams engaged are fairly even | in strength. The teams commenced i their training earlier than usual this season and had friendly games which; enabled them to open the official season with more combination and fitter players than has been the case in the past few years. The first day's games produced some fine football, particularly in the NelsonRival game. However, last Saturday the play was not as interesting, but it was more strenuous for the players, particularly the forwards. Heavy scrummaging work marked both senior games at the Park on Saturday. Nelson Team The Nelson senior team contains several new players in S .Fieldes, a forward who played for Canterbury University last year. J. Goodyer, a member of Westport Old Boj's’ forwards last season, L. Bullock, who is returning to the game after several years’ spell, and F. Don. formerly of Waimea and Merivale, Christchurch. C. Graham, who played for Cust, South Canterbury, last year, made only one appearance as first five-eighths for Nelson before transferring to Murchison. J. Turley, D. Blair. McKenzie, A. Westley and J. Pike, a promoted junior, make up the team’s backs which so far : have shown very little combination. After having a day out on the opening day with three tries to his credit F. H. McLean again led his pack on Saturday against Old Boys and his strongest supporter was C. Drummond, who, unfortunately, near the end of the game, suffered a knee injury. R. Mayers is playing for Nelson this year, having transferred from Rival. G. Atkinson. J. Sinclair (a promoted junior), H. McKegney and E. Doody are also members of the pack.

Old Boys Old Boys’ seniors have started the season well with two wins. In A. Hoy, who played for University in Wellington last year, the team has gained a very valuable player. On Saturday he gave a good display and he should be well in line for representative honours in that position. With the exception of F. McHarg. who has transferred from Waimea, all of Old Boys’ new players have been promoted from the club’s junior ranks and they have a good young team which will be hard to beat. The three-quarter line consists of J. Busch, R. Busch and H. Grindle. On Saturday Grindle played at first fiveeighths after half time and he made a good job of it. He scored all of his side’s 8 points—a try. which he converted. and a penalty goal. D. Taylor and C. Stallard are the five-eighths and when the former learns to get the ball away quickly his outside backs will need a strong opposing defence to stop them. Stallard is a promoted junior who shows great promise. C. Costello fills the half-back posi- ; tion. j J. Nevin, W. Andrew. E. Mabin and H. Dodson are four of last year’s forwards and they have been joined by three of last year’s ,iuniors—G. Lyon, W. Dawson and F. Jennens. Rival The Rival team's backs are the same as last year and have plenty of strength. Some good exhibitions are expected from them as the season progresses, judged on their form in the first match against Nelson. Led by D. Brinsden at half the team has able supports in G. Phillips and G. Langrope in the fiveeighths. R. Watson. T. Vass and G. McKenzie form the three-quarter line and they have plenty of pace. Watson looks like returning to form this year and he is expected to make the New Zealand Maori team this year. P. McConchie and R. Carey have each had a turn at full-back. The forwards have been strengthened by the inclusion of R. Todd from Regimental juniors, who looks like developing into one of the best senior forwards by the end of the season. R. McKay, P. Pike, N. Biggs, M. Hurley, T. Bonnington are well known names in the learn, and they have been joined by juniors in D. Bird and A. Savage. Waimea. The Waimea team appears to have good material, but their lack of combination will be against them. Williams and the veteran W. Brooks have each had a game at half. J. Stephenson fills one five-eighth position and D. Winterburn the other. Much is expected of Winterburn, a clever Maori player who played for Poverty Bay against the Springboks last year. D. Ballantyne. B. W. Brown and D. Cook are the three-quarters. Brown showed improved form on Saturday. The full-back position is still held by the Waimea stalwart P. Fowler. Containing a good mixture of young and older players, the Waimea forwards should improve. G. Lusty and C. Lovell are the leaders of the forwards and their strongest supports are N. Challies and Lahaney, a new player in Nelson. F. Schwass and R. Reay are two promoted juniors and the other forwards are A. Hart and P. O’Connor.