Comments: Caustic and Complimentary.

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 48, 20 August 1937, Page 3

Comments: Caustic and Complimentary.

[By Candid Critic]

For the first time since commencing these notes I am unable to give any praise, and all criticism must be in the shape of brickbats. I heard the manager individually warn his men of the speed of the Hokianga Chesterman, but apparently they took no notice and all the backs were repeatedly caught in possession. Evans at fullback was a definite failure. Urlich certainly handled well and had one determined dash. Yates of whom I expected great things, did everything a threequarter should not do. Flinn must be a shadow of his former self. Chesterman left him stand-

ing. In my last notes I said that Wiki was an unknown quantity. He still is. Porter could not have represented even the juniors on his day’s play. Even Nip was off. He failed to pick up cleanly and on several occasions failed to catch the ball from the scrum. If the backs were bad, the forwards were worse if that were possible, were worse if possible. They could have eaten the young lads against them, but failed everywhere. No following up. No covering a rush. No nothing. I will make two exceptions and these are the two veterans of the team—Moses and Wright. On paper an unbeatable team—on the field one of the worst I have ever seen. In concluding, I would like to give my sympathy to the Union officials who did what they could to encourage the attendance of the public. Even went so far (through the good offices of Mr. Johnston) to instal a wireless to broadcast the test, and then the number present was disappointing. Football has been better this season than it has b< en for the past four years, but the support has never been at a lower ebb. South Hokianga will play Whangaroa in the final in the Northern zone for the Harding Shield at Kaeo next Saturday. Last year Whangaroa were the winners in this zone but lost to Wairoa, the Southern zone winners, in the zone final. Relay of Test Match at Kaitaia Football Ground Arrangements had been made by the Rugby Union with Mr. Roy Johnston to install a wireless set at the Kaitaia football ground last Saturday so that spectators of the local match , could also have the pleasure of listening in to the first test. The broad- ' cast came in very clearly and could be heard all over the stand and on the ground in front. Appreciation for this service was expressed by many of the spectators.