SPORTSCOPE

Northland Age, Volume XVIII, Issue 78, 12 July 1949, Page 4

SPORTSCOPE

(by “GALLUP”)

It is my opinion : That all football fans, and those who are not, are pleased by the fact of the All Blacks’ win over Western Provinces on Saturday. This is, indeed an achievement, and we hope that this augurs well for the First Test next Saturday. ® That the New Zealand cricketers made a splendid light of the game against Lancaster. Their tour is going t 0 give the game a much-needed fillip in N.Z., to the degree that grounds might be in a worse position next season than last, owing to the number of recruits. ® That the Mangonui - Whangaroa game on Saturday was made interesting by the amount of mud on the ground. This slowed up Mangonui and made the teams more even. ® That a dry day woftld have given Mangonui a run-away victory. Even with a wet and greasy ball, their handling was fine in the backs, and the forwards enjoyed themselves thoroughly. ® That Trevor Smith has played himself into the Mangonui side as a permanent fixture. He has a failing in that he rises too slowly after being ! tackled. Let’s hope this has brought j it to his notice, and he remedies this immediately. . ® That Selector Yates made a mis- ! take when he selected Josephs in fav- I our of S. Ford as hooker for the Mangonui team. Josephs has a knee that is troublesome, so I am told, and “Sinky’s” game w T hen he took over warrants his inclusion. ® That the selectors for Northland must think the same way, as he is in the Pakeba team which plays the Maori team at Kaikohe next Saturday. ® That Waipouri’s game at half on Saturday makes him a logical contender for the position in the future. His service from the scrum was more than good. ® That when Eric Jamieson went tn on Saturday, he went into his right ! place. That he would combine well

with Murray and Smith, and would be in his natural position. ® That the going- suited Dawson on Saturday. His game was honest and well worthwhile. ® That I am wondering if the Robson injury on Saturday was real. If it was not, it was not a sporting- thing to do to a team that was trying very hard. I am not the only one wondering. ® That the Whangaroa fullback, Allen, played a grand game. He had plenty to do. ® That Ted Reid should be last man down, and that Sel White should be breakaway. Both these men are not in their positions in the scrum. ® That Selector Rive has selected a team that will be extremely difficult t 0 beat. He has chosen a well balanced side that does him credit and demonstrates his knowledge of minor football, at least. ® That there were one or two incidents in the Old-Boys Pukepoto Junior game on Saturday-that were not nice. When the referee disallowed Northwood’s attempt at a conversion, there was no need for Northwood to pick up the ball and drop-kick it a considerable distance. This was probably merely thoughtlessness, but against a side that was being beaten, it looked almost as though time was I being wasted, though I am sure nothi ir.g of the kind was intended. ® That O. Berghan of the Old Boys i team is apt to be too selfish. He should, when playing as centre, send the ball on more. Two tries were lost on Saturday through this. He is good, but not that good. ® That Karoi of the Pukepoto Juniors will go a long way in the football world, providing that he keeps up his present standard of play. His game on Saturday was really wortlL watching. ® That Masters of the Old Boys team is the best forward in Junior football, and that he will be an acquisition to seniors next season. , ® That Steve Lunjevich plays a good solid game, but that he should have been in the seniors even this season. ® That there are several members ;?f this same Old Boys team who talk a

trifle too much on the field, and talk, jf not to, at least at, the referee. That is not good, and should be overcome immediately. ® That refereeing in the Mangonui Association is on the up-grade, and I am wondering why ? ® That on Wednesday, July 20th, the Rugby Union will discuss something very advantageous to the code —amalgamation. A very fine move and very worthy of thought and support. ® That Old Boys are almost in an unbeatable position in the Junior Championship. With 18 points, nine games and nine wins, Old Boys have a clearcut lead from City with eight games, 11 points. Awanui follow with 10 points, Pukepoto nine, Kiwi United 6, North 4 and Herekino 2.