THE TAIERI WAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24619, 29 May 1941, Page 4

THE TAIERI WAY

IF the Taieri forwards were not themselves such a big and rangy lot, it would be quite in order to dub them the " giant-killers" in Dunedin Rugby this season After creating a sensation by beating University A on the previous Saturday, the country side rarrieq on to such good purpose against Dunedin last Saturday that it won against the leading team for the second week in succession. Again, too, the margin was only one point, and the'finish was most exciting. Taieri's success, which has been due overwhelmingly to the dash of its forwards, has levelled out the competition in great style* and no doubt his given a great boost to enthusiasm in the club and its district. The recently-appointed coach, Mr Cecil Jackman, has every reason to be satisfied with the progress of his charge, although there is still a good deal of scope for improvement Jackman has the background to inculcate "devil" into his forwards. There were not many stronger or more dashing forwards than he when he was playing in the Pirates' scrum and for Otago in 1926.

It has been a fault of Taieri forwards for years that they are inclined to kick too hard when they get into the open, and so give away possession. That tendency is still noticeable, although it has been curbed to some extent, and on Saturday some excellent dribbling rushes caused Dunedin considerable inconvenience. Behind the scrum, Taieri is not nearly so strong, and the soundness of B. Wilkins at full-back on Saturday atoned for many sins among the other backs. Still, the backs are a young lot, and very keen, and the coach and his team deserve congratulations o ntwo most heartening performances. Encouraging Distance Runners On the national junior athletic championship programme no provision is made for distance races above one mile, with the result that young ath- ! letes who concentrate on the longer ' events in the summer are not given an opportunity to secure New Zealand honours. As there will be no senior championships during the war, no encouragement is thus given to the young athletes of the Dominion to take up distance running. The Otago Centre is now advocating that a Two Miles or a Three Miles should be included in the national junior championships, and the New Zealand Council, has been approached to have one of these races included in next season's programme. There are several promising young distance runners in the Dominion, and they will welcome the chance to secure a national title in their special events. A First-class Full-back Now residing in Dunedin, S. F. Easton. the former North Otago and South Island full-back, will be playing for the Dunedin Club in coming matches, and he should prove a valuable acquisition to the club. Not only is he a safe and quick-moving full-back, but he is an outstanding goal-kick. He has represented North Otago for many seasons, and in the All Black trials in Wellington in 1939 was singled out as the next best full-back in the Dominion to J. Taylor, the former Otago player. Easton is fast off the mark and has also played good football at centre-three-quarter. Besides his prowess on the football field. Easton was a good amateur boxer and won many important bouts a few vears ago. Promising Players The Otago Girls' High School Basketball Club has provided many promising basketball players who have gone on to the highest positions available to those participating in the game. Among them have been Joyce Clayton and Jessie McLean, two of the most prominent of present-day players, and Peg Griffiths, Enid Campbell, Joan Cupples. and Gwen Thompson, four of the most brilliant players of former days. Betty Madigan, Y.W.C.A.'s wing-centre, was also a member of the School team last year. This year's combination again shows distinct possibilities, with Mary Stewart, who gained representative honours last season, leading the centrethird.' She is ably assisted by June Colquhoun, a last year's B Grade player who was prominent in trials, and J. Windsor, a new player from Christchurch. The defence third, although lacking in height, shows sureness in handling and good judgment. The three players, June Barclay. Mary McAnsh, and Margaret Keller, were all promoted from the B Grade.- The forwards, Ngaire McCausland and Peggy Elvide (captain), possess speed and good courtcraft, which, combined with the accurate shooting of Pearl Wilden, should prove very advantageous to the side. Promising Five-eighths In J. McLeod. Taieri has a young five-eighths who should develop into a player above the average. He is a neat type of player, with good hands, a fair turn of pace, and "football sense." His field goal early in the game against Dunedin on Saturday was a good piece of work, and he got his side out 01. difficulties more than once by clevei handling and kicking. More reliability behind the scrum would increase hi< value considerably. E. Sizemore. on the wing, has shown that he has pace and determination, but he. too. ha.suffered from lack of opportunity. The riisplav of B. Wilkins. at full-back, in this game was a convincing one. Wilkins has always been a sound player, and he fielded, tackled and kicked as safely as ever "Any Golf Here? " Golf Monthly, official British publication, relates an amusing story. Two delayed-action bombs were discovered on a London course and an emergency squad appeared to deal with the situation. The sergeant asked the club secretary to show him where the bombs were, and as they went down the fairwav the sergeant glanced around apprehensively. "Any golf being played here? "he asked. " Not a lot just now," replied the secretary. "That's all right," retorted the sergeant, " I don't want a smack in the back of the neck with a golf ball." Then he proceeded to deal with the bombs. tor Golf.*