ALHAMBRA CLUB’S SUCCESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26473, 29 May 1947, Page 2

ALHAMBRA CLUB’S SUCCESS

The Alhambra Football Club’s fifteen owes some of its success in the senior Rugby competition to the physical fitness of the players, and it was noticeable in a fast and lively game against Training College on Saturday that the vigorous Alhambra pack was going as strongly at the end as at the start. Although Training College fielded a weakened side, even its strongest combination would not have found Alhambra easy opposition, as the latter’s forwards gave the Training College defence a thorough testing, their massed loose rushes being a feature of the game. R. Mathieson was a capable leader of the pack, and he was strongly supported by D. Brown, F. Morris, and W. Neame. The last-named, who represented Otago in 1943, came through from the line-outs and loose rucks with considerable dash. The outstanding player in the team, however, was T. Campbell, the second fiveeighth, who showed himself as a constructive footballer. He handled well and his judicious kicking was an asset. It was from a high punt by Campbell that Macdonald was able to race through, gather the ball on the Training College twenty-five and outpace the opposition to score a good try. Campbell’s saving work was sound, and he was the mainstay of the back line. He played in two matches for Otago in the 1944 season.

Alhambra’s continued run of success is gratifying to the supporters of this old-established club and credit must be given to the coach. Mr J. McDonald for his good work. He was a leading member of the club’s pack a few years ago.

TOP-NOTCHER IN THE MAKING Had the All Black trials been held a few weeks later than was the case, C. Garden, the big and powerful Zingari-Richmond forward, must have forced his claims for nomination upon the Otago selector. Because of the need for balance in the ZingariRichmond scrum. Garden has been played in the back row, but his accustomed place is in the front row, and if the Otago selectors are seeking the kind of front row one believes will be required against Southland that will be the place for Garden. Now that he is striking form, this husky packman has been playing with great fire and dash. He gave a fine displav against Southern, and followed it with another against Kaikorai, in which he was the best forward on the ground. Garden uses his weight effectively in the rucks, and matches his play in the tight by his ability to back up, as he showed by joining on several occasions in passing with his back against Kaikorai. He appears to be a top-notcher in the making.