FIRST ROUND ENDS

Opunake Times, 23 June 1939, Page 2

FIRST ROUND ENDS

A VARIED RECORD RUGBY HOPES DECLINE (By "Arm-Chair") Finishing the first round with only two wins to its credit, the Opunake senior team is inclined to look on its future prospects \vit;li an nir of gloom. The chance of reaching the top of the tree, it is believed, has been lost for this season at any rate, and. the best that the team can do is to endeavour to affect the final result, which appears to rest with Akthletic, Okaiawa and Kaponga, at present in close company. If so wide a gap did not exist be tween the local team's points tal-

ly and that of the leaders, the abandonment of hope at this stage would not seem to be wise, but calamities of major character would have to befall the trio if such a ho]H' were fulfilled. The team may comfort itself, somewhat coldly perhaps, with the knowledge that it has suffered no overwhelming defeat. Both Kapongn and Athletic had to content: themselves with a onenoint advantage, and counted themselves fortunate to escape without a beating. The widest margin of defeat was in. the opening contest with Okaiawa. and it may be believed that such a large disparity will not occur in the respective tallies tomorrow. Specifically reviewing last Saturday's game, one point emerges clearly. That is the comparative. 1 lack of combination in the Opunnke team, both backs and forwards. Admittedly, the frefluent changes in position made by the inside backs on Saturday were not conducive to the development of true team play, but mutual understanding was not very prominent at stages. Simil-

arly the forwards depended far too much of individual endeavour lather than coordinated effort, and backing lip was practically unheard of. Nevertheless, one would he loath to do anything: to affect adversely the snleudid loose play which always has been, and perhaps always will he. a feature in Opunake's style of play, and which has so often been a factor in the team's success. It does not necessarily follow that organised team play will achieve better or even equal results. Provided the team possesses sufficient soloist star.-;, men of ability to make full use of a situation the moment it presents itself, individualist play may achieve all that, is desired. This, however, is not in the spirit of Rugby. There were times on Saturday when one man in support of a movement could have altered the whole turn of events, and this was true of both defence and attack. It was particularly galling to see a coi\f>!« of forwards break through the defence to lose the advantage when weight of numbers would hove made the difference.

The Taranaki Rugby Union's decision in respect of D. Old appeared to be somewhat a compromise. The referee's decision in ordering him off was upheld, but the penalty was the bare minimum, a warning. So far as Old himself is concerned, harshei treatment may have been unjustified, as he was wholly the victim, of circumstance, being guilty o.f his offence at a time when the referee, having issued warnings was on the qui vive for anything approaching . rough play. Had the incident been an

isolated instance, it is practica

lv positive that a warning and penalty -would have been deeme*

sufficient to meet the occasion, but it wag preceded by sonic examples of illegal practice to which objection could be, and was, taken. When Old's offence, however innocent. came along, he was "it," but all's well "that ends well and the incident must now be taken at its true value, a warning against late tackling. One severe loss will be sustained by Opunake after Saturday's engagement in the departure of T. Gardner, who has imparted to the pack.a little of that combination in tight play which it has previously lacked. Despite his bulk, he is seldom on publicview, but that does not in the least detract from the work he performs. That is why one could

hardly term it his "farewell appearance" tomorrow, but, at any rate, his loss will he regretted. As. was predicted, the appearance of the Athletic players' uniforms so pleasing to the.public eye, has sown the seeds of a similar scheme for the local boys next season. A proposal is on foot for co-operative buying of

outfits, in order that the appeal aiice of the team may he stand ardised, and the scheme has niucl to commend it. Senior Team Selected From the following- players, the Opunake team to meet Okaiawa tomorrow will be selected: King, &-. Pepperell, S. Pepperell, L. Campbell, Mosley, R. Malcolm, Tamatea, Waiwiri, C. Pepperell, Gardner, Holmes, S. Dobbin,. Old, L. Dobbin. Sid. Dobbin, McCulluiu, Waswo, Collins, B. Tucker. Referee Appointments Fixtures and referees in thn coastal division tomorrow are: First juniors: Rahotu v. Upunake at Opunaloe, 1.15 p.m., Mr. E. 0. Grossman; Kaitake v. Okato at Okato, 1.15 p.m., Mr. R. D. Spence. Third grade: Rahotu v. Kaponga at Kapqnga, 1.15 p.m., to

be appointed. Opunake v. Warea at Warea, 1.15 p.m., Mr. J. Moron.