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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19354, 18 June 1937, Page 7

BACK TO NORMAL

TEAMS WELCOME SPELL COMPETITIONS RECOMMENCE NEW r.LOOD IX SOME PACKS (By "Sideline”) It will be like returning from the holidays lor llte majority of the .Rugby players in the championship series of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union when they take the fields at the Oval to-morrow-afternoon in continuation of the competitions. Though there has been a break of only a week in the series, there have been in that time two representative matches played on the Oval, and on that account the break in the competitions seems to have been longer. The respite has been satisfactory to some teams in that it lias given injured players a further fortnight to recover, and those who have been suffering minor abrasions are keen to he in their togs once more. To refresh the memories ot the "fans” the following is lho position oi’ the teams on the ladder:— Seniors.—Celtic, 14 points: 11.5.0.8.. 12: Old Boys. 12: Y.M.P.. 6: I’.W.lh. 4; Marist, nil. Juniors.—Old P.ovs B. 16 points : Old Bovs A. 14: Marist, 9; High School, b : Celtic. 7: 11.5.0.8.. 6: Waikohu. 4: P.W.U., nil. Marist's New Blood The. spell from football last Saturday lias been of benefit to the Marist senior team, as the respite, from match play lias enabled a number of players .sutlering from injuries to recover and the club is hopeful of fielding its strongest team for some weeks in the match against Celtic to-morrow. Several new faces will bo seen in the team fielded and it is anticipated that their appearance will strengthen ‘both hacks and forwards. Johnson, a newcomer to the Bay. is likely to fill the fullback berth in succession to B. Wright, who is now in the Rotorua district,, while S. Yates, who played for Celtic last season, will till one of the inside positions in the hack line. The other backs will he chosen from I). Ileeney. P. llaisinau, R. Cardner, M. Barry, J. Edwards, 11. Duckwovth and L. VVinstanley. New forwards in the team include L. V. Lawless and IV. Ritchie, late ot Richmond Rovers League team, Auckland. and D. Harnon, and the pack will he selected from these men together with IL Bean. M. Doyle, 11. Warren, E. Knopwood, M. Parker, J*.. 0 Hallovan and 11. Quinn. The- scrum will 've the heaviest fielded this season and the team is confident of making a much better showing to-morrow than on the last occasion they met the Celtic team. The junior team is meeting High School in the early grandstand game to-moiTOW and a great game should eventuate as both teams are. having a good race for the third position on the. competition ladder, with MarisJt at present one point ahead. In previous matches the Marist team has been somewhat lacking in condition towards the finish of their matches, but the training done during the past fortnight should have now remedied this fault. Tho third grade team has had a daily practice for the past two weeks in anticipation of their game with Old Boys thirds to-morrow and their coach is confident that they will maintain their unbeaten record. This team lias set a great example to the other teams as there lias been a full attendance at all of their .weekly practices since the season commenced and if keenness is any criterion the members should make their mark in senior football before many seasons have passed. 11.5.0.8. ’s Opportunity In their match with Y.M.P. to-mor-row the 11.5.0.8. team has a great opportunity of working up their early season form so as to he. on their toes for their second and important match with Celtic. It is important because they must win this match with Celtic to have a chance of winning the competition. On the Oval to-morrow afternoon they should practice ail the old orthodox rules of Rugby and throw tho ixill about as much as possible so that every man gets his chance to improve his form. If each man makes up his mind before he goes on the field that- when his team is attacking he will not be caught with the ball in possession it will go a long way towards improving their combination. Morrison, Sharp, and Harris are capable of much better football than they are playing at present. They must realise it is a waste of time trying to beat four or live fast-breaking forwards. H you cannot get a good pass away—clo not hesitate—use a short punt and put your forwards on side as soon as possible. Another fact that must he taken into consideration in regard to representative honours is that the senior selector. Mr. Tom French, has his eyes open all the time for a good combination and there is no reason why the 11.5.0.8. hacks cannot have a stronger representation if they care to try. Remember also that our sole selector will not look at a player who does not tackle his man. The forwards have been doing more than their share of work in recent matches and are placing good Rugby. Perhaps they could give their half-back a little more protection in the line-outs by coining into the ball when it is thrown in from the sideline and in.that way make the, opposing forwards run round instead of breaking straight through the line-outs, Celtic Men Eager "While the representative matches have been in the public eye club football lias taken a hack scat, and when llie games start again to-morrow the Celts will be eager to maintain their position at the top of the ladder. With Hie failure of the inside represents! ive backs, the selector will bo keen to unearth some new talent and so this should lie an incentive for good backs like Basil Soloman to show their paces. The Celts backs against Marist to-morrow will he: Milligan, half; Solomon and Green, live-eighths; with the three-quart nr line, McAneney Bros., arid Bob Patty. These backs arc a good set. and combine well, and, given plenty of the leather, should he a hard combination to stop. Vincent will fill the fullback position and to date lias shown good form. The forwards will bo l.ho same, ns in previous games. Prod McAneney, Steel and Rogers are in good form, and these three, together with the rc presentative colts forwards, Burly McKinley and Kani Fere, make up a good forward pack. The Turnbull brothers, Laurie and Bob, complete the team, which, on paper, seems to be a strong combination. Trevor Stevens has been showing much better form in his last two games and should bo one of the first forwards picked. There is a possibility of Artie Milligan, erstwhile Celtic and Poverty Bay representative forward,

turning out again for a few games. Artie is very lit and without doubt would be a decided acquisition to llie Celts, and if in form, also to the representative side. Old Boys Ranks Depleted When the Old Guys lake the Held to-morrow afternoon llieir ranks will be depleted owing to the absence of Archie Campbell, A. Rend, and Brian Dods, all, of whom are on the siel; list. Russell will be coming up from the junior grade, I here will probably be a new man standing behind llie scrum, l’iercy, from Waiugake, will lie in the serum, and Twigg also will be back in the field. Arthur Read is unable (o piny fool bull, but ho is not loafing on the job as he has found an interest in coaching Ihe fifth grade bo vs. With this in fusion ot new blood the question is—“ How will Old Hoys shape?”