RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22074, 22 July 1933, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TOWN v COUNTRY.

EVEN CONTEST ANTICIPATED.

(By

“Onlooker.”)

The annual Town—Country trial at Rugby Park this afternoon promises to be one of the most interesting of the series. Never before has there been such a wealth of outstanding Rugby talent in the province, and, particularly in the country districts, the numbers playing the game and the standard are at a higher level than ever before. This afternoon’s game, while providing an indication of the relative merits of the strength of Town and Country Rugby, is really a trial of many of the players for representative fixtures ahead. During the past few weeks the Southland selectors have been literally combing the province for outstanding players, and to-day’s fixture will serve as the final rehearsal or tryout. Since the teams were announced a week ago one or two players have suffered injuries and, as a result, may not be able to take their places in the teams to-day. In the Sub-Unions’ team Eric Fowle will be replaced by J. Matheson (Eastern), and J. Ward (Eastern) will come in as emergency to the side. Fowle, who at the present time is showing very dashing form, and is one of Western’s leading forwards, met with an injury to a knee in the Western—Eastern Sports Trust Cup game last week. He has been advised to rest the injury, but it is reported that its nature is not sufficient to keep him out of the Otago—Southland SubUnions’ game to be played at Dunedin next Saturday. Whether he plays in the Sports Trust Cup game at Otautau on Wednesday remains to be seen. Fowle is one of Southland’s keenest players and it would be a pity to see him forced to stand down too long. The Country team as a whole is a very strong one, possessing both pace and solidity, and there is not the least doubt in the minds of Invercargill Rugby supporters that it will give the Town team a hard game. The real strength lies in the forwards. With Purdue to lead them and forwards of the calibre of Pawson, Southern, Murphy, and Sherriff in support, it is not too much to say that the visitors should take the honours in this department of the game.

The Country backs are more solid than brilliant, but that does not mean that they will be slow. On the contrary, there are several fast men among their number and all round they should not be very far behind the Town backs for pace. Crosbie, the Northern captain, is playing just as good football as ever he played. His handling cannot. be faulted and his anticipations are praiseworthy. He will be up against a good man in Mitchell this afternoon and thus will be given a good test. The five-eighths and Lionel Graham and Don Grant. They should pair very well together. The duel between Grant and Sharp (Town) should be an interesting one. The Town team as originally chosen was a strong one. Wfibther it will be as strong this afternoon depends upon some of the injured players. Glen Thomas, the full-back, is on the injured list, and Bert Geddes is suffering with an injured leg. Then in the forwards Galt and Mattingly, two of the most solid scrumers in the pack, are more or less incapacitated. It is possible that Thomas, Geddes and Mattingly will be able to take their places in the team, however, but Galt will be replaced by either McColl or Willcox. Taking a line through their Country Day form Town should give a good account of themselves. They will be up against it in the matter of weight in the forwards, but in the backs they should hold their own. The threequarter line must be regarded as a very strong one, and the five-eighths are capable of making plenty of openings for it. Behind the scrum Town can be regarded as having an advantage, as the Pirates trio, Thomas, Smith and Sharp, have been together all the season, whereas the Country opposites will be playing together for the first time. Much will depend on the forwards and provided the Town pack can give their backs a fair service they should figure prominently in the decision of the game. On paper the chances of the teams look to be very even. It should be a good game with a record crowd to witness it. The game commences sharp at 2.30 and will be preceded by a sixth grade curtain-raiser. Mr J. L. Oughton will control the main game and Mr J. Murray the curtain-raiser.

EASTERN SOUTHLAND 'SUBUNION.

MEETING OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE,

The weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the Eastern Southland Rugby Sub-Union was held last evening. There were present: Messrs J. W. Aitken (president, in the chair), F. M. Murray, C. M. Wilson, A. H. Davidson, J. M. Boyne, G. W. Whittingham, W. Leitch, H. G. Wallis, B. Scott, F. Wallis, jun., I. W. Martin and R. S. Green (secretary). Permission was granted for the Wyndham District High School team to travel to Riverton to-day to play Riverton District High School and also to play a match against Winton District High School at Wyndham on August 12. Permission was also granted for two Mataura school teams to play at Waikaia to-day and for High School to play Balclutha on Monday. It was decided to suggest August 12 or 19 for the match with South Otago.

It was decided to write to West Otago Sub-union and ask if it would be prepared to play a match against Eastern. It was agreed to suggest that the match be played on August 2. The position of the senior competition was discussed, and it was agreed that a triangular competition as at present was unsatisfactory. It was agreed to continue the competition for another week and see if the junior competition was nearer decision.

It was stated that the Mataura and Wyndham second grade teams would be meeting at Mataura next Wednesday and that that match might decide the championship. With a view to selecting a junior representative team it was decided to pick a team from the remaining four junior teams to play a match against Pioneer seniors at Gore on Wednesday. It was also decided to write to the Northern Sub-union and the Southland Union to ask if junior representative games could be arranged. In the event of it being difficult to arrange Wednesday matches, Eastern did not anticipate difficulty in fielding a team on a Saturday. NEW ZEALAND UNION. INVITATION TO AUSTRALIAN TEAM. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, July 21. The New Zealand Rugby Union has decided against playing an extra interIsland match this year as proposed by Hawkes Bay owing to the difficulty of fitting in a date and in consideration of the fact that the New Zealand team will not be proceeding to England until 1936, but the suggestion will receive favourable consideration for next year. It was also decided that the time was inopportune for a visit by Standford University, United States of America, and accordingly an invitation is being given to Australia. It is suggested that the New Zealand team of 1936 on the return play matches in Canada and California