RUGBY MATCHES OVERSEAS

Southland Times, Issue 25564, 6 January 1945, Page 4

RUGBY MATCHES OVERSEAS

Southland Players Prominent FORMER ALL BLACK AS COACH Rugby and bowls figured largely in the interests of Warrant Officer T. Metcalfe while he was overseas. As a coach of Rugby teams and an active bowler, he found plenty to occupy his spare time. He returned to Invercargill with the overseas draft which arrived by yesterday afternoon’s express. Warrant Officer Metcalfe, who has been overseas for four years, will be remembered for his prowess on the football field as a Southland representative forward. He won All Black honours in 1931 and 1932 and repre-

sented Southland on many occasions, being captain of a team which won ,the Ranfurly Shield from Otago on Carisbrbok. As a member of the Waikiwi Bowling Club, he took a keen interest iri bowls and he won several championships of the club. SKIPPED WINNING RINK In Egypt Warrant Officer Metcalfe enjoyed many games of bowls, and last year skipped the winning rink in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force bowling championships. The other members of the rink came from Auckland. Warrant Officer Metcalfe organized, coached and selected a Rugby team from the draft that has just returned, and in the ten matches they played in Egypt before embarking for New Zealand they were undefeated. The side was known as Metcalfe’s Kaikoura team. The best game was against a strong team from the Maadi Base camp. This team included Jack Taylor, former Otago and New Zealand full-back, and Willis Perriam, who represented Otago on Rugby Park and played for the South Island in 1939.

D. Chilton, of Otautau, a front-row forward who weighs well over 13 stone, had played excellent games, said Warrant Officer Metcalfe. His dribbling was outstanding, and he could handle a ball like a back. He would be very disappointed if Chilton did not represent Southland next season if he was available. Other soldiers in the undefeated team were M. McKerchar, of Tuatapere, who played equally well in the five-eights and centre positions. Martin Ryan, a former Marist fullback, had played solidly in that position overseas. K. Walch, of Wanganui, who had filled a five-eighth position, had played brilliant football. He represented Wanganui against the touring Southland team in 1939.