RUGBY CLUBS AT PRACTICE

Southland Times, Issue 25642, 9 April 1945, Page 3

RUGBY CLUBS AT PRACTICE

GOOD ATTENDANCES ON SATURDAY

By

ONLOOKER.

Opening practices were held by the Rugby clubs in Invercargill on Satur-i day. Good attendances were recorded by all clubs. The grounds were heavy after the rain of Saturday morning, but useful training was carried out. Old Boys turned out at the High School ground, Marist practised on the Marist school ground, Pirates and Invercargill were at Tweed street grounds and Col-legiate-held their opening practice at Biggar street ground.

The Old Boys’ practice was marked by the presence of a large number of junior players. The club has lost several of its senior players of last season, but the officials are confident of fielding a good senior team. Newcomers to the backs cure D. Doake, the sturdy full-back of the High School team last season, and R. Walker, of Riverton, who played for Training College (Dunedin) last season. R. Waldron, Southland inside back, will be out again, and if possible both E. G. Walker (High School captain and Southland representative last season) and J. Weavers will be available for the backs. Both are stationed in country districts, and if transport is available they will come to the city for the Saturday games. FORWARDS WANTED The Old Boys pack may be short of heavy forwards. C. Snow, M. Pittaway and B. Murray, of last year’s pack, will be available again, and there is a possibility that Major Guy Baker will turn out for his old club. Major Baker is expected to return to New Zealand in

time for the Rugby season in Southland. At the outbreak of war he was one of the most promising young forwards in Southland. Old Boys can do with him in the pack. • Pirates had a big muster of young and experienced players at the Tweed street ground. The name of Star will again be linked with that of Pirates, who won the senior championship last season. This club looks like having an abundance of good-class backs, and if the pack is up to average, the team as a whole should be a very good one. Invercargill, Marist and Collegiate all had good attendances, and although- the day was not altogether propitious for the opening of the season, the signs were that the club season is going to be easily the best of the last four or five years. Entries for the grade competitions will close at 5 p.m. next Monday. PIONEER CLUB, GORE A meeting of the Gore Pioneer Football Club held last week was attended by about 35 playing members, who keenly supported the suggestion that matches should be arranged in Eastern Southland this year. It was decided to hold the annual meeting this week, when a programme will be arranged. A meeting of the Eastern Southland SubUnion will be held on Thursday night.