NOTES ON THE PLAYERS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 170, 29 June 1931, Page 2

NOTES ON THE PLAYERS

By “Grandstand”

The honours of the game lie with the forwards. Both sides went well at times, and there appeared to be little difference between them in the first spell, but with the wind against them the Red and Blacks held the upper hand for the major portion of the spell, although they scored only one try to their opponents’ two. Fryday, the captain, was in his element in the soft going, and was a thorn in the side of the opposition. He led innumerable dribbling rushes or was with them every time, and appeared to he the fittest man cm the ground. There was a rowdy element in the stand who were critical of Fryday’s play, and at times divulged their bias in amusing terms. * * * Walter is a tiger in the loose under the prevailing conditions, and he was in a scoring mood. V * * These two were splendidly supported by the others; indeed, it would he invidious to particularise where all played so hard and worked together so well. There was always one of them on the job, and it was a picture to please the crowd to see them going through the opposition like an avalanche sweeping everything aside. R.. Young’s try deserves special mention. It was pleasing to see the scoring ability of the youngest of the Young family, whose name has been a household word in Taranaki Rugby circles since the early days of the settlement. Brother Jim will have to look to his laurels, as Roger is coming pn. * * * Harry Taylor was turning f)ips mostly when he wasn’t underneath the struggling mass of humans; that is to say, he was tumbling along in a mud-enveloped state in an endeavour to do his bit. He succeeded in doing a good hit during the day. Ho slopped many a rush by going down promptly and on one occasion stayed on the leather a bit too long, and his side was penalised. Of course, that happens to every one in a football lifetime. * * :| < Henry and Owen had an unenviable job, hut did very well. It was impossible to maintain a foothold, and the wet bail added to the uncertainties. Henry had more to do than Owen, and his play under the civcumrsstances was most gratifying to his ad-

mirers. Owen was reliable and his kicking was always serviceable. * * « The three-quarter line had to move up to be in the limelight, as there was no chance of handling the ball satisfactorily in a passing movement. On no occasion was there a clear-cut bout from the scrum to the wings. Hamilton’s try was tire result of good judgment; he used his speed to advantage, and used his head at the right moment, dribbling infield to beat’ the full-back and going on to score. * * •■<= P. Collins had little to do, but proved sound in defence, and will improve with experience. * » * Grace, at centre, had one of the worst positions on such a day; he never got a decent chance in a passing bout, as the opposition was on him before he could get moving. He, too, had to get into the moving throng to do any good. * * if A. Collins’ display was fully up to his representative full-back reputation. He rarely was unlucky enough not to do the right thing at the right moment, and his kicking was big and well-judged, gaining a lot of ground for his side. sfS * * The Shield appears to be safe for Stratford at the close of the season, though Rugby produces many surprises, and it is not wise to prophesy. * * * Clifton’s full-back, I. Young, gave a splendid display, and considering the amount of defensive work he had to do, scored quite as well as Collins. He had the thick end of the burden to carfy, and came out with colours flying.

W. Jones, at centre, had hard luck as far as the Weather was concerned. Selector Guy was on the side-line and had, no chance of seeing Jones at his best/ but he must have been impressed with the sterling worth of his play under, the circumstances. ,He was sound on defence, and quick to take advantage of openings, an instance of the kind occurring with Clifton's first try, which was due entirely to Jones’ initiative. * # * Pat Ward, the popular representative player, turned out to help his club and battled, for all he was worth. “Never again!” he said after the match, as he .made his weary way to the dressing-room and a welcome shower. He said it as though he meant it, too. * * * The game was noteworthy for the calls for the doctor. There were quite a number of casualties. Stratford shared with the visitors in the mishaps to the players, but the injuries were only minor, whereas two of the Clifton team had to leave the field, and emergencies took their places. Fortunately the players were not seriously injured.