RUGBY FOOTBALL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3750, 1 May 1936, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE COMING SEASON. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The commencement of the Rugby football season has Deen the occasion of a good deal of inquiry as to the senior players available. It appears that the introduction of what is known as the “Taranaki” scheme, by which practically rep. teams of the sub-unions are engaged 'in competition each Saturday, has not met. with full approval; but the fact that it haft been adopted makes criticism now ineffective. The thing is to give it a fair trial, and to review it at the end oi the season.

As to the Waipa players available, tile two representative clubs (Rovers and Te Awamutu) have had to make some changes, for certain players have dropped out of the game, or, at least, are not available at present. Both clubs have several new players —some of them former juniors; others accessions from outside. Inquiry gives the information that Waipa's “AU Black,” Jim Wynyard, is not likely to be playing in the early part of the season, for he has had to have medical treatment for a damaged knee while overseas, and it is probably wise to make certain that a complete recovery is assured, before he puts any undue strain upon it. His brother, Bob Wynyard, another Waikato rep. forward, says he is unlikely to play, having a heavy and hard season in front ot him farming partly improved country about twenty miles from Te Awamutu. Jim Askew, another Waikato rep., is uncertain about taking part actively this season, but hopes are entertained that he will don the jersey before the season has been long in progress.

/’he two Scrivens, Suburbs Club forwards, have indicated that they will be playing hockey this season. Jim Hanna, a nippy back, has left the district, as also has Rapa Jackson, who, one hears, has joined up with league to play in Auckland. Mit. and “Pod” Grace, of Suburbs Club, will be wearing Te Awamutu jerseys this season, as also will P. Bell; but Bill Bell, the rep. fullback, is away in the Rotorur. district.

Clarrie Craig, a Te Awamutu and Waipa rep. forward, says he has given up the game. A. Grant, A. Sutherland and T. E. Short are also nonstarters this season, according to advices to hand; Short is taking up golf, by the way. Wilf. Nicol] cannot spare the time necessary. Geo. Mate i‘‘ not available, and Ate Jackson, a Waipa rep. half back, is another who is unlikely to play in the competitions this season. “Tommy" Thomson, a Rovers Club and Waikato rep. forward, is “still going strong,” and his brother Andy will be at his elbow. L. Young and G. Woodroofe (brothers-in-law, by the way) are to again wear Rovers colours, and the “old horse,” Ernie Holmes, is another stalwart of that club who will be setting an example for the younger element. Keith Wilson will again be on Rovers’ left wing, and he will have his brother' Leon just inside him. It seems probable that B. Elliot will not again don the Rovers jersey —unless in emergency. W. Tombs will again play for Te Awamutu. G. Wood has, one hears, decided to concentrate oh golf, and H. Bennett says he expects to only play occasionally. McAlpine has also intimated his retirement.

TEAMS FOR SATURDAY.

Rovers seniors v. Taupiri East: Strange, E. Holmes, L. Chamberlain, A. Blair, T. Thomson, A. Thomson, W. Shepherd, A. Tickelpenny, McKinlav, C. Rogers, A. Quinn, K. Wilson, L. Wilson, L. Young, G. Woodroofe; reserves: H. Renton, A. Anderson and W. Owens.

Te A wamutu v. High School.— J. Spiers, K. Duggan, W. Whitecliffe, H. Savage, M. Savage, P. Gedge, S. Duggan, R. Brown, G. McEwan, Kearns, B. McVerry, A. Jiohnson, M. Zanders, K. Orr, A. Quin, P. Steere, M. Webber, S. Nelson, J. Smith, W. Crook, H. Hall.

High School v. Te Awamutu.—J. Ching, Murphy, Haliburton, Blair, Thompson, Paul, Moorhead, Bevin, Reilly, Burchell, Mandeno, Donaldson, Cullen, Melrose, Wyllie. *Reserves: Clarke, F. Teddy, Kinnon, Law. Old Boys’ juniors: M. Blair, D. Fraser, C. Corboy, A. Empson, G. Kidd, D. Hey, J. McGovern, D. Fitzgerald, G. Mandeno, D. Steer, J. Hinton, H. Renton, W. Teddy, H. Wynyard, H. Silvester, M. Bridge, R. Cunningham, J. McMichael. Old Boys thirds: J. Brown, P. Quinlan, D. Ellis, F. Chunn, M. Haselden, N. Dalziel, R. Shirley, J. Reid, L. Clarke, F. Goodall, J. Howie, R. Connoly, I. Donaldson, K. Hinton, D. McLean, R. Douglas, A. McDonald, A. Murrell.

REFEREES APPOINTED.

The following referees have been appointed for Saturday’s matches:— Seniors: Rovers v. Taupiri East, Mr H. Taylor; Juniors: Old Boys v. Tokanui, Mr R. Callis; Waikeria A. v. Te Mawhai, at Waikeria, Mr J. F. Vickers; Ngutunui v. Te Awamutu, at Ngutunui, M,r R. H. Annibal; Thirds: Te Awamutu v. High School, Mr S. Eaton; Old Boys v. Suburbs, Mr T. Brown.