OFF THE FIELD

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7101, 31 August 1949, Page 7

OFF THE FIELD

NOTES FROM HERE AND THERE GAMES AND PLAYERS (By “Breakaway”) There was plenty of actiQn in all games played at Albert Park last Saturday, even if the standard of Rugby was not of the best. Interest was well maintained in the junior games and in the two main games superior condition gave Old Boys and Kia Toa well-deserved victories over Te Awamutu-United and PirongiaRovers respectively. On No. 3 ground St Pat’s caused a surprise by upsetting the capable Ohaupo team by one point.

The day brought forth a crop of serious casualties and two third grade players will not take the field again this season as a result of their injuries. W. Bain, who suffered a compound fracture of the left arm, will be greatly missed by his side in the games yet to be played. Bain had scored well over 100 points this season and after he left the field last week his absence was noticed, particularly when his side received two penalties in easy positions and the substitute kiclcer missed with both efforts. Success with either kick would have brought success to the team.

Another third grade player, Rex Smart, of the Old Boys Club, was substituting in the club’s junior fifteen and had been playing splendid football when he fell heavily and broke a collarbone. All sportsmen will wish both these popular lads speedy recovery from their injuries.

Junior Play-off This Saturday will see the eagerlyawaited play-off for the junior championshiu between Old Boys and Kia Toa. Both sides have had a win over the other this season and Saturday’s game should bring forth some exciting football. In tfle absence of the senior side, which journey to Otorohanga, the game is listed as the main attraction at Albert Park, and a good attendance of the public is certain to be present. Finlay Cup To Hamilton

This year’s Finlay Cup competition was won by Hamilton who went through the series without loss. They played a drawn match with Morrinsville, with the lq|st-mentioned subunion in second place. The final points were: Hamilton 13, Morrinsville 12, Cambridge 8, Putaruru 7, Te Awamutu 6, Lower Waikato 4, Matamata 4, Raglan 2.

Games in the final series of the competition resulted as follows: Putaruru 17, Te Awamutu 14. Hamilton 24, Lower Waikato 3. Morrinsville 8, Gambridge 3. Matamata 19, Raglan 3.

Funny Business When the Morrinsville Finlay Cup representatives took the field against Cambridge on the latter’s ground last Saturday, one well-known face which has been part of the Morrinsville team for a good many seasons, was missing. The player referred to was Vai. Ensor, the Waikato captain this season, and one of the most prominent figures in Waikato Rugby circles. The Morrinsville selector stated that he had better forwards for his team than Ensor, but from advice to hand it appears that differences between the selector and Ensor following the defeat of Morrinsville at the hands of Waihi in the Peace Cup elimination game a few days prior to the announcement of last week’s team may have been responsible for the selector’s action. Incidentally, Ensor has retained his place in the Waikato side chosen to play North Auckland at Whangarei this week-end. Could* Be Worst Yet

With 21 matches played on their South African tour, the 1949 All Blacks have already lost five. Another reverse would make them the least successful team ever to leave New Zealand’s shores for a tour overseas. Having drawn two, they probably earn that appelation now.

The 1928 All Blacks lost five out of the 22 matches on their South African tour itinerary, winning 16 and drawing one. The 1935-36 All Blacks, not regarded as a particularly sound or brilliant combination, played 28 matches in the British Isles, won 24 of them, lost only three and drew one. The 1949 New Zealanders have still to play South Africa (third test) on September 3rd, Border on September 10th, and fourth and final test on September 17th. Of these matches the 1928 All Black lost the third .test, 6—ll, beat Border 35—3, and won the fourth test, 13—5.

Big Rugby Gates The Ellis Park figures for the second Rugby test of an attendance of 70,000 and takings of £29,500 are far in excess of New Zealand’s best, particularly the takings. New Zealand’s peak w*as a crowd of 55,000 at Auckland for the third test in 1937 and takings amounted to approximately £lO,OOO. At Eden Park, however, the charges ranged from £1 (about 600 seats) to 2s 6d. At Ellis Park the range was from 2 guineas to ss.

Two Drawn Games The finalists in the senior champ l ionship of the Taranaki Rugby Union’s competitions have met in two finals, both resulting in drawn games. A fortnight ago at Eltham, Stratford and Eltham played a 3rall draw, and last week at Stratford the teams finished with 12 points each. In the first game Stratford secured a try to Eltham’s penalty goal and last week Stratford scored two tries and two penalties to Eltham’s one try and three penalties. With all the criticism of the value of tries and goals in Rugby at present surely this is another case in favour of those who want the introduction of a new system of scoring in Rugby. Would it not be solved by allowing two points for all goals kicked ? *

An Athletic Star Barry McQueen, a pupil of The King’s School, Sydney, is looked on as one of the coming stars in Australian athletics. At his school’s annual athletics meeting held on August 20th he ran 220 yards in 22.4, 440 yards in 52.3, and 880 yards in 2 min 2.8. He was a close second in the 100, won in 10.4, and ffj’cond the mile in 4 min 46. In the three races he wen he established new records.

McQueen, who is keen on athletics, is having his first serious season on the track and has been training seriously for the last three months. It seems that he is taking thingy a little too seriously, and the judgment of his masters in allowing him to run in one day races from 100 yards to a mile is open to question. To Play North Auckland The following team has been chosen to represent Waikato in its match with North Auckland at Whangarei .on Saturday. The team will travel by bus, leaving Hamilton on Friday and returning on Sunday: Backs: R. A. Adams (Te Awamutu), J. R. O’Hearn (Lower Waikato), A. F. Bullick (Cambridge), A. D. Paterson (Morrinsville), B. A. Cowley (Hamilton), G. R. Brunskill (Cambridge), A. J. Bain (Morrinsville); Forwards: A. E. Rowan (Te Awamutu), J. D. Robertson (Raglan), L. A. Hamer (Lower Waikato), J. H- Carradus (Hamilton), Rex Hinton (Te Awamutu), C. C. Vowles (Morrinsville), J. H. Seton (Matamata), V. A. Ensor (Morrinsville); Reserves.—Backs: T. Te Maari and C. M. Strachan (Putaruru); Forwards: R. E. Smith and D. RichardsJolley (Hamilton).