THE LEAGUE GAME

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1934, Page 9

THE LEAGUE GAME

RUNAWAY FOR INGLEWOOD EASTERN TEAM DISORGANISED. WAITARA .TEAM IN GOOD TRIM. For a youngster among older players George as half for Waitara shaped well enough and, for his size, aggressively. It was a neat head scissors he put on the opposing half but had he tried it on a less even tempered player than Hines he could easily have got a sharp lesson. James McLeod, the representative forward who was to have played for Eastern Suburbs this season, and Boniface, another Eastern forward, notified club officials just before last Saturday that thev would not be available for the League code this year. Eastern Suburbs was knocked well out of plumb on Saturday by defections and absentees. The back fine was practically wiped out for the day. George Moorhead, first five-eighths, R. Ninkie, centre three-quarters, and Hoskin, half-back, were-absent from New Plymouth, while Williams is still nursing a ten-a-side tournament injury. ' , Eastern’s ill-luck gave a few of the younger players a chance to show their ability against what till now is the best team in the competition, so it is an ill wind that blows nobody good. C. Burke showed up well and his brother, H. Burke, playing outside him at first fiveeighths, had promise. A Lile, who played junior the previous week, fitted into the pack well. E. Brier turned out to help the team he played so'well for last season and although big things could not be expected of him at such short notice he made his weight felt. JACK MCLEOD’S GOOD GAME. Jack McLeod and McConnell were the real grafters in .the Western pack on Saturday. Again McLeod played a wonderful game and if such form continues he is going to show a few points to forwards in other League centres as the representative matches come around. Morgan was often behind the play on Saturday and not by any means putting the vim into it that a man of his weight could. ■ Muschamp was the star Waitara- back on Saturday. He kicked a fine penalty goal, scored a solo try after a heady piece of work and converted his own try from the side-fine. League players are keen at Waitara. When the seniors were unable to field a full team Tate and Jupp, who had played in the junior curtain raiser, each took a turn, Tate in the first and Jupp in the second'spell, in making up the deficiency. If anyone toiled hard to make up Western’s deficiency against Waitara during the closing stages of the game it was the team’s skipper, McDonald. He had Rangi Thomas and Fitzpatrick with determined wing dashes and Jack McLeod with him. When McDonald came up to first fiveeighths and sent Wipiti to full-back it made all the■ difference. Before this Western had no inside thrust and as a result failed where it might reasonably have been expected to shade Waitara. As it was it was a fine effort to make a draw of the match. Wipiti will have to play much better to keep his place. He is off form.

W. Friar, Western full-back, is nursing an injury he received from a severe kick below one knee against Inglewood and did not play against Waitara.' He should be right on Saturday week, the bye this Saturday giving him every chance. * ' ' Jones, showed himself a resolute winger, of promise playing for. Waitara on Saturday. Hines, Western half, stood up to much hard work bn Saturday, and scored a try when it was'most needed. INGLEWOOD’S TRAINING. Inglewood with strenuous physical exercises and general football training made certain of being fit for the 1934 season and this preparation has shown itself in their play. In Saturday’s match some of the Inglewood players were too keen and spoiled numerous back movements by off-side play and forward passing. r Eastern Suburbs showed itself to have a solid pack, which should be a big factor in the team’s successes if any come its way later. On Saturday the forwards were well shaded by Inglewood.

At full-back Lawrence played well for Eastern and stopped many attacks. He was never well supported by the other backs, who lacked combination and pursued an individual course.

Although Inglewood missed Arnold its back line worked well. McLaggan was the best. Hunt played well as did Thomason and O’Byrne. Surrey, Inglewood three-quarters, was off colour on Saturday, especially in the first spell. At full-back Eaves combined in many of the passing bouts and the occasion when he drew the opposition to one side of the field and then ’ cross kicked was a pretty piece of work. Inglewood forwards gave another dashing display against Eastern but combined effort was to an extent lacking. When passing amongst the pack is introduced it will mean getting through more work with less effort and give the spectators 100 per cent better entertainment. The competition is already in an interesting stage. Good teams like Western arid Eastern, when at its full strength, will be fighting hard to overtake Inglewood in the start it already has. The table is:—

Inglewood P. W. L. D.For.Ag.C.P. 2 2 - - 54 19 4 Waitara ......... 2 1 - 1 18 15 3 Western Suburbs 2 - - 1 23 30 1 Eastern Suburbs 1 - - - 8 36 Stratford 1 — — 3 6