FORWARDS TO SPARE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1935, Page 9

FORWARDS TO SPARE

STRATFORD’S VANGUARD

O’NEILL SHIELD TRYOUT

The strength of the Stratford pack, which has for many seasons given rise to the illusion that the “strawberries’” policy, is to keep the ball among the forwards, is no less this year than in former seasons. There are several sound backs of proved ability, vying for the seven rearguard billets, however, and the annual match for the O’Neill Shield with Inglewood at Inglewood to-mor-row will give a good indication of their merits. (

The combination of C. Sangster, G. Sangster and P. Collins for the inside positions will most likely be retained. Available for the three-quarter positions are J. Ross, C. Henderson, L. Lehmann, M. Berg and L. Standring, with S. Collins as a likely claimant for the fullback position. J. Ross was showing great promise as centre last year when an injured ankle put him out of the game for the rest of the season and spoiled his chances in representative football. It is said that he has designs on more than representative honours this year. Henderson has made his name in the Stratford High School team and if he blossoms as well in senior Rugby as did P. Fastier, who went straight from School into the Stratford senior pack, he should be assured of a place. Standring was the star of the Toko junior backs last year.

L. Dodd, who was full-back last year, is not available, and S. Collins, who was last line of defence for Opunake last season, has strong claims to the position. The scrum formation willbe moulded from D. Latham, D. Butcher, R. Smith, J. Garlick, R. Hinton, P. Fastier, R. Young, L. Clarke and P. Ford. The first eight are practically last year’s pack, of which Ford was a member till a broken leg put him out early in the season. The club has a number of other senior forwards in prospect, including R. Clarke, 1932 All Black.