WELL EARNED WIN

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 8

WELL EARNED WIN

MIDHIRST’S CHAMPIONSHIP. BACKS IMPORTANT FACTOR. Midhirst’s annexation of the central division first junior Rugby championship by its draw with Toko on Thursday gives it the honour for the first time for 15 years, the championship having gone to Midhirst last in 1920. For that reason alone the win was a popular one. It is possible for a team to win a divisional championship when it is not the best team in the competition through a chain of circumstances that eases the way for it through the hardest games, but in Midhirst’s case the win was well deserved. The team has had to fight every inch of its way and it has steadily improved all through the season, every point ,of its 18 having been gained inplay. Moreover, it is the one country' team that has given particular, attention to the development of the backs and, though it has been fortunate in, thq possession of good individual players, their value would have been discounted had it not been for the selection that has placed players in their proper positions and the coaching that has knit them into a very effective unit. Good as the Midhirst pack is it could not have carried the team through to championship honours without backs with scoring as well as defensive capabilities. The runner-up, Toko, has claimed, the championship several times in recent years. It has had to take second place this season but has a record of merit and its uphill fight with 14 men against Midhirst on Thursday earned it the admiration of Toko and Midhirst supporters alike.

An interesting feature of the game was Toko’s success in set scrums with a 2—3—2 formation and loose head. Those who advocate a return to the 2—3—2 scrum found in that match a strong plank to support their advocacy. Even after H. Were was taken from the Toko pack through a broken leg, Toko held its own with Midhirst in the scrums. Prior to Were’s being hurt, Toko hooked the ball from the scrums as and when it pleased against Midhirst’s 3—4—l. High School arranged a postponement of its fixture with Old Boys in the third grade, and as Stratford and High’ School have each to play once in the remaining two fixtures of the round there is a chance for alteration among the leaders.

Toko leads the fourth with 16 points and Stratford and Inglewood each have 15 points, but as Stratford is a game behind the other two it is in a position to regain its lead. Whatever way it goes there will be a lively finish.

ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Eltham Legion of Frontiersmen will hold on old-time dance at Ngaere next Thursday. Free buses will run from Stratford and Eltham.

The pointss tables are:— Midhirst Junior. L For Ag. Pts P. .. 11 W. D. 8 2 1 122 39 18 Toko .. 11 7 2 2 126 63 16 Stratford .... .. 11 6 2 3 86 70 14 Cardiff .. 10 4 2 4 72 92 10 Inglewood .... .. 11 4 1 6 63 128 8 Old Boys .... .. 10 1 1 8 35 84 3 Third. Stratford ..... .. 11 10 0 1 149 38 20 School .. 10 8 0 2 189 57 16 Eltham .. 9 3 0 6 71 68 6 Old Boys .... .. 9 3 0 6 18 123 6 Midhirst .. 9 0 0 9 18 159 0 Fourth. Toko .. 11 7 2 2 156 68 16 Stratford .... .. 10 7 1 2 148 34 15 Inglewood .... .. 11 7 1 3 161 67 15 School A .... .. 7 0 0 7 14 124 0 School B .... .. 7 0 0 7 11 97 0