THE MACKENZIE SUB-UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20445, 16 June 1936, Page 7

THE MACKENZIE SUB-UNION

SOUTHERN’S GOOD LEAD

DEFEAT OF FAIRLIE ON SATURDAY

Southern, in the Mackenzie Rugby competition, has now come to the end of the second round with five wins and one draw out of six games played. In the final round, to miss championship honours, the team would have to lose the three games, and even then, Fairlie, the second team on the list, would have to win the three. The following table shows the position of each team to date:—

Cave started out with a fairly new team, and considering that disability, occupies quite a creditable position. In the match played against Aorangi on Saturday, Cave showed considerable Improvement, and if the team continues along the same lines, it could provide an interesting contest with Fairlie for second place in the competition. Aorangi largely owes its low position on the list to the fact that .seldom have full teams been fielded. source of weakness is most

unfortunate, because the club contains some outstanding players, and with incomplete teams their efforts are to a great extent nullified. At times the junior team, which is becoming a good combination, is drawn on for players, but that remedy cannot be allowed to affect the juniors’ chances in the competition, which are now good. It would seem that a special effort to build up the senior team will have to be started at once.

Southern largely owes its present satisfactory position in the competition to the fine game its forwards played on Saturday. They did sterling work throughout the match against Fairlie, and were finely led by the veteran player, “Arty” Campbell, who in many forward movements, kept the young players together. As a unit on Saturday, the Southern forwards played a better standard of Rugby all round, than on previous occasions, and even though they did not get their full share of the ball from the scrums, they excelled in the loose and line-out play. Woods and Elliot were to the fore in most of the forward rushes, but they could with advantage remember not to kick too hard when near their opponents’ line. Next in order, Hanham played a useful game. More cohesion would make Southern’s unit of young forwards work with the maximum of efficiency.

The Fairlie forwards were not far behind the winners, and were ably led by Giddings. They did not, however, seem to have quite as,much life as their opponents. R. Crampton played an improved game, and was ably assisted by A. Crampton and R. O’Reilly.

Obtaining enough referees is still a problem for the Mackenzie Sub-union. It is understood that a meeting of referees was called recently and only one attended. The decision made by the Sub-Union was that each club should nominate two referees, and with the number of retired players in the district, clubs should have no difficulty in finding that number. . That there is difficulty, however, is evident, and ■ special, efforts will have to be made to meet the position.

Hl Crampton played a fair game for Fairlie on Saturday, but would be of greater use as a wing three-quarter, instead of an inside back. He stood too far Irom the first five-eighths.

Against Fairlie, Taylor, the Southern full back, played a cool game throughout, but was caught napping on the occasions he waited for the ball to bounce. A good full-back always endeavours to take the ball on the full.

Job Keenan tried hard to open up the game for Fairlie on Saturday, but was poorly protected by his forwards, and. consequently took a severe gruelling in the second spell. Smith who played first five-eighths for Southern, was the best back on the field. In the first half, his positional play was rather weak, but he made several fine runs, from one of which Southern scored. His defence was very solid.

On the Fairlie wing, C. Goulter made two solid runs in the first spell, and if he had continued with such vigour in the second half, he would have probably scored. He should develop into a good wing.

Dewar played a better game for Southern on Saturday, and when his side was hard-pressed in the second spell, he brought off many fine saves. He would do better, however, if he fed his backs more, instead of running or kicking from the scrum when on attack.

Some fine openings were made by T. Creighton, the Fairlie first five-eighth. His best work was done in the first half, because in the second spell when hard-pressed by the Southern forhe showed a slight weakness in defence.

W. D. L. P.f. Ch.p. Southern ..5 1 0 58 11 Fairlie .. ,.3 0 3 71 6 Cave .. .. ..2 1 3 58 5 Aorangi .. .. 1 0 5 21 2