GOOD WINGER FOUND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21086, 12 July 1938, Page 5

GOOD WINGER FOUND

C. D. Hopkinson Solves Problem R. Jamieson is Good Tire answer to the selectors’ prayer was provided at Tenrika on Saturday in the form of C. D? Hopkinson, last season’s representative wing-three-quarter, who turned out again for Temuka against Star. The departure of T. C. Morrison for Australia with the All Blacks left a vacancy which will not be easy to fill. The trial match at Waimate did not produce anything outstanding in the way of wings and, on his showing on Saturday, Hopkinson should find his way back to his old berth without any trouble, if he is available.

Handling the greasy ball cleanly, kicking long and accurately, and running as strongly as ever, Hopkinson at his first appearance this season in

matches under the South Canterbury Union’s aegis, reproduced some of the form which won him a green and black jersey last year. He scored two tries for Temuka in fine style, his second being the result of good opportunism and clever handling of the slippery ball. When the Temuka centre, Wilson, kicked for the corner, Hopkinson appeared seemingly from the blue, racing down touch to gather in the bouncing ball before it reached the sideline, flash across Star’s line and round to the posts before the opposition realised what had happened. It was a pretty individual effort which delighted the Temuka crowd.

Representative Prospect R. Jamieson was the best inside back on the field and on his game on Saturday is well worth finding a place for in the representative side. He gave a perfect display both on attack and defence, extricating Temuka from difficulties time and again. If Jamieson were brought into the South Canterbury back line, "Wing-forward” would suggest that he be given a trial at second fiveeighth. That would enable R. Lundy to be played at full-back, a position which he could fill with more confidence than any other available custodian. If that were not successful, Jamieson might be tried at full-back, although it may be found that he is too short in the stride for the place Brosnahan, thanks to the excellent work of his forwards, kept the Temuka backs veil supplied with the ball, and Goodson proved a sound connecting link with Jamieson. The pair were outstanding on defence, being a source

of worry to Jack and Cartwright whom they crowded throughout the game. They stood up close and even Jack’s short punts were unable to drive them back. Wilson’s handling was none too certain, a fault which he shared with A. Grant, the Temuka wing. Three times in the first quarter of an hour the crowd rose in their seats as Wilson and Grant set sail from the 25 for what seemed certain tries, only to sink back disappointed as one or other mishandled. Grant is a Forward Grant has plenty of pace but it takes more than speed to make a good wingthreequarter. It was suggested by "Wing-forward” earlier in the season that Grant might do better if he returned to the scrum, where he has proved in past years to be an acquisition to any pack. In the second spell on Saturday he did go into the Temuka scrum, but only for about ten minutes and he did not appear happy there. His selection in the South Canterbury scrum should be a foregone conclusion if he returned seriously to his former berth.

Handicapped by lack of possession, the Star backs did not have the chance of playing their usual fast game.Greyburn made the most of his opportunities to set the backs going, but Jack and Cartwright met solid tackling by Goodson and Jamieson and did not often get through. Making his debut in South Canterbury senior football, S. Alsop was sound' at centre. On several occasions he beat Wilson badly, and he paved the way for Star’s second try by drawing both Wilson and Grant to give Cunningham a clear run to the corner. The Star wings, Milligan and Cunningham, had few chances on attack but they defended well. At fullback, Ford handled and kicked well, but was inclined to get out of position. He put in a busy afternoon defending and came through with colours flying.