Correspondence

Te Puke Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 48, 28 June 1949, Page 4

Correspondence

WELL-KNOWN EX-FOOTBALLER EXPRESSES HIS OPINION OF REP TEAM “Sir, —Next Saturday we are to try conclusions with Opotiki in the first eliminations round of the llurunui - Apanui Shield to be played at Opotiki. Our A team has now been selected by the sole selector, Mr A. E. Spratt, and I think it will be appropriate at this juncture to make some comment on the team selected. “I will give my impressions on each individual player, as I have seen him play during the current season, and not with any intention of criticising the player or the selector: Searle This man has played a very capable game as centre-threequarter, and combines well with his wingers, particularly with Denize. I find that he lacks determination in the face of a combined forward rush, and only for this weakness he would have reached a high standard in football, A full back is the last line of defence, and although he has a good pair of hands, a good boot, and an abundance of speed, his lack of determination may prejudice our chances of victory; Denize—l have no comment to make about this man, only, to say that be is the ideal winger in every respect. Very speedy, good pair of hands, full of determination, and always likely to score if given the ball at the correct moment by his inside man. Maxwell—A good solid player in all departments, but being the oldest member in the team may lack the necessary speed as a connecting link between the fast inner backs and our scoring wingers; . Fugle—Plays a good sound game as fullback, and this season has been tried in the centre-threequarter position, and played fairly well in the position. Given the ball at the right moment, I think he has the determination to go on with ball. Lacks the most essential quality of a winger, and that is, speed; Wihapi and Reweti—These two men have the same style of play, and by their form for the current season, they have earned their positions. I would emphasise the necessity of their having plenty of training during this week, so as to- attain the highest possible physical fitness. This also applies to every member selected; Cram: There is only one other man in the local competition who is superior to this player for this position, and that is Ranapia, but unfortunately Ranapia excluded himself by not partaking in the Possibles versus Probables practice game; I will make a collective comment on the forwards. I think the inclusion of Ahomiro in the A team would have been a step in the right direction as regards the hooking, because unless we procure the ball cleanly from the scrums, our backs would be useless as an attacking force. Ahomiro, providing he has two good props and locks, is the most superior of our hookers, and the match Pakehas versus Maoris which was played at Pukehina on Sunday, June 19, proved this conclusively, where he hooked the ball cleanly 17 times to th opponents’ 4. “I did not see T. Jacob partake in the practice on Saturday, and although he may have a reputation, his inclusion into the A team is hardly fair to those others who were not selected because of not turning out for practice. I would, in conclusion, say that the forwards on the whole are a fine lot with speed and determination, and I do sincerely hope that every man in the team will do his level best to get himself into solid physical fitness by solid training during the week. “Unusual interest is being taken in the forthcoming game as evidenced by the large number who are seeking transport accommodation to Opotiki to have an eye-witness of the match, and I make this appeal to those who will have spare seating in their cars to ring me during the week (phone 338 W). I maintain that a team is greatly helped towards victory by having a large number of supporters at hand to encourage them on.” —PAT WIHAPI.

LICE ON POULTRY

'' Poultry lice can cause considerable loss of condition and reduced egg laying. To control these parasites a fine trickle of 40 per cent, nicotine sulphate should be run along the perches on a calm night before the birds go to roost. Two or three treatments should be given at weekly intervals.