SHIELD CHALLENGE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 828, 31 July 1933, Page 11

SHIELD CHALLENGE.

Selection of Ashburton Team. .VOTES ON THE PLAYERS. (Special to the “ Star.”) ASHBURTON, July 31. Those who have followed Rugby matches in the Ashburton county this season and have seen the representative players in action in the trial games are not optimistic enough to think that they will lift the Shield on Wednesda)', but they are confident that the match will prove a good “ try-out ” for the Canterbury team, and that the challengers will give a good account of themselves. The players have been in regular training, and there is one thing certain, they will be fit and well prepared for a good hard game, although the backs will be lacking in combination on account of not having played together. The general opinion is that the team could have been strengthened by the Inclusion of E. Burgess (Mayfield), A. 'Dolan (Metliven) and K. M’Cormick (Allenton). The last-named has played in every position in the back division. It was also expected that the Mayfield wing three-quarter, Robinson, would have been included. Good on Defence. The full-back, I. Behrns. of the Rakala Club, is a young player who is making his second appearance in the Ashburton County representative fifteen and in this position is much superior to any other player in the county. Old followers predict for him a good future in first-grade football, as in addition to being brilliant at finding the line, he is good on defence and excels in place-kicking. In the three-quarter line, G. Stephen (Rakaia), who is the lightest man in the team, has not played for two years, but has represented the county on previous occasions. However, he is a great defensive player. E>. Tainui, the clever centre three-quarter, has represented the county on several occasions and is the best attacking player in the team. He has been a prominent member of the Mayfield Club’s senior team for several seasons and has also played in the South Island Maori representative team against the North Island Maoris. G. Robilliard’s inclusion came as somewhat of a surprise as be has not been playing well in Old Boys’ fixtures this season. However, he has the qualifications to rise to the occasion. A. Bradford. at five-eighth, is a second-year representative and good on defence, while F. Polhill, who Is included for the first time, is of a solid type but has barely sufficient speed for a first five-eighth’s position. L. Murdoch has been playing well for his club team (Mayfield) this year. He is fast and easily the best halfback available in the county, which he has previously represented. In the forward line, E. Burgess and J. Mulhetm are two good hard-working players who will provide plenty of weight. In the front of the scrum, A. Doig is an honest hard-working forward, and B. Doig is a good line-out player. He is fast and handles the ball well. Both these players have had experience in representative fixtures. K. Doig is young but is a good type of a hard rucking forward. C. Thomas is a stalwart and shines more in open than tight play. Big Reputation. O. Whiting Is looked upon as the “star” of the team, being equally at home with both backs and forwards. He is a great strategist and an outstanding tackier. The Mayfield representative made his reputation in the Ashburton, South Canterbury and North Otago match against the British touring team at Timaru. One of the visitors expressed the opinion that he was the best wing forward they had met on the tour. Whiting is at present playing up to this standard. G. Dalton is the oldest member of the team and a bustling forward. He handles the ball with skill, has a good turn of speed and can play equally we.ll amongst the backs. He is a real “hunter” for the ball and with it in his possession near the line is a dangerous man. Dalton is also a reliable goal-kickor. K. M’Cormick, who is one of the emergencies, is recognised as one of the best defensive players in the county and many would have liked to have seen him included in the team. C. Davidson is one of the speediest players in the county and it is to be regretted that his weakness in defence and uncertainty in taking a ball has excluded him from the team. G. Dolan has represented the county on several occasions. He is a hard-work-ing forward and just the type of player whose services would be valuable in the Shield match.