RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, 18 May 1923, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By

■-Poster.”)

The run of had luck which had followed the Red Stars for two weens turned in their favour on Saturday m the fourth game of the comptlwhen they met the Grey town team tion. Greytown had the best of the game (with the exception of a short spell when the Star forwards exerted themselves )and wd’b decidedly unlucky to lose by 11 to 5. However, such is the luck of the game, and the Stars were not out of their turn in getting it. Stunnell and R. Jury are making a splendid combination for the southern team and are improving with each game. The former, who came from the ranks of the forwards, in which capacity he wore the green jersey last season, is making a very good hand as an inside back and. played as well as anyone on the field on {Saturday. Jury has lost none of his torm of last season, and probably will dind his way into the chosen 15 this year. He possesses a fine style ot kicking, necessary in the aggressive movements as now played under the kick into touch rule. The “grubber” kick, which is a developing fault with most of our seniors, only tends to a slower game, as the percentage of marks has gone up considerably compared with the old game. Jury, however, has a style of his own. By kicking off the side of his boot he uirects the nail to which drection he chooses, yet it goes sufficiently high enough to allow him to be under it when it lands, and prevents the other man from marking. This might be well copied by many of our seniors.

Hiroti at half for Greytown, opened up the game nicely for his side and it was only the deadly tackling of the Stars which saved certain scores.

The Star forwards were superior to the Grey town pack, but the visiting backs stood up to the onslaughts without flinching, a task which certainly takes doing. Wickens was an absentee, and Dixon, who played wing forward last year, replaced him. Jn tight work the Star forwards excelled, but the reputation of their hookers seems to be diminishing for I’layie and Co secured it from the majority of the set scrums. Star will feel the loss of Southgate, who has been medically advised to retire for - e remainder of the season.

The curtain raisers played on Saturday were interesting. One matter which calls for special comment is the laxity on the part of the younger players in place kicking. On more than one occasion, the kicker would p ace his ball, and regardless of what the consequences might be. made a blind rush at it ,the effort invariably being a putrid one. Young players should remember that many a match is won by the two extra points scored by the careful kicker in converting the tries. .

THE CARTERTON GAME. (By “Mud Lark.”) Gladstone, to use a slangism, put it all over Masterton in the last ten minutes on Saturday. It was freely asserted that the Blues were trained to the minute and would be galloping stronger than their opponents at the finish. This prediction was rudely dispeded and, as in other matches, Gladstone form predominated when form was really required. The Gladstone backs seem to have different positions in every match played. In consequence the cohesion necessary for a nippy set of backs to make their influence felt is wanting. The previous Saturday C. Henderson played a really brilliant game as wing three-quarter and was advanced to half against Masterton. Henderson was palpab/y out of place in this position, yet was allowed to remain throughout tne game. Guy Booth i s undoubtedly the makings of a hign-class back and, although only a youth, is quick to grasp openings and to anticipate danger. It is only his age and weight that will keep him out of representative honours.

The ideal harf-back is a player with a machine-like brain —one that can discern openings in a twinkle and effectively make use of them. He must not possess a white streak, nor recede an inch when thundering forwards are swooping down on him. In the Wairarapa there is one plaver who comes up to this ideal and that is J*rank Booth, a real little gentleman both off and on the playing

On his play so far this season, Bob Booth has not ouallfied for anv position ether than full-back in big tootball. Certainly he has alwavs been closely watched., but there is an absence of that snappy, roguish play that brought him into such prominence in Wairarapa football. Randal Booth has played in so many positions this season that the public have not seen the best of him. H’.s place is wing tnreequarters and ho gave a glimpse of his old form ,n tins position on Saturday.

Honours for the best forward on Saturday lay between Willoughby (.Masterton) ana Couper (Gladstone). The former is playing better than ever before and this is saying much Cooper is a Hawke’s Bay native and shows great promise Provan is a great defensive back and at times shows alertness and initiative in offensive tactics. Masterton sorely mussed him on Saturday when forced to leave his proper position.

Yates is developing into a player above the ordinary and surprised followers of the Masterton team on Saturday by his display. Fred Juno, the ex-Wairarapa • representative player, is this season playing for Poneke and making good. In the match against the “All Blacks” at Carterton he was awarded a medal for the best bark on the Wairarapa side.

THE LOWER GRADES

HOW THEY STAND.

JUNIOR. Northern

Southern,

THIRD GRADE Northern.

Southern.

FOURTH GRADE

P. played, W. won, L. lost, C.P championship points.

Featherston withdrew from the fourth grade and Carterton and Greytown were both awarded a win by default.

p. w. L. C.P Mauriceville 4 4 0 8 Opaki 4 4 0 8 Masterton 4 2 4 Pioneer 1 3 9 lied Star 4 1 3 *> Taueru 4 0 4 6

Featherston 4 4 0 8 Dry River 4 3 1 6 Carterton 4 9 4 Greytown 4 2 2 4 Gladstone 4 1 3 9. Martinborougli 4 4 0

Carterton ... . .. 4 4 0 8 Masterton , "4 3 1 6 Red Star ... . .. 4 2 o 4 High School .. 4 2 4 Mafuricevjille .. . 4 1 3 21 Pioneer ... . .. 4 (1 4 0

Greytown . 3 3 0 6 Martin bo rough 3 2 1 4 Featherston ... 3 1 V 9 Piriuoa3 0 3 0

nxasterton 3 3 0 6 Carterton 3 3 0 6 High School B ... 3 V 1 4 Grey town 3 1 2 ited Star 3 1 2 2 xxigh School A 3 0 3 0