FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 3225, 29 May 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL

EXECUTIVE MEETING. JUNIOR PLAYERS. A n.ifotiii«>• of the Cambridge Rugby Union Executive was held in flu,* secretary's office yesterday afternoon, when the president (Mr A. ft. Cox) presided. Delegates present were: Messrs W. Garland, AV. Sands, A. Care, E. Faulkner. B. 11. Bishop. A. h*. Thomas; and the secretary (Mr C. F. Lange). Insurance. The matter of insurance was further discussed and. the executive recommend all players to insure privately with the Ocean Accident Company, which Company have a local resident agent. Injured Players’ Fund. It has been decided to subsidise a benefit social at the end of the season for players injured during the present season. Postponed Matches. It was resolved that the postponed Hautapu-Horaliora match be played at the Square on Saturday, .Time 7th. City is to meet Leamington on the same day. Players Warned. It was resolved that the junior member of the Horahora team and the Cadets third-grade player who were ordered off the field in Saturday’s games be severely admonished for their conduct, and to be warned that should either offend again they will bo suspended for the remainder of the season.. Dressing Shed Pund. The executive agreed that Saturday, June 7th, be set aside as a benefit day for the Leamington dressing shed fund and that tickets be procured for admission on that day. The Union also decided to give a prize of 10/ and 5/ for the boy or girl selling the greatest number of tickets, not less than ‘24 tickets to be sold to qualify. GENERAL NOTES. (By “Oval.”) In our report of the senior Probables and Possibles teams the name of C. ■Robertson (Leamington) was omitted from the Probables team. Also, D. Bourko (Leamington) should read D. Bourko (Hautapu). “What' did you think of the match?” was the query certain to be asked one the last few days on entering the several recognised meeting places for football discussions in the town. The only honest opinion one could give of last Saturday’s Learning!on-Hautapu senior match was “an excellent contest,” and “Oval” hopes the Cambridge public

will be treated to more games of that standard. The standard of play for sueh a wretched day was good, but more pleasing to Rugby enthusiasts who enjoy football for love of the game, was the splendid spirit manifested by all the players throughout the game. It must have been gratifying to the Union officials and if we get more games played under such conditions, footballers will find a greater number of the public witnessing their play—for after all there would not be much football without the support of the public. Of the merits of the respective teams “Oval” opines that on the day’s play Leamington were a throe-point better team, even allowing for the splendid defence put up by the red and white players. The loose forward work of both sets of forwards was a treat to witness. Leamington, however, had a decided advantage in this respect, and this factor earned for the blues the success due them over their opponents. The loose fast raking and backing-up rushes, as T term them, were of much trouble to the Hautapu inner backs, smothering many otherwise likely movements.

la the .scrum work Leamington exceiled, but the work was far from polished, on both sides. Leamington hookers were very successful but their work was nullified by the poor formation behind, the ball seldom shooting out to the half as it should do with correct posture of the lock and rear rows. Hautapu’s -failure In hooking, to my mind, was due to weak back rows; they did not hold the scrum and thereby give their hookers a chance to secure the ball. My slogan for a successful scrum is: Lock keep your legs apart and hold, back rows apply the weight. In the line-outs honours were about even, but there was a lot of jostling going on. THE PLAYERS. Of the players individually it was hardly a day to draw critical comparisons in the rear-guards. For Learnington T. Dagg.nt full is settling down to his position, has ;i smart kielc and will improve in position kicking with more experience. Russo played a good game, as did Makgill and Morrow, the lastnamed playing an improved game. Kelly was very safe at half. Broderson •was the outstanding forward with Dagg a good second. Of the Hautapu team Kennedy was the pick of the backs, with A. Thompson and Anderson next in my order of merit. The two Bourkes are the mainstays of the red forwards, while Hair is a younger player of promise. PROBABLES V. POSSIBLES. I. notice the selectors have been busy and the A and B teams are selected to make a choice for the senior and junior rep. teams to meet Waipa ou 14th June.