Rugby Selector Causes Sensation

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6097, 3 September 1947, Page 5

Rugby Selector Causes Sensation

REP. TEAM FOR HAMILTON

WAIKATO CENTRE OMITTED (By “Observer”) With the advent of September, interest is noticeably waning in Cambridge Rugby Circles, and the attendance at Memorial Park last Saturday indicated the nearness of the season’s end. Four Saturdays remain for. play, but the nearness of the dairy season will curtail the activities of several players. The Fleming Shield series was finilised last Saturday, with Hautapu emerging as the winners. It’s victory was well-deserved, in view of the manner in. which the players, who had given up the game seriously, rallied to it’s ranks for this competition. Matangi finished second on the list, showing improved form, towards the end of the season. It’s team, which has been affected less than others with the absence of players with the representative team, has held together well throughout the season. United finished third, with Leamington, the season’s champion team relegated to last position. The competition, as a whole, has been niuch more satisfactory than it was last year. The ommission of G. R. Brunskill ’from the Cambridge team to play Hamilton next Saturday in a Finlay Cup game next Saturday comes as a major surprise. Brunskill has been a regular member of the Cambridge and Waikato tea' for two seasons. He played for Waikato against Taranaki last Saturday. Brunskill’s form in his last appearance for Cambridge was far below expectations, his passing and tackling being at fault. His form on that occasion however, seemed too bad to be true. The local selector, Mr Les. Haworth, makes no secret of the fact that the Cambridge fifteen is selected on current form, rather than reputation, and in this instance, he has created something ,of a sensation. Newcomers to the team for ‘Saturday are R. Hughes, who will replace Brunskill, W. Kelly, N. Holmes and T. McLennan. Hughes has played some excellent games this season, and is a smart attacking player. W. Kelly’s inclusion is justified in view of his steadily improving form throughout the season. The recall of the veteran Hautapu player, N. Holmes, has been brought about by the defection of G. Bartlett. Holmes was a brilliant inside back ten years ago, and in the recent Fleming Shield round showed that he retains much of his ability. Matangi’ sole representative, McLennan, fully deserves his place. He has been a consistently good club forwai’d throughout the season. A chance may yet come for I. Ormsby, of United,, whose form of recent weeks merits his attainment- of representative honours. The team will face strong opposition, and a more concerted plan of attack is necessary if it is to carry the day. For the first time this season the team will travel other than by ’bus. The union has spent almost £75 in this direction this season, and it is felt that economies should be made during the remaining weeks. The Cambridge Juniors will defend the Boyce Cup against Taupiri next Saturday, and the third grade representatives will play Kaipara. Both games will be played at Memorial Park.

The third grade team to play Kaipara is as follows: McFarlane; Fell, Woods, Heasiip; Cowan, La Trobe; Kermode; Lang, Johnston, Tihi, Munroe, Taylor, Hately, May, Burgess. Emergencies : Backs, Kensington, D. Bush, Hjorth. Forwards: Watson, Breen and N. Bush. An effox-t is being made to arrange a game between the senior representatives and Mangakino for September 13. The latter team includes several members of the Karapiro Hydro team

which won t(he local championship last season. Cambridge will play its final repi’eseixtative match of the season against Te Awamutu on September 20. The following week a seven-a-side championship will be decided, bringing the season to its end.

Tkhe Cambridge Junior, team to play Taupiri for the Boyce Cup on Satui’day will, be : T. Bruce; L. Houghton, I. Plaw, H. Vosper; T. Grahame, I. McMillan;. P. Wright; I. Fletcher, A. McGregor, S. Taylor, G. Walker, N. Cramp, F. Rush, G. Hunt, J. Harpex-. Emergencies : I. Shaw, R. Cubis, H. Gi’ay; E. Robson, T. Howe, B. Dench. Not available: A. Hjorth. G. McCandlish, O. Gray, B. Reilly, Byrne, M. Newlands, M. Faton.

The Junior-“B” representatives to play Taupiri “B” will be: R. Houghton; G. Missen, F. Mitchell, S. Peters, W. McFarlane, A. McCandlish, H. Gillies; G. Pullar; P. Boyce, G. Boulton, T. Lynds, A. O’Loughlin, M. Newcombe, A. Pullford, Hopkirk. Emergencies: H. Taplin, C. Lennon, T. Collins, P. Todd, W. Lang, N. Holmes. Flayei’s are requested to bring pants and socks and to be in attendance at 12.30 p.m. There will be a practice at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow, if the weather permits.