MORNING RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 134, 8 June 1937, Page 4

MORNING RUGBY

PRELUDE TO RACES TO-MORROW’S BIG MATCH (By “Cross-bar”) Wanganui and Manawatu are to play in Wanganui to-morrow morning on Spriggens Park in what promises to be a fast, open game of football. The match is being staged as part of the city's celebration of the King’s Birthday and as a prelude to the Wanganui race meeting. The rival teams have been chosen as follows: Wanganui Full-back: T. Chase (Taihape). Three - quarters: L. Burgess (Kaierau), D. G. Barton (Wanganui and Old Boys), Culpan (Bulls), Five-eighths: K. Welsh Technical Old Boys), B. Thomas (Waverley). Half-back > E. Chamberlain (Wanganui and Old Boys). Back of Scrum: G. Lockett (Kaierau). Sides of Scrum: N. James (Bulls), C. Hutchison (Technical Old Boys). Locks: A. Davidson (Technical Old Boys) and W. Firmin (Kaierau). Front Row: W. Thompson (Taihape), C. Reynolds (Marist), B. Goldsbury (Technical Old Boyi). Reserves: R. Walker (Hunterville), forward; R. Chase (Taihape), back. < The reserves are for the match itself. : They may, or may not, be moved into . the team at the first vacancy. Lockett will captain the team and Barton will I be vice-captain. Country players must i assemble at the Federal Hotel, Wan- | ganui, to-night. It is imperative that < they conform to this instruction. All ! players will practice at Spriggens < Park to-night, reporting to the 1 manager, Mr S. R. Ambrose. Manawatu Full-back: M. Waldin (F.) Three-quarters: H. Waugh (F. 0.8. S. Bramwell F. 0.8.), Buick (O.B.) Five-eighths: S. McCormick (St.P.), J. Nicol (F.). Half-back: J. Blyth (M.C.). Back Row: W. Powell (St.P.), A. Williams (K.T.), Side Row: Y. Fleming (O.B.), R. TVlcKenzie (K.T.), captain. Front Row: J. Finlay (F. 0.8. H. Crawford (K.T.), W. Sullivan (F.). Emergencies: O’Dea (O.B.), Newman (F.), forwards; R. Gillespie (St.P.), Edlin (St.P.), backs. The Wanganui team seems to have met with favourable comment. In some quarters the non-selection of Hook has given rise to comment. Yet the major union’s selectors had no choice in the matter. If the Metropolitan Union’s selector did not consider Hook good enough the only way he could be over-ruled was for the other two to go on their own judgment. How could they form judgment if they had not seen the player themselves? Some critics would contend that he should have been chosen upon Auckland’s choice. That is a matter for argument. If Auckland’s selection had led to permanency of position over a number of games, few selectors would hesitate unless they had a proved full-back of higher calibre. But Hook's possibilities as a full-back for Wanganui have been in no way written off by the choice of Chase. If in club games of the immediate future the ex-Aucklander reproduces the form upon which he was assessed for full-back for the northern team, he will find his place in Wanganui. His only hurdle now will be the likelihood of Kirkwood being entrusted with the custodianship while Hook himself will be moved up to five-eighth. Enough has been raised in comment on the representative full-back position. It will probably be found that T. Chase will acquit himself well there, and the team, should he not do so, might have recourse to the services of K. Welsh. That would only be undertaken, of course, as a last resource as it would involve readjusting the inside combination. The position of moment from Wanganui’s viewpoint, is half-back and, to a lesser extent, first five-eighths. If Chamberlain can rise to it, and if Brian Thomas blossoms forth into the promise his club games have given, there will be little to fear. GAMES CANCELLED DECISION IN TAIHAPE NO PLAY TO-MORROW (From Our Own Correspondent) TAIHAPE, June 7. Wednesday's Rugby fixtures have been cancelled, as several clubs are unable to field teams. Teams set down for Wednesday will be played on Saturday. RANGITIKEI UNION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DISCUSSION ON MOYE SCHEME A management committee meeting of the Rangitikei Rugby Sub-Union was held last evening, Mr. R. C. S. McKenzie presiding over Messrs- A. Henwood, I. Jolly, R- Lynch, R. Rivers, I. Preston, L. Bu’l, and K. A. Williams (secretary). The main question discussed was whether Old Boys or Hunterville should be elevated to the A grade. After a lengthy discussion a ballot was taken and each team secured four votes. On the casting vote of the chairman Hunterville was graded into A grade. The fixtures for the Moye scheme drawn up by the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Union were fully discussed. It was noticed that there were very few games to be played in Marton, and it was decided to apply for two rounds in the B grade competition, and that an alteration be made so that on June 26 Marton Old Boys would play Marist at Marton instead of Wanganui. The union decided to supply the necessary numbers for players’ jerseys. A letter was received from the secretary of the Old Boys’ Football Club complaining of the refereeing in the game at Halcombe on Saturday, May 29. The letter was referred to the Referees’ Association. H. Hirst, of Hunterville, was re.

graded from the juniors to third grade, and V. Hurley, of Hunterville, from senior to junior. Twenty-four footballs were distributed among the public schools in Rangitikei. The secretary is to write to the King Country Union regarding the possibility of arranging a representative match at Marton. The Wanganui Rugby is to be asked that the Wanganui-Hawke’s Bay match be played at Marton this year. It was left in the hands of the seel retary to arrange a match for the Rangitikei juniors with the Wanganui *. juniors.