Wanganui And Old Boys

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 April 1949, Page 8

Wanganui And Old Boys

Last year Wanganui and Old Boys had 17 senior players, of which only six were backs. This season 20 players, including nine backs, are in training for selection in the regular senior team. The strength of the side appears to be the back line. If the forwards are able to gain possession of the ball

some bright, open football should be seen. This year’s scrum is a wellbalanced one and should gain its share ofr'the ball. • A back line which includes M. Hunter, K. Welsh and B. Poananga, brings back memories of the G. Hook, Welsh, D. Barton combination of the pre-war days. Wanganui Rugby enthusiasts will welcome the news that K. Welsh will be playing again. He has been weight lifting since his retirement two seasons ago, but it is reported that he has been showing much of his previous ability in training runs. His goal-kicking will be an asset to the team. The candidates for the half-back position are J. Bligh and W. Matenga, a member of the Maori Battalion team. First live-eighth will be the reliable M. Hunter, who will be supported by K. Welsh. A decided acquisition w ill be B. I’oananga, who was prominent in Duntroon and J-Force football. He is remembered in Wanganui as one of Lie leading members of the first fifteen of the Palmerston Boys' High School. He will be probably playing a centre three-quarter for Old Boys. Wing three-quarters are J. Smith, the drawcard of the Wanganui Railways team, P. Bosher and C. Jones, former (member of the Wanganui Technical College first fifteen. E. Bligh will be playing in his rightful .place of full-back. Newcomers to the forwards are M. Grillin back row), ex-Marist player, and F. Jordan, a member of the Wellington College first fifteen. Frontrow forwards include G. Brown, B. Jones, D. Fitchett (or side row). W. Scott and A. Hackshaw. The lock positions will be filled by A. Buckley, D. McGregor or P. Howie. R. Knofflock and F. Jordan are the side-row